The Girlfriend Selection - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 'The plane cut through the clouds, a sky full of stars stretching out beyond the window. Heaned back in my seat, closed my eyes, and finally let out a long breath. Ihad turned my phone off before takeoff, but I could already imagine the chaos online. My mind drifted back five years. Ona whim, I had decided to go abroad and make something of myself. My father didn't stop me. He just said that if I ever got tired, I could come home anytime. That was when I met Fred. He was attentive and thoughtful.

He would bring me late- night takeout when I worked overtime, drive across the city just to deliver my favorite flowers, and stay up all night by my bedside when I was sick. Back then, I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world. Now, I knew better. It had all been an act. The burns on my legs had mostly healed, but faint scars remained. It served as a reminder of a lesson I would never forget. By the time we landed, it was already late at night. At the arrivals gate, a tall figure stood waiting. [recognized him instantly. Easton May.

The boy I grew up with, the one I had fallen for secretly back in college, the one my dad said had been waiting for me all these years. He wore a simple gray coat, standing straight and calm, just like I remembered. "You're back." Inodded. He took my suitcase without a word and drove me home. Back in college, I had admired him quietly, but I never said anything. We had argued over a misunderstanding before either of us could speak up. Then, I left for five years. My parents told me he never dated anyone during that time.

He kept his distance from every woman and turned down every arranged match his family suggested, all for me. I thought we had missed our chance for good. But somehow, after everything, I ended up right back beside him. In the car, I turned my phone back on. Messages flooded in. They were all from the girls. (Hannah, we did it! The reporters got everything. It's everywhere!) [We're trending number one! Everyone's dragging them!] (Did you see Fred's face? He looked like hell!) [Ayla was crying her eyes out. Honestly, she deserved it.) (Thank you, Hannah.

Without you, we never would've gotten justice.) Asmall smile tugged at my lips as I typed back. [I've arranged people to support you on your side. If anything happens, reach out anytime. Don't be afraid. Take care of yourselves.] Mixed in with their messages were dozens of missed calls from Fred. Thad already blocked his number and all his accounts before boarding, but he kept calling from new numbers. Easton glanced at my screen, then said calmly, "I'll get youa new phone and number tomorrow." Inodded softly. Some things aren't worth holding on to.