Chapter 20
There were a few months left before school started.
Having nothing much to do, Saoirse decided to intern at an advertising
company.
Her major was graphic design, which was an internationally influential. program at Hufter University.
Although she was just an intern, her colleagues and supervisors took good
care of her.
The only issue was that the company was a bit far from home, and the commute was lengthy.
To ensure Saoirse got enough rest, her parents rented her a small studio apartment near the company, asking her to come back home only on
weekends.
Though Saoirse missed home, she had grown a lot during her four years of university and quickly adapted to life in Poralis.
One morning at 8:00 am, she left for work, yawning as she carried her bag. She noticed that a room across the hall, which had been up for rent, now had occupants. Curiosity got the better of her, and she almost went to
check out her new neighbors. However, the elevator arrived just in time. She had to forget that idea.
Just as the elevator doors were closing, she heard a somewhat familiar. voice. It spoke with a fluent, standard Ludderian accent and sounded very much like Julian.
Saoirse froze.
But wasn’t Lucian supposed to be drinking away his troubles back home? He shouldn’t be here. She must have heard wrong.
Shaking her head, she dismissed the unrealistic thought and focused on getting to work. The tasks assigned during her internship were not
difficult, but she was meticulous and lost track of time as she threw herself into her work. It wasn’t until a colleague from the adjacent desk. reminded her that she realized the workday had ended.
It was Friday, and Saoirse planned to go home, grab a few things, and then enjoy dinner with her family. Back at the apartment, she glanced at the closed door across the hall before entering her place. She picked up a bag she had left by the entrance before she headed out.
As she reached the elevator, which was heading up, it stopped at the 21st floor. She moved to the side to let the doors open.
A tall figure stepped out then.
Saoirse was about to enter the elevator when the figure blocked the door
Saoirse looked up to see who was this brute obstructing her path, only to find herself face–to–face with Julian. Her eyebrows knitted together in
surprise.
“Good evening,” Julian said casually.
“What are you doing here?”
His nonchalant greeting made Saoirse realize he probably knew her address. The answer he provided was just as she expected.
“I’m staying in Unit 2104.”
So, Julian was the new tenant who moved in this morning..
Saoirse’s expression grew solemn.
“Why are you here in Poralis? Why did you move in right across from me? Don’t tell me this is just a coincidence.”
Seeing her evident displeasure, Julian, who had intended to surprise her, felt a pang of disappointment. “Saoirse, no secret can be kept forever. If someone is determined, they can find out anything.”
For some reason, his words sent shivers down Saoirse’s spine. Her expression grew colder when she warned, “I don’t care how determined you are. I just want to remind you that we’ve broken up. Where you choose
3/3
to live is your business. Just please, don’t disrupt my life.”
Seeing her increasingly harsh reaction, Julian became flustered and hurried to explain. “I don’t have any other intentions. I just wanted to be closer to you and see you every day. I promise I won’t disturb you.”
Though his words were sincere, Saoirse had no interest in engaging. further. She turned and entered the elevator that had arrived from downstairs.
Julian, who had anticipated her cold attitude before arriving in Poralis, was now faced not only with her coldness but also a hint of resistance. It wiped away any joy he had felt about their reunion. Watching the elevator descend to the first floor, he turned back to his new home.
The apartment was empty and cold, with nothing to make it feel welcoming.
Julian dropped the bags of belongings he had just bought and sat on the couch, glancing around at the barren space. A sense of sadness washed over him as he recalled the times he had lived with Saoirse.
Back when they first moved into their apartment, it was almost bare except for a few pieces of furniture.
Saoirse had been the one to buy countless items–furniture, daily necessities, and decorations–turning the rental into a cozy home. Unfortunately, at that time, he hadn’t appreciated her efforts and had taken her for granted.
Now that the apartment was empty and she was gone, he realized too late how much she had done for him. But Saoirse had given up on him. He wondered if there was still a chance to win her back.
He didn’t know if he could regain her love, but he did know one thing: he would fight for their relationship with the same dedication she had once shown. This time, it was Julian’s turn to pursue Saoirse.
