Chapter 2 The Photo Incident

I finished work early that day, and thinking it had been a while since I'd been to Alec's place, I decided to stop by the supermarket to pick up some vegetables and fruits.

After that, I went to his apartment. As soon as I stepped inside, I started tidying up like a maid and feeding Muffin.

When I finally returned home, still tired, I hadn't even settled on the couch before I got an angry phone call from Alec.

He immediately started, his tone sharp and accusing, "Where are the things on my desk? Did you throw them out? Who gave you permission to touch my stuff?"

"What things? I don't really remember," I replied, trying to keep my emotions in check. In my head, I was quickly scanning for any clue related to the stuff he might be referring to, but honestly, I couldn't remember anything.

"Just a photo wrapped in paper."

Oh, that suddenly rang a bell. There had been a photo wrapped in paper. "Yes, I saw it, but I didn't open it. It was all crumpled up, so I thought it was something you didn't want... so I-"

Before I could finish, Alec abruptly hung up the phone.

Alec usually had a good temper, and he wouldn't get upset like this unless it was something that truly crossed his line. After all, he'd never yelled at me before.

Sitting on the couch, I couldn't help but regret not unwrapping the paper to check what was inside. If I had, none of this would have happened.

He clearly cared a lot about that photo. It could have been a solo picture of Linsey, or perhaps a picture of them together.

That thought instantly made my heart sink. It hit me like a wave-waiting for him like this was truly foolish.

It seemed like Alec was still quietly holding on to the memories, still waiting for her. Just like how I had never really let him go.

Now it was clear-they could reunite.

Later, Kathryn called. "Rosanna," she said.

"Yeah, I'm listening," I replied, snapping out of my thoughts as Kathryn's voice broke through.

We exchanged a few more words, and then hung up.

The next day, I did run into Linsey at work. She looked as beautiful as ever-still as stunning and arrogant.

"Rosanna, it's been a while. I suppose you already know we're going to be working together. Don't be as careless as you were back in school. I keep my personal and professional lives separate, you know."

I could feel the hostility in Linsey's gaze. It was baffling-what had I done to deserve this?

I forced a smile. "I'll make sure not to be, Ms. Roberts."

Kathryn whispered, "There you go-she's already throwing down the gauntlet."

I just nodded, not saying anything, and returned to my desk to continue working.

By the time work ended, I overheard Linsey talking on the phone as she walked out of the office. "Wait for me downstairs, I'll be down in a minute." Her voice was so sweet, it made me feel sick.

Uncontrollably, I glanced out the window, silently hoping it wasn't Alec.

But my prayer was in vain. There, I saw the familiar car and the familiar figure. It felt like a wave of bitterness had washed over me, leaving me with a heavy, suffocating ache in my chest.

It seemed that Alec had come to pick up Linsey after work. Wow, their relationship reignited faster than I'd ever imagined.

Just as I was about to feel sorry for myself, my phone rang. It was Alec. "Are you off work? I'm downstairs at your office."

"Not yet. I'm staying late. I have to go, I'm busy."

Before he could say anything more, I quickly hung up.

Despite my failed crush, I still had my pride. I wasn't going to walk out there and be the third wheel, the clown.

A few moments later, I heard a car drive off. I thought I could breathe easier, but the knot in my chest only tightened.

It pissed me off. My eyes were burning with tears, and I could hardly see the words on my computer screen.

Later that night, after dinner, I was lying in bed when Alec called again to ask if the dog food had run out. He couldn't find it.

I told him it should still be in the cabinet by the shoe rack.

"Alec, there's no water," a sweet, sugary voice came from the other end of the phone.

I sat up with a jolt, pressing the phone to my ear, then I heard, "Sorry, I didn't know you were on the phone."

Through the phone, I could already picture what was going on. That nauseating couple-back together, living in the same house.

Was their reconciliation happening at lightning speed? It felt like someone had dumped ice-cold water on me, and I instantly went numb.

"Rosanna, wait a minute," Alec said after a pause, probably finishing with whatever he was dealing with on Linsey's side.

He then added, "Rosanna, Linsey hasn't found a place yet, so she's staying at my place for now. And, by the way, I'm sorry about what happened last time."

Was he trying to explain? Why did he feel the need to say all this when they were already living together?

I took a deep breath, responding coolly, "Yeah, I can hear her. If that's all, I'll hang up now. Goodbye."

I felt so small, so pathetic. I couldn't even confront Alec properly.

I despised myself in that moment. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Maybe it was this tendency to avoid confrontation that kept me stuck in this muddled feeling of love.