What decision to make?

I scanned the surroundings, hoping not to come across any paparazzi lying in wait. But I quickly noticed that the property was protected by several bodyguards.

-Mr Koen asked us to prepare lunch for you when you get up, said one of the bodyguards approaching me

-No need, I replied, shaking my head.

A car slowly approached me, its headlights piercing the daylight.

-I'm going home, I added

-Okay, I'll open the gate so you can get out, the bodyguard said to me.

My manager kept his word. I walked over to the vehicle and opened the back door, sliding inside with a sigh of relief.

"Have you forgotten anything?" the driver asked me from the driver's seat, glancing over his shoulder to make sure we weren't being followed.

-No, we can go, I replied.

The car started, slowly driving us away from this sumptuous property.

During the ride, I got lost in thought, wondering if giving Koen a chance was a good idea.

I don't want to make bad choices, I thought

30 minutes later -

I stood in front of the imposing door of my manager's house, a little nervous. After a few seconds of waiting that seemed like an eternity, the door opened to reveal his wife, an elegant woman with a radiant smile.

-Huyn!, she said warmly

She took me in her arms, a hug which I returned. Her eyes full of love and her sweet smile warmed my heart.

Once the reunion hug was over, she quickly took me by the wrist and led me inside the house.

-I missed you, she said to me, you really need to come more often

-Yeah, I'll try, I replied, smiling at him, I missed you too

Inside the house as usual, every detail, from the furniture to the works of art hanging on the walls, exuded good taste and refinement. We walked through the entrance hall into a spacious living room where a sumptuous lunch was already laid out on a large oak table.

-Settle down, I'm going to call my husband, she said to me, pointing to a chair.

I sat down, feeling my stomach rumble at the sight of the deliciously prepared foods: a colorful salad, charcuterie and cheese platters, freshly baked breads, and many other delights. The presentation was worthy of a royal feast. Soon after, my manager, Riven, entered the room, smiling broadly, followed by his wife.

-Huyn!, exclaimed my manager as he sat down at the table, are you okay?

-Yeah you're very good

Meridia his wife, returning with a carafe of fresh fruit juice, took a seat next to him.

-So who is this famous stranger?, his curious wife cut us off, you need to tell us about your famous evening too

I took a deep breath, ready to reveal the events of the day before.

-Okay but I have to tell you from the beginning, I began

I told them about our first meeting, which was quite special, so to speak.

-You ran away with him on his motorbike!, exclaimed Meridia in shock

-Yes and he took me to a car race, I added laughing, he even won that race

-Whoah!, exclaimed Meridia in an admiring tone, what happened afterwards?

Riven and his wife leaned forward slightly, their curiosity clearly piqued.

-My parents called me and he took me home, I told them

-He didn't even tell you his name? Riven asked me in surprise.

-No, I told him shaking my head, and I saw him again in this café but he was with a girl

They took an outraged breath.

-HE IS SERIOUS?!, yelled Meridia in an annoyed tone

-Out of the question he continues to approach you, added Riven

-Let me finish, I said to them with a smile on my lips.

I told them the story of our second meeting.

-Luckily it was just her cousin tss, grunted Meridia

-Hmm, I replied agreeing with her, honestly I don't know if he's looking for something really serious

-Are you afraid it won't be worth it?, Meridia asked me

I look down at the table so as not to show the emotions passing through my eyes and about to overwhelm me.

-I'm just afraid of suffering, I whispered in a small voice

-It's normal that you're afraid, my manager explained to me in a serious tone, I remind you that Donovan, the first person you fell in love with, put you through hell

I feel my throat tighten at the mention of these tragic memories that I had to endure. I was manipulated, hurt and he even managed to make me believe that without him I was nothing.

He stopped my world to spin his own. He destroyed my dreams without any remorse.

I hate him so much that I wish he could disappear from the face of the earth.

I feel Meridia taking me e in his arms I feel his presence comforting me. She was like a mother to me.

-I-I

I feel my voice cracking and I hate it. I just want to keep pretending that everything is okay and that nothing scares me.

-I-I'm afraid to show myself and...that in the end I'll find myself broken, I stammered

-Do you want to give him a chance? Riven asks me

-I said I would give him one…

-But nothing obliges you to do so, he reassured me,

-I don't feel obligated, I just feel this feeling that keeps telling me that maybe it's the right one, I whispered lost

-Then go for it, Meridia smiled at me, but while being careful

He seemed like someone so caring, kind, loving and so on.

My stomach growled with hunger which made Meridia laugh.

-Eat otherwise you risk not making it through the day, she said, smiling at me.

She stroked my hair before letting me eat.

-Whatever choice you make, we will always be there for you, my manager reassured me in a soft voice

I don't just want to turn the page, I want to tear it up.