Contrast

It had been four days since Ellen and Mason arrived in Bali. Each day had been filled with visits to various attractions, trying different foods, and experiencing the vibrant culture. Today, they found themselves in a bustling market, surrounded by the colorful chaos of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to exotic fruits.

Ellen had already picked out souvenirs for her father and sister. She held a beautifully carved wooden statue and a piece of jewelry. She looked over at Mason, who seemed indifferent to the lively market around them. He hadn't bought anything.

"You're not getting anything?" Ellen asked, trying to sound casual.

Mason shook his head. "I don't need anything," he replied, his tone flat and uninterested.

Ellen frowned, feeling a bit frustrated. "It doesn't have to be for yourself. You could buy something for..." Her voice trailed off as she realized she was about to bring up Mason's family. She bit her lip, regretting her choice of words.

Mason's background flashed through her mind. He was an orphan. His parents and older brother had been killed in a house robbery while Mason had been out celebrating his graduation with friends. That tragedy had shaped him into the private, almost antisocial person he was today. It was also the reason behind his breakup with Aubrey. He had thrown himself into learning how to run his father's company, determined to excel and keep the legacy alive, to honor his family's memory by becoming the best in everything he did.

In short, Mason was all alone. He didn't have any family. Well, Ellen was his family now that they were married, but she never knew if Mason ever thought of her as one.

Ellen was pulled from her thoughts when Mason waved a hand in front of her face. "What were you going to say?" he asked, his brow furrowed slightly.

She took a deep breath. "I meant you could buy something for Philip. He'd be happy to get a gift from you."

Nice save, Ellen...

Mason seemed to consider this for a moment, his eyes drifting over the various stalls. "If you want to buy something for Philip, go ahead," he said finally, his tone softening just a bit.

Ellen smiled and started looking around the stalls with renewed enthusiasm. She picked up a handcrafted leather wallet and turned to Mason. "Do you think he'd like this?"

Mason glanced at the wallet and nodded. "Yeah, that looks good."

Ellen paid for all of the things and slipped it into her tote bag. They continued to wander through the market, the lively atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. Ellen found herself enjoying the experience, despite the underlying tension between her and Mason.

They stopped at a stall selling vibrant, patterned scarves. As she picked up a vibrant scarf from a stall, her thoughts drifted to Aubrey. She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. While she was here in Bali, having fun and enjoying herself, Aubrey was likely locking herself up in her apartment, nursing a broken heart. Ellen imagined Aubrey's sorrowful face, her tear-streaked cheeks, and the dull look in her eyes.

The contrast struck her deeply. 

She glanced at Mason, who was examining a wooden carving. He seemed so distant, so wrapped up in his own world. Ellen wondered if he ever thought about Aubrey. Did he miss her? Regret leaving her? It was a question she didn't dare ask.

***

Aubrey sat on her balcony, watching the night sky. It was so empty, not a single star to be seen, much like her heart. She felt hollow, a void inside her that nothing could fill. The cool breeze did little to comfort her, only serving as a reminder of the chill that had settled in her soul since Mason left.

She couldn't stop thinking about him, the man she had loved so deeply. The memory of his wedding haunted her. Married. The word itself made her laugh bitterly. Life had a cruel sense of humor. How could it be that the man she had dreamed of spending her life with was now married to someone else?

Aubrey's thoughts drifted back to the last time she saw Mason. He had been so cold, his eyes devoid of the warmth she once knew. He hadn't smiled, not once. When she congratulated him on his wedding, he had replied shortly, as if she were a stranger. It was as if their love had never existed, as if all those moments they shared meant nothing to him.

Her heart ached at the thought. She took a deep breath, feeling the tightness in her chest. Reaching behind her, she grabbed the glass of wine and took a long sip, hoping to dull the pain. The wine was bitter, much like her feelings, but it was a welcome distraction.

Aubrey set the glass back on the table with a harsh clink, frustration bubbling up inside her. Why did it have to end like this? Why did she just stand by, doing nothing, while Mason married another woman? The questions swirled in her mind, each one piercing her heart.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as tears started to well up in her eyes. She had tried so hard to move on, to let go of the love she still felt for Mason. But no matter how many times or how hard she tried, she always found herself right back where she started—still in love with him, still yearning for what they had.

The tears spilled over, tracing a path down her cheeks. She didn't bother to wipe them away, letting them flow freely. She was tired—tired of her feelings, tired of the constant ache in her chest, tired of everything. The exhaustion settled over her like a heavy blanket, making it hard to breathe.

Her mind wandered back to the memories they had shared, each one a bittersweet reminder of what she had lost. The laughter, the late-night conversations, the way he looked at her with so much love in his eyes. It was all gone now, replaced by the cold reality of his marriage to someone else.

Aubrey's shoulders slumped as she let out a shaky breath. She had loved Mason with everything she had, and it still wasn't enough. She muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper, "Is there still a chance for us to be together again?"

The words hung in the air, a desperate plea to the universe. She knew it was foolish to hope, but she couldn't help it. A part of her still clung to the belief that somehow, someway, they could find their way back to each other.

Aubrey's tears continued to fall, her body shaking with silent sobs. She felt utterly alone, adrift in a sea of her own despair. The night sky offered no comfort, its emptiness a mirror of her own heart.

She closed her eyes, trying to hold onto the fragments of hope that remained. Maybe one day, things would change. Maybe one day, she would find happiness again. 

"I don't believe you don't love me anymore, Mason."