4: 4

I went to his company, a place I'd barely set foot in these three years.

The old me never knew what standing I had to walk in, or what reason I had to meddle in his affairs.

This was the first time I worked up the courage.

When I reached the office door, it stood open, and I saw Yuki inside.

Keith's voice came from within.

“Even now I still care. I'll take responsibility for you.”

All at once I couldn't think at all.

“I've arranged everything, so don't worry. If nothing else comes up, let's make it next month.”

Next month. Just like the media said.

“Then have you told her?” I heard Yuki's voice from inside the office.

“Not yet. There's no rush.”

“But I'll find the time. You don't have to worry about that.”

Then Yuki wrapped her arms around him from behind.

“I knew it. You're still the one I like best.”

Something buzzed in my head, and before I'd even caught up to it, my body had already moved and carried me away from there.

I drifted through the whole way back in a daze, no idea how I even got home.

Keith didn't come back that night. I didn't ask. I knew I had no right to.

I was only a kept bird in a gilded cage. What right did I have to question anything he did?

And soon enough, even that place would be gone.

I slept, and in the dream Keith held out a bouquet and a diamond ring and asked me to marry him.

But when I woke, there was nothing beside me.

The sky was already turning gray, and I couldn't sleep anymore.

I rolled over and felt something under the pillow digging into my head.

I pulled it out, and the dream and the waking world folded into one.

It was a ring box.

I opened it. The ring was beautiful, almost exactly the one I'd pictured in the dream.

Engraved inside the band was a P&Y, plainly meant for him and Yuki.

I gave a small laugh. She'd been back in the country only a few days, and Keith had already arranged the wedding and prepared the ring.

I didn't want to guess anymore, didn't want to hang my future on this hollow, weightless thing. I gave up.

Just then I heard footsteps outside the door.

I put the ring back under the pillow, wiped my eyes dry, and pretended I knew nothing.

Keith was back. He looked a little tired, but I still caught that faint trace of perfume on him.

The moment he saw me, he spoke “You came looking for me yesterday? Why didn't you wait for me? You just left.”

“Is there nothing you want to ask me? Let's talk……”

Calmly, I said the words I'd never had the courage to say before.

“Let's break up.”