Chương 2: 2. Second meeting
There has been no significant change since that special incident. Even one month after they finished sharing their love, Livy was still subtly expelled from Theo's life. In reality, Theo Albern and Livy Gabriella still had to go their separate ways. It was a fact that happened.
Theo is a real man. He never breaks promises or escapes responsibility. As per the agreement, Livy has now received some money from Theo at the end of their marriage. Livy used the money to buy a modest house, which was better than her previous home.
That's where Livy is now. At her dressing table, Livy looked pensively at a divorce letter, which she had to sign immediately. But Livy hasn't touched the letter at all since a month ago.
"I can't sign that letter." Livy softly leaned her back against the chair. " "I'm tired of crying," she sobbed, falling further into the abyss of pain. "I should be happy and feel like the luckiest person in the world. Being married to a handsome and wealthy man and also being paid a lot of money, I was never treated harshly by Theo during the marriage. However, why do I have to be this sad and painful now?"
After a long monologue, Livy quickly convinced herself and moved to get a pen. Livy was ready to sign the divorce papers. Whatever she was feeling, she shouldn't care about it. All that mattered was that her job was done.
HUEK.
The pen in Livy's hand fell along with the nausea she felt. Unable to hold back any longer, Livy went to the toilet. "It's weird; I've been feeling weak lately. No energy, not in the mood to eat anything either. Now nauseous." Livy looked in the mirror to look at her reflection.
Livy's slender body feels a little thin now. Livy also rarely takes care of herself. "Damn, it's worth it that Theo isn't interested in her at all," Livy said weakly. She held on to the wall because it wasn't strong enough to support her body. "This can't be what I think it is!" she shouted in frustration as bad thoughts attacked her and focused on one thing: being pregnant.
***
In fact, Livy could never be at peace with her own assumption that she wasn't pregnant. Livy went to the gynecology clinic this afternoon to confirm the truth. She anxiously awaited the doctor's decision after the checkup.
The doctor came in with a piece of paper in his hand. He thrust the paper at Livy to read. Before Livy could see what was written on the paper, the doctor spoke first.
"Congratulations, you're pregnant."
Livy's body relaxed. The questions rushing through her mind made her think she was going crazy, "What about this? Will Theo accept this baby? Or what should he do now?"
The reality was that Livy was pregnant. A thing that should be a joy for others, is now a Boomerang for Livy because she will be separated from her husband. "Should I talk to Theo to tell him the truth?" The conflicting thoughts of logic and heart put Livy in a dilemma.
***
"Theo, I want to talk."
Livy's delicate fingers moved quickly on the phone screen to delete the message. There had been dozens of times when she was confused about what kind of message to send to the man she was aiming for. Livy gave up; the woman threw the cell phone on the bed in any direction.
Then Livy lay back against the ceiling, taking a deep breath with increasingly complicated thoughts: "I really want to call Theo and tell him this news in a cheerful way. Yes, that would have happened if we hadn't split up, Theo," she murmured.
As if Theo were actually in front of him.
"As for now? After I received a lot of money from her future ex-husband, I feel ashamed, Theo," she continued. Livy was too embarrassed for Theo to take responsibility for this baby.
"But... it's still Theo's baby. A good man should be willing to admit it and take responsibility," Livy said, then moved to sit down and retype the message she had deleted. Now, her conviction was very strong and undeniable.
***
The restaurant was quite quiet; there were only a few visitors. The sound of classical music enhances the atmosphere.
Ting.
The bell rang to let someone in. It was Theo Albern, and his arrival was able to grab the attention of the women in the place. They were mesmerized that someone from the Albern family came to a restaurant that wasn't fancy enough.
"It's so quiet; you're not thinking of dating me, are you?"
Livy gasped as two large palms. Covered her eyes.
"Theo!" Livy snapped, knowing it was him.
Theo appeared from behind Livy, flashed a smile, and moved to sit in front of her. "What's wrong? I'm quite busy, but you asked me to see you. Since you're my ex-wife, I'll grant it," Theo said jokingly.
Livy looked down. Her mind was churning with disappointment. "I was trying so hard to hide my disappointment when you called me an 'ex-wife', don't you realize, Theo?"
"Theo, how are you?" greeted Livy after fully controlling her consciousness. She stared at Theo's handsome face intently.
"Yeah, good," Theo briefly gave a faint smile.
"That guy didn't even ask me if I was okay," Livy thought with a wry smile. She let out a long sigh. Thinking carefully, "How should I start this unusual conversation?" Livy's mind was depressed. She looked closely at Theo's face. Imagining what the change in expression would be when Livy said everything about this big thing.
"I want-"
"Livy!" cut in Theo enthusiastically. He grasped both of her arms tightly. Of course, Livy was confused, with both eyebrows perfectly raised. Her completely unopened conversation turned to something else. "Yeah, why?"
Before delivering his sentence, Theo smiled again. "Don't you realize I'm different today?"
Livy's head shake made it all clear. "What does that mean?"
Theo again smiled sweetly, his beautiful face again bewitched Livy and dragged Livy's subconscious to continue to admire the man's charm. "Really, it's rare that I find a smile that wide from a Theo Albern," Livy's mind said.
"Tell me, what makes you so different to smile that wide?" the woman asked impatiently.
Theo kept his smile still, then propped up his chin and said, "Guess what."
A sigh escaped Livy's lips as she rolled her eyes. "Theo, don't play games, just tell me right away, I'm very curious about the thing you met," she said irritably.
After laughing, Theo immediately took a deep breath. He was ready to explain everything.
"Livy, you are a good woman. I want to thank you in advance for saving my good name in entertainment as well as in front of my family."
Livy smiled. Her forehead wrinkled in surprise. Ah, relief. She, who already knew Theo's background, was very happy when the accusation of Theo liking the same sex was gone.
"No wonder you're so happy. But honestly, I'm the one who should be grateful. Thanks to you, I was able to buy a house," Livy replied honestly. Her heart sincerely thanked Theo for the man's kindness.
"Yes, you're welcome. But there are actually other things that make me as happy as I am now."
Livy was eager to hear the other positive things Theo would tell her. She smiled, ready to receive a million stories from Theo. It's rare that Theo tells stories this long; there must be something that makes him happy.
"About Zoe, she is back."
Livy's smile immediately faded. Her enthusiastic look has now turned pale. Livy's mind cried out what she felt in her chest: "Zoe, Zoe, Zoe. That name has been heard so often since long ago. You told me so many times, Theo. Zoe Saldine, the girl of Theo's heart, was Theo's first love. Why did you have to come back?"
After laughing, Theo immediately took a deep breath. He was ready to explain everything. "Livy, you are a good woman. I want to thank you in advance for saving my good name in entertainment as well as in front of my family."
Livy smiled. Her forehead wrinkled in surprise. Ah, relief. She, who already knew Theo's background, was very happy when the accusation of Theo liking the same sex was gone. Lvy tried to hide her displeasure. Next, Livy put on a fake smile to cover her wounds, or maybe she was afraid of ruining Theo's happiness. Even though Livy had to feel a tightness in her chest, she still managed to smile.
"Congratulations, yes. I-I had some sudden business," Livy said with a choked breath, standing up with a fake smile.
"Didn't you want to talk?"
"About our divorce papers, don't worry; I'll sign them right away."
The saddest sentence finally escaped Livy's lips. The woman almost burst into tears, but she tried desperately to hide it. Her heart was broken; she wanted to scream, but not in front of Theo.
Livy stood up from her chair. She wanted to leave, but Theo was more dexterous, grabbing her arm.
"Hey, what's up?" Theo asked with his eyebrows linked. He looked Livy seriously in the eyes. "About earlier."
Livy let out a short, bitter laugh. Her gaze was directed to the side, unable to look at Theo. "No, I had something important to say. But it doesn't seem important anymore."
Livy walked away. This time Theo didn't hold the woman back; he just looked at Livy's back, who was completely gone. He was a little surprised but tried not to care too much.
"Livy is no longer my business," he said, which Livy could then vaguely hear from a distance.
***
The door to the house was rudely opened. Livy's appearance was a mess. Her beautiful dress was already shapeless, and her beautiful face, which was wearing makeup, was now full of tears. The woman left expectantly but returned feeling crushed.
While walking in an uncertain direction, Livy yelled to herself, "Where's that pen?" She quickly grabbed the pen and signed the letter without hesitation. Livy would be officially divorced from the man she loved so much. In the end, Livy made up her mind. "You can't be selfish, Livy. Theo deserves to be happy. Divorce him," she monologued.
The next day, Livy actually handed over the letter. Let her and Theo go their separate ways. But the next day, Livy thought for a long time and said, "How will I raise this child alone? Won't people find out if I get pregnant, including Theo himself?"
Some time passed until Livy's feelings of sadness for the baby she was carrying grew. Every day, while stroking her stomach, Livy would cry bitterly, thinking about her future without a father. The woman who was sitting on the sofa in her room stared bitterly out the window. "I'm ready for Theo to leave me, but this baby can't feel the same pain as me," Livy said sadly.
"Maybe it's better if I explain this child to Theo first. At least after talking, let Theo make the decision." That's what Livy thought until she ventured to go to Theo's magnificent house now, a place that had once been her home. Even the house that had made her fall into a comfort zone A house full of memories
A long sigh was heard from Livy's thin lips, which were forced to smile as she looked at the magnificent house from inside the car. "Ah, finally here," she said softly.
Livy was about to get out of the car, her feet already on the ground. But something she saw forced her to stand still. It turned out that she had already been greeted by a very unpleasant sight. There was a dashing man coming out of the mansion with a beautiful-faced girl. It was Theo who was seen escorting Zoe to the car.
Livy's breath seemed to catch. Her chest felt like it had been hit by a boulder. It was very painful to see Theo with Zoe. Her heart was hurt. "It turns out that Zoe is more beautiful in person than in photos." Livy laughed tastelessly by wiping away the tears that came out unbidden, continuing to flow down her cheeks.
There was Theo smiling broadly, waving happily at Zoe, who was about to leave. The man showed an expression that had never been shown to Livy before. Seeing that Livy laughed blandly with a sharp gaze, staring at Theo from a distance, she said, "That man is obviously happier without me. Who am I anyway?" she said.
Livy backed up the car and left Theo's luxurious house without caring about anything anymore. There was no more hope. Maybe this is the way of destiny she has to officially divorce. Livy also doesn't want to tell Theo about this baby. Her decision was already very unanimous.
"Let me raise this baby-to-be alone. Goodbye, Theo Albern," said Livy in the middle of the crowded city, saying that she would soon leave for a long time.
***
This year has been so quiet that the city crowd has never been felt. There was no more density in the city; only small, simple houses seemed to be everywhere. During this one year, that's what Livy saw in the remote countryside. It's been a year since she left the city with that sad feeling. Livy was serious about avoiding Theo as well as letting go of all the memories of the past.
Livy sold her house in the city and bought a modest house with half the money. The other half she used for living expenses. Livy was alone in this peaceful village.
Holding her little baby in her modest living room, Livy said sadly, "I ran out of money to buy baby food," as she pulled out a few bills from her wallet.
She glanced at her little baby, a little angel who was so dear to her and the only reason Livy was happy. Livy held her son, who was fast asleep in the carrier. She gave her baby a tender, loving kiss on the cheek. "Honey, you can't go hungry. I promise, no matter what happens, you can't go hungry," Livy whispered with great pain because of her child's fear of starvation.
Livy saved the rest of her money for the baby. The next day, Livy was completely out of money. She no longer knew how to survive with the baby without working.
Livy cried because she was upset with herself. "Honey, I think I need to find a way for you to live well. I love you."
That night, Livy thought hard, looking for a solution so that her life could be secured with the baby. An idea led Livy to one thing that was full of consideration: "Should I work and return to the city?" she monologued with a blank stare.
***
The dark night has been lit up by the street lights. As the cars sped by, Livy stood up straight. Now, her feet are back on the asphalt of the city streets, which are full of dust because of the many traces of human life.
Memories of the past returned, and shadows of the past invaded. There was nothing Livy could do but stare at the bustling city that she had left for a year. Nothing has changed; the city is still the city that has always managed to suffocate Livy's chest until now.
For so long, Livy stared at the streets of the city. Without boredom, she just kept silent, feeling the night air. Livy was too immersed in her feelings, her memories, and her heart, which was adrift in the city she was stepping into. "This city is so vast, there's no way I'm meeting the man from the past," she muttered to one human. Who else, if not Theo Albern? The man she least wanted to meet, even in a dream.
***
Early in the morning, at eight o'clock, Livy received a call from the third company she applied to yesterday. After two failures, the young woman did not give up, and kept trying until she finally got the happy decision she was waiting for. Livy was called in for an interview.
"I hope the results are satisfactory and I'm quickly accepted by the company," she said nervously. She was already dressed neatly, with a shirt and formal pants.
Now she was standing in a huge, multi-story, towering corporation that could make her tremble.
Taking a deep breath, Livy tried to develop a smile, dismissing all her fears of going inside. Livy said cheerfully, "I'm ready for my baby."
***
A middle-aged man in a black tie cleared his throat, starting to say to a woman sitting opposite him, "We've seen your educational history. From the looks of it, you're quite attractive. Congratulations! You've been accepted as a secretary in this company."
Livy's eyes lit up with happiness when the head of the company told her that. Livy was so grateful inside that her nervousness slowly disappeared. Livy was so happy inside: "Now I have a job to support my little baby."
"Please start working tomorrow. Looking nice and neat is also very important. Please sign this letter if you are serious about applying for a job."
Livy reacted with a small nod and a widened smile. "Of course I'm serious. The salary in this company is quite high, especially for the position of secretary," her mind said, with her body moving to take a pen and then quickly sign on the white paper that had been provided.
"I'm ready to work; thank you very much, sir."
Livy and the head of the company shook hands in a formal manner with a smile.
"Livy Gabriella, please come back tomorrow to work with our company," said the head of the company, ending their conversation.
***
The next day, Livy was so excited. She arrived early in the morning, looking very presentable. Livy stepped into her new room with her heart beating faster than usual. Livy hoped that she herself was reliable.
Since it was still early in the morning, not many humans had arrived yet. Livy glanced around the shiny room. This must be the CEO's very important room.
Speaking of the CEO, Livy wondered who would be her boss. She hoped it wouldn't be too stern or fierce. But whatever it was, Livy was going to stick it out for this job. "Who's my boss?" muttered Livy as she walked towards her boss's desk.
When she found a picture frame on the nightstand, Livy looked so happy. It seemed like an opportunity for her to get to know her boss's face. Her delicate fingers reached for the edge of the frame. As soon as she saw the face in the frame, Livy immediately stood still.
It was a well-built man with a firm jaw who didn't smile at the camera. His gaze was cold, and both arms were stuffed into his pants pockets.
Livy shook her head, hardly believing any of this. She felt like her chest had been stabbed by a rock, and thousands of past memories spun back like a broken record just by looking at that face. "No way," she strongly emphasized to herself. But a reality check shattered everything.
"T-theo?" muttered Livy with a blank stare.
At the same time, a door opened. Bringing out the figure inside the frame, who was just as surprised as Livy. Theo Albern, the man with the CEO nametag, stood at the door with his eyebrows knitted together, his lips spontaneously uttering a single word. "You?" he wondered.
The black frame slipped out of Livy's delicate fingers, falling to the floor. Her mind said weakly, "It's really Theo." After a few seconds, Livy realized this and picked up the frame immediately.
Unexpectedly, the person Livy avoided the most in this city is now her boss. "God, why did the world bring us together again?" Livy's mind strongly rejected the reality of her life.
Theo had also regained consciousness; he closed the door and sat at his desk. Livy stepped back, giving Theo access to sit down.
"Where have you been all this time? I wanted to visit you, but the people there said you moved. You sold your house, so where have you been living?"
Theo's successive questions did not make Livy open up. The woman was shocked, her chest tight with thoughts filled with memories of the past. Livy's mind voiced a mixture of sadness and anger: "I've been trying so hard to forget Theo for a year, to erase him from my mind. But why did he suddenly appear in a way I never expected?"
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