A Vow Lost to Time

I had said what I wanted to say. I strode out of the office.

But before I could reach the elevator, the nineteen-year-old version of Agnes suddenly rushed forward and clung to my arm.

"Frank, please… don't. Let's take that watch back, all right? I gave it to you."

Her eyes were rimmed red, yet her voice was hesitant, as though she feared I might be angry.

Looking at her fresh, unadorned face, my heart softened in spite of myself.

"Fine. But this will count as the second chance. Are you sure you want to use it now?"

She nodded firmly, without a moment's hesitation.

I ruffled her hair, then turned back from the elevator and walked once more toward the office.

But when I pushed open the door again, the sight that greeted me made the nineteen-year-old Agnes explode with fury.

Nicholas was holding Agnes in his arms, whispering intimately against her ear.

The moment they saw me enter, the two sprang apart.

"Frank! When did you become so rude? Do you not know you should knock before entering someone else's office?"

I shot her a cool glance and walked straight toward them, bending down. But Nicholas stealthily pressed his foot onto the watch strap, pinning it to the ground.

With no choice, I straightened again.

He lowered his gaze, his tone meek.

"Frank, I was only trying to comfort Agnes. She was so upset. Please don't be angry."

Hearing his feigned humility, Agnes couldn't hold back any longer.

"Just look at yourself, Frank. Look at the way you act. Nicholas is so considerate, yet you keep making things hard for him again and again. Apologize to him."

I ignored her words, fixing my eyes on Nicholas, fighting to hold down the fire raging in my chest.

"Move."

But he pretended not to hear.

"Frank, I really didn't mean anything by it."

Then Agnes's hand shot out, gripping my chin hard.

"Apologize. To Nicholas."

I stared at her furious face, then turned my head slightly toward the nineteen-year-old standing nearby.

She was frozen in place, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The sight made my anger dissolve in an instant. I gazed at her with aching tenderness and muttered, "I'm sorry."

"Oh, Frank, there's no need for that, really. Don't apologize." Nicholas backed away cautiously, but I caught the faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

I no longer cared what Agnes said. I bent down, picked up the battered watch, and walked out of the office.

On the way out of Marlen Tower, the nineteen-year-old Agnes sobbed uncontrollably, apologizing to me over and over.

I stroked her head gently.

"It's all right, Agnes. You didn't do anything wrong."

Looking at her delicate face, I asked, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"

She blinked at me, dazed, then glanced at the car's display clock. Suddenly her cheeks flushed, and excitement lit her eyes.

"It's the day you're going to propose to me."

Yes. Six years ago, on our one-year anniversary, I made her a promise. No matter if I had money or not, on Valentine's Day six years later, I would propose—by the sea.

"Good girl. Then tomorrow, you'll come with me, won't you?"

I spoke with quiet warmth. Her eyes sparkled like stars, locking onto mine.

At last, as though steeling herself, she whispered a secret.

"Frank, do you know why I could see the future? When you confessed to me, I made a wish on a shooting star… that I could glimpse the future. But I wouldn't remember any of it… not until midnight tomorrow, when I'll recall everything I saw."