The 143rd Confession

I have a deal with Aldric Cromwell, the so-called King of Equinox Street, a billionaire lawyer-turned-CEO.

If I confess to him 142 times while wearing a wedding dress, he will cover his limited-edition Koenigsegg in flowers, drive me to the most magical castle, and give me the grandest wedding imaginable on my 143rd try.

However, Aldric is nowhere to be seen that day. Instead, he makes headlines by renting out the entire Wondergrove Theme Park just to celebrate his sweet new girlfriend, Bianca Alvarez's birthday.

Bathed in the glow of brilliant fireworks, they share a tender kiss, cameras flashing like stars all around them. That moment quickly becomes the top trending story on the internet.

Meanwhile, I go viral in my own way for showing up in a wedding dress for the 143rd time outside his company building.

Speculations and theories swirl about the mystery man I keep confessing to but never reveal. People also wonder how long it will be before I make the 144th declaration.

When Aldric realizes I have faithfully kept our agreement, he promises me, out of pure guilt, that he will finally fulfill the vow he's made to me after the final confession.

Dressed to the nines, he arrives at his company, driving that flower-covered, limited edition Koenigsegg, only to receive a final text from me.

"There won't be a 144th confession, Aldric. We're over."

Dressed in a wedding gown, I had professed to Aldric Cromwell 143 times.

Whenever I declared my feelings, I'd invariably stand outside his namesake, prestigious office building, clutching a bouquet of bridal flowers.

Meanwhile, he would parade his new fling around, appearing in various entertainment places.

It could be an award-winning restaurant, the front-row seats to a mega star's concert, or the local courthouse to register a marriage today and file for divorce tomorrow, just for the thrill of a whirlwind romance gone cold.

Everything I had ever dreamed of was granted to other women, as if they meant nothing at all.

I locked my phone and stood by the roadside, waiting to flag down an empty cab. I waited for a long time without a single car passing by. Then, Aldric called.

His cold and unfeeling voice waltzed into my ear as the call connected. "It's late. Why aren't you home yet? You're my fiancée—at least act like one."

Faced with my silence, he continued, "Hello? Have you lost your ability to speak? Where are you now?"

I kept quiet from the start. Had it been in the past, I would've convinced myself he was just too busy to remember anything about me, and I would then have gently explained the situation to him.

However, at that moment, I didn't have it in myself to please him.

Aldric's voice was tinged with an unmistakable annoyance. "Stop wasting my time and answer my question, Amelia."

"Downstairs, outside your HQ." I spoke at last, and upon some thoughts, I added, "Wearing a wedding dress."

His voice caught, along with his anger, as if he suddenly remembered the promise he once made to me.

As long as I confessed to him here 142 times in a wedding dress, he would appear on the 143rd time and accept my confession.

Yet, he was currently at the largest Wondergrove Theme Park in the country, bathed in a sky full of dazzling fireworks.

Just moments ago, he was still holding his new girlfriend, Bianca Alvarez, in a deep kiss.

"I forgot today was our scheduled confession day. Wait for me. I'll come and pick you up now."

For the first time, he seemed to care about something related to me.

As the call ended with a beep, I waved off the cab that had just pulled up beside me. Not because I still held any hope for Aldric, but because the weather had suddenly turned.

Large raindrops began to fall and splatter against my body.

Wearing nothing but a shoulder-baring wedding dress, I stood by the roadside in the rain, shivering from the cold.

Of course, my phone got soaked in the downpour, triggering its short-circuit protection and shutting down.

The whole time, Aldric never came to pick me up.

Before my device was switched off, I came across Bianca's newly updated Facebook post. Attached was a selfie she took with Aldric while they stood beside the limited-edition Koenigsegg.

Even the caption was disgustingly affectionate.

"You've cast a spell on my mind and body. From now on, I never want to leave your side. I love you so much."

Without a doubt, it was a romantic declaration. My wry smile reflected on my dimmed phone screen.

After 143 heartfelt declarations, all I received in return was complete disregard, as he rented out the entirely dreamlike Wondergrove Theme Park to celebrate Bianca's birthday.

I waited in the rain all night, unheard and unseen. Only then did I belatedly realize I had spent five years of my youth chasing an utterly hollow dream.

In that dream, he kept his promise, grew tired of the dazzling outside world, and came back to me. Eventually, he chose me as his lifelong partner.

The dream was finally over. The tears had dried, and I was done waiting.

I decided not to go home on that rainy night. Instead, I dragged my nearly frozen body and stumbled my way for two hours until I found the nearest hotel.

After drying my phone and restarting it, I found an empty inbox, without a single message from Aldric.

The next morning, I arrived early at the company, ready to hand in my resignation.