When Love Falls Into Sorrow

When no one was watching, I seized the moment and slipped out of the private room, gulping fresh air.

Resolved, I finally took the relentless calls.

The footsteps on the other end paused abruptly.

"Thank heavens—" Charles let out a relieved breath.

"Summer, what's going on? You weren't picking up. I was about to come find you."

I whispered, "It's nothing. I just got tied up."

Charles asked, "You sure you're okay?

"If there's anything, you know you can talk to me."

His voice was laced with worry, and a wave of emotion hit me hard.

I pushed back the tears threatening to spill and brushed him off with a few more words before quickly hanging up.

Back in the private room...

Charles had reclaimed his spot, his laid-back air restored.

A new woman was perched beside him.

Noticing Charles's improved mood, someone said, "Mr. Jones, I've set up a yacht party tonight. Ready to keep the fun going later?"

He took a puff of his cigarette, eyes still downcast. "Nah, gotta pick someone up."

A young man asked, "Your girlfriend?"

He received a frosty, dismissive glance and clammed up.

The woman next to Charles recoiled slightly.

He caught that and tilted her chin. "No need to hide."

Her eyes were wide with panic as she shook her head frantically.

He let out a soft laugh.

"Smarter than the last one, you know when to stay quiet."

He flicked a Porsche key onto her lap.

She beamed, looped her arms around his neck, and leaned in for a kiss.

He was the kind of guy who never turned anyone away. He casually puffed out smoke rings that found their way to her lips.

...

I stumbled through the day, counting the minutes until I could clock out.

From afar, I spotted him—the tall silhouette perched on his electric scooter just outside the factory gates, waiting silently.

He had changed so quickly.

In no time, he had transformed back into the man I knew, showing up with that same cool precision that had first drawn me in.

It was like the day he crashed into my life a year ago.

I was zipping through a downpour, delivering takeout, when he came out of nowhere, stopped my ride, and collapsed in the rain.

When he woke up in the hospital, he claimed he had forgotten about everything but me.

Maybe it was my soft heart, or perhaps it was the lost look in his eyes that hooked me.

I dipped into the funds meant for my dad's medical bills to get him back on his feet, and I took him in.

After that, I hustled like never before, working three jobs a day.

The day I dropped out of school, he stood at the gates, eyes red with a pain that cut deep.

"I swear, I'll give you a better life," he promised.

His hug was almost too tight, but it made my heart soar.

I would do anything for the two most important men in my life.

Yes, the most important men in my life.

After realizing he was just as alone as I was.

After the nights he spent with me in the hospital.

After I saw the joy in his eyes as he handed me 30 dollars in wrinkled notes under the blazing sun.

After he whispered his intentions to marry me someday.

Right then, Charles straightened up, scanning the gate for me.

Not seeing me, he sent a voice message, his voice laced with concern.

However, I suppressed my feelings of regret.

I turned on my heel and walked away.

Just then, my phone buzzed—a call from the hospital.