Love Complication:

The 1st Lover & The Third Party (A Continuation)



Author's Note: No real names were disclosed.



P/S: If you've missed out on Part 1 and 2, scroll down to read them before reading the 3rd part or you will be confused.



You hurt me not once but twice. How can I ever forgive you for that? Ryan thought.



He switched off his mobile phone and tried to erase all the bad memories of the past from his mind. He didn't want to reply back. He didn't want to ponder over and again, tormenting himself. He felt useless, condemned from love.



He thought his ex wasn't like his first. He never knew that much greater pain were inflicted with the latter. But still both of his ex-s were the same kind, two-timers.



Flashback...The first lover, Katherine.



Katherine went into her closet and pulled out a dress bag. Inside was a simple taupe dress. The satin material contrasted beautifully with Katherine's dark hair and eyes. Her ivory complexion seemed brighter in the dress. Katherine smiled and found the jewelry box on her vanity. She slipped the necklace on her neck and nearly gasped at her reflection.



Just then she heard a knock on her door.



Benson had on his tuxedo feeling pretty good about his reflection. With a wink at his mirror who sounded as if it was swooning, Benson made his way downstairs to the Mercedes Benz that would take him and Katherine to the party.



It was silence. That was all Katherine heard when she had opened her door to let Benson in.



He took Katherine's hand and pulled her closer. "You look divine." Smirk in place, Benson cocked his head to one side, puppy dog eyes in place. Katherine could hardly resist, plus, he looked absolutely dashing in his tuxedo, but she would never tell him that. She playfully hit him with her clutch and reached into the hall closet for her cloak.



She slipped on a pair of gloves that matched her dress and clasped on a diamond cuff on her right hand. All her little movements were enchanting.



Katherine was staring into the mirror making final adjustments to her appearance when she caught a sight of Benson leaning against the door frame, his gaze transfixed on her. She smiled a little. She liked how he seemed so peaceful, yet intent while he watched her fix little details. His smile always made her feel warm and loved, his eyes always seemed so icy, yet they were always laughing.



"Ahem." Katherine jumped a bit out of her reverie and turned to face Benson who was holding the door open for her. Katherine adjusted her cloak on her shoulders and stepped out into the hallway and into Benson's arms as he led her to the Mercedes Benz...





Ryan adjusted his bow tie in front of the mirror. He was wearing a black tuxedo and a white silk shirt that matched with his black pants. He looked into the mirror again and smiled to himself. "I hope Katherine would find me dashing."



He then walked away from the mirror and left his house to the party...



The Plaza was spectacular. Benson and Katherine entered the hall where cocktails were being served before the dinner started. Rich red and gold accents sparkled around them.

"The place is fantastic!" Katherine stared wide-eyed at all the sparkling diamonds on the women's necks and wrists.



Her gaze tore away from the jewels to take a look in the ballroom where the band was setting up. She turned to look at Benson who was grinning wildly.



Katherine set down the napkin she was holding and walked towards the bar to get a glass of champagne.



Benson followed suit and leaned against the bar next to Katherine. "The way you're dressed tonight, you definitely fit in with all the grandeur." Katherine blushed a bit.

Katherine sipped her champagne and quietly watched the people around her.



Katherine stepped back, grabbed hold of Benson's arm, and dragged him into the ballroom where dinner was about to be served. He and Katherine entered the ballroom to find their table. Once they were seated, they sat in silence, gazing at each other's eyes.



Dinner was served and Benson and Katherine spent most of the evening talking to the people at their table. The big clock that was set up showed that it was 11:40 p.m., just moments before midnight.



The band leader struck up a slower song as couples walked towards the dance floor. Benson made his way through the crowd with Katherine. He held out his hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor. They danced to the music before either spoke.



Katherine playfully swatted him on his back as they twirled around the dance floor, acting much sillier than anyone around them. They each took turns dipping each other. Katherine was back in Benson's arms, her head resting on his shoulder. "I really want to thank you for taking me out tonight."



Benson lifted her chin so that she was facing him. "Don't be daft. The next New Year's eve, if neither of us is with anybody, you've got me to spend it with."



Katherine put her cheek against Benson's.



Benson didn't know why he felt complete at that very moment. He felt so in love.



"Katherine..." he whispered.



She looked up and looked into Benson's eyes. "Yes?"



Benson gave a peck on her cheek and whispered into her ears, "I'm beginning to like you."



Katherine kept quiet and just stared at Benson for a while and then pressed her lips against Benson's with her eyes closed. Benson's eyes were wide opened, shocked by Katherine's sudden movement.



He kissed her back, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Amidst the crowds, stood Ryan looking at Katherine and Benson who were ever so close, kissing each other. He stood there very still, looking at them.



Now I understand. I perfectly understand. You weren't keen in me ever since the day you knew my best friend, Benson, Reeves thought. You hardly went out with me and find excuses whenever I asked you out. And today, you had promised me that you'll be with me, but I'm really so wrong.



The song stopped playing, and the band leader turned around to face the crowd, "Ten seconds till New Year!"



...Ten...nine....eight....



Ryan looked away from them and walked away, broken-hearted.



...Six.....five....four...three...two...ONE...Happy New Year!!! "Auld Lange Syne." The band began to play as the people in the party hugged and kissed in celebration of the New Year.



Tears rolled down Reeves's cheeks. He sighed and looked up through the huge skylight at the night sky. Suddenly a shooting star shot passed the skylight. Then he lowered his gaze.



Seconds later, he heard a boom, and he gazed up again through the large skylight to watch the fireworks which exploded in reds, greens, and many other colors.



To be continued...



*****



Previously...



Love Complication (Part 2)



Author's Note: No real names were disclosed.



Ryan clicked on new text message and typed, 'I ...' And then he paused and stared blankly at his cell phone. His mind was totally blank and he was so still as a mannequin.



'Ding Dong'



He snapped and heard the bus stopping buzzer being pressed. He erased the texts he had typed and flipped closed his cell phone. He then tossed his cell phone into his crumpler sling bag and looked out of the window.



I know I don't have any more feelings for my ex-lover, he re-assured himself.He took a few deep breath and then took out his cell phone from his sling bag. He flipped it open and texted, 'I miss you... but only as a friend.' and sent to his ex-lover.



A few minutes later...



Ryan waited for his godsister, Jane and her friends at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. Till now, he had yet to receive any messages from his ex-lover. Somehow, he got a little upset over it. 'Why am I feeling this way,' he thought.



A soft breeze brushed against his face and ruffled his hair. 'Why...' he said softly.

And then he remembered the past, the times when he was still together with his ex-lover. They shared weals and woes, joy and pain, tears and laughter together.



Flashback...



Valentine's Day...



'I'm going to bring you to some place special, a place where we will remember forever,' he whispered to his ex-lover and then planted a soft kiss on his ex-lover's left cheek.



'We're nearly there,' Ryan said.



He held his ex-lover's hand and ran toward the place that they were heading to. In split seconds, there were finally there. His ex-lover was suprised for the fact that Ryan remembered the memorial was a place his ex-lover would love to visit. Ryan was attentive to everything his ex-lover said as he really love his ex-lover alot.



The memorial located in the middle of the CBD area, surrounded by the tall buildings but the place; the memorial, was eventually so serene, just perfect for the two of them.



His ex-lover was touched.



Ryan grabbed his ex-lover by the arms and wiped his ex-lover's tears from the cheeks, 'You're born with a beautiful, angelic face and a magnanimous heart. I love you so much. I want to be with you forever...I want to spend the rest of my life...with you.'



Then he kissed his ex-lover's forehead and went down on one of his knee in front of the memorial under the beautiful full moon and facing his ex-lover. Everything was perfect. The skies were glittering with stars, the wind was breezy and the place was so quiet that they could hear the wind whispering to their ears.



His ex-lover was taken aback; shocked. And then Ryan reached out for his ex-lover's hand and took out a small box from his pocket.



'I, Ryan will love you with all my heart and never part with you. I promise to take care of you, to love you even more and want you to be part of my life,' he said.



Ryan opened the box and took out a ring...and slipped into his ex-lover's fourth finger. He looked up and smiled. ' I love you,' he said.



He got up and hugged his ex-lover tightly...



'Oi! Ryan!' someone shouted.



He snapped out of his reverie and looked up. He saw Jane and her friends from afar. He walked toward them but suddenly his cell phone beeped. He stopped walking and flipped open his cell phone.



'I'm waiting for you...'



*****



Previously...



Love Complications



Author's Note: No real names were disclosed.



Ryan took a deep breath and closed his eyes real tight but tears has already started to fall from his eyes, rolling down his cheeks. He covered his face with his pillows and screamed to the top of his lungs.



Ryan thought it was all over for him and his ex-lover; forgetting the past and moving on but the least he had expected, his ex-lover has returned from a school trip to Myanmar.



*Beep*



He grabbed his cell phone and flipped it open. It read, 'Hi...I just returned from Myanmar. I... love you, dear.' He scrolled down. Sender; ex-lover.



His mind was in confusion, his heart was in a flustered. It was a total-wrecked for Ryan. He tossed his cell phone to the wall and it landed on the mattress. He was forcing his tears back but it slowly flowed down from his eyes.



Why did his heart ached terribly? Did he still missed his ex-lover or was his wounds were still not healed? That was the few questions that were racing across his mind. He sucked the air deeply; trying to calm himself down.



Try to get some sleep Ryan, he thought. He relaxed his tensed muscle and forced out all the memories of the past out of his mind. And finally, he fell asleep...



The Next Day



Ryan switched on his laptop and log on to his e-mail and MSN Messenger. Then, his cell phone rang. He looked all over frantically for his cell phone but he just couldn't find it. And then he remembered it was still in his room. The last thing he remembered was throwing his cell phone to the wall.



But fortunately, it's still working. He rushed to his room and grabbed his cell phone. He fliiped his cell phone - Caller: Jane (Ryan's godsister). For a moment, he felt disappointed. Was he expecting for his ex-lover's call? Is he still in love with his ex-lover?



He pressed the ANSWER button, 'hello...'



3:00PM



He shut his house door behind him and went door the stairs. He glanced at his watch and pondered,'Will I be late yet again.' He boarded the bus and sat down at the upper deck. I'll take a short nap before reaching my destination, he thought.



*Beep*



Incoming Message. He flipped his cell phone and read, 'Hi, I'm going for my laps now.' He smiled and replied back the sender, Z. Each time he received messages from Z, he felt elated. Z would always brightens up his day.



And then he received another message. That was fast of Z to text back a message to me, I thought. His smile was completely wiped off upon reading the message. 'Dear, I miss you. Do you miss me?'



He clicked on new text message and typed, 'I ...'



To Be Continued...



Signing Off,

Shah Rizal Isaac