Old Hearts, New Self

Name: Old Hearts, New Self
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Gadomor

Short stories | Completed

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Love. One word that holds meanings and memories. Or so what Adrian thought. 3 years. 3 years of being a devoted and loving husband for his cold wife, Bella. 3 years of arranged marriage by their parents for business ties. For those 3 years, never once did his wife reciprocate his warmth. Instead, Bella founds solace in Carlos' arms, her first love. A typical story, isn't it? The difference is, Adrian always knew that his affection will not be matched against Bella's love for Carlos. He is, after all, playing his part as her husband for parties, deals and negotiations, and business events wherever and whenever she needed him. But what happens if Adrian suddenly vanished. No calls, no texts or messages, or every things he had even though only a few are truly gone, like he never existed all along. Would Bella regret, regret that she mostly spend time on her work and her first love? Regret that she never see clearly her husband's face while she had the chance? Would she miss Adrian's warmth that she had taken for granted? Only her can tell. Another 3 years passed by without anyone knowing where A could had disappeared to. Everything seems normal, except for Bella who have been using her resources to look for the 'missing husband' while still working and had cut ties with her first love after finding out his vile intentions of getting close to her. In those years, she never gave up as she knew in her heart that he is still alive, along with the realization that she had fallen for him. One afternoon, as Bella wraps up another normal deal in the restaurant, she sees Adrian unexpectedly walking on the streets, stern, cold, and dominant, a stark contrast to the warm and loving husband she remembered. And another thing she noticed is his clothes fitted on his toned body, a uniformed shirt and pants that represents his profession as a soldier. Clearly, Adrian had changed for the past 3 years. She strides out of the restaurant following Adrian but he is no longer to be seen. There's no mistaken that it's him that Bella had seen. And this time, she will do anything just to look for him and fix her relationship with him. As for how it ended, that is for you to find out. After all, there are a lot of paths and scenes that can happened. But in the end, there's always an ending, a closure, just like in any stories.

Family Modern Betrayal Divorce CEO Attractive Soldier Drama Divorce Personal growth

Chapter 5 Priorities To Focus

06-21 09:34

Chapter 1 Leaving Without A Trace

Morning rays comes through the window. Adrian, 25-year-old guy, opens his eyes and sees no one beside him. He sighs and gets up from the bed and goes into the bathroom to wash up.

As he looks at the mirror, he sees his reflection: Dull eyes, aged face, unkempt hair. For 3 years, Adrian have been living this cold arranged marriage.

After washing up, Adrian goes downstairs and starts to cook for himself. Afterwards, he leaves their house, meeting with his long-time friend to discuss something.

At the restaurant, Adrian arrives and sees Simon, his best friend, sitting at the empty table. He sits down and order some drink.

"You're late. I thought you will not come." Simon says.

"I'm sorry, but it's a long story. You'll know when I tell you." Adrian replies.

"I don't care. We are not meeting each other for some time."

"So what is it that you want to discuss?"

"I'm moving."

"Where are you going? US?"

Adrian nods, already made a decision yesterday night. "Help me erase my existence. That way, I can focus on my dream again to become a soldier. I already accepted the offer, just needed 3 days to passed."

Simon frowns, a bit of disapproval. "I'm your best friend since childhood, but are you sure you're making the right choice?"

"For the past 3 years, I already did the right thing and I'm tired. I'm willing to risk it all, even my whole life, just so that I can be who I really am."

"I know, man. I know. But can't you wait a bit longer? I'm sure your wife will realize how much she loves you."

Adrian looks at Simon before sighing. "Simon. You might not know this, but... Bella is with Carlos right now. And yes, she's been seeing him ever since we married. There's nothing to salvage in this marriage arranged by our parents."

"Just help me erase my identity like I never existed. It's for our own good." Adrian looks at him with determination.

Simon sighs, nodding.

"I know. I'm not gonna make a big fuss over this."

After finishing their drink, the two men shake hands to say goodbye to each other.

The next morning, Adrian wakes up early to pack his things and get ready for his flight. As he's about to go downstairs, he sees the letter on his table, the letter he had written last night after he came back to the house, still have no sign of Bella, probably still with Carlos as Adrian thought that night. He opens it and reads the content, the letter explaining his disappearance, a perfect excuse he had written to not raise any suspicion.

Adrian sighs before putting the letter back onto the table.

"I'm sorry, Simon. I know I'm asking for much."

The two of them are already at the airport, waiting for their turn to board the plane.

"Are you sure about this?" Simon asks.

Adrian nods, "Yes. Thank you for helping me."

Simon pats on Adrian's shoulder. "Be careful. You might not have to worry about Bella anymore, but you'll have to be extra cautious if you're going to make contact with her."

"Don't worry," Adrian reassures Simon. "The military offered complete secrecy and a codename to live by. That way, I will be able to pursue my dreams, and who knows. I might returned with a much better look."

Adrian glances at the clock and starts holding on his suitcase. "I'm going now. After arriving there, I need to wait another day before I officially start my training there. Make sure there's no trace of me left everywhere, and take care of my family. I'm sure they already knew what's going on."

Simon nods.

Adrian then stands up and shakes hands with Simon. "Thank you for being a true friend. I'll never forget how much you did for me."

"Take care." Simon says.

Adrian then walks out of the airport and board the plane, while Simon sits down and waits for Adrian's flight to take off.