My Boyfriend

Anna’s POV

The cold expression presented by Simon truly infuriated me. One can imagine, two years from now, I'll still be haunted by his gaze, sometimes demeaning.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but you should be more meticulous and neat. The buttons on your shirt are misaligned, overlapping each other. Is this how a professional model, often praised by many, dresses? Or is your career just based on luck and your parents' connections?"

It felt like my face was slapped with hot iron when Simon uttered those words, so painful!

"Well, this happened because I was too irritated with your attitude, so my mind became chaotic and I lost focus! Don't exaggerate in criticizing me as if I've committed a grave mistake! Even with this misalignment, the shirt still looks neat! And give me a chance to prove to you that this will be the latest trend, if the paparazzi spotlight me!"

Simon only smirked sideways while pressing the elevator button that would take us down to the basement where the car was parked. The noise of music and laughter from the party held at his parents' house finally subsided. I couldn't wait to sink into bed and sleep. In fact, I hoped to oversleep tomorrow morning and annoy Simon enough to cancel the honeymoon plans. Mrs. Johnson was a socialite who always wanted to show off everything she had, including me as her daughter-in-law.

From the rumors circulating, she had hired numerous paparazzi, both local and from New York, whom she intentionally sent to the Maldives to spy on us and keep us in the limelight. I would definitely need a lot of energy to continue acting affectionate with Simon.

Simon's red sports car finally came into view after a few minutes of walking in this vast basement. Simon seemed to be in a hurry and immediately got into the car without bothering to open the door for me.

I've met men with attitudes far more annoying than Simon's several times, but they still respected me as a woman.
The honking sound startled me, and I hurriedly got into the car. Simon is the epitome of the worst kind of man I've ever known.

"I won't get tired of reminding you about your behavior. Daydreaming like earlier will tarnish our reputation a little. It will become a headline, so think about every little step you take, Anna."

"It's only been a few hours, and you've been bossing me around a lot. Yet, all that happened were insignificant things. I wouldn't act foolishly if there were paparazzi or other important people around. You make it seem like I just stepped into a world where arrogant people like you belong! What happened between us doesn't require you to belittle me! Remember what I wrote in the agreement! Two years is the maximum time for me to repay my father's debt! We're saving each other, so stop acting like you're the hero!"

So irritated by Simon's attitude, I impulsively hit the side of the car seat. I shifted my gaze to the window; I wanted to scream and curse at Simon.

Silence fell between us, and it was quite enjoyable. Perhaps I should add a new clause: no need to speak unless it's relevant. I'm sure all that would come out of our mouths would be curses and anger.

"I'll meet my lover, and if you want, I can drop you off where your boyfriend is. But when I come back, you should come back too. Contact him now."

Simon's voice broke the silence I was just beginning to enjoy. I grabbed my phone from my bag, but there was still no reply from Michael; I had no idea where he had gone. I tried calling him, but his number was inactive. Damn, it seems like today is not favoring me.

"Just drop me off at the hotel; I've run out of time to meet him. Maybe if I had communicated with him earlier, I could still have met him."

"Fine, as long as I've tried to make everything fair. I don't want you to judge me as unfair just because I'm meeting my girlfriend while you're not," Simon retorted.

"You know, Simon? During the approximately one month of interacting with you, tonight I truly realize how much you care about what people say about you. The image of a cold and firm man that has been portrayed must disappear from my sight. Since earlier, you've always drained your energy to care about what people will think of you. Turns out, your life is far sadder than mine."

I glanced at Simon, but he seemed unresponsive. Instead, he turned on the radio in the car, and now music accompanied us on our way to the hotel. The relatively quiet streets intensified the chaos in my mind.

I don't know if things will go well in the future or get worse. But one thing's for sure, if all of this fails, I won't go back to my parents. They've gone too far, I'll live alone or go with Michael.

Lost in thought, the journey seemed to end without me noticing. My imagination of living happily with Michael made me completely unaware that the car had stopped at the hotel lobby.

"I won't open your door, Anna. This hotel is safe from paparazzi's eyes; you can get out on your own."

I immediately grabbed my bag and stepped out of Michael's car. As soon as the door closed, he sped off, leaving the hotel behind. It seemed he couldn't stand whining and complaining about my bad behavior to his girlfriend, Fransisca, known as a mattress for wealthy men.

Just as I was about to step forward, a car flashed its lights repeatedly in my direction. I wasn't blocking the way; I was close to the stairs leading to the hotel lobby, so clearly, the person driving this black car seemed to know me.

The car stopped right in front of me, and my heart was filled with butterflies when I saw the figure of a man inside.

"Michael! Did you come to pick me up?"

"Of course, Anna. Did you think I would stay silent when you said he didn't give you permission to meet me?"

I didn't wait any longer; I immediately got into Michael's car and said, "Quick! We don't have much time; Simon is meeting Fransisca. I just want to hug you to calm all the turmoil in my heart, Honey."

Michael pulled me into his arms the moment we were alone.

My heart was still racing from running away, desperate to escape all those watchful eyes.

Then the kiss I had been longing for landed softly against my neck, lingering along my collarbone.

I tilted my head back, allowing Michael to kiss me.

Neither of us needed to say it.

We had both been longing for this—his touch, my closeness, the feeling of finally being in each other’s arms again.
***