Chapter 1 · The Superstar Begs To Be Loved

I kept running into my ex, Evan Lawrence, whom I'd broken up with three years ago.

He couldn't help but text me: [I miss you.]

I shot back right away: [I'm on my period, got a canker sore, sprained my hand, and my hemorrhoids are acting up.]

Evan was stunned at my reply.

Then one night, when he was waiting downstairs at my place, he saw a guy staying overnight.

He lost it and burst into tears.

The next day, there were various hashtags: [Top singer is heartbroken, sobbing in a neighborhood like a castaway], and [Top singer begs ex: I'm hotter and richer now. Can you love me again?]

But wasn't he the one who dumped me so decisively back then?

*****

I'd lost track of how many times I'd run into Evan lately.

Evan was my ex from three years ago.

He'd become one of the hottest superstars in showbiz.

Even if I tried not to pay attention to his life, my phone would still bombard me with news about him.

His songs were always playing in the mall.

It was hard not to notice. He was so popular.

He'd probably traded that cramped apartment for a luxury penthouse.

I ordered a coffee at the café. Then, a familiar scent drifted over from behind me.

I heard a familiar voice. "One extra strong Americano, no sugar, no milk."

He was wearing a mask, a hat, and black-rimmed glasses. When our eyes met, he realized it was me.

"What a coincidence," he said.

I nodded.

Yeah, what a coincidence. Lately, I kept running into him at the café, bookstore, flower shop, and restaurant near my office.

It was enough to make me wonder whether Evan worked around here or something.

Could celebrities have so much free time? Why was he always hanging out nearby?

With my coffee in hand, I caught Evan's gaze again. His eyes were always full of deep affection, no matter what he was looking at.

I couldn't help but say, "See you."

Evan froze for a moment.

Then, his gaze softened, he put on a smile, and his voice was pretty gentle.

"See you," he replied.

*****

I asked Ella Carter a question.

My ex broke up with me years ago, and we hadn't talked. But now he was popping up everywhere and asking to swap numbers. What was his deal?

Yeah. Evan had chatted up and contacted me via WhatsApp.

Ella was my bestie. I'd grown up with her since we were kids.

When I asked her, she didn't hesitate but replied, "What else could it be? He wants to get in your pants. He's craving for you."

I went quiet.

Ella wasn't wrong, but her answer was too straightforward.

Those years I spent with Evan were a rollercoaster.

We argued and had all kinds of disagreements.

But when it came to the bedroom, we were totally in sync.

Evan's stamina always managed to surprise me.

We'd hook up everywhere: the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and more.

No matter if we were face-to-face or with him behind me, Evan always loved pressing his whole body against mine.

When we reached the peak, Evan's voice was obsessed. "Honey, I wanna exhaust all my energy on you."

After dinner that night, my phone buzzed with a message from Evan: [I miss you.]

My eyes went wide as I stared at my phone.

Ella totally called it.

So I fired back instantly: [I'm on my period, got a canker sore, sprained my hand, and my hemorrhoids are acting up.]

Evan was dumbfounded and texted: [How did all that happen at once? Is your belly hurting? Did you put anything on your canker sore?

[How'd you hurt your hand? Is it serious? Did you have trouble pooping? Is anyone at home taking care of you? Want me to grab some meds and drop them off?

[Stay away from cold stuff while you're on your period. How are you feeling right now?]

I didn't expect him to get so anxious.

I was still wondering how to respond when Evan suddenly called me.

I picked up. "Hey?"

Evan fired off questions one after another. He asked how I was feeling and whether it was inconvenient not having anyone around to take care of me.

He was practically ready to show up at my door to look after me.

I stopped him right away. "No, thanks. There's someone here at home."

Evan paused for a while.

When he spoke again, there was a hint of bitterness. "Alright, sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

He hung up.

My thoughts slowly wandered back to the old days.

Chapter 1

I kept running into my ex, Evan Lawrence, whom I'd broken up with three years ago.

He couldn't help but text me: [I miss you.]

I shot back right away: [I'm on my period, got a canker sore, sprained my hand, and my hemorrhoids are acting up.]

Evan was stunned at my reply.

Then one night, when he was waiting downstairs at my place, he saw a guy staying overnight.

He lost it and burst into tears.

The next day, there were various hashtags: [Top singer is heartbroken, sobbing in a neighborhood like a castaway], and [Top singer begs ex: I'm hotter and richer now. Can you love me again?]

But wasn't he the one who dumped me so decisively back then?

*****

I'd lost track of how many times I'd run into Evan lately.

Evan was my ex from three years ago.

He'd become one of the hottest superstars in showbiz.

Even if I tried not to pay attention to his life, my phone would still bombard me with news about him.

His songs were always playing in the mall.

It was hard not to notice. He was so popular.

He'd probably traded that cramped apartment for a luxury penthouse.

I ordered a coffee at the café. Then, a familiar scent drifted over from behind me.

I heard a familiar voice. "One extra strong Americano, no sugar, no milk."

He was wearing a mask, a hat, and black-rimmed glasses. When our eyes met, he realized it was me.

"What a coincidence," he said.

I nodded.

Yeah, what a coincidence. Lately, I kept running into him at the café, bookstore, flower shop, and restaurant near my office.

It was enough to make me wonder whether Evan worked around here or something.

Could celebrities have so much free time? Why was he always hanging out nearby?

With my coffee in hand, I caught Evan's gaze again. His eyes were always full of deep affection, no matter what he was looking at.

I couldn't help but say, "See you."

Evan froze for a moment.

Then, his gaze softened, he put on a smile, and his voice was pretty gentle.

"See you," he replied.

*****

I asked Ella Carter a question.

My ex broke up with me years ago, and we hadn't talked. But now he was popping up everywhere and asking to swap numbers. What was his deal?

Yeah. Evan had chatted up and contacted me via WhatsApp.

Ella was my bestie. I'd grown up with her since we were kids.

When I asked her, she didn't hesitate but replied, "What else could it be? He wants to get in your pants. He's craving for you."

I went quiet.

Ella wasn't wrong, but her answer was too straightforward.

Those years I spent with Evan were a rollercoaster.

We argued and had all kinds of disagreements.

But when it came to the bedroom, we were totally in sync.

Evan's stamina always managed to surprise me.

We'd hook up everywhere: the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and more.

No matter if we were face-to-face or with him behind me, Evan always loved pressing his whole body against mine.

When we reached the peak, Evan's voice was obsessed. "Honey, I wanna exhaust all my energy on you."

After dinner that night, my phone buzzed with a message from Evan: [I miss you.]

My eyes went wide as I stared at my phone.

Ella totally called it.

So I fired back instantly: [I'm on my period, got a canker sore, sprained my hand, and my hemorrhoids are acting up.]

Evan was dumbfounded and texted: [How did all that happen at once? Is your belly hurting? Did you put anything on your canker sore?

[How'd you hurt your hand? Is it serious? Did you have trouble pooping? Is anyone at home taking care of you? Want me to grab some meds and drop them off?

[Stay away from cold stuff while you're on your period. How are you feeling right now?]

I didn't expect him to get so anxious.

I was still wondering how to respond when Evan suddenly called me.

I picked up. "Hey?"

Evan fired off questions one after another. He asked how I was feeling and whether it was inconvenient not having anyone around to take care of me.

He was practically ready to show up at my door to look after me.

I stopped him right away. "No, thanks. There's someone here at home."

Evan paused for a while.

When he spoke again, there was a hint of bitterness. "Alright, sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

He hung up.

My thoughts slowly wandered back to the old days.