Chapter 3
After packing up my things and heading home last night, I cried all night.
My dad was really worried about me. He kept threatening to storm into AeroNova Group and confront Ernesto, but I always stopped him.
It wasn't because I couldn't let go; I just didn't want to waste any more time on a scumbag like him.
When I woke up, my dad gave me a phone number, acting all secretive.
He said the Elliott family had heard about my breakup and wanted to remind me of our childhood betrothal.
"That guy's been waiting for you for years. Why don't you go meet him?" my dad suggested.
I was about to say no, but after seeing his eight-pack abs in the photo, I couldn't help but nod.
My dad really got me.
Harvey Elliott reserved my favorite restaurant and brought me a huge bouquet of roses.
Now that I think about it, this was actually the first time I'd ever gotten flowers.
Before, I was always the one giving flowers to Ernesto, never the other way around.
Turned out, receiving a bouquet isn't that difficult after all.
I just wasn't loved; that was all.
Harvey parked downstairs, so I headed to the restaurant first.
As soon as I walked in, I spotted two people getting cozy by the window.
Amiya was whispering sweet nothings in Ernesto's ear, and he was gazing down at her with a tenderness I'd never seen from him before.
The next second, he looked up, and his gaze locked onto mine.
I saw a hint of happiness flicker across his face, only to be replaced by contempt.
Did he seriously think I'm here to crawl back to him?
Without giving him a second glance, I walked right past and sat down, completely ignoring him.
It wasn't long before Harvey showed up from downstairs.
He was wearing a crisp white suit that matched my dress perfectly.
As soon as he sat next to me, we looked like the kind of couple that turned heads, impossible to miss.
Suddenly, the sound of a glass being smashed came from the table by the window.
I looked up and saw Ernesto's face turn stormy, looking downright scary.
He locked his eyes on me, let out a dismissive scoff, then leaned over and kissed Amiya.
Amiya was startled for a second, but quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, eagerly responding.
Ernesto slid his fingers inside her backless dress, and the two of them were locked in an intense embrace, kissing like they couldn't get enough of each other.
My stomach twisted into knots.
I thought I had finally moved on.
But watching Ernesto get intimate with another woman right in front of me, I couldn't help the ache in my chest.
I shot Harvey an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, I need to step out for a moment," I said.
In the restroom, I splashed cold water on my face, finally feeling myself calm down.
Staring at my own pale face in the mirror, I reached into my bag for my lipstick, wanting to touch up my makeup.
But I'd rushed out so fast that I hadn't checked. I was still carrying the shade Ernesto liked best.
I pressed my lips together, snapped the cap shut, and tossed it into the trash can next to me.
As I walked out, a tall figure blocked my way.
"Rosie, your moves are getting more desperate by the day. You really think showing off some pretty boy is going to mess with me?" Ernesto sneered.
When he saw how pale I looked, he raised an eyebrow.
"What, seeing me with Amiya really hits you that hard?" he taunted.
I snorted, half amused, half annoyed.
Seriously, how thick-skinned could he get?
"Think whatever you want," I said flatly. "Don't forget, you were the one who ended things. It's over between us."
Before I could finish, he clamped his hand around my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.
"Rosie, what's your game? You brought some guy here just to make sure I saw you, didn't you?" Ernesto snapped.
Seeing the storm brewing in his eyes, I was caught off guard.
The next second, Ernesto suddenly leaned in, his lips coming dangerously close to mine.
I came to my senses and slapped him hard across the face.
The sharp crack echoed through the restaurant, drawing shocked looks from everyone around.
"Get over yourself, Ernesto. Bumping into you today was nothing but an accident!" I said coldly.
Just then, the restaurant lights dimmed, leaving only the candles flickering in the darkness.
The mood turned even more intimate as a waiter rolled a cart over to Ernesto's table and stopped right in front of him.
"Mr. Nelson, your partner has arranged a special surprise for you, celebrating your 1000 days of flight," the waiter announced.
He lifted the lid, revealing a pair of beautiful diamond rings inside.
Ernesto's rage melted away instantly.
He lowered his gaze, wearing that aloof, superior expression I knew all too well.
To him, this was just another ploy to pressure him into marriage.
In front of everyone, Ernesto grabbed the two rings and threw them out the window for all to see.
He turned to the waiter, speaking coldly, "Tell her to get lost."
He was talking to the waiter, but his gaze never really left me.
With that, he took Amiya's hand and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.
I stood there, watching Amiya avoid my eyes, and suddenly everything made sense.
She'd tried to use this as her chance to get Ernesto to propose, but it totally blew up in her face, so she just threw me under the bus.
Honestly, I'd already lost all my dignity anyway.