Page 52 of Don’t Forget Me

“This calls for a celebration. I’m going to talk with the head of the publishing house so that we can all host a party for you.”

“You sure they’re gonna want to attend the American girls’ party?”

She slapped my arm as she pulled away. “Don’t be like that.”

“I’m just saying.” I shrugged.

She walked back to the desk in the conference room and picked up her case, which was most certainly filled with contracts and manuscripts. Camille was probably the least organized person I knew. How she kept everything in that bag of hers, I didn’t understand.

“Okay, I have a meeting with the production company. This one was just to go over more details of the contract since filming is starting soon. You can sit this one out, go out with your fiancé, and spend some time with him.” I noticed the emphasis on the last part of her sentence. So, she was thinking the same as me… great.

Camille’s black hair swayed with each heeled step. She passed by me and set a quick kiss on my cheek.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I can go with you. Honestly, after giving it a bit more consideration, it’s best if I⁠—”

“Nope. Go see Aldair. Take the rest of the day off. You’ve been working nonstop since this deal began.”

I sighed. She was right. Maybe I needed to stop working so much before I collapsed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said with warmth before the doors of the elevator closed.

Once she disappeared, I grabbed my purse from the meeting room and headed toward the elevator. I clicked on the button and waited as it made its way back up. I brought out my phone to text Aldair that I was heading over to his place.

But then I decided to call him to see what we could eat for tonight. I could pick up some takeaway and head to his place. The phone rang until the line dropped. No response. I found it odd. According to the calendar that he shared with me, he had the rest of the afternoon free. Coincidentally, it was one of those days when both of our schedules aligned. Since he became resident and I became a best-seller, it had become difficult for us to spend more time together, yet he claimed that it would change once we got married.

We mostly saw each other without interruptions during the weekend, yet regularly, I’d wanted to spend a rest day by myself or with Cami.

But as I mentioned before, there was this weird desire to bond with him more. After all, he was my friend before he was my partner. I couldn’t let go of that friendship. I had to water the plant that was our connection. I reminded myself of the caring doctor he was when I was in that hospital bed after having one too many drinks.

I called Aldair once again. No reply.

Since he hadn’t responded, I continued my walk to his apartment. Perhaps once I arrived, we would be able to decide on what to order for dinner, or whether he wanted me to cook him a meal.

Once I arrived at his complex, I reached for the spare key under his doormat and unlocked the door.

When I walked in, there was a certain feminine scent I’d never come across. His loft usually smelled of wood and forest due to his obsession with The Lord of the Rings. Aldair said that he felt like he was walking in the mountains with The Fellowship.

I left my bag on the hanger by the door.

But this new scent… it was strong. Different. Did he have family over?

There had been vases that were knocked over. His socks and shoes were scattered across the floorboards. He was usually a tidy person. But that’s when I noticed a bra lying on the couch’s arm.

My heart dropped to my stomach. All the scarlet in my face withdrew. My legs trembled with every step I took. As I walked deeper into his flat, I was more and more disappointed with what I saw.

There’d been a small crack by his door that allowed me a view of him with another girl in his bed. Her blonde curly hair lay across his silk cream blankets. Netted stockings were discovered on the rug under his bed frame, a ripped black corset nearby. Her back had been turned to him as she remained fast asleep. Aldair had his arm around her waist.

I didn’t love him.

I admitted it to myself when I finally saw how he had broken our promise. I pushed myself into the room and grabbed the ring on my left finger, throwing it at him. The rock jumped on his back, causing him to jolt from his sleep.

“How dare you?” I questioned. I gasped as I finally understood. “Oh my god. All those work trips. They were all lies.”

His emerald gaze bulged when he noticed me. I scoffed and marched away from him.

“Lysandra, I can explain!” he yelled, pulling the sheets with him as he left his bed. I rushed out of his room with a glimpse of the girl waking from her slumber. Her big blue eyes showed nothing but confusion.

Aldair grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “Lysandra, I’m so sorry. It was a mistake. I didn’t mean⁠—”