Page 12 of Obsessing Over His Favorite
“I said GET OUT!”
She slammed the door shut behind him and twisted the lock from the inside.
The room fell into a suffocating silence.
Her breath came out in ragged bursts. Her hands were shaking, her heart racing. She leaned against the door, eyes closed.
“What kind of life was I even living?”
Chapter 3 Life And Death
The roadside diner was small, tucked near the river, its neon sign buzzing softly in the approaching dusk. The cold air brushed against Emily’s face as she sat at a table, soaking in the peaceful stillness around her.
There was barely any crowd. A gentle river flowed beside the diner, ducks drifting lazily along its surface. In the distance, a bridge stretched across the water, lined with vendors selling flowers and street food. The sky was painted in shades of orange and red as Manhattan slowly welcomed the night.
She took a sip of her juice, her fingers curled tightly around the warm mug.
‘Why does this feel so unfamiliar? Like I haven’t lived like this in years… like I haven’t breathed freely in forever?’
Across the table, a man laughed hysterically.
“So let me get this straight again, you lost all memories of the last five years?” Jeremy asked, wide-eyed. He hadn't stopped laughing since she told him. “Allof it? Everything from the last five years?”
Jeremy was a runway model—tall and lean, with sharp cheekbones, bright skin, and a smirk that looked made formagazine covers. His hair was perfectly tousled, like he’d just walked off set, and his eyes sparkled with mischief behind long lashes. He had been her best friend for years.
Emily finally turned her gaze away from the scenic view. Then, she turned her eyes back to the beautiful man in front of her and sighed.
“Yes, Jeremy. For the fifth time. Yes.”
Jeremy leaned forward, eyebrows raised. “So you forgot only about Lucas, or did other memories vanish too?”
She blinked, brows furrowing as she tried to gather her thoughts. “So far… just Lucas. And anything related to him. I still remember my childhood, random bits of my old life… but when it comes to him? It’s blank. Like he never existed.”
Jeremy’s jaw dropped. “Wow. You forgothim? The boyfriend you once said you’d die for? Holy shit.” He threw his head back with laughter, slamming his hand on the table and nearly knocking over their plate of noodles.
Emily narrowed her eyes. “Jeremy.”
He stopped, immediately catching the warning in her tone and sobered.
She stared at him, eyes distant. “That man… Lucas. I don’t remember a single thing about him. But did I really chosehimto be my boyfriend? After staying single all my life? How did I fall in love with someone who doesn’t even believe a word that comes out of my mouth?”
Jeremy’s brows shot up. “Wait, are you… are you seriously badmouthing your favorite man on this planet?”
“What?” Emily blinked at him, confused.
Jeremy leaned back, lips pressed tight as he stared at her seriously. “I’m shocked, Em. Youactuallysaid something bad about him.” He exhaled and straightened up, voice steady. “You broke off our friendship a year ago. You stopped texting, stopped meeting me. All because Lucas didn’t like you being around me.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding. You’re my best friend! I don’t remember that at all. In my head, you and I are still close. I didn’t know I stopped talking to you.”
“I wish I was.” Jeremy gave a soft chuckle, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “You told me you needed to focus on him. Not just me. You even stopped visiting your parents. Said you wanted to clear all misunderstandings with Lucas first. Said once things were better, you’d go back to everything else.”
Emily’s jaw dropped. “I haven’t seen my parents inmonths?”
“At least over a year,” Jeremy confirmed with a shrug.
Emily stared at him, stunned.
“When you called me today,” Jeremy continued, lifting his cup of tea, “I thought it was a prank. You’d gone completely silent. No replies. Nothing. I assumed you didn’t want to be friends anymore.” He paused, fingers tightening slightly around the cup. “Honestly, I was angry. I couldn’t say no when you called.” He smiled faintly and reached across the table to pat her hand. “You’re my friend, Emily. I can’t stay mad at you.”
