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                   I stood in front of a wooden door, letting the gentle breeze blow across my face. Looking around, I see a beautiful scenery, rice paddies and cows grazing on them. The truth was, I had visited my grandparents who live on the outskirts of the bustling city. The countryside was a peaceful place, you could feel the fresh air through your lungs. Nothing much had changed since the last time I visited, that was what I thought.

                I gave a gentle knock on the door, waiting for someone to open it. Beside me was a small suitcase, as I had planned on spending the weekend here.

              "Charlie?" A thick Italian accent greeted me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

              "Uh, ciao nonno John" I greeted my grandpa, who gestured me to come in.

               I was surprised to see my grandfather more weak and frail. The last time I saw him was at the funeral, and I hadn't paid any attention to anyone since I had been crying the whole time. Time flies so quickly, maybe I'll wake up on day and be buried six feet under the ground. I shuddered at the thought. Ugh.

              The home hadn't changed a bit. I still get the warm welcome when I step inside. Family pictures stood above the fireplace and the smell of the antique furniture was still there.

           I remember the time I uses to come here when mom was still healthy. We'd used to have a picnic in the middle of the farm, feasting on the organic products the land produced.

           I remembered that we used to have cows, two of them, and they were named Nick and Lizzy. They were big fat animals and was very loving. I wonder if they're still here.

           "Charlie? Darling, I was wondering when you'd come!"

           My grandma came out of the kitchen with a baking tray and a ladle. She hugged me tight and smiled. It was a good thing she was still healthy and active, she had barely aged for the last few years.

            "Hey, nonna Mary. It's been a while."

           "Oh, sugar pie. You've grown so much! Look at you, I don't see the nerdy little girl anymore!"

           "The specs got off after freshman year"

           "Good! Now, any gentlemen after you? Who could resist this type of a human?" My grandma joked.

           This was one thing I loved about my nonna. She knew when to talk and what to talk. She knew it would bruise my heart to talk about mom, so she didn't. But it did made the situation awkward. Leaving mom out of the conversation was indeed awkward. And it was highly noticeable.

           "Nope. No men at the moment."

           "Great! Lunch is gonna take a moment. Why don't you go visit the farm with John?" My grandma said before hurrying off back to the kitchen.

          Me and my grandpa were left in the living room. The smell of cinnamon and scented candles gave off a soothing smell, and it comforted me.

           "How's the farm?" I ask, trying to make conversation.

           "The farm's going well. There's a lot of cranberries this season. Nicholas and Elizabeth had two calves. And they're named Alistar and Robert. (OMG, so sorry. I ran out of names.)

            "I see. Can I go check them out?" I ask. Nonno John agreed before he went towards the door, making me follow behind him. The gentle breeze greeted me again and I walked towards the fields.

             Soon, I heard some noises and I immediately recognised the sounds.

           I was greeted with a push and an animal licking my cheek.

           "At least Lizzy remembers you" Grampa said, laughing.

           "Hey, Liz. A mother already. Geez, I'm so proud of you." I say, patting the old cow's head.
 
           Two small calves came out and warmly welcomed me. I gave them each a good pat before following my grandpa into the fields.

             "Tomatoes are ripe early and the lovely cranberries have grown sweet. Why don't you try some, Charles?" My grandfather said before plucking some berries and placing them in my hands.

             He was right, the cranberries were sweet, they were just a little bit sour. The fields consisted of corn, tomatoes, rice and other organic veggies.

             "Hey, gramps! How's the paddies growing?" A voice behind us said.

            Oh shit....

              I recognize this voice.

           "Eh, Eugene! Nice of you to visit, the paddies are doing just fine."

          "Good, I just-  Charlie?"

             Eugene. So that was him. I slowly turn around and saw the same blue eyes and the same old smile.

             I remember the time I used to go to high school together with him. He was two years ahead of me, typically known as the golden boy. Shiny blonde hair, tall structure, perfect white smile, he was anything anyone would fall for. And I, I was one of the persons who fell for him. And got my heart broke indeed.

             What happened between us wasn't much of a big deal, but it was serious enough to leave scars on my heart. Anyway, I faked a smile to hide my past.

            "Hi." I mumbled, not really sure of what to say.

            "Hey, you've uh, changed."

            "Well, I'll leave you lads here. I've got to go check out some other things" grandpa said before walking away.

              And then he left me alone with a human being called Eugene. Oh hallelujah. Shit, this is just great. Damn.

             "So um, how's life?" Eugene asks, walking along the stone path. Beside us were rice plantations which grew up to a feet taller than us, blocking us from other views.

            "Life's fine. I've got a stable job. A apartment. Yeah."

            "Oh. You still single?" He asks, looking into my eyes.

              That question caught me off guard, I wasn't totally expecting that.

             "No" I replied simply.

             "Oh."

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              In front of me was a familiar bench, a sight I would never forget. Visions of high school life came flooding in.

              I would sit here, Eugene beside me. We'd talk all day about anything that came to mind. We would look each other into our eyes and smile. And yes, I remember that smile. That smile that warmed up my heart. It wasn't really love, but it was just a simple thing either. We didn't call it dating, but at least there was something going on between us.

               And then on the last day of sophomore year, everything ended. He said he found someone else, and instead of clinging on, I let go.

             For a long time, we haven't seen each other. And now, it was just simply awkward.

             "Charlie, I... Um, can I say something?" Eugene said.

             "Yeah." I replied.

               We both sat on the wooden bench, not looking at each other. The wind blew a bit harder, brushing away locks of hair from my face.

              "Um, I heard about your mom."

              "Oh"

               I had nothing to reply. So he heard about my mother. I wished inside my mind for him not to talk more about her, because I don't think I could handle the painful past anymore.

             "And what happened four years ago. Can we start over?"
 
             "I thought nothing happened four years ago." I said. This was the way he spoke to me the last time we met.

             Charlie, there was nothing between us. And I don't know how to say this but,.... I found another person.

             "Charlie, you know what I mean" he said, looking into my eyes, trying to find some answers.

             "I don't know what you mean" I replied. My temper was slightly rising at this moment.

             "Look, I know things have changed but there's something you should know."

             "And what would that be?"

             "I don't know how to say this but, there's a reason why I broke up with you."

             "Yeah, because you found a bitch you could simply fuck. Screw the crap, Eugene. I'm getting out of this mess. Goodbye."

               I got up and got ready to leave but Eugene pulled my wrist.

             "I know you're mad at me but the reason I broke up was because I had leukemia stage three. I didn't want to leave you heartbroken. After you left for London, I had a two year intensive treatment in New York. I wanted to meet you. But I never had the courage. And till now I never had the courage to tell you.... That I love you."

                Eugene placed his hands onto my shoulders, and I saw the tears that welled up in his eyes.

             "What?!"

              "I always loved you, Charles. I never meant to leave you."

             "No, this ain't true. Tell me this isn't true!" I screamed at him.

               Eugene had leukemia. Okay, that was crazy. Four years and I never knew that, this was shit. This while thing is shit right now.

             "Charlie. I'm so sorry."

             "No... Why?"
   
              I was in  a daze. I wasn't aware of everything that just happened.

              "Charlie. Please understand... You mean the world to me. Please..."

               I looked up to see him. Tears ran down on his cheeks, I've never seen this side of him. And it was too painful.

            "Goodbye, Eugene." I said before running off along the stone path, trying not to look back.

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1000 reads!!!! You guys are simply amazing, thank u so much!!!!

This chapter was extra long, Charlie's past is revealed!

And yeah, today I watched some interviews on YouTube. James has a girlfriend, and they're still together. I know I'm obsessed with him and I may sound like a stalker, but instead of being a bitchy fan girl, I highly respect his relationship and I'm totally okay with him dating. And I wish the best for him and his love. This book is just for entertainment.

To James, with much love and support from your everlasting fan,

MKTZ