Haha look at me, finally living up to the first part of this book's title

~~~

She had always prided herself in how in tune she was with her own feelings. She could always pick out the slightest shift in her mood and tend to it as need be, even disguise it if she needed to.

But now. Now she couldn't feel anything at all.

Zayden had broken things off, and left everything broken in his path as he coldly stormed out of her life. She shouldn't have become so invested in their relationship, so invested in him. Her sister had warned her to be careful, but when it came to Zayden, she had thrown all caution to the wind. And now look what it got her.

They had met at a business social. He was there with his father, the right-hand man of a CEO at some prestigious company, and she had gone as her brother's plus one. She had noticed him from the second he stepped into the room; he was handsome, and she had eyed him as she sipped her drink. Later on, she had overheard him talking to an older couple, clearly trying to smooch up to them for business advantages. The wife was blabbering about some actress, and Zayden was obviously struggling with pretending to understand what she was talking about.

So she had swooped in to save him, casually inserting herself into the conversation and by his side. The couple had been charmed by the combined effects of Zayden and hers charisma, and by the end of the party, he had sealed a deal with them.

Afterwards, they took a step outside onto the balcony and talked.

Before they left each other, they had traded numbers. And the rest is history, as they say.

Being with him was a whirlwind. Zayden was charming and kind in the sneakiest of ways. He would shower her with gifts of jewelry and flowers that left her friends looking a little green with envy. He took her out to parties and galas, and introduced her to people in high places. As time went on, she even fancied herself to be in love with him.

Sure, there were times when things were hard. When was the course of any relationship ever easy? She found herself changing her face whenever Zayden took her to a business event; for every new person that he introduced her to who could help further his career, she changed herself to fit the situation, to help flatter and impress and whatever else she needed to do to help Zayden.

It was difficult, but she thought it would all be worth in it the end.

He had ended things outside of his new work. He had been offered an amazing internship at one of the biggest companies in Titus City, and he had immediately accepted it. Without even glancing at her, Zayden had emotionlessly informed her that he wanted to end things. Their relationship was going nowhere, and they would only continue to hurt each other if they continued down this path.

She had been confused. Continue to get hurt? Neither of them were hurting... were they? She had been outraged. How dare he drop this bomb on her without warning?

They had argued. They had yelled. She had to force herself to hold back tears, and she could tell that he had to do the same, which made it even worse when he shot off a string of terrible insults at her. In the end, he had stormed off inside without a second glance at her, leaving her out in the cold. Alone.

Now here she was. Standing on her balcony, feeling absolutely numb as she loomed over the small fire that she had lit inside an empty flowerpot. All of the gifts that Zayden had given to her every the last few months sat inside, turning black and disintegrating under the flame.

She didn't know how to feel anymore. Angry, that he had ended things with her so horribly? Devastated, that the boy she thought she adored didn't want her anymore? Pleased, in that she was burning the memories, the physical ones, of him and getting her own little form of revenge?

For one of the first times in her life, Ella couldn't understand how she felt, but at least she learned her lesson.

Never again.