*present-time*

❇ Rachel's POV ❇

"5! 4! 3! 2! 1!" After the last count of one, fireworks shot up into the dark sky. The beautiful patterns of fireworks are reflected in my eyes, as I gazed at them.

"Happy New Year, babe." Gavin wrapped his arms around me and placed his chin comfortably on my slim shoulder.

"Happy New Year, Gav!!" I turned around to kissed Gavin on the lips like every other couples.

We looked into each other's eyes with love shining through our gazes.

"Ahh, it's been a full year since I proposed to you, Rachel!" Gavin grinned at me and my heart beat a little faster. Just a little. Not as fast as someone else's effect on me. I was both stunned and mad at myself for having those thoughts.

"Babe, what's wrong?" Gavin asked while tracing the frown that was formed on my forehead.

"I was just thinking about mum and dad." I lied with a smile. I crossed my fingers as I didn't want Gavin to see through my lie.

I have been living in Seattle, ever since I graduated from college. My parents were supportive of my decision to work here, in Seattle as a kindergarten teacher. I met Gavin four years ago. He was a prosecutor back then. He's a defence attorney for two years now.

This is how Gavin and I met.

I was walking home from the grocery store when a druggie stopped me. I felt a shiver ran down my spine. His skin was so pale. He looked like he needed a hot shower as he could not stop shaking. Huge dark circles coloured his baggy eyes.

"He-hey lady." His slurred words reached my ears and goosebumps spread across my skin.

"Let go of me!" I tried to loosen his tight grip on my wrist.

"L-let g-go of y-you?" He snorted and laughed out loud. In that split second I jerked back my hand.

The result of doing so I knocked onto someone.

*clang*

Sounds of fallen can dropped and rolled on the rough ground.

"Shit." A man in his mid twenties swore as he bent over to pick up his things.

As I stood down to help him gather his things, the druggie stopped me from doing so. He pulled me up violently and my arms felt like it was going to break.

"You a-are coming with m-me!"

"No!" I shouted and clawed away his hands from me. The druggie yelped in pain but his hands was still on my arm. The man whom I knocked over his items finally realised what was going on.

"Dude. Leave this lady here, alone." There was a tone in his voice which screamed do not mess with me.

"W-who the hell are you? Her boyfriend?" The druggie snarled and forced me closer to him.

I took the chance to step on his feet and hit him with my elbow. The helpful guy reacted just in time to twist the druggie's arm behind his back.

"If you are smart enough, scram. This lady here can charge you with harassment. From the look of you, I can get a warrant to search your house for drugs too. I don't think you will want to blow up this small matter. Am I right?" The helpful guy politely informed the druggie.

"Who are y-you? The p-police?" The druggie visibly turned white which I thought it was impossible for a person to be that pale.

"No. I'm a friend of them though." The helpful guy let go of the druggie and reached into his pocket.

"I'm a lawyer, a prosecutor to be exact. Here's my name card." The druggie didn't hesitate to flee when the chance was here.

"How polite." I spoke out sarcastically as I observed everything from the side.

The helpful guy faced me with an amused smile. It was then I get to have a good look of him. His blonde hair was neatly combed to one side. He still had his tie on but loosened it as he unbuttoned the first button. His sky blue eyes seemed tired.

"Hi, I'm Gavin Lautner. Nice to meet you." Gavin offered me his hand to shake.

"Oh, I'm Rachel Williams. Nice to meet you too." I chuckled lightly and something caught my eye. I saw one of his canned food lying beside us. I started to bend over and gather all the canned food into the grocery bag.

"Here. I'm sorry for knocking onto you." I noticed that all the cans in the grocery bag are dented.

"Hey, you shouldn't eat those canned food." As I was about to tell him why, he interrupted me.

"I get that it's not very healthy to eat those. But, it's the fastest and easiest to cook. Oh hell, why am I explaining to you anyway?" Gavin ran a hand over his hair, messing it.

"Hold up. I'm not judging you for consuming canned foods. I'm saying you shouldn't consume it when the can is dented. The metal of the can might come into contact with the food inside. Water will make the metal rusty. The food might be poisoned because of the rustiness. So it's dangerous to eat it like this." I explained to Gavin thoroughly. By the time I was finished, Gavin stared at me in shock.

"Um.. If you don't understand what I've said, it's okay." I mumbled awkwardly with an awkward wave of my hand.

Gavin laughed aloud and said, "Well then, my dinner is screwed. How about a dinner treat?"

"Of course! You pick the food place and I pick up the tab!" I agreed without hesitation, glad that I could at least make up to him.

Now, fast forward four years later. I just started working at my new kindergarten and upgraded from girlfriend to fiancée.

Am I content with my life? Definitely.
____________________________________________

⭐ Zachary's POV ⭐

Sounds of fireworks burst through the dark Los Angeles's night sky reached my ears. I was pouring myself and Eva a drink to welcome the new year.

I wrapped an arm around Eva's slim waist and handed her the cup.

"Here's a toast to another successful year!" Eva grinned widely and revealed her perfect white teeth.

I nodded in agreement and felt myself smile at that prospect. I'm the owner of Connect, a local newspaper company. Recently, my company have not been doing especially well.

I leant down for a kiss but Eva turned her head just in time. My lips landed on her cheek instead.

My heart fell a little. Just a little. This disappointment was not new to me. Eva have been behaving this way since my company's financial crisis. If only Eva is as supportive as... I sighed softly and finished the wine in one gulp.

"Hey, slowly. You wouldn't want to be drunk on new year's day." Eva's smooth, calm voice made me feel like yelling. Why is she being so cold towards me? I get that I am not earning enough money for her to spend. But, is this all about? Money?

"Fine." I said through gritted teeth.

"What's wrong with you?" Eva asked with a weird tone in her voice.

Everything is wrong with me. I don't know why you've changed. I don't know anything anymore.

"Nothing." My mind spoke so much yet my mouth spoke so little.

Eva shot me a look which clearly called me a liar.

"Look it's late and I've got to go." I placed my cup on the expensive table.

Eva hugged me from the back and I sighed for the second time.

Removing her hands from me, I walked out of her house.
~*~*~*~*

Evangeline : Zachary, I apologise for my attitude just now. Forgive me?

Eva's message appeared on my lock screen. I swiped over my phone and swiftly typed back a reply.

Zachary : Of course. :)

I typed a smiley face which totally contradicted how I really felt.

Wanna know how Evangeline and I met? Cutting the long story short.

I met her two years ago, during a potential investor's birthday party. Eva just started out as a fashion designer. I was still trying to find more investors for my company. I had nothing back then, but Eva still chose to be my girlfriend. I am thankful for Evangeline, who believed in me.

Two years later, I'm a newspaper company owner. Eva became world renowned fashion designer by hardwork.

Am I content with my life? Yes, even if it does not look that way.

Author's note :
Hi!! Hope you guys like this chapter! :) Remember to comment/vote/share this story, if you like it! Thank you for reading! ❤