❇ Rachel's POV ❇

I placed the tip of my index finger over the section for wedding gowns and traced the outline of the intricate design of my dream wedding gown.

I let out a soft sigh as my eyes briefly scanned the clock hanging on the wall. It has been forty minutes since I sat on this comfy chair. It's not like I'm complaining about the air conditioning blowing right above me or the classical music playing in the background.

Time passes really slow when we are waiting for someone. I flipped over to reveal the cover of the magazine which I have been browsing through for quite some time.

"Ella, are you done? You've been trying on clothes since forever." I asked her as soon as I stepped into the changing area.

"Okay, gimme five more minutes alright?"

"You mean like 50 more minutes right?"

Ella pulled open the curtain to reveal that she was wearing a stunning dress. A sheepish grin was gracing her features as she twirled around for me to have a good view of her dress.

"So, how about this dress?"

"Just like the previous ones you've tried. You look gorgeous in it."

"Rach, you're not helping at all. How am I suppose to choose when you give the same comment for all the dresses?" Ella pouted as she turned around to look at the mirror.

"Why not you buy all of it?" I raised an eyebrow and one side of my lip twitched up into a smirk.

"Are you insane?! Do you know how expensive these dresses are?"

I chuckled when Ella turned to face me with a very surprised look. Both of her hands were gesturing towards the direction of the dresses.

"Alright alright, I honestly think you look better in that dress." I pointed to the middle dress and Ella's gaze followed to where I was pointing.

"Hmm.. Okay, I'll be out in five minutes. I mean it!" Ella added in a high-pitched voice because she noticed that I rolled my eyes, doubting she would be ready in five minutes.

I raised both of my hands in surrender and walked out of the changing area. I plopped myself back to the comfy seat, at the same time, reaching for my cup of water.

While waiting for Ella, the magazine for wedding gowns really helped me a lot in deciding what I would want to wear on my wedding day. I have searched online where those gowns could be found. My thumb tapped on Gavin's name and I expected to hear the dialing tone ringing into my ear. However, I was greeted with this message instead.

"We're sorry; you have reached a number that is no longer in service. If you feel you have reached this recording in error, please check the number and try your call again."

I stared at my smartphone in disbelief and tried Gavin's number again. But, the recorded message repeated over and over again. My palm was sweating as I felt uneasy about the fact that I could not get hold of Gavin. I ran a ran through my hair and successfully messed it up. Ella came out of the changing area and immediately sat down beside me.

"Rach, what's wrong?" Ella asked with concern lacing in her tone.

"I.. Gavin.. He cancelled his phone line. I mean, he didn't even tell me about it."

"Did you try calling his office?"

"No.. I'll try it now."

I quickly dialed Gavin's office number and greeted by the familiar tone of his secretary.

"Hello?"

"Hi Grace, can I speak to Gavin? He suddenly cancelled his phone line."

"Oh, hi Rachel, Gavin tendered his resignation this morning. He didn't tell you?"

"Wh-what? Why would he want to resign out of the blue? He only joined your firm less than a year."

"Well, I'm just a secretary. I couldn't exactly ask my boss the reason why he quit.."

"Um, you're right. An.. Anyways thanks." I stuttered as Grace hung up the call.

Ella was looking at me with her brows knitted together in confusion. I held back a sigh and tapped Gavin's home number. The dialing tone kept on ringing until the call automatically ended because Gavin did not answer the phone.

My heart would not quit pounding, it felt like it might tear out of my chest. Breathing was difficult to even accomplish now, and when I do find that I have the ability, it came with tiny rasps and coughs.

There were so many questions clouded my mind that had no answer to it. For example, why did Gavin quit a job he had put in so much effort for? Where is Gavin now?

You get what I mean? The frustration of having endless of questions running through my mind. I sat there motionless, not knowing what I should do.

"Rach? Rachel? Rachel Faith Williams?!" Ella shook me so hard that I dropped my smartphone on the ground. The sound of my smartphone making contact with the floor made me snapped back to reality.

"What?" I asked as irritation started to seep into me.

"Was Gavin acting weird recently?"

"No, why?"

"I thought he would have at least gave you some hints."

"I'm also puzzled at what is happening right now. I think I better go."

"I'm coming with you." Ella told me as she tidied up her things and stood up.

"You've decided which dress to buy?"

"Yes, Rach. Besides, now isn't the time to think about me. We've got more important things to do, c'mon!" Ella gestured for me to hurry up as she went to pay for her stuff.

I was really grateful to have Ella accompanying me to Gavin's apartment. I had to know what the hell was going on. If Gavin was pulling a joke on me, he's as good as dead.

The elevator door slide open and Gavin's neighbour was standing in front of me. They greeted me with a warm smile and all I could do was nod my head. I quickly exited the elevator with Ella following behind me.

My hands was shaking as I tried to unlock the door. I twisted the doorknob after hearing the click sound. Pushing open the door, I could see the velvet drapes framing the windows, the lace inner curtains remained drawn, allowing daylight to enter while rendering the heart-stopping view over the city a blur.

Stepping further into the apartment, it was as so quiet that it felt terribly wrong. Whenever I came to Gavin's apartment, I would be greeted by the familiar sound of his grandfather clock.

I looked around to find that the usual spot where Gavin's grandfather clock stood, was empty. I made a beeline for Gavin's room, as I entered his room, my eyes widened a fraction. I could see his bathroom from where I was standing. I walked towards his bathroom to confirm the fact that he cleared everything. Even his wardrobe was empty. In fact the whole apartment was empty. He only left his favourite curtain hanging at it's original position.

I leant against the wall and allowed my gaze to wander around the empty apartment. I didn't understand, as if my brain short-circuited and needed to be rebooted. I stood motionless and stared at the floor. How could this happen?

Ella came into the room with a letter in her hand. She gently tapped me on the shoulder and I turned my attention to her. Tears were starting to fill up in my eyes as I read the letter silently.

"Dear Rachel,

By the time you're reading this letter, I'm already at a place far away from LA. I'm sure you have tons of questions for me. Do you remember the important case I was working on? Well, the case ended quite badly and the client was not happy with the results. So, I wish to call off our engagement as I do not want to endanger your safety because of me. I have already made up my mind, when you told me that you suspected someone was following you the other day. I hope those people won't bother you anymore after I leave. I'm so sorry for breaking up with you over a piece of paper. Believe me, this is by far the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. You will always be in my heart. I love you so much, Rachel.

Love,
Gavin."

"El- Ella. Gavin, he wants to br.. break up with me." I tore my gaze away from the letter and look at Ella.

I felt the wet hot tears fill up my eyes, my throat closed tight and each word pitched higher than the last in an effort to squeak out the words that were bottled up inside me. Finally the tears spilt over and flowed down my face like a river escaping a dam.

Ella pulled me into a tight hug and patted my back while I sobbed my heart out. As I was crying, the contents in my stomach was having a protest. I covered my mouth and quickly ran into the bathroom. I grabbed onto the sides of the toilet bowl and puked out my lunch.

I flushed the toilet bowl then gurgled out the disgusting taste in my mouth. Ella stood at the entrance of the bathroom with her mouth hanging open. The look in her eyes explained everything. I glanced down to my tummy and placed a hand over it. I lifted up my gaze to meet Ella's eyes. I could feel the colour draining from my face as I realised what this might mean.

Author's notes:
Hi friends! I'm so sorry for the lack of update. 😭 Writer's block really suck and I have 2 ongoing stories to write. I will try my best to update as often as I can. I really appreciate all the support! ♥ Thank you so much for the 1.46k reads!!

Sooo, Gavin has left Rachel 😱 And what exactly is wrong with Rachel? Don't be shy to comment down your thoughts!

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