⭐Zachary's POV⭐

I parked my rented car in front of The Avenue and walked in with the car keys swinging around my forefinger.

I scanned across the dim room to locate Dylan. I have heard of this bar from my friends back in Los Angeles. They raved about the great food and drinks here. Even if I did not meet up with Dylan, I will still come here by myself.

"Hey Zach!" Dylan called out to me and I grinned while walking to his table.

"Hi Dylan, oh Helen you're here too!" Helen was already smiling at me, when I belatedly noticed her, sitting by Dylan's side.

"So, how have you been?" Helen questioned me as soon as my butt touched the chair.

"Great! What about you both?"

Dylan chuckled and reply, "We're both busy planning our wedding!"

"What? You're both getting married, and I only know of this now?!" I placed my hand on my heart, faking a hurtful look. Well, not exactly faking, because I did felt a little sad. Even though the seven of us had parted ways after high school graduation, I believe we are still close.

"You're not the only one, Rachel just got to know about this, yesterday." Helen's intention was to comfort me. But, it actually made things awkward.

Dylan obviously gave Helen a nudge by the elbow. None of us spoke anything for a few minutes. The way Dylan and Helen handle their relationship is pretty amazing. Yup, both of them graduated from different colleges. Yet, their relationship is still standing strong. Heck, they are even getting married.

Did I have any regrets for breaking up with Rachel? Honestly, sometimes I did think of how will our lives turn out if we are still a couple. Sometimes, I chided myself for even having those thoughts when I am in a relationship. But sometimes, I just let myself wander around in that fantasy.

There are even times I would think of Rachel, like how is she doing? Is she still living in Seattle? Countless questions, regarding Rachel, are begging to be asked. However, I didn't have the courage to do it. Since I was the one who broke it off with Rachel.

Sigh, life is full of regrets. Yes, even if you are too stubborn and did not want to admit it. We make decisions, and normally, regrets come after it. Sadly, not every regrets could be help.

"Hey, it's alright. Speaking of Rachel, how is she?" I took the chance to ask about Rachel, since we are already on this topic.

"Oh, she's doing great too. I suppose you haven't bumped into her because she still lives here after college." Helen awkwardly murmured.

"Yeap, she's also engaged, just like us." Dylan linked his fingers with Helen's and grinned at her lovingly.

Engaged.

The cold, hard truth sliced through me. I couldn't explain why, but my heart felt like it was being beaten. I quickly shook off that feeling because I should not even have this kind of thoughts.

If Rachel is happy, I am happy. That is all it matters.

"Zach? Zachary? Are you okay?" Dylan was waving his hand to check if I was daydreaming.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"I asked, do you plan on proposing to err, what's her name?"

"Evangeline." Helen whispered to Dylan.

"Ah yes, Evangeline."

I laughed aloud and smirked.

"Yes, I do. I've been thinking of how and when."

"Don't you worry, buddy. Dylan the proposing expert here, at your service." Dylan returned me with a smirk of his own.
*~*~*~*~*

❇ Rachel's POV ❇

"Yes mum, I will remember to drink more water. You have to take good care of yourself too, alright?" My mum was being the ever worried mother, like always.

I could clearly hear the sigh at the other end of the phone.

"Okay sweetie, give me a heads up when you're coming home. Love you, bye."

"Love you too, mum," I whispered as my lips started to tremble.

Even after living by myself in another city for ten years, I still miss living in New York. I guess I will never stop feeling homesick.

I tapped on the red button to hang up the call first. As my mum will always wait for me to hang up.

When I first started college, my mum and I would wait for each other to hang up but we ended up giggling. None of us was willing to end the call.

Ten years later, the tradition never stop.

I continued packing my belongings and this time around, it was the photo albums.

Nostalgia struck me as I flipped open the first page. Ella, Nicole, Helen and I had decided to print out our photos and make it into an album.

I did make one for Zachary and I. It was supposed to be Zachary's birthday present. However, we broke up before his birthday. As a result, this photo album stayed with me, even after all these years.

Initially, I did not want to look at this photo album. But on second thoughts, I don't think it would not hurt to look through it once more.

My fingers ran over our happy faces and I could not help but smile. The innocence on our faces made me feel kind of sad.

Humans, once we grow up, our innocence would gradually grow out of us too. I do not know when, how or why, but I guess it's part of our growing process. After going through different phases of our life, we will gain a memorable experience. Whether it was good or bad.

Even though I am twenty-seven this year, I am still growing up. This time it would be the marriage phase, I will learn how to cope and manage it with Gavin.

Learning has no age limit. We are learning new things, anywhere and anytime. Maybe that was when and where our innocence started to fade away from us. Thinking of these things, made my mind return back to Zachary.

It would be a pity to throw away this photo album. Besides, I spent hours and hours trying to make this look perfect.

I guess keeping it with me would not hurt. With a flip of my hand, the cover of the photo album came to my sight. Slipping it into the box with my other belongings.

Marking down the box as memories, I lifted it up with much difficulty. My knees complained painfully, as I have been sitting down on the floor for an hour.

Two weeks passed by really fast, I had to pack my stuff every night to be able to pack everything in time. My phone rang the instant I placed the memories box on top of other boxes. Without taking a look at the screen, I swiped over the green button.

"Hello?"

"Hey, babe. Are you ready?" Gavin's deep voice triggered the alarm in me.

"Gav, are you having a sore throat?"

"Yeah, but it's nothing. I've taken some medicine to soothe my throat. I'm already here, do you want me to come up and help you pack?"

"It's alright, there's nothing much to bring down except my luggage."

"Okay, take your time."

I double-checked all my belongings before going into the room and retrieve my luggage. My other belongings will be sent over by next week. Melanie from the kindergarten I worked for, will help me with that.

Taking one last look around my rented apartment, I sighed softly and walked towards the door. After saving up for a long time, I managed to save up enough money to rent this sweet apartment.

I really liked the layout of this house. Once you open the door, a small living room greets you. The kitchen was situated on the same side as the entrance. Two cosy rooms are situated opposite one another hidden in a mini hallway.

However, one still needs to move on when the time comes.

With a flick of my wrist, I heard the click sound, locking up the door. Bending over to slip the key under the doormat, as what the landlord and I agreed on.

I unzipped the bag of cookies and knocked on my neighbours' doors. I baked these oats cookies the previous night, as a token of appreciation for the love they have showered me all these years.

As I was bidding my goodbyes to my lovely neighbours, tears threatened to spill out of my eyes. Saying goodbye definitely sucks.

My neighbours walked me out to the lift and we continued waving until the door closed. I took several shaky breaths in and out to calm my nerves down. It would be embarrassing to cry in public, they might misunderstood that Gavin bullied me or something.

* ding *

I looked up to face the lift door and got ready to pull out my luggage. Gavin was already at the other side waiting for me when the door slide open.

Gavin grinned at me as he helped me with my luggage. He even whistled as we strolled towards his car.

"Here take this."

I handed over a Strepsils as Gavin coughed rather loudly.

"Thanks, Rachel." His voice was a few pitch deeper and I chuckled despite feeling down.

"I know my voice sounds sexy," Gavin smirked at me as he ruffled my hair.

"You wish."

"Where do you want to have your dinner before we leave Seattle?" Gavin asked me while reversing the car with one hand behind my headrest.

"The diner near my workplace?"

"Yeap, okay."
*~*~*~*~*

"Welcome to Princess Diner!" The lady boss greeted cheerfully when she heard the bell rang.

"Oh hello there, Rachel dear!"

"Hi Mrs Keller, here's a box of cookies for you!" I smiled fondly at Mrs Keller as she took over the box. She has always treated me like her own daughter.

"Aww thank you, sweetheart. You want to order your regular?" She reached for her notepad to take down our orders.

"Yes, and a set H for Gavin."

Mrs Keller nodded and went to pour us complimentary plain water.

"So, I thought you've left already?" Mrs Keller sat down beside me as she held onto my hands.

"Our flight is tonight, but I thought of visiting you before we leave. Since your diner is nearer to the airport."

"Oh, so you won't come and see me before you leave if my diner isn't on the way to the airport?" Mrs Keller looked away and pouted.

"No no. Even if your diner is at the other end of Seattle, I will still visit you!" I immediately explain to Mrs Keller, but she actually giggled.

"I know that you will, my dear. I was just joking with you." Mrs Keller patted my hand and stood up to get our food.

Gavin interlocked his fingers with mine and both of us have a smile etched on our faces.

Here's to a new chapter of our lives.

Author's note :
Yoohoo guys! 😊 This gotta be the longest chapter I have ever written 😂 Sorry for the lack of updates because I've been busy on a new story 😄 I'm really excited to share it with you all! Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote/comment/share the story, if you like it! ♥