Chapter 3

Eliana’s POV

“Hey,” he greeted me with his warm smile.

I looked at the girl beside him, I smiled at her, “Who is she?” I asked Oliver.

“This is Sarah,” he said, “my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend.

My heart sank the moment I heard the word girlfriend from him.

“Oh! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I asked him.

“It was just a couple of days ago when we became official,” he explained as they sat in front of me.

“You didn’t mention anything about liking someone,” I admitted, a hint of disappointment sneaking into my tone.

“I’m sorry, Eli. I wanted to surprise you,” he confessed, his voice gentle. “I thought you’d be happy for me, just like you were when Wendel and Lana got together.”

“I’m happy for you, Oliver,” I managed to say, my words somewhat shaky. I was trying to hide the ache that was threatening to consume me. “It’s just… surprising. You never really talked about her.”

“Anyway, she’s here now,” he smiled at Sarah and held her hands. My heart was beating so loud. I didn’t know what to do in front of them. I thought it was just the two of us having dinner, but it seems like I’m playing the third wheel. Well, I am really the third wheel here.

“So, how did you two meet?” I asked them, trying not to look so bothered. I couldn’t understand myself. Why ask something I knew would hurt?

“We met at work,” Sarah answered my question.

“You’re lucky to have him,” I said, the words laced with genuine sincerity, though it felt like a bittersweet confession.

“No, Eli. I’m lucky to have her. She’s just perfect for me,” he sounds so in love that I envy Sarah now.

“Can’t wait for you to introduce someone to me, Eli,” he said, looking so excited.

“I doubt it will happen sooner,” I mustered a smile, attempting to brush off the comment. “You know me. Just taking my time.”

“You should see other men too. Maybe you’ll find someone special, too,” Sarah said.

But I didn’t need her opinion. I just smiled at her and continued talking to Oliver. Am I being rude? A bitch? But I’ve had these damn feelings for Oliver for a long time, and seeing him now with another girl truly breaks my heart.

I knew I didn’t have the right to be rude to Sarah, but I couldn’t help myself. She took Oliver away from me. I didn’t like Sarah’s suggestion. See the other guys? The idea was like a punch to the gut. My feelings for Oliver had been growing for years, a secret I’d kept so close, and now Sarah was here, offering what felt like a solution but felt like I’d been screwed.

As the conversation went on, I struggled with my emotions. Should I be more supportive and accepting?

I stole a glance at Sarah; her smile was genuine as she plunged into conversation. She’s beautiful. But she’s the girl Oliver was in love with.

Part of me wanted to scream and demand why he didn’t always see what was right in front of him. But I knew it wasn’t fair. I hadn’t quite put my feelings for him on a silver platter. I had kept it and kept it to protect the friendship we wanted.

Am I too late to confess now? If I ever confess, will it lead to something else, or will I end up more heartbroken?

After having dinner, I told them I was too tired and needed some rest so I could go home and leave them. As I went inside my car, I took a deep sigh to let my frustrations off my chest.

“What now, Elliana? He’s in love with someone else,” I talked to myself.

I quickly opened the car engine and left the place to go home. I found my sister Aly in the living room watching a movie, and she noticed my sad aura instantly.

“What happened to you?” she asked me as I sat next to her on the sofa.

“I’m in love,” I said.

“Love is supposed to make you happy, isn’t it?” she looked at me. “Did someone dump you?” she started laughing.

I let out a nervous chuckle, my hands fidgeting in my lap. “No, not really. I never confessed my feelings to him. He’s got a girlfriend now.”

Aly smiled at me, a word that carried a mixture of sympathy and lightheartedness. “So, you’re nursing a broken heart even though you’re not officially one?”

I plopped down on the sofa and tried to hide my face in my hands. I didn’t want her to see me this way. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Why not date other guys then? It’s been so long since the last time you dated,” she suggested.

“It’s not that easy, Aly. I liked him for a long time,” I said.

Aly’s hand on mine was a reassurance that I desperately needed. We sat in the quiet of the living room, her empathy a lifeline that helped me navigate the stormy sea of my emotions.

“You know, Eli, it’s okay to feel the way you do,” Aly’s voice was soft, her words carrying a wisdom that only a sibling who truly understood could offer. “Love isn’t something you can control. And it’s definitely not something you can turn off like a switch.”

I nodded, a mixture of relief and sadness washing over me. It was as if Aly had read the complex tapestry of my heart and was offering me the acceptance that I needed. In her company, I felt safe enough to let down the facade I had been maintaining.

“It’s just… seeing him with someone else, it hurts,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

Aly squeezed my hand gently, her gaze steady. “I can imagine. But remember, you deserve happiness, too. And sometimes that means allowing yourself to heal and explore other possibilities.”

I smiled weakly, grateful for her understanding. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”

She chuckled softly. “Only because I’ve been there, too. Heartache is a universal experience, Eli. But it’s how we handle it that shapes us.”

As we finally decided to call it a night, Aly pulled me into a tight embrace. “You’re stronger than you think, Eli. And you’re not defined by this one feeling.”

I held onto her, feeling so thankful for having someone who knew me so well.