chapter 54

Oaklynn's POV

What do I do now?

After eavesdropping-no I didn't actually listen in. Technically, it was my phone that Tristan used so I wasn't guilty of any wrong doing. Was I?

I didn't know whether to be angry or hurt, but I knew I had to give the ring back. I shouldn't have accepted it in the first place.

My feelings were scattered all over the place. In three different directions actually... namely Tristan, I still had feelings for him, then there was Kylo-tgere was definitely a spark there.. and lastly there was Ren, my telephone love.

I had been in love with Tristan for the longest time and I had a hard time letting him go. But I think it was time to do just that. Our relationship had run its course and there was nothing left to salvage. If I'm being honest, we had been drifting apart and it was inevitable that we split up. He was a really great guy-loyal, ambitious and really sweet.

Somehow Hailey was right, he only came back after Kylo threw me into the spotlight. Besides, we had chosen different paths and there was no way I would give up my life in New York to go and start over somewhere else. Coupled with the fact that I'd been offered my dream job...It wasn't going to work.

Then with Kylo...

How did I really feel about Kylo King?

Let's just shelve that one for now and move onto Ren...

He was like my best friend, my confidante, I could literally pour out my heart to him and he would listen so patiently and...and I hadn't even met the guy but I felt like I had known him for, like forever. He made sure I had breakfast every morning, spoiled not only me but Hailey to monthly spa retreats. Not to mention the tickets to Kylo's concert and the five-star treatment that came with it. If he went all out for me before we met officially, one could only wonder what he would do after we had an actual face to face interaction.

Maybe it was time to fix that. I was going to set up a meeting as soon as I got back to Manhattan. I had to see him, the curiosity was eating away at me.

But first I had to deal with Tristan... first thing in the morning.

After our little incident I had no words for him. I couldn't bring myself to say anything concerning his cave man behaviour. So I bid him goodnight, pushed him out of my bedroom and locked the door.

I couldn't sleep so I ended up calling Ren but his number went to voicemail. I shot him a quick text instead.

'Hey pudding-pie. Tried calling you but you must be busy. What's her name? Should I be jealous? Anyway I decided to roll the ball back into your court because I can't decide..So tell me when and where you want to meet? Please don't say a strip club or some other den of iniquity because its not going to happen. Just let me know. Goodnight xx

The next morning Tristan came knocking on my door and I was still half-asleep. I drew the curtains before letting him in.

He stood at the door, his bags in tow. "Hey..sorry to wake you but can we talk?"

I stifled a yawn and walked back to my bed, not even attempting to tame the bird's nest on my head. Maybe I should. I can't be looking like this when I handed him back his ring. I had to do it with dignity. After all this moment would be etched in his mind forever and I couldn't have him remembering me-

"Just gimme a sec okay?" I leapt off the bed and bounded to  the bathroom to try and give the guy a decent let down. I brushed my teeth and then my hair. throwing it into a messy bun. Then rummaged threw my washing basket, found a decent pair of sweats and vest, that were way better than the fleece onesy l was currently wearing. I washed my face, smacked on some lip balm and examined my reflection in the mirror. Not bad.

When I stepped out again, Tristan was sitting at the foot of the bed and turned when he heard me approach.

I went over to my dresser, took his ring from my jewelry box and held it out to him.

"I guess your mind us made up?" he ignored my hand and stared out the window.

I dropped onto a ottoman and sighed. "It's better this way."

"Is it because of him?" he asked, still gazing out the window.

"No. It's got nothing to do with him."

"Right. Of cos."

"We had our moment Tris but it has passed now. Let's just not make this harder than it is...I know it's hard but we need to let go.." It broke my heart that it had come to this.

"It's hard for you too?" he fixed his gaze on me and I tears pooled in my eyes when I saw the agony in his.

"Yes..." My voice trembled as I spoke.

"Does your iPod work?" he glanced at it docked on my dresser with the speaker.

Confused, I frowned before I responded. "Yes...?"

"I have one last request if that's okay?" he said as he went over and cued a song.  "Dance with me Oaklynn?"  he stretched out his hand as Falling like The Stars came on. "For the last time.."

We clung onto each other as we swayed to the music. Well, we actually did more crying than dancing. In the end we stopped trying to hide our tears from each other but looked into each other's eyes and ended up kissing, our lips clinging onto each other. We both knew it was our way of saying goodbye without using words.

He cupped my face and kissed my forehead.  "Goodbye Oaklee. You'll always be my number one."

With that he stepped away and walked out the door, leaving me in a weeping mess.

I threw myself on the bed and sobbed my little heart out. I know you must be wondering why I'm heartbroken but I was. Tristan was the love of my life and part of me would always care about him. But goodbye was such a hard thing to do.

A few moments later my mom came in and held me in her arms and just let me let it all out. I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up, I was tucked under the covers and my room was enshrouded in darkness. My mother must have drawn the curtains so I could rest.

There was a glass, two pills and eye drops on my nightstand. I made use of all of them and checked the time. It was just past noon and my flight was at two. I had to get ready to leave.

While I was packing my mom came to help me out. "Do you want to talk about it?" she prodded gently.

I nodded and gave her a brief summary of the whole story. Including how he dumped me before and my love triangle and confused feelings.

Mom and I have always been close, I can tell her everything and anything without fearing harsh judgement.

"It's okay sweetie. I trust you made the right decision." she hugged me. "Maybe you needed to do this."

"So you're not disappointed that I broke off the engagement?"

"No. I support your decision. Now let's go before you miss your flight."

As soon as I arrived back home I went straight to bed. I was drained both emotionally and physically.

Tomorrow was a new day right?