Ex-boyfriend, begging for a second chanceChapter 1: Promise broken
Anna had been waiting for over three hours, sitting transfixed at a table that should have been full of laughter. Her birthday cake, neatly arranged in front of her, had begun to melt, yet her heart remained unmoved. Every second that passed added to the biting pain. The hopes she had nurtured since the morning were now crumbling one by one, like the ruins of a sand castle that had been hit by the waves.
"Excuse me, miss, our restaurant will be closing soon," said a waiter in an almost inaudible tone, as if afraid to disturb Anna's sadness.
Anna just smiled sarcastically. A smile that was far from happy. She stared at her neglected birthday cake, then without hesitation, with her bare hands, she began to cut it. One piece, two pieces, until there was nothing left. She ate it in a strange way, like someone forced to swallow a wound. Each chew only added to the pain, reminding her of the empty promises that had never been kept.
Her heart broke, but her face remained rigid. Even when the waiter left, Anna didn't care. She knew that today, not only was her birthday lost, but also the love she once thought was hers.
After paying, Anna stepped out with heavy steps. The evening breeze greeted her face, but could not refresh her broken heart. As she passed by the back door of the restaurant, the whispering voices of the waiters could be heard.
"That's unfortunate, but she should know that she can't replace Miss Richa in Mr. Pedro's heart," said one of the waiters, in a pitying tone.
"True, especially now that Richa is back. Mr. Pedro will definitely choose her again," said another.
Anna laughed bitterly. Laughing to herself. Everyone knew, and she couldn't accept that fact. She wiped away her sudden tears, then walked away with shaky steps.
Five years ago, Anna had big ambitions. She was fascinated by Pedro Albert, who was now a wealthy man known throughout the city. Because of her strong determination, Anna left her career to work as Pedro's personal secretary, climbing her way up to finally earn a place in his heart. However, in the last few months, a dark shadow has come in the form of Richa Almes, Pedro's first lover, who never really seemed to leave.