Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Whenever news about her came up, his emotions would go haywire, and he'd have to find a quiet corner to collect himself. It hit him hard then-pretending to love someone was just as tough as pretending not to. He washed his face over and over, as if trying to scrub away his turmoil. Only when he was sure he looked perfectly normal did he step out of the bathroom.noveldrama

It had been half a year since Aubree snagged the Oscar. She and Matthew were always showing off their love on Twitter. Even Casey's account was flooded with their posts, and people couldn't help but wonder why he didn't say anything against it. But Casey never addressed it publicly, sticking to his usual way of doing things.

Andrew had stopped wishing for their breakup, knowing full well Aubree wouldn't come back to him even if she was single. That realization cut deep.

With a cigarette between his fingers, he stood alone in the hallway, feeling a profound loneliness amidst the nearby bustle, like he was hanging by a thread.

Everyone thought he was back to his old self. But only he knew he was just a shell, going through the motions.

Hearing some commotion from the hall, he made his way over and saw Aubree, glowing as always. Her hair was elegantly pinned up, showing off her neck, with Matthew-still boyishly charming-by her side. Whatever she whispered made Matthew laugh, and her laughter followed, lighting up the room.

People teased, "You two are so sweet together," and "When's the engagement?" Matthew was too young for marriage, so an engagement was the next step.

Neither Aubree nor Matthew noticed Andrew watching. Aubree, seven years older but looking carefree, stayed close to Matthew. Her cheeks flushed with a girlish shyness, and she'd playfully scold him.

Matthew whispered something sweet, and Aubree playfully stomped on his foot, making him yelp in exaggerated pain and lean on her shoulder. They were in their own happy little world.

Andrew couldn't keep up his facade any longer. His composure shattered, he retreated back into the shadows of the corridor. Once, he'd dreamt of being the one by her side, the perfect couple. But now, she was with someone else, and he couldn't even muster the courage to step forward.

He haphazardly placed his champagne glass on a passing waiter's tray and slipped out through a side path, almost tripping down the stairs. Back in his car, his heart finally began to settle.

He called Jaired. With Max busy celebrating the birth of his second child, Jaired was the only one available. Jaired slid into the driver's seat without hesitation.

This wasn't the first time Andrew had bumped into Aubree and fled. Yet, every time he showed up again, he was the flawless Clements family heir. Except in front of Aubree, where his true self always slipped through.

"Ran into Aubree again?" Jaired asked, hands steady on the wheel.

Andrew nodded, eyes wet as he gazed out the window, "She's even more beautiful now."

Her beauty seemed to shine from within. Jaired remained silent, puzzled by the mystery of love.

Dropping Andrew off, Andrew couldn't hold back his tears, whispering, "Wouldn't it be great if we could turn back time?"

Jaired had no answer. The world often didn't make sense. "Andrew, go inside. Get some sleep," Jaired advised as Andrew closed the car door, looking so downcast.

"I don't want to dream about her tonight." He was tired of the huge gap between dreams and reality. Yet, when he finally had a night without dreams of her, he tossed and turned restlessly.

He got up, searching for old photos of Aubree from the Clements family events. She was never really welcomed there, so there were few photos, all of which he had saved. As he looked at them, tears welled up, and finally, he drifted into sleep, dreaming once more.

A bittersweet relief. The lone rose in his dreams, while in reality, mountains and miles stood in the way. Love stirs with the wind, but when the wind stops, the longing remains. THE END