Work Text:
In a busy coffee shop Artem sits on the corner while seriously reading the file on his hand. He have been sitting here for an hour and he can’t seem to get a breakthrough. Putting down the paper he caught a glance of the empty chair in front of him.
A faint smile spread across his lips, three years ago there was someone who sits there. A woman who always encourages him, the person who shows him whaat it means to loved and be loved in return.
A woman who have the brightest smile and the courage to face anything.
But three years ago that same person left him, it was still clear to him how they break up.
It was another late night for them, files scattered on the table of his office as they need to find the breakthrough to end this case. She sat across off him neither of them speak as they both focus reading the papers at hand.
he took a glance at her seeing the fatigue he decided to let her rest.
“I’ll sort this out, take a nap first your exhausted” He reaches out to grab her hand but she avoid it . Confusion washes over him, did he do something wrong.
A sigh left her lips before putting down the paper to meet his gaze, she smile faintly at him. This time it was her who grabbed his hand.
“Let’s Breakup” she said as if those words was so easy to say.
Artem look at her stunned
“You should take a rest first, let’s talk again later” He urges her but she doesn’t move an inch.
“I’m not breaking up with you cause I’m tired, I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. We’re always both busy. Case after case we barely even have time for a date. How many times we go out twice in a month.” Tears formed on the corner of her eyes
“ I always thought as long as I’m with you wether on work or outside it will be enough but it wasn’t. We’ve been dating for two years and barely nothing has changed, we a lot our time in our work and now I’m leaving the city to handle the new branch of the firm. How do you expect this relationship to work.”
Artem was left speechless, she always happy around him. Never once he saw a sign that she was dissatisfied with their relationship. But now she spilled it out everything like she’s holding it in for months.
“Why? Didn’t you tell me” Artem can’t look at her, he might crumble if he does.
“Nothing will change even if I did”
“How did you know, if you haven’t even try” He asks
She look up at him tears trickle down her cheeks “Cause we both put our work on top of our priority”
“I never did,” Artem pulled his hands away as he walk away from his office leaving her alone
He was in a daze when a familiar voice called out his name. Looking up the person he was thinking about moments ago is now standing in front of him.
“Can I sit here? If only if you’re okay with it” She nervously asks, afraid that Artem might still hate her.
Artem smile at her and let her take the empty sit in front of him. Stifling silence hangs over them as neither of them speak.
“How have you been?” She asks breaking the awkward silence between them.
“I’m good, when did you return” He asks
“Last month” she answered
Then there’s this silence again, as their waiting for something. She look over the scenery outside the cafe, seeing people walking down the street Before looking back at him to say thee things she approached him for
“I’m sorry” She looked at him a faint smile spread across her lips.
“For what” Artem asks giving her a confused look.
“For leaving, for giving up on us and for breaking your heart” She let go of her breath that she kept holding on for the whole time.
Artem smiled at her
“Honestly even if you break my heart I couldn’t bring myself to hate you.” He confess
The words got caught in her throat how can this man be so good to her until now, she did regret breaking up with him. But it was way too late. She was about to speak when her phone suddenly rings.
Looking up the caller ID she quickly answered. She say a few more words before ending the call.
“Someone is waiting for me I need to go” She gave him an apologetic look “Thank you Artem” She smiled at him before she left in a hurry.
He followed her with his gaze
Outside the coffee shop he saw her hugging a man and showing him the smile that once belongs only to Artem. He look away as his chest tightens unable to continue watching the scene before him.
He can never unloved a person that once holds his heart, he might love her in some way but not the same as before.
He focus his tension back to his case when his phone rings, a smile plastered on his face as seeing the caller ID.
“Hello Love” he answered.
As she ride the car of her lover, she looked back and saw him talking to someone. Even if she can’t hear it, she still saw glimmer in his eyes that reflect his love for someone. It was once belong to hers but she broke his heart. A pained smile spread cross her lips.
“Are you okay?” Her lover asks
She look at him and nod before taking one last glance at Artem.