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She is different. Cale had changed. She's not what she used to be. She no longer calls me affectionate names. She no longer asked for a phone, even just to ask how she was, or Cale was whining for a bit. And I know and understand that Cale is very well-off because she comes from a well-off family. But not once or twice Cale asked him to buy something from small things, like asking to buy snacks and eat street food -she no longer questioned.
Or rather, from my previous explanation, Cale was no longer spoiling me. I could tell Cale was the type of person who didn't like being spoiled or depending on others. But- the current state made me feel like Cale already felt like she didn't need me anymore.
Cale let out a long sigh seeing her boyfriend, Eruhaben's reply.
"Okay then, if he's busy. Well, it looks like I have to be alone again. I also asked the others; they were just as busy as him. Everyone is busy today. Hmmm, well, okay."
---
A few days later.
"Oh my, he's so busy that I don't know what to do. And somehow, I often feel neglected by him."
Cale felt low. Her relationship with Eruhaben was strained. She didn't know the reason why her relationship with him was strained.
"Well, hmm, just let it flow. If it ends well, thank goodness; if it doesn't end well, it's okay too."
"Maybe, if I'm sick, he also can't come to see me either. Well, fine, I won't expect more from him anymore."
And true to fact, Cale was sick two days later.
She fell ill, fainted, and also had a nosebleed, to be more precise, while doing an individual presentation of one of her courses. Her close friend, Rosalyn, immediately screamed in panic, and Choi Han, who was also Cale's close friend and 'guard', immediately rushed over to rush her to the infirmary.
The campus health nurse who handled Cale immediately suggested taking her to the hospital because when the nurse checked her condition and tried to check her body temperature, it turned out that she had a very high fever.
Rosalyn and Choi Han immediately tried to contact Eruhaben, who was Cale's boyfriend and closest to Cale. However, Eruhaben did not respond to all messages and telephone calls.
So, in the end, the two contacted her 'big-brother', Lee Soo Hyuk and Alver Crossman. Instead, the two men swiftly responded and quickly caught up with them.
The doctor immediately advised others that Cale was better to be hospitalized at the hospital because the red-haired girl had typhus, dehydration, and stomach acid. They had the same description about her 'habit', which was that Cale pushed herself too much to the point that she often forgot about her condition. At the same time, Lee Soo Hyuk and Alver took care of Cale's administration and maintenance costs, while the other two stayed to look after the child.
Upon the return of the two people, Alver told everything to Cale's family, especially her father, Deruth Henituse. And at the same time, Lee Soo Hyuk asked Choi Han and Rosalyn.
"Where is Eruhaben-nim? Have you guys informed him?"
Choi Han replied, "Rosalyn and I have messaged and called him many times, but so far, there has been no response, not even reading the messages."
Rosalyn, who heard his explanation, nodded in agreement, "Mmm, I don't know if this is true because it's just my feeling. Somehow I feel that Cale and Eruhaben-nim's relationship is becoming as if it is weakening. Well, that's my opinion, though I don't know if it is true."
Lee Soo Hyuk crossed his arms while narrowing his eyes, thinking, "Actually, I also feel what you feel, Rose. Alver, do you think so too?"
Alver, standing before the ward where Cale was lying weak and unconscious, replied, "Yeah. Cale also often tells me that Eruhaben-nim is just that busy, so Cale is neglected and often gets forgotten about. Maybe that's one of the reasons? Well?"
The four who were waiting in the room and accompanying the red-haired lady lying down with an IV stuck in her hand were all lost in their thoughts about Cale and Eruhaben's relationship.
---
Cale was hospitalized for almost two weeks because her condition was so impossible. Her condition often suddenly dropped. And during that time, Eruhaben didn't show any sign of him showing up at all. Rosalyn asked, "What problem do you have with Eruhaben-nim? Why isn't he responding to you at all?"
Cale shook her head and shrugged, "I don't know why, either. I didn't provoke a fuss or fight with him at all. I also thought many times, 'Did I do something wrong? Did I forget something related to him? I always chat with him daily and tell him my news every time. But even the smallest thing doesn't get a response at all."
Rosalyn, who was sitting near Cale, also felt bad for him.
Cale continued to complain, "In this relationship, I don't ask for anything weird or anything that can be burdensome for him. I am self-aware and know that we are very different from each other. I am only a final student currently in a crazy stress phase, and in the end, I also collapse. As for him? He is the CEO, a vital person in his office. I know he has a hectic schedule of meetings here and there. I totally understand that."
"But I only ask for one thing, really only one. I only want him to reply to my message where I ask him how he is, whether he is okay or not. That's all, nothing more. After that, he wants to ignore me after replying to my message; it's fine with me."
"This doesn't happen just once or twice. I also feel that my position as his girlfriend is pointless, Rose."
Cale finally ended her complaint. Rosalyn from earlier, who heard her, just stared or nodded, trying to understand Cale's situation.
'It turns out that dating a CEO isn't a good thing because it also has its bitterness,' Rosalyn thought, feeling sorry for Cale.
"Oh yeah, I'm going to tell him about my condition, and this is my chat with him for the last time. After this, I've given up. I won't contact him anymore. About whether the relationship was stopping or continuing, I didn't want to bother thinking about it. I'm tired. So I'll leave this unclear relationship," Cale finally said with her decision.
Rosalyn finally responded, "I don't know how to respond because I'm afraid that what I say is wrong and will hurt you. But as your friend, I support whatever decision you make, Cale. If your decision makes you relaxed, then do it. It's your choice and life, so do whatever you want."
Cale nodded casually and chuckled, "Thank you for listening to my complaints because if I told these four men, they would immediately throw a tantrum and come at Eruhaben. So I didn't want to cause a scene."
Rosalyn, who imagined the scene of the four men being noisy, felt goosebumps because she already imagined what chaos it would be; maybe there could be bloodshed. Well, no one knows~.
Cale also got goosebumps running into it and continued chatting with his fellow red hair. But Cale did not forget to message Eruhaben about her condition -for the last time.
Finally, Cale turned off her phone and placed it on a nearby table.
And Cale finally could feel relieved.
---
On the other hand.
Eruhaben, who was in his private workroom on the top floor, felt that he was feeling uneasy. During these 4-5 months, he was so busy making himself feel like he had forgotten and lost something from him, which made him feel empty. But he ignored the feeling that stuck in his heart. Eruhaben felt wrong about something, and his heart was very restless. He thought that he had forgotten something very important in his life.
"What did I forget...?" Eruhaben leaned back in his chair and opened his phone to check social media. And then, opening the chat application, he subconsciously narrowed his eyes.
"Isn't the chat notification from my girlfriend used to be at the top, hm? Why isn't there anymore..."
Eruhaben scrolled through the Main Room Chat with the anxiety and guilt that had accompanied him in his heart for the past five months max. And he found what he had searched for.
Chat contact from Cale is at the bottom. And the notifications had about 100 messages, and the last chat was two months ago.
"Shit. How can I ignore and forget my girlfriend? I fucked up."
He looked at the contents of each bubble chat, which always asked how he was doing, and the last chat Cale gave him was the news that she had collapsed. After that, there is no more incoming chat.
"See you when I could see you again- Ah-... how busy am I that she said that as if she and I would never be able to see again?" Eruhaben was uneasy when he saw the last bubble chat -the very last one because, after that, Cale disappeared from his sight.
Eruhaben was uneasy, deeply regretful. Very very sorry. Ignoring attention, neglect, and even forgetting his girlfriend. He just realized that all this time in this relationship, the only one struggling was Cale. At the same time, he does not resist his relationship.
He felt Cale was tired of waiting for him, so he gave up.
Therefore, Eruhaben, with all his might and shamelessness, wanted to start over this relationship from the beginning. He wanted to repay his girlfriend's efforts to save the relationship so that it still existed. He did not wish for Cale to survive in this relationship anymore. Let him; he alone struggles to save their relationship.
"Cale, I am sorry for causing our relationship to become distant. Cale, please allow me to reach for you again when you are tired of this relationship and want to disappear from me. Allow me to survive to save our relationship, Cale. I know that you are tired and have given up on this relationship. So this time, let me be the one to fight for you, Cale."
----
Cale was eating alone at her house family because everyone else was away, including the father-son duo Ron and Beacrox, who worked for the Henituse family. Enjoying her meal while scrolling through her social media timeline, Cale's eyes suddenly narrowed, unable to believe something, as she saw an incoming notification at the top of the screen.
Eruhaben, her boyfriend, whom she hadn't heard from in a long time, sent a message. First time in so long.
"Wow," was Cale's first reaction.
"Eh? Is this for real? Am I hallucinating?"
"Eruhaben-nim is chatting with me? What's going on?"
Then she opened the chat.
The text sent is
"Mmm, hello, Dear?"
Cale chuckled heartlessly, "It's been so awkward after a long time not knowing about him."
"But, it's amazing that he contacted me. Does he need anything?"
Cale opened her chat to reply to him.
And it took little time, Eruhaben immediately replied. Cale had no idea that the silver-and-gold hair was shaking when he saw the chat replies that called his name the way they used to, the ones with the '-nim' appendage, which were when Cale was not close to him.
After that, Cale just read it, not intending to reply to him anymore.
"I wondered what was up," Cale commented with a shrug and went back to scrolling through her social media and finished her food as well.
On the other hand, Eruhaben stayed and patted his forehead, "Argh, why is it so awkward? Cale's answer also fits the flow perfectly."
Eruhaben was reminded of the times he chatted with Cale. He also always replied to Cale's chats with answers that fit what was needed. He would answer according to the needs of the answers to Cale's questions, or in other words, his replies to Cale would be to the point or as necessary.
Eruhaben took a long breath and roughly rubbed his face, "I can't give up on this relationship. I have to try to bear it."
----
Another day another attempt.
Cale got up from her bed and exited the room, jogging to get to Eruhaben. She opened the door of her house and saw Eruhaben waiting, leaning on an Off-road car in her garage. Cale did not know what to say; she was speechless. Cale had mixed feelings when she saw Eruhaben after not seeing him for so long.
Cale was frozen and didn't realize that Eruhaben was already in front of her.
"Cale."
Ah, Cale gasped, snapping out of her reverie.
"Ah, Eruhaben-nim…"
"Yeah. Are you ready for going to shopping?"
Cale nodded slowly and looked up because Eruhaben was quite tall than her.
"Yeah, I'll still be shopping... but won't it be a problem if Eruhaben-nim leaves work?"
Eruhaben nodded and reassured her, "No problem. Really. No need to worry; I've entrusted my work to my secretary."
Cale was still unsure, but she just nodded, "Okay, if that's not a problem. Just go inside first; I want to get ready myself."
Then Cale motioned for Eruhaben to enter the house. It had been a long time since he had stepped in and had a guest at Cale's medium-sized house. This medium-sized house is aesthetic and luxurious because the furniture and furniture are complete.
Yes, Cale separated herself from her family for college from the beginning of the semester. The distance between the family mansion from Cale's university was very far, so she chose to wander.
“Eruhaben-nim wait a moment. I'll get ready; first, it won't take long," Cale said and walked to her room before Eruhaben could answer her. Then he sat in the guest chair, waiting for the girl.
As Cale had said earlier, Eruhaben didn't have to wait long. Cale walked out of her room when she was done. She only changed her short pants into jeans, wore a denim jacket, and carried a small sling bag. She didn't change her clothes; she was too lazy to change them.
"Are you ready?" Eruhaben asked and stood up.
Cale nodded, and the two of them exited the house, not forgetting for Cale to lock her home.
"Eruhaben-nim should just get out of the car first. I will close the gate," Cale suggested as she locked the door.
"It's okay for you to go inside the car first. I will do it, Cale," Eruhaben replied, watching the hesitant Cale.
"Eh, Eruhaben-nim is the guest. Why are you the one closing the gate? I'm the one who will close the gate," Cale argued, still stubbornly.
Eruhaben nodded resignedly, not wanting to argue with Cale to avoid spoiling the mood. Because he had felt that Cale had been limiting himself from him all along, if he argued, then everything would fall apart.
Eruhaben got into his car to drive from the garage to Cale's front gate. After the car got out, Cale closed the gate of her house and immediately followed go inside Eruhaben's car.
"Excuse me…" Cale sat herself up in the chair and fastened her seatbelt.
Eruhaben released a slow breath, "Yeah, Cale. You don't need to feel timid."
Cale just smiled a little and nodded in response. She settled herself in her seat though still feeling awkward.
'Ah- yeah, I forgot that Eruhaben and I still have a relationship. The two of us are still dating,' she thought, wincing sadly.
On the way to the supermarket, silence enveloped them. Eruhaben wanted to chat with Cale, but he was confused about what kind of conversation to start. Cale locked her mouth tightly together, not making a single sound. She only looks forward and to the left or sometimes checks her phone only to see the digital clock.
But their silence was broken when a ringing tone came from Eruhaben's cell phone.
"Cale, can I ask you a favor? Pick up the phone and hold my phone, please," Eruhaben asked because he couldn't hold his phone while both of his hands were on the steering wheel.
Cale picked up the noisy phone and answered the call. She activated the loudspeaker to make it easier for Eruhaben to answer the call. Well, Cale herself wanted to hear that, too, though.
"Hello, good afternoon, Sir."
"Yes. What's wrong, secretary?"
"Sorry to disturb your quality time with Cale-nim-"
"No small talk. Just to the point. What's wrong?"
"Ah, sorry, Sir. It's there's something sudden and urgent now. It's the team from the company of-"
"Okay, stop. We'll talk later. I'll catch up with you later. And please hang up the call. Thank you."
"Got it, Sir. And we're genuinely sorry to disturb your time with Cale-nim."
After that, the secretary hung up the call, and Cale put the phone in the car drawer. Then silence enveloped the two of them again before Eruhaben finally spoke up.
"Mmm, Cale."
"Yes?"
"It seems I... can't accompany you because-"
"Yeah, it's fine, I understand. They need Eruhaben-nim more. I understand," Cale cut in a while, looking at him calmly.
"... I'm sorry I didn't keep my word, sorry Cale," Eruhaben replied weakly.
"No need to apologize. Eruhaben-nim didn't do anything wrong at all. I also don't blame you, and I'm not angry at all. I understand," Cale paused for a bit before sighing softly and continuing.
"Just...please keep taking me to the supermarket, okay? Just drop off," Cale asked, still looking at him dimly.
Eruhaben looked at her with a look that was difficult to decipher and finally nodded as he replied, "Okay, I will still take you to the supermarket."
After that, Cale nodded and gave him a small smile, "Thank you very much." And she again faced forward.
It wasn't just once or twice that Eruhaben glanced at Cale, who was very silent. Yes, from the start, Cale had indeed been quiet and didn't say much. But somehow, Cale's calm mood was different. Sad? Disappointed? Or what? He couldn't explain it, making him feel uneasy and guilty.
After taking about 20 minutes of travel, they finally arrived. And Eruhaben headed for the drop-off to put Cale down.
Letting go of the belt, Cale, who wanted to get out of the car, was restrained by Eruhaben, "Just a moment, Cale."
Cale looked at him confused as Eruhaben took his wallet out of his trouser pocket. It turned out that he was picking up a Black Card and handing it to Cale.
Instantly Cale's brain went blank at the sight of the card.
"Use this card to pay for all your needs, okay?" Eruhaben said before him, and Cale was still speechless.
Eruhaben chuckled softly and ruffled Cale's silky red hair, causing the owner to snap out of her daze.
"Ah- uh, there's no need," Cale gasped and shook his head.
"It's okay. This is my apology for not being able to accompany you, so use that card for your transactions, okay?"
"After shopping, you take the card with you and keep it. Use the card again if you want to do shopping or other transactions, okay?"
Cale felt good about this but was reluctant to use it. Se couldn't help but nod, "Okay... thanks for taking me to the supermarket, and please, be careful on the way to your office, Eruhaben-nim."
"Yes, happy shopping, dear," Eruhaben nodded, and after that, Cale got out of the car and entered the supermarket.
Eruhaben looked behind Cale's back, "She...is indeed small, but why is she getting smaller? Is she eating enough?"
Noticing it long enough for Cale's back not to be seen, he rushed towards his office because many important things needed to be done, it turned out.
Cale shopped for almost an hour -because there were so many necessities that she needed to buy.
Anyway, during the transaction, she didn't use the card that Eruhaben gave her earlier because Cale didn't want to use it, and she could also pay for it himself. Cale had always been used to doing everything on his own.
Yes, free things were Cale's favorite, but she was pretty self-aware. She only wants to use other people's money if something significant makes her need it. Even if she uses other people's money, she will replace the money.
She's too independent until she feels she doesn't need anyone else.
---
Since then, Eruhaben has always tried to take the time to go on dates with Cale. But he was a CEO, and Eruhaben was back on his word -again and again. Every time he asked Cale to go out on a date, it would fail again because Eruhaben would suddenly cancel it by accident due to his busy schedule, but he also forgot to tell Cale they weren't going to go on a date.
And Cale actually didn't mind because he was used to Eruhaben being very busy with his schedule. But Cale was just an ordinary human where patience had a limit. Cale was already tired of all of this.
After that, Cale put her phone slightly slammed next to her on the dinner table. Actually, she was eating when she was in the Eruhaben chat, but now the urge to continue eating had disappeared.
"I'm fucking tired with all of this shit," Cale wiped away the tears that were still flowing with the back of her hand.
Well, who doesn't cry when expressing their long-held emotions?
It took Cale quite a while to calm herself down. And just after that, Cale heard her doorbell ring.
"Was what I said in the chat not clear enough? Why did he have to come here?"
Cale, who was still sobbing a little, couldn't help but have to look at the person who had just made her emotional.
Opening the door of her house, Eruhaben was already standing before her. His expression was a mess, and his eyes were bloodshot too. Cale herself was just as chaotic, but she had calmed down somewhat.
"Why are you here?" Cale asked with her hoarse voice.
"Cale, I don't want us to break up. I know I'm shameless, but I'm really sorry for everything I've done," Eruhaben said to the point with a low voice and a sad expression on his face.
Reading Cale's message that suddenly asked him to end the relationship made Eruhaben feel like he had a heart attack. He immediately rushed from his spacious private office, which confused his secretary. He drove a car with above-average speed to quickly meet his girlfriend.
"Eruhaben-nim? Do you know that person has a limit to their patience? You should know. It's the same for me. I'm already tired; I can't believe what you're saying anymore," Cale looked at him and replied weakly.
"Don't call me that... I promise I won't be like this again," Eruhaben begged pleadingly; he was holding Cale's hand, which looked small and seemed very fragile, so he held it carefully. Cale let it go -no, to be more precise, she was too lazy to brush it off. She was so tired that she didn't even want to brush it off.
"Eruhaben-nim, I know and really understand your job situation because you are a vital person in your own company. I am okay with you if you're busy, but... can you take the time to give me your news?
Eruhaben listened intently to Cale, letting out her complaints while gently stroking the back of her hand.
Cale continued, "If you want to make a promise with me, you better look at your work schedule so you don't have time conflicts. I also have no problem if you want to cancel your promise as long as you let me know beforehand. I didn't wait for you like a fool for hours."
Cale brought back the tears that had dried up due to recalling how things were every time she waited like an idiot for her boyfriend, who wouldn't give certainty.
Eruhaben quickly wiped the tears coming down Cale's pale, gaunt cheeks, and from that touch, he realized that his girlfriend was skinny, "I'm sorry, Cale... I'm sorry for making you go through it yourself, waiting for certainty from me that didn't come."
Cale tried to smile, but in Eruhaben's eyes, Cale's smile was as if she was laughing at her stupidity, as if Cale was feeling bad for herself.
"Hahaha, well... I can't help it... that's already my consequence of dating an important person in this country. I should have realized that I'm just a child from a famous family but don't have much power. So I'm just a small person compared to you guys in power."
Then Cale boldly asked, her eyes that were very teary with tears, looking into Eruhaben's golden eyes that were also looking back at her.
"Honestly, Eruhaben-nim, why do you want to date me? Is it because my parents are on par with you that you want to form a relationship with me? Are you sincere to date me?" Cale's voice shook even more.
And Eruhaben returned to panic seeing Cale's increasingly fragile condition. Shaking his head with all his might, Eruhaben answered her, "No. I didn't think that way. I'm sincerely dating you. Darling, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Sorry, I kept repeating my mistakes. I will try to change my attitude, Dear..."
"I'm forcing too hard, huh? If we can't, don't force it. We may not get along, right?
"Babe... what should I do so you'll forgive me?" asked Eruhaben very pleadingly.
"Eruhaben-nim... I've fought enough and love you accordingly. Because I don't have to make myself sick, right?"
"And it's okay to fight for someone who loves you. However, it's not okay to fight for people to love you. Those two things have a big difference."
Eruhaben immediately embraced him; he didn't want to listen to what Cale was saying anymore. Because his biggest fear right now was that he would lose Cale, who had fought so hard to maintain her relationship with him.
He said to Cale, who buried her head in his chest. He felt his shirt was wet because Cale was crying in his embrace.
Eruhaben gently stroked the back of Cale's head lovingly, "Cale... I'm sorry. I regret ignoring your struggles to maintain our relationship, which is on the verge of ending. I know you are tired and have given up on surviving our relationship."
"I- I hate you so much," Cale said between her sobs.
Eruhaben nodded weakly, "Mmm, I know… Now, Cale, you can take a break from struggling to save this relationship. Now let me chase you and fight for this relationship, Babe... Don't worry, dear. I will always love you even though you are tired of your love for me. I'll chase after you to have you back."
Cale's cries grew louder in his arms. Cale had no response other than just crying. Eruhaben understood that very well. Cale, his lover, was letting out the emotions she had suppressed for a long time. Holding her even tighter, Eruhaben whispered words of apology and words to comfort his lover.
Basically, your selfishness will be awakened by the feeling of loss.
The End