A Fateful Chance — Chapter 29: REGRET OF A LIFETIME

Andrew's POV

***flashback***

(Two months before Deandra got the job offer)

I went with my friend Archie inside the library and knowing him, he will definitely ask a lot of questions about me and Priya.

"I don't know but I guess I had a dream when both of us made love? I don't know." From what I said, Archie laughed out loud that a lot of students looked our way.

"Sorry," He whispered as he grinned on me. What I told him was barely a whisper but he's one, malicious soul that she couldn't stop himself from laughing.

"But that dream was awesome, dude." He grinned as we did the fistbump.

"I heard you too broke up, was that real?"

"Yeah, but I am not giving up on her. She's the only one I love so much. I'm going to marry her someday." I told Archie. When we stepped on aisles 9 and 10, I saw a familiar figure. I glanced at Deandra who was shelving the books from that aisle.

She looked sad as she met my gaze. When she caught me looking to her direction, she avoided eye contact first and concentrated on what she's doing.

I sighed as Archie also asked about the books that I would like him to read. I was able to look at Archie, I forgot her for a while. When Archie went to our table, I looked at the direction from where Deandra is but she's not there already.

***end of flashback***

I'm on my way to school when I walked past the pub where I spent the night drinking alone two months ago. I preferred to drink alone because I couldn't stand someone interrogating me with endless questions while I am not feeling better. I couldn't understand myself because the dream last time kept on repeating like a broken melody.

I glanced on my wristwatch and sighed. I still have an hour of free time before going to the library.

I walked back and went inside the pub to do some mini-investigation.

"Sir...we are still closed. We'll be open at three in the afternoon. It is still ten in the morning, too early to grab for a drink, I guess?"

"No...I am not here to drink. I just want to ask some questions, can I?" Andrew is looking at the waiter who was busy wiping the tables.

The waiter looked haggard and busy but he's a bit thankful that the waiter is a bit approachable.

"Hmm..." He responded as if ready to listen while busy with doing something.

"Last two months ago, I drank here between 8:00 PM onwards. Have you seen the one who brought me to my unit?"

The guy waiter stopped from wiping the tables as he seemed to think of that exact day that he's talking about.

"Yeah, I was the one who assisted that woman." I can't help but to swallow before I could say a thing.

"What did she tell you?"

"From what I remembered, she told me that you're her friend." Now, I am confused even more. I have a lot of friends and I don't know which one he meant.

"Please tell me what does she look like?" I leaned closer to him, without even blinking.

"She's almost 5'4 in height...fair skinned and chubby. She's average looking."

I tried thinking who he meant by his statement until one woman came into my mind...

"Did you perhaps get her name? I didn't remember anything that night, I want to thank her for sending me home in that state."

"Yes, sir. Her name is Deandra Klay."

"Y-You can't be serious..." I am more than stunned from what he said that I don't want to believe what he told me just now.

This can't be! Does it mean she's the one I had sex with last night? Why am I being stupid and clueless at the same time? As soon as I heard that from the waiter, I ran quickly to school leaving my wits behind me.

Everything is coming back to me now...the bloodstains, the way I held and kissed her like I owned her. Fuck, I thought it was Priya whom I made love with last night but it turned out to be Deandra Klay, a selfless friend that I talked with most of the time.

I gasped as I'm almost catching my breath when I stopped at the library. I looked around and I cannot see any trace of her.

"Here's my library card." The student assistant smiled at me as he returned my library card after she registered it on this day. I slowly looked around. I noticed that there were no students who were coming next in line.

"Miss, may I ask a quick question? If it is okay?"

"Yes, Andrew. You may." He put her hand on her mouth as she blushed a little.

It's not a surprise that she knew me already. I am one of the students who is staying in the library for a long time.

"Do you know Deandra Klay? The previous student assistant here?"

"Yes, Andrew. She took an indefinite leave from school last week. She also had me some reminders before resigning from her job here. She was introduced to me by Mrs. Seo, our school librarian."

"Indefinite leave?" I repeated her words like an idiot. I did not see this coming.

"Yes. She did not disclose the real reason about it. For me, I think she got a work offer somewhere that she also quit school." I looked at her to confirm if she is telling lies. However, this girl seemed to be so updated with everything that this information is too true to be misleading.

After that one, she never left my thoughts. After school, I decided to go to the place where I saved her from the drunk men last time.

"Sir, good afternoon, do you know where Deandra Klay lives?"

"I knew her house, but who are you?"

"Sir, I am her schoolmate. I am just here to ask her about a book she borrowed from me last time." I sighed when the man finally avoided his gaze at me after gazing at me from head to toe.

"I see," He nodded. "I am sorry to tell you but from what I heard from her mother, she applied for a job abroad and got accepted. She will return after a year or so."

That struck me in an instant. Is it my fault that she had decided these huge things herself?