Abigail and Ezekiel had known each other since kindergarten. He had been the one to teach her how to fight back against bullies, helping her survive the many schoolyard battles she faced.
But everything changed when Ezekiel traveled to America for his father's funeral. When he returned, something in him was different — more distant, more closed off.
"Neither did I think you'd become stronger, Abigail Wen," Ezekiel said quietly as he met her gaze.
Abigail frowned. "Why did you change so much after that trip?"
"I didn't," he replied.
"Oh really? Then look at me and tell me directly that you didn't," she challenged.
"Let's not start this," he muttered, trying to close the conversation.
"Yeah… almost forgot," Abigail added, her voice tinged with pain. "We were over a long time ago."
Flashback
Abigail and Ezekiel had been a couple before his trip to America. But when he returned, Ezekiel discovered the heavy expectations of his family — the mafia lineage he had tried to escape. Not wanting to hurt Abigail, he ended their relationship, using distance and another girl as a shield.
The night they broke up, it was their anniversary. Abigail had called him, hoping he would show up at the restaurant, but he never came. The next day, she visited him, desperate for answers.
"Ezekiel… I called you yesterday. Why didn't you answer?" Abigail asked, tears welling up.
"I didn't see it," he replied curtly.
"Do you know what day it was?" she whispered, her voice cracking.
"I'm busy right now," he said coldly.
Abigail felt her heart shatter. "I… I'm sorry, I didn't realize," she murmured, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"This is exactly why we can't be together," he said, walking away without another word.
Back to Present
"Hmm… thanks for not forgetting," Ezekiel said softly as he left.
Abigail, fighting back tears, had no choice but to run home.
Back at Home
"Abi, I was about to—" Mrs. Wen began, but Abigail dashed to her room and locked the door.
"Why can't I just forget him?" she whispered to herself, still crying. "Royalties… they always take advantage of the weak. I'll never marry one."
She collapsed onto her bed, exhausted from crying, and eventually fell asleep without dinner.
The Next Morning
"Abi, aren't you going to school today?" Mrs. Wen asked.
"No, I don't want to," Abigail replied from under the covers.
"You will go to school," her mother insisted.
"I said I'm not going. Why don't you just let me be?" Abigail snapped, standing angrily.
"Fine. If you insist, then I'll just go and make my own way," she muttered, throwing on her uniform and leaving the house.
School had already started, but Abigail was nowhere to be found.
"Do you know where Abi is?" Ann asked.
"Didn't she tell you?" Juliet replied.
"No," Ann shook her head. "All today's classes are important."
Ezekiel, thinking to himself, felt a pang of worry. Where is she?
Meanwhile, Abigail had gone to a local club, trying to distract herself with noise and drink.
"Waiter! One more bottle, please!" she called, forcing a smile over her heartbreak.
After school, Ann and Juliet searched for Abigail and bumped into Ezekiel.
"Where is Abigail?" he demanded.
"We don't know," they replied nervously.
"Have you tried calling her?" he asked.
"No… not yet," Ann admitted.
"Call her now," Ezekiel ordered.
Ann dialed Abigail's number, but she didn't answer.
"I hope she's okay," Juliet said anxiously.
"Nothing can ever happen to her," Ezekiel said, his brown eyes darkening like storm clouds.
"Should we call her mother?" Ann suggested.
"Good idea," Juliet added.
Just then, Mrs. Wen called.
"Hello, ma'am," Ann answered.
"Is Abigail with you?" Mrs. Wen asked.
"She'll be spending the night at my place," Ann explained. "We have a project to work on together."
"Alright, dear. Thanks. Bye," Mrs. Wen said before hanging up.
"She's not with her mother," Ann said.
"What the…!" Ezekiel exclaimed, slamming his fist against a wall.
"Let's wait until nightfall. If she's not back, we'll search for her," Juliet suggested.
"Are you sure?" Ann asked.
"She's right. Let's wait," Ezekiel replied, trying to calm himself.
As they turned to leave, Ann called out, "Ezekiel?"
"Yes?" he replied.
"Thanks," she said quietly.
"For what?" he asked.
"For helping," she said simply.
Ezekiel nodded silently, leaving the scene with his mind still on Abigail.