My Ex Next Door

Beep!!!!

A loud sound of the horn coming from the cars around pulled Ken's senses back to reality. He exhaled and looked at the rearview mirror.

There's long traffic on the road that made every driver pissed off, it's a rush hour so the traffic got worse.

The driver looked at him with fear in his eyes, he can't blame him, he was a ruthless man before he left the country but he changed for Novie because until now he's still hoping that she will come back, but he doesn't know how long he can hold on.

In a few weeks, he will be married, that's why they moved back in the Philippines because Anna wanted to get married in her home country and she has a lot of friends she wants to invite in their wedding.

He tried to hold the wedding for three years; he used a lot of excuses because he was waiting until Novie calls him; he sent someone to look after her from the distance, protect her but he never once asked how she's doing, if she's dating someone else or not, all he wanted was to make sure she's safe.

When their car passed the mall where he first brought Novie to buy his mother's clothes, a soft smile curved up his thin lips. He chuckled and shook his head.

Usually, grooms are excited, but he's not. The only reason he agreed to get married in Manila was because of Novie, he's hoping that she'll come and stop it, but part of his mind had already given up.

He felt a vibration in his front pocket, when he looked at the caller, a warm smile pasted on his lips.

He clicked the answer button and a tiny cute voice greeted him.

"Uncle Ken… Are you going to visit us here?" It was Alexandria Su, his niece. He loves the triplets but Alexandria is his most favourite person, she's sweet, brat and always cheering him up. Seeing her eyes can remove his problems temporarily.

"Lexi I will visit you tomorrow" he chuckled after hearing the little girl giggling.

"Ei… I am so excited uncle, love you bye" he bid his goodbye and put the phone back to his pocket.

His mood changed suddenly, the warm smile disappeared and his face become emotionless.

They have arrived in his house, but before he could go to his room, his mother stops him. He was standing by the stairs while Anna was pushing his mother's wheelchair.

"Ken, are we not going to publicize your engagement with Anna? she's a model so I think the public should know especially her fans."

Hearing those words, his heart pounded, thinking that Novie might see the news.

"No, I already agree to this marriage. We will keep this private" then he turned his back and went to his room.

Meanwhile, Anna felt the pain of getting ignored by Ken. Then she remembered the day when her parents announced their engagement.

–

Three years ago.

Anna looked at her reflection in the mirror, her hair was a bright, beautiful sunset smoother than the finest cream, she's wearing a blue A-line dress and flat shoes, she doesn't need to wear heels because she's a model, being tall is the number one requirement.

She put light makeup because she knows that Ken is not wild with women with heavy makeup. After moving to Paris two years ago, she signed a contract to a different clothing company.

She always visits Ken's mother to check on her health, they have been close since they left the Philippines.

She took her clutch and went downstairs where her parents were waiting. She smiled at them and walks to the stairs like a typical model.

Proud shone her parent's eyes, her sister Maddie was also with them.

"You are so beautiful sister," Maddie said, praising her. She smiled, and they went to the dining where Ken and his mother were waiting.

Their parents were discussing their engagement as if it's them that are getting married, while Anne peeps a glance to Ken who's sitting next to her, emotionless.

She stared at his eyes, the only thing she could see was depression, he was like a bird that lost the ability to fly; he was helpless and that pains her.

She loves him so much but seeing the sorrow in his eyes only worsen the guilt she had for engaging herself to his mother's scheme

She cleared her throat and looked at her father.

"Daddy, I will have to excuse Ken for a moment. This is our engagement so I want to talk to him, in private." her father nodded, and they both left the dining.

They walk side by side under the moonlight, the thick air was making it hard for her to breathe. She gulped repeatedly and sat on the bench behind the tree but Ken didn't sit down; he stood in front with his hand jammed in his front pocket.

She lifted her face and looked at him, his grey eyes were the same colour as the moon, and it's one of the things she loves about him.

"I am sorry about Novie, I didn't know that my parents and your mom had this agreement" she spoke in a soft tone.

Ken looked back at her, his expression was as emotionless as his eyes.

"Anna, I don't want you to give you false hope, but even we get married. I will not be the husband you want me to be. I am only doing this for my mother's sake and I am sorry for being selfish, but if you can cancel this engagement on your own, I will be forever in your debt" Hearing those words, her body turned statue, she suddenly felt as if she's hanging off the edge of a skyscraper, the fear, tension and anxiety are all there.

She cleared her throat and stood up, (I will not give up, not now Ken)

"I know you still love Novie, but this is for your mother. I heard she will accept Daniella's help so she can walk again. I don't need you to be a loyal husband to me, let's do this for your mom" she knows that every word she uttered was a lie, she's not doing this for his mom but for herself. She loves him too much that she became obsessed to be his wife and even though he doesn't love her just the thought of him being her husband already brings happiness to her heart.

The man in front sighed and nodded, "If that's what you want, but know this. If one day, Novie comes back, I will divorce you" Anna bite her lips, her heart ached by his words but she knows herself. Her feeling for him was like a clock that never stopped ticking. She stood and extended her hand. Determination shone her eyes.

"Sure, but if she doesn't come back, then you will give me your heart, your loyalty and be the husband I want you to be" the man accepted her hands without hesitation, it was as if he knows that one day Novie will come back.