“I never lied,” he replies defiantly.
“Ha,” I laugh bitterly because, right there, this was a lie. A big fat fucking lie.
As we head to the table, I send Samira the promised text to make sure she doesn't alert the special forces to rescue me.
Me
Don’t worry. Turns out Ben and I know each other from when we were young. I’ll tell you everything when you’re back from your holiday. XX
7
Crash! Boom! Bang!
Eighteen years earlier
Amelia
Ben is dragging me along empty streets. The sun is relentless and I feel sweat on my forehead. We’re on the way to his colleague Ian's house to watch the England game. Frankly I would have preferred to hide in an air-conditioned coffee shop with a book.
"Tell me again why I need to come?" I ask. I hate his new work colleagues. His Uni friend Cooper is a lot more my cup of tea. He’s kind.
Ben started at this investment company six months ago and ever since his whole life revolves around his job and his coworkers . I’ve met them a couple of times and I find them rude and superficial. Ben is a different person when he is with them. When it’s just the two of us, he’s loving and caring, and makes me laugh to the point that I wonder how I got so lucky. But around them he changes, roaring along with their crude jokes and basically ignoring me.
"Because I want to spend time with you but I need to show my face at this thing. If I want to get a promotion in the autumn my boss needs to see me at work things." Ben stops and pulls me into his arms, placing a soft kiss on my forehead.
"It's watching the footie, not really a work thing," I protest.
"Amelia," he sighs. "Please? For me? We don't have to stay long."
"Fine," I giggle. "But only because you have a cute bum." Ben lets out a deep belly laugh before drawing me into a passionate kiss.
Honestly, I would do anything for him when he kisses me like that. 
Ian does have a nice house, I have to give him that. Walking from the toilet through his large living room back to the garden I notice all the details that have gone into the decor. I bet he hired someone to decorate it for him.
As I step back outside, I freeze in my tracks when the sound of my name reaches my ears. The trellis overgrown with vines shield me from view.
"Seriously, mate. I don't know why you’re with Amelia."
"Well, I guess she isn’t what people would consider pretty..." Ben's words hit me like a ton of bricks. I find it difficult to breathe. I hear him chuckle nervously. I know his laugh and that is not his normal one.
Ian chimes in, "But, mate, you can do so much better."
"Maybe you're right, but she is extra appreciative for my attention , if you know what I mean." His statement makes them all whoop and laugh.
"And until someone better comes along, I'll enjoy it, lads," Ben adds, sparking more laughter. His hurtful remarks cut through me. Is that really what he thinks? Has it all been a lie? My heart races as I try to make sense of it all. He told me at least twenty times that he loved me only yesterday. We cooked pasta together and ended up in a food fight and then had some incredible kitchen-counter sex. I feel sick to my stomach when I think that he faked it all.
I need to get out of here. I don't want to hear anything else. I'm fighting with tears. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.
Taking a step back, I accidentally bump into someone —Adam— another one of Ben's so-called friends. His awkward grin makes it clear he also heard the conversation. My embarrassment and hurt mix into a cocktail of emotions and I just want to run. I need to get out of here.
"Can you tell Ben I've left?" I ask Adam in a hushed tone, not bothering to wait for a reply. I make my way through the living room and out the front door. Ian doesn't live too far from station, I can get a train home from there.
"Breathe, breathe, breathe," I mumble to myself, trying to calm my emotions. Anger, humiliation, and a deep sadness swirl together, the sadness slowly becoming overwhelming .
I hear my name shouted as I’m about to round the corner, and see Ben running towards me. Catching up, he tentatively touches my arm and says my name again. My stomach tightens and I force myself to turn, mustering a strained smile. Confusion and worry paint his face, mirroring how I feel inside.
"I'm sorry, I can explain," he starts, but turn back towards the station building in the distance. He grabs my hand, desperate to stop me from leaving. I pull from his grasp like his touch burns me.
"Please don’t go, let me explain, I didn’t—" he pleads, but I silence him with a hand over his mouth. Hurt and disappointment are like a knot in my chest.
"I get it. And I agree," I assert. He shakes his head, struggling to process my composed response. I force another smile and add, "I've been telling you from day one that you can do so much better than me. And I hope you find it. Truly. Just a tip, don’t lie in your next relationship. Lies always come out. Always."
He looks at me, stunned and confused. He doesn't seem to understand what’s happening. He probably expected tears, shouting, or even a punch to the stomach. I don't know if my reactions come from not wanting to show him how much he is hurting me or because I genuinely agree with him. He can do better than me. I mean, the only thing separating me from being a cat lady is a cat. He, on the other hand, is hot, smart, funny, driven… He’s the full package. Aside from being a liar, that is.
While he fumbles for words, I walk off.
"Amelia!"
I turn one more time, "No, Ben. Let's leave it. Please don't follow me. And please don't contact me anymore." I continue walking and don’t look back but the weight of the moment lingers in the air. With every step away from him my heart breaks a little more and I have to stop myself from turning around and begging him to take me back. Then my inner voice takes over and convinces me that of course someone like Ben won’t stay with me.
"Let him go, Amelia. You were not meant to be," I whisper to myself. I just wish my heart would accept the facts as easily as my brain. It’s that pesky optimism that's waiting for him to come after me, that keeps telling my heart that maybe… No! Enough! There is no maybe. I just lost the love of my life.
8
You Are The Reason
Ben
