Alex POV

I stared at the TV, ignoring the world for a day. I wanted to be alone. Lisa and I had gotten into another fight. I found out that Lisa is slightly jealous of Miranda. Although most guys would reassure them they have nothing to worry about, I said nothing.

Jack was right. Although I miss Maria like fucking crazy, Lisa is nothing compare to her. So why am I still with her? The only reason for my dating of Lisa was to get rid of Maria, but now that I know that’s not possible, (especially with Miranda) then why am I still with her.

And why can’t I just stop thinking for once and enjoy the quietness of ignoring the world.

But it was hard to ignore the world when my phone kept buzzing over and over. And they were all missed calls from Jack.

I don’t know what he wants. There’s no meetings. No tours. Absolutely nothing. It’s the whole part of Flyzik saying “Take a year off guys.”Before he left.

So I hit ignore and laid my head back on the couch in a desperate need to sleep.

I woke up to the jingle of the front door and I sat up, staring at the front door, waiting for the intruder to come in. After a few seconds, it stopped.

Then the door flew open and there stood a teary woman and Gerald, Jack's dad, and Lisa. “What-”

“Come to the hospital. It’s mari-it’s Miranda. They’re taking her into surgery now.” In that small moment, I was frozen. I had just saw her hours earlier and she was perfect – I mean, well. Nothing seemed wrong! She was happy, smiling, and reciting the most beautiful quotes I had ever heard.

She was happy.

I sprinted past them ran down the street to the Memorial Hospital. My mind was racing, my heart was pounding and I don’t think I’ve ever been this emotionally invested in one person in my whole life besides…..Maria.

Miranda was a nice person I liked having around and I simply can’t let her go in there alone. So I ran even faster. I didn’t stop running.


I didn’t know what to feel. I don’t know if I want to feel anything. With the room finally empty, I decided to let the nurse’s words sink in. but it wasn’t those words that frightened me.

No.

It was the goddamn CAT scan.

It’s forever etched into my memory and the thought of it made me cry.

I don’t think it’s possible to erase the image from my mind. And it was just dot, after dot, after dot, after dot. The doctors didn’t know what to say, I didn’t know what to say. What was there to say?

There’s not enough words in the universe that you can do to make this better.

A small knock at the door eased my sobs. I wasn’t expecting any visitors, not like I need some anyway.

But the person opened the door and it was none other than Alex.

“Mary,” he came by the bed and sat on the chair next to me.

“Kim Tan, from the Heirs,” I whispered as he took my hand. I feel weak, physically and emotionally. “Just for one, I hope that my absence made them feel lonely.” I smiled weakly at the dumb quote I read in a magazine.

“Why do you sound like…….” Alex couldn’t even finish his words as he eyes dart to the clipboard that would reveal my identity.

“Because I’m weak Alex,” He picked up the clipboard.

“It doesn’t have a diagnosis on here,” I said nothing.

“I’m okay Alex, just a little tired. They want to keep me here to be safe.” I said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.

“But why does it say, Miranda…..Malona,” His eyes scanned over the paper.

“That’s because it’s my last name you turd,”

“Stop calling me that, only my ex-girlfriend Maria-” he looked towards me and the clipboard and it suddenly clicked.

“Maria,” He dropped the clipboard and stared at me. “You lied to me!” he yelled.

“I didn’t, my name is Miranda Catherine Malona. Maria was a nickname given by you, Alex,” I snapped. “I didn’t ask for you to keep coming back. I didn’t ask for you guys to come back at fucking all.” I was getting angry now, simply because I know Alex. And he’s going to blame me for everything.

“You ruined our lives in high school! You almost killed us with that little stunt you pulled.”

“High school is over Alexander! I only did that because my parents were running a Meth Lab in my basement. That’s why I never invited you guys over. I planted the Meth in your car so they could trace it back to my parents because your cars were at my house when I told you not to come! That’s why there was a bruise on my head!”

With shaky arms, I placed a bag of meth in each of their cars. It was time my parents got what they deserve. They never listen, I told them not to come.

Once it was done, I took their ID’s and I ran to my basement. I threw the ID’s down and dowsed them in gasoline before looking at my friends. They were tied up in the basement, just staring at me. Or, probably the giant as bruise on my stomach that I can’t hide because I decided to wear a tank top. Or the one on my forehead.

My parents had left a few minutes ago and I know if they found out meth was in any of my friends’ cars, they come for them, but they can’t because they’ll be in jail until they find my parents guilty.

“I’m sorry guys, I really wish it didn’t have to come to this.” I said. “Now, you might want to scoot back.” They didn’t move. “Now, unless you want to die.” They eyed each other before scooting several yards.

I called 911.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“There’s a fire at my house.” And with that I threw the match down.

Alex looked at me with eyes filled with hate. What he said broke my heart. It was a quote I knew all to well;

“I want my secrets back. I want my heart back. I want all the words I ever wasted on you
back. You don’t deserve them.”

Notes

“Just for once, I hope that my absence made them feel lonely.”
—Kim Tan (김탄), from The Heirs (상속자들)


Plus Que Ma Propre Vie - [Translation] More than my own life..........