Katrina answers the phone in a toneless voice. "h.e.l.lo.""Katrina, I haven"t seen you in a long time." Marcellus chats amiably. "Are things still that busy at work? Have you been eating and sleeping well?" No sooner had the call been answered than comes Marcellus"s familiar voice, full of concern and tenderness as usual.
To avoid worrying Katrina, Marcellus doesn"t mention that he had an argument with his mother earlier that afternoon. He will deal with it on his own because he loved her so much.
Katrina"s heart twitches unconsciously at the familiar warm voice. Marcellus cares so deeply about her, but she is going to break up with him cruelly. She feels sad, getting an unbearable pain in her heart. She really doesn"t want to leave him because Marcellus is so special to her.
Biting her bottom lip tightly, Katrina restrains herself from giving away her feelings.
After a few seconds of silence, Marcellus realizes that something is wrong. "What"s wrong, Katrina?" he asks worriedly. "Too much work? Are you not feeling well?" A worried tone came out from his mouth.
The more Marcellus cares about her, the more uncomfortable Katrina feels.
But if she doesn"t break up with him now, she doesn"t know when she can do it. It"s best not to drag her feet on such a matter.
To end their relations.h.i.+p, ultimately, she can"t give Marcellus any hope. Katrina takes a deep breath and says calmly, "Marcellus, let"s break up."
Marcellus freezes, and silence falls between them again. Katrina can even imagine how Marcellus looks on the other end of the line.
"Marcellus, let"s break up."
When Katrina repeats the words in a deep and firm voice, Marcellus snaps out of his shock and speaks up. "Why? Katrina, why do you want to break up with me?" he asks in a strangled voice, his words stuttering with the anxiety he has never felt before.
He has loved Katrina for so many years. Against so many odds, they finally got together. Why on earth does she want to break up with me now? He can"t think of a better reason why Katrina suddenly decided to break up with him.
"Katrina, is it because I"m not good enough? Have I done something wrong?" Marcellus wonders, thinking that he can change Katrina"s opinion if he improves himself.
At Marcellus"s words, Katrina hastens to explain, "No, Marcellus, you"re perfect! I"m sorry, It"s all my fault. I feel that I don"t deserve your love and affection,"
She continues, "I don"t think I love you enough. I really appreciate everything you have done for me. I always enjoy your company, but... I feel like something"s missing between us. We"re basically just close friends, and I can"t bring myself to take things further with you."
Steeling herself, she says, "I"m sorry, Marcellus. I don"t love you. I think this has gone on long enough. Let"s break up."
The excuse is partly true. After spending so much time with Marcellus, they haven"t done anything besides hold hands and hug. They haven"t even kissed yet. It"s definitely not normal for regular couples in love.
It"s a frustrating and depressing situation, and Even if she likes Marcellus, she can"t kiss him.
Marcellus is silent. Does he think incredulously? She doesn"t love me enough?
Indeed, Katrina is very reserved in terms of physical contact. But he thinks it"s just Katrina being shy. It seems natural for a girl to be coy. He doesn"t think of it in any other way.
Listening to Katrina makes Marcellus feel miserable and nervous.
Marcellus has always been mature. He tries to calm his mood and says, "Katrina, listen to me, it"s not like that. Right now, your inability to go further with me only shows that we don"t spend enough time together.
"Katrina, after we have been together for three months, a year, or even three years, that"s when we"ll know if we love each other or not. Katrina, I trust you. I know you have feelings for me, or you wouldn"t have agreed to become my girlfriend. Katrina, can"t we give each other a little more time?"
Marcellus cannot accept breaking up with Katrina. After finally getting a treasure that"s difficult to attain, it disappears before he can cherish it. He is reluctant to give up so easily.
But Katrina seems intent on not giving him a chance.
"I don"t love you, Marcellus," she says firmly. "We have known each other for so many years, but I still haven"t fallen in love with you. What difference would more time make?
"I"m sorry, Marcellus, but let"s break up. You can hate me for this, but can we spare each other the heartbreak? There are a lot of girls in the world who are better than me. You"ll meet a more suitable girl for you in the future.
"That"s all I have to say, Marcellus. I"m hanging up now," Katrina says, unfeelingly, enduring the pain in her heart.
Hearing Katrina"s words, Marcellus"s voice becomes a little agitated. "I don"t want anyone else! You"re the only one I want! In my eyes, you are the perfect girl for me! I can"t love someone other than you, Katrina,"
Although Katrina understands Marcellus"s reluctance to break up and his determination to say together, she cannot give in. Afraid of losing her resolve, she hangs up before Marcellus finishes speaking.
"Katrina? Katrina!" Marcellus calls frantically, only to hear a busy tone. He calls Katrina again, intent on tracking her down and talking to her face to face.
Breaking up on the phone is too hasty. He feels unsettled. I need to see her, and I need to try again.
But Katrina doesn"t hesitate to reject his call. When he persistently calls again, he only hears a cold automated voice say, "Sorry, the number you have dialed cannot be reached. Please call again later."
To avoid Marcellus, Katrina turns off her cell phone. Her ruthless actions show that she has made up her mind to break up with him.
How could he sit still right now?