“Son, we know that Tiffany was the one who ended your relationship back then. But even so, to be honest, she’s still the girl we want for you, especially now that both of you have matured and become successful in life,” Mom persisted.

I took another sip of coffee before speaking. “I’m still young, Mom. I’m just in my early 20s. So, what’s with the rush?”

I thought I was already used to answering these kinds of issues whenever the media asked me, but it’s different when your own family puts you in the hot seat and grills you.

“Please excuse your mother. She’s eager to have a grandchild; that’s why she’s like that,” Dad informed me.

I almost dropped the coffee cup I was about to drink because of what Dad said.

“Are you serious?”

Mom grinned. She looked like a child asking for a toy. “Yeah. Of course, we cannot request a grandchild for your sister yet.”

I immediately stood up. “No way! She’s still young and studying.”

Mom nodded while pretending to wipe tears. Dad patted her shoulder as if he were joining in her drama.

I winced. I bet she can be a good actress.

“Precisely. So, sorry if we’re waiting for our first grandchild from you,” Dad said.

I groaned in frustration. Whenever I visit them, the topic of love never fails to come up. But it has never reached this point before.

I turned to Verina, who suddenly fell silent beside me.

“By the way, how are you and Jace doing?”

She shrugged. “We’re fine.”

I looked at her with suspicion. “Really? Just let me know if that guy does anything wrong to you, alright? I don’t care if I end up having an issue because of my aggression towards him.”

She gave me a bored look. “You don’t really have to be so harsh on him, big brother. He’s just busy, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry. We also give advice to your sibling. She’s grown up now. She already knows what’s right from wrong and what she should do,” Dad defended.

I fell silent. They couldn’t blame me if I was protective when it came to Verina. As much as possible, I don’t want her to experience what I went through in the past.

I secretly thanked them when they finally shifted the conversation back to my work. It was already late afternoon when I decided to leave and bid them goodbye.

“Drive safely, okay? There are so many drivers out there who act like they own the road,” Mom reminded me.

In an instant, I remembered the incident earlier. I smirked at the thought of it.

“What are you grinning about?” Dad asked, sounding doubtful.

I shook my head. “Nothing. I just remembered something.”

I kissed Mom on the cheek and fist-bumped Dad. I approached Verina, who was just staring off to the side, and kissed the top of her head.

“I’m leaving now.” I opened the car door.

“Okay. We love you,” they added as an afterthought.

“I love you all,” I replied before finally getting into the car and starting it up.

While driving, I decided to turn on the radio. However, I let out a sigh when a Christmas song started playing.

Oh right, it’s already December.

As I saw the traffic light turn red, I quickly stopped. While waiting, I couldn’t help but glance at the glove compartment.

I slowly opened it. Inside was a box that I had intended to give to her that night.

I clenched my fist and quickly closed the box. I closed my eyes tightly and leaned back in my seat.

Deep inside my heart, I know the reason why I didn’t bother to enter into a new relationship, and I’m not even swayed by my on-screen partners. That’s why I can’t help but hate her.

But with that, I hate myself even more.

My eyes flew open, and I looked down at my wristwatch when I suddenly remembered something. I still have a few more minutes left.

When the cars in front started moving, I abruptly turned the steering wheel in the opposite direction.

It’s been a long time since I last saw him. Maybe I can now pay him a visit.

***

He was taken aback when he saw me. Slowly, he smirked and sat down on the chair across from me.

“What brought you here? Do you want to make sure I’m suffering inside this prison?” he taunted me with a question.

I just shook my head. Even though he’s the one behind bars, he’s still arrogant.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re rotting away in here.” I clenched my fist.

He chuckled. “I heard you’re a celebrity now. I’m sure you have a lot of connections.” He leaned closer to me.

“But you still can’t defeat me. No matter how famous you become, you’re still a loser.”

I tried to restrain myself from punching him in the face. It seems like his arrogance hasn’t diminished during his almost four years of imprisonment.

I stood up abruptly. “I need to go. I thought you might have changed at least a bit after all these years here, but you seem to be getting worse.”

He shrugged and playfully waved goodbye. “Send my regards to my mother and step-sister. I heard she’s a model now.” He stared at me intensely.

“Send my regards to Tiffany as well. I would love to see her soon.” He laughed loudly and maliciously.

I glared at him. There’s no way in hell that I’ll let him see Tiffany again. He’s the reason for the change I went through before. He’s the reason my relationship with Tiffany fell apart. He’s one of the reasons why I pushed myself even harder to reach where I am today.

“I’ll make sure you rot in this prison, and you’ll never see her again!”

Just then, a jail guard arrived to take him back inside. Visiting hours were over.

He nodded. “We’ll see about that. We’ll see,” he said cryptically before turning around and returning to his cell.

My jaw clenched. I’ve come this far just to protect Tiffany, and I won’t let him get in our way again.