Love In The Ebb

"Theresa, I finally caught my brother on a date with his girlfriend! Come quickly!" My best friend sounded ecstatic over the phone.

I clutched my phone tightly, my mind in turmoil.

But I was supposed to be her brother's girlfriend.

1

I took a cab to the location my friend had sent me. She grabbed me and pulled me into the bushes.

"Wait here! I'll call my brother to check." Zoe Torres, with a look full of gossip, took out her phone.

Deep down, I hoped he would deny it, maybe it was all just a misunderstanding.

But the familiar voice from the phone said, "What's up?"

Zoe spoke in a teasing tone, "Davin, you can't do that. You have a girlfriend and haven't introduced her to me?"

The man cleared his throat, "She's a bit shy. We'll talk about it later."

And then he hung up.

Zoe wouldn't miss such a perfect opportunity to tease her brother.

She dragged me forward despite my protests, "Zoe, please, I don't want to go," I begged her, enduring the pain in my heart.

Ignoring my refusal, Zoe pulled me along, and we suddenly met a couple holding hands.

"Davin! Is she your girlfriend?"

At the sight of me, Davin's smile froze, his gaze flickering.

Yet, he didn't let go of that girl's hand. "What are you doing here?"

2

I shifted behind Zoe, avoiding eye contact with Davin.

My gaze fell on their tightly clasped hands, and it felt like a sharp sting in my eyes.

The girl spoke softly, "You're Davin's young sister, Zoe? And who is this?"

I felt her eyes on me.

"She..." Zoe was about to introduce me when Davin, looking uncomfortable, quickly interjected, speaking faster than usual, "She's my neighbor. She used to be like a little shadow, always following me like Zoe. She was quite a tomboy back then, messing with the plants in the yard."

The girl released Davin's hand and playfully hit his chest, "You can't talk about girls like that."

Davin's smile was awkward, and he hugged her.

I looked down at my toes, my throat dry, forcing a smile, "Hello, I'm Theresa Harvey."

Davin's gaze seemed to fall on me, yet it also seemed absent.

3

Davin couldn't persuade Zoe, so we found a nearby fine dining restaurant.

Lainey clung to Davin, laughing as she stumbled into his arms, though I couldn't hear what they were talking about.

Walking behind them, Zoe whispered in my ear, "Davin never dated anyone before. So, this is his type..."

While she continued to chatter, my eyes blurred with tears, and I looked up at the sunset sky, recalling the pretty clouds Davin and I had seen the previous night.

"When will we tell Zoe? I think she's going to find out. I can't keep acting..."

I swung Davin's hand playfully, and he affectionately tapped my nose, "The moment she knows, my mom will know. She might even drag us to court to get married."

He held my face, "Theresa, are you planning to marry me?"

I stomped my foot shyly, "Who wants to marry you? Stop being narcissistic."

Despite my words, I hadn't planned on marrying right after graduating from college.

Yet, at that time, I was hesitant. It seemed like a good idea to marry Davin.

But I never expected him to be like this.

4

"Wow, Davin, you're so skilled, " Zoe exclaimed exaggeratedly as Davin peeled shrimp and cut steak for Lainey.

Davin paused, smiling awkwardly.

He briefly glanced at me and placed two shrimp on Zoe's and my plates. "Stop talking while eating."

I suddenly felt an urge to flip the table, but instead, I forced a smile at them, "Lainey, how did you and Davin get together?"

As soon as I spoke, I sensed Davin's body stiffen.

He squeezed out a reply through gritted teeth, "There's no need to talk about that... It's quite embarrassing."

Lainey, not finding it odd, smiled warmly, "We interned at the same company, in the same project group. Once, I was in trouble with a demanding client, and he stood up for me."

Zoe looked at Davin in surprise, "Didn't expect that from you!"

Davin pretended to be angry, but I noticed his hand shaking slightly as he picked up food, as if he wanted to say something but held back, feeling guilty.

I smiled self-deprecatingly and focused on eating.

"And then what?" Zoe pursued eagerly.

Lainey laughed, covering her mouth, "One day, I found cigarette butts in my rental, and it scared me. I mentioned it in the intern group chat, and everyone gave me advice. But only he showed up outside my rental."

She glanced at Davin lovingly, It was midnight, and he stayed to ensure my safety all night, helping with the police report."

Hearing this, I looked up, nearly losing composure, "Was that on August 15th?"

Lainey was surprised, "How did you know?"

Davin visibly panicked, his face turning pale, his gaze fixed on me, as if fearing I would say something wrong.

Without looking at him, I casually lied, "I just guess."

Zoe quickly praised me, "Yes, Theresa has a knack for predictions. She is always spot on."

Lainey was amazed, "You can do that? You'll have to help me sometime..."

While they continued talking, my mind buzzed, overwhelmed by a wave of nausea.

I excused myself, "Sorry, I need to use the restroom."

5

In the restroom, I couldn't stop crying.

I splashed water on my face, trying to hide the traces of crying.

I shouldn't cry.

There was nothing to cry about.

Davin was just a jerk.

But why?

Why could he date me while smiling at another woman?

After calming down, I left the restroom.

Davin's tall figure appeared before me.

Ignoring him, I brushed past him.

He grabbed my wrist, his tone pleading, "Theresa, let me explain... I can explain everything..."

The tears I'd held back threatened to spill again as I looked up at him, "August 15th was my birthday. You spent it with me, and when we were cutting the cake, your phone rang. Then you left. I waited for you all night. You said you were working overtime at the company."

Davin's expression changed, and he reluctantly loosened his grip, allowing me to break free from his hold.

"Davin, you make me sick."

6

When I returned to the dining table, Zoe and Lainey had already exchanged contact information.

Seeing me come back, they also wanted my contact information.

Davin looked at me with almost pleading eyes.

I ignored him and nodded in agreement.

Did he think I would reveal the truth to Lainey?

Did he deserve that?

From the way Lainey looked, it was clear she was unaware.

Did Davin think I would publicly confront and insult another woman just as clueless as I was, all for a jerk like him?

Wouldn't that just give him satisfaction?

Letting him live in constant fear of his lies being exposed was the real punishment.

After the meal, Davin offered to drive us.

Zoe hugged me, winking mischievously at them, "Well, we wouldn't want to be intruding on your time. You two should enjoy some time alone."

I chimed in, "Exactly, we don't want to be in the way."

Davin's smile was awkward. "Then we'll be off. The cash gift has been sent. You can grab it."

"Thanks, Davin." Zoe's voice rose.

I opened the newly created group chat and saw a generous amount of money.

Zoe took the money, grinning, "Looks like Davin loves Lainey so much." He bribed to keep silent."

Zoe shook her phone, showing me the glaring words. "Don't tell our mom. Lainey is shy."

"Where are we heading next, Theresa? It seems hard to catch a cab here..." Zoe, always carefree, hadn't noticed that something was wrong with my mood.

I forced a smile, "It's fine. A friend of mine just said he was nearby and would pick us up."

Zoe's gaze fell on the approaching Cayenne, and was stunned, "Theresa, you don't mean this car, do you?"

7

Greyson James stepped out of the driver's seat, impeccably dressed in a suit, and Zoe excitedly pinched my arm. "When did you have..."

Greyson smiled as he approached us, "Hello, I'm Greyson, a... friend of Theresa."

He glanced at me teasingly, his gaze intense.

Soon a car horn sounded, and Davin's car stopped side by side with Greyson's Cayenne, and he got out of the car.

He got out, staring at Greyson with displeasure, his brows furrowed, "Is he hitting on you?"

A strong impulse surged within me, and I moved closer to Greyson. "He's my... friend."

Greyson and Davin's gazes clashed in the air, and the atmosphere was tense.

I could almost hear the grinding of Davin's teeth in frustration.

Zoe broke the tension, ever the gossip, blurting out, "Greyson, are you pursuing our Theresa?"

She began analyzing on her own, "This place has a shopping district, but it's newly built. Seeing you in a suit, you must have come after work.

The nearest office park is at least 6 miles away. You must have rushed over as soon as you knew we were here."

I felt embarrassed and was about to refute.

Greyson's eyes held a hint of amusement, "Yes. I'm pursuing her... unfortunately, I haven't succeeded yet."

What?

What?

How did I not know?

During the meal, I had impulsively posted on my social media, sharing a photo of the feast with the caption, "Well, at least I'm enjoying good food."

Greyson must have seen it and immediately messaged me privately, "Are you having a meal at Windy Restaurant? I'm nearby. Can we make an appointment after you finish your meal?"

The lively atmosphere at the table had left me feeling restless, and I thought a drink might help distract me.

So I agreed.

I just didn't expect him to meet Davin.

8

Zoe, hearing Greyson's words, was once again filled with curiosity. Greyson laughed heartily, "Why don't we chat over some food? There's a well-known music bar nearby."

Zoe eagerly agreed, then looked at me. I made up my mind and agreed.

Davin, witnessing all this, stood there like a statue, unmoving.

Zoe couldn't stand it and pushed him toward the car. "Well, stop nagging. Lainey is still waiting for you in the car. Hurry up."

He glanced back repeatedly, seemingly unwilling.

But in the end, he drove away with a dark face.

My tense body finally relaxed. Greyson, perceptive as ever, frowned, "You really like him."

The certainty in his voice made me want to cry, and even he could tell that.

The cold wind stung my eyes.

Greyson shifted slightly, just enough to block the wind.

His deep, gentle voice mingled with the wind, "He doesn't know how lucky he is."

9

Thinking back, my first encounter with Greyson was filled with blood and chaos.

After graduating from college, I worked as an intern nurse at a prestigious hospital.

One day, a clinic was overcrowded, and they were short-handed, so I was called in to help.

When someone came at the white-haired old doctor I was following with a machete, I didn't hesitate to shield him.

I was terrified, my eyes shut tight, trembling all over.

But the knife never struck me.

Because someone else had stepped in front of me, and that person was Greyson.

He snatched the machete and kicked the man.

With him taking the lead, the onlookers quickly found the courage to subdue the attacker.

Greyson was injured, and several top doctors attended to him.

Fortunately, he was left with only a faint scar on his arm.

During his hospital stay, I visited him often out of gratitude.

Over time, we became quite familiar with each other.

Greyson stared at me intently, his eyes holding emotions I couldn't decipher. "If you want to cry, just cry."

I shook my head, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, pushing down the grievances in my heart.

He sighed softly, "How about I take you both home?"

Just then, Zoe returned, noticing my reddened eyes, and her tone turned urgent, "Did he bully my friend?"

What a ridiculous accusation!

I held Zoe back, "No, it was just the wind. Zoe, I'm not feeling well. I want to go home."

Greyson drove us to the entrance of the apartment complex, and as we got out, he lingered.

Zoe kept glancing back, exclaiming, "Theresa, he definitely likes you."

My mind was a mess, barely registering her words, and I mumbled a vague response.

But then she suddenly stopped, "Huh? Why is Davin here?"

Hearing this, I looked up and saw Davin leaning against a lamppost.

Upon hearing us, he stood up straight, frowning at us, a cigarette between his fingers glowing red in the night, glaring in the darkness.

The ground was littered with cigarette butts. I had no idea how long he had been waiting there.

He exuded an unsettling aura of degradation.