Mr. Ex Knelt Before Me

Chapter 1

'Ding...dong...'

The sound of the bell rang, the morning was very bright, the sky was blue with a gentle breeze, the streets were starting to get noisy but not around the house of Anna Beatrice or just call her Tris. A 25-year-old girl who lives with her grandmother.

Tris who was preparing breakfast immediately took off her apron when she heard someone coming, and opened the door. Her warm smile appeared when she found a kind, tall, and handsome man standing in front of her with a banana cake in his hand.

"Have you guys had breakfast?" The man said to Tris, that he was Tris' boyfriend, Christopher Sterling, Tris usually called him Chris and that's what people called him.

"Not yet, come in, it looks like you brought something for dessert, Gwen is waiting for you there," Tris said while pointing towards the living room, where her grandmother was sitting there with knitting in her hands, there was nothing else she could do but knit, she even made a blanket for Tris and a pillow case, and many others.

After giving the banana cake to Tris, Chris immediately approached Gwen, greeting her warml.

"What brings you here so early Chris? Have you had breakfast? Tris is making something in the kitchen," Gwen said.

"Nothing Gwen, my mom made a banana cake and asked me to bring it here," Chris said, yes they did live close by, maybe only about 3 to 4 blocks away.

"Give my thanks to your mom," Gwen said and Chris just smiled before he approached Tris at the dining table.

"What breakfast did you make today?" Chris said as he hugged Tris from behind and rested his chin on Tris' shoulder.

"Just something simple, I just made scrambled eggs with sausage, mushrooms, and mashed potatoes, Gwen is having a harder time accepting another food these days, so I just made this, have you had breakfast?" Tris said.

"Yes, I already had breakfast, I just came to give you guys dessert, today I have to go to work early because of the shift change, so I don't think we can spend the night like usual," Chris said.

The man works at a Bar and Restaurant as a waiter, and Tris works at a library on the outskirts of town, usually, they spend the night together watching movies or just walking around near their house.

The two lovebirds are busy discussing what will happen in 5 years or even 20 years. Of course, marriage is the goal of their relationship, it is also a topic that they always talk about almost every day.

"It's okay, and what about the company you applied to yesterday? Did they contact you?" Tris said.

"Not yet, I think they will reject me like the others, maybe I really won't be able to work in a company, so make sure you wait patiently for me because I will marry you," Chris said, kissing Tris's cheek before letting go of his hug.

"Don't worry, they will accept you, you have a lot of work experience and I don't think there is any reason for them to reject a hard worker like you," Tris said with a smile in front of her boyfriend.

"I hope so, I will let you know later, ahh I have to go or I will be late if I stay here, I love you, Tris," Chris pecked Tris' lips after realizing that he was almost late for work, Chris left and Tris called Gwen to have breakfast together.

At the dining table, Tris and Gwen sat facing each other, they enjoyed the simple breakfast that Tris made.

"Anna," Gwen said.

"Gweeny, please don't call me that," Tris said.

"But that's your name, how long are you going to hate that name?" Gwen said.

"I don't hate that name, I just don't like hearing it," Tris said.

"Your father called me yesterday, he asked how you are and if can you answer his call just once, he must miss you," Gwen said.

"I decided to stay here because I don't want to deal with him anymore, and I hope you understand my decision, I just don't like being a part of what he has planned," Tris said.

"But as a father he must have thought of the best for you, everything he gave, everything he did for you, and it was for your own good Tris," Gwen said.

"Do you mind if I stay here?" Tris said.

"Of course not, I'm happy because I'm not alone and I don't have to live in a nursing home, but I'm getting older, I don't know how much longer I can accompany you here Tris, and I'm not the only family you have, you just have to accept everything, and forgive them," Gwen said.

"I'm sorry, but I'm full, enjoy your breakfast, I'm going now, I love you Gweeny," Tris got up from her seat, and kissed her grandmother's cheek before going to work.

It only took Tris about a 10-minute bus ride to get there to her workplace. The library was quite large and there was only her and one other person on duty. She was Anne Cordelia, luckily Tris didn't choose Anna as her nickname.

Anne had only worked there for 4 months, but they seemed quite close, maybe because they had some similarities. Anne and Tris liked romantic movies, even their favorite romantic movies were the same, they also really liked Cheeseburgers with extra pickles and mustard, and many more.

They were the same age, only Anne was engaged to a man who was matched by her parents and would be married next year.

"Morning, you came first," Tris greeted Anne who seemed to be arranging several books in a trolley to return them to the shelf.

"I think I'm late," Anne said and left Tris.

The atmosphere in the library was very quiet, many came and spent time reading or just returning the books they borrowed. At first, Tris didn't think that there were still so many people coming to the library, even many couples chose that place as their date spot.

"What's wrong with your face? Are you guys fighting again?" Tris said as she noticed Anne's gloomy face.

"That guy is annoying, my parents should have seen that side of him instead of forcing me to accept all his flaws," Anne said.

"Maybe you just need to convince your parents that their choice doesn't make you happy," Tris said.

"At least I have to find someone who can convince them that their choice is wrong," Anne said.

Anne didn't look like a simple girl, her parents were quite rich with the family business they had, it's just that Anne didn't want to spend her time at home with her mother and father, and decided to work in the library.

Tris and Anne ordered food for lunch at their favorite fast food restaurant, with the same menu they ordered a double cheeseburger with extra pickles and fries, not to forget a large glass of cola.

Anne's phone lit up and someone's name appeared on it, she named him 'Boo', Tris who was sitting next to Anne could see it clearly but Anne ignored the call.

"I think someone called you," Tris said.

"Ah I'll call him back later," Anne said.

"Is that your fiancé?" Tris said.

"No, he's just someone from the past," Anne said.

"It seems like he's still the same person in your heart, you didn't change his name," Tris said and Anne just chuckled.

"He's the reason I came back here," Anne said.

"What do you mean?" Tris said.

"My father sent me abroad to study and since then I haven't seen him again, my father knows about my relationship and of course, he doesn't like it, he thinks this man is just using me, but a few months ago he contacted me again, and he knew I was engaged, but he said he would do anything to get me back," Anne said.

"It wasn't easy, but I believe the power of love can conquer everything," Tris said.

She looked at her phone screen lying beside her, there was no call or message from Chris, even though he usually always reminded Tris to have lunch.

Seeing Anne was like seeing herself in the mirror, she didn't even think that there was a girl who looked similar to her, not only in appearance but also in taste, maybe their way of thinking was also similar, and luckily Anne already had her crush, because otherwise Chris might have fallen in love when he saw her.

To be continued...

Chapter 2

A phone call woke Tris from her sleep, she looked for her phone that she put on her bed last night, she found her phone under the pillow and immediately picked it up without seeing who was calling her that early.

"Tris!! Wake up!! I passed!! I was accepted to work at that company!! Wake up!! I'll come to your house soon, we have to celebrate," Chris said.

Hearing her boyfriend's voice made Tris excited, she immediately got out of bed shortly after Chris hung up the phone.

Tris cleaned her face and brushed her teeth, tidied up her hazelnut hair a little, and changed clothes.

Coming out of the room she saw Gwen who was already in her rocking chair in the living room, facing the window with knitting and wool yarn on her lap.

"Morning Gweeny," Tris approached Gwen and kissed her cheek, making Gwen surprised.

"You surprised me, Tris, Morning sweetheart, it seems like there's happy news this morning," Gwen said.

"Yes, finally Chris can work in the company and will soon marry me," Tris said, she went to the kitchen to prepare something before Chris came and celebrated the happy day.

Tris didn't make much, just a simple breakfast to celebrate her boyfriend's happy day, Chris came with a happy face, not alone that time he came with his mother and father. The three of them sat opposite Tris and Gwen.

"Thank you for inviting us, I asked Chris to just come to our house since this is our son's happy day," Maureen, Chris's mother said.

"It's okay, we already consider Chris as part of the family and my granddaughter is very happy to hear this news, it seems like they've been waiting for it for a long time so she's very excited to have breakfast this time," Gwen said while Tris and Chris just looked at each other with smiles on their faces.

Chris's father, John didn't look so happy, his face looked gloomy, he didn't even say anything and immediately went home after breakfast ended. He went home with Maureen, but not with Chris.

The man was still there because he wanted to go to work with Tris, that day Chris would not come to the bar but he would come to his new office to work, actually, this was a 3-month trial period if his work results were satisfactory he would be made a permanent employee.

Chris was very sure he could do it because he wanted to marry Tris and his job at the bar was unreliable.

"How does it feel? Are you happy?" Tris said the two of them walked hand in hand towards the bus stop.

"I can't describe how I feel right now Tris, this is more than happy, after so many times I tried to apply to companies and they all kicked me out, finally someone saw another side of me, and I am very happy because this way I can marry you soon," Chris said.

"I am also very happy to hear that, you have been waiting for it for a long time and I think this is the answer to your wait," Tris said.

Chris took Tris' hand to kiss it and they stopped right at the bus stop, Chris looked at Tris' face at that time with a smile.

"I will marry you soon," Chris said.

"I can't wait for it," Tris said and Chris saw that his bus had arrived, a different bus from Tris' so he had to go first.

"That's my bus, I'm going first, I'll call you at lunch, I love you, Tris," Chris said and he pecked her lips before getting on the bus and sitting in his seat, waving at her as the bus started to drive away.

Tris was about to turn her body to sit down when a man ran towards her and bumped into her until she fell.

"Aahh.." Tris sat down as did the man, the man immediately stood up and helped Tris to get up, the man with the hat and his face covered by a mask seemed to be in a hurry.

"I'm sorry," The man said, his voice faint because he looked panicked and quickly left. Not long after that, some people were seen chasing the man, but Tris just avoided them so she wouldn't fall a second time.

"Are you okay?" An old man who was sitting there spoke to Tris.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Tris said.

"That man might be a thief that's why they're chasing him, you better be careful," The old man said.

"Yeah, I don't think he hit me on purpose either," Tris said.

"Make sure your stuff is safe, that's my bus, be careful," The old man said and left Tris sitting there alone.

Not long after the bus arrived Tris immediately got up from her seat to get on, she sat on an empty seat and intended to text Chris but when she reached into her bag she couldn't find her phone.

Tris looked panicked and she searched all her pockets even Tris decided to get off the bus to look for her phone at the bus stop where she had fallen earlier.

But Tris couldn't find her phone anywhere and she realized what the old man said, maybe the man who hit her had done it on purpose and had taken Tris' phone.

When she arrived at the library, Anne saw Tris' gloomy face, she then asked her friend.

"Hey, what's wrong? Did something happen to you?" Anne said.

"This should be a happy day for me but someone just stole my phone," Tris said.

"What? Where did you lose your phone? Have you reported this incident to the police?" Anne said.

"Yeah I went to the police station to report this before coming here that's why I came late, and it seems like it will be hard to catch the person because he was wearing a hat and a mask," Tris said.

"I think you need to buy a new phone," Anne said.

"No, I think I still have my old phone, I have to save up to marry my boyfriend," Tris said.

"Ohhh I've never seen your boyfriend, how long have you guys been together? Why didn't you ever tell me? I'm the only one who always talks about that guy," Anne said.

"We've been together for 2 years, not too long but I feel very comfortable because he's a simple person," Tris said.

"I can see how handsome and kind he is, people say our partner is a reflection of ourselves, and believe me 2 years is not a long time but if you think about it there isn't enough time to get to know each other, you're lucky if that guy wants to commit and marry you, I wish you the best Tris," Anne said.

"Thank you, Anne, I hope you also find a good guy who can make you happy," Tris said.

"I hope so, I also don't expect to be able to get back with my ex, because you know my father doesn't even let me be a little bit away from my fiancé, he always comes to my house every night with a different dinner every day, rich people are different," Anne said and Tris just laughed.

"Anne, can I borrow your phone to call my boyfriend? I'm afraid he'll be worried because he can't contact me," Tris said.

"Yes of course, here," Anne said and Tris immediately went away to call Chris, but at that time Chris didn't answer her call maybe he was busy on his first day at work, so Tris decided to leave a message for Chris.

To Chris: Chris it's me Tris, I'm using Anne's number, my coworker, my phone was lost while I was waiting for the bus, I'll use my old phone and call you when I get home, I love you and fightinggg, I'm sure you can do it 💖

After sending the message and it was sent, Tris deleted the message returned the phone to Anne, and worked as usual.

To be continued...

Chapter 3

Chris and Tris spent time together that night, they walked around their house and usually, they stopped at the park to eat ice cream and talk about their daily lives.

Their relationship was quite healthy, Tris didn't want to have sex before marriage and Chris respected that, the man also had the ambition to become a billionaire. He wanted to have his own company buy anything easily and go wherever he wanted.

Tris supported whatever her boyfriend wanted, especially their plan to get married, that's why Tris also tried hard to restrain herself from being wasteful and save her salary for their future.

After 2 years with Chris, Tris felt that her relationship was very secure, she never felt suspicious of Chris because the man was always open to Tris and Chris always looked simple, that's what Tris liked about Chris, he was different from other men.

"Tris, can I ask you a question?" Chris said as they were sitting in the park with ice cream in their hands.

"Of course," Tris said.

"Who is Anne?" Chris said.

"Oh she's my new friend at the library, she replaced the previous worker, she's only been working with me for 4 months, what's up?" Tris said.

"Oh it's okay, I was just asking, I answered your message this morning but you didn't reply so I called that number and another girl answered," Chris said.

"Ah yes that's her number, you can save it, maybe one day I need help and call you with her number again," Tris said.

"Okay, is she married?" Chris said.

"Not yet, but she already has a fiancé and will be getting married next year, her father arranged for her to marry that man," Tris said.

"Oh I thought there was nothing like that anymore, but why did she agree to be arranged? Is that man rich?" Chris said.

"They're both equally rich, it seems like Anne's father is even richer than that man, I don't know maybe there's another reason besides wealth, but Anne doesn't like that man and she hopes she can get the man she loves," Tris said.

"Well hopefully she can get that man, then what about you? Have you talked to your father?" Chris said.

During the two years together, Chris had never met Tris' parents, her parents divorced when Tris was still little, and Tris lived with her father. Tris never knew where her mother was but her father always forbade Tris from finding out her whereabouts.

But Chris didn't know much about Tris' family other than Gwen because they lived together.

"About that, I'll try to talk to him, but not now, I'm not ready," Tris said.

"Are you still not willing to talk to me about your father? Even after 2 years together?" Chris said.

"I don't have anything to say about him, he's just a stubborn and arrogant person, and that's why I chose to live with Gwen, he already has a new wife, I don't want to know who that woman is, and what happened to them," Tris said.

"But if you want us to get married, I also want to know who your family is Tris, I'm not forcing you, but one day you have to take me to them and let me talk to your father to marry you," Chris said and Tris just nodded with a smile on her face.

"Enough about me, what about you? Your new job? You should have told me earlier, my ice cream is almost finished," Tris said.

"Ah yes it was fun, a new experience for me and everyone there was very kind and friendly, and they helped me a lot, I was even confused they were too kind to me even though I was new, but I was still grateful because I could work there," Chris said.

"Thank God if they can accept you well, I'm happy to hear that," Tris said.

"Yes thank you, Tris, this is all thanks to you, you always support me, you were even the one who asked me to apply to this company, maybe if at that time I hadn't followed your advice, this all wouldn't have happened, I promise I will take you to dinner at a very luxurious place when I receive my first salary," Chris said.

"You don't have to do that, you should save your salary so you can marry me soon," Tris said.

"You don't have to worry, you're the only girl I want to marry, you're more than enough for me Tris, thank you for always being with me, I love you so much," Chris said.

"I love you too Chris," Tris said and the girl put her head on Chris' shoulder, spending the night happily.

It was 10 pm, and Chris took Tris back to her house before he went home, that day reminded Tris of the first time they met.

Chris always watched her at the bus stop, and dared to greet Tris that morning, Tris, who seemed to realize that her days were always being watched by the man, returned his greeting warmly.

Their very close houses made Chris and Tris meet more often and finally form a relationship that was more than just friends. Simplicity made them seem comfortable with each other, but from the start, Tris had never introduced her parents, for a reason.

Chris, who never forced the girl to open up, especially about her family, Chris felt that Tris' presence in his life was more than enough because Tris always supported him and during the two years together they never fought over anything.

**

In the room, Tris had just laid down when an unknown number appeared on her phone screen. Tris immediately picked up the phone without looking at who was calling her, she thought it might be Chris because he was often like that.

"Hello," Tris said.

"Anna..." A man's voice came from the other line and it surprised Tris because no one called her that except...her father, Edward Hamilton.

"It's good to hear my little girl's voice again," Ed said and Tris immediately sat up in her bed.

"Dad..." Tris said.

"Yes sweetheart, haven't you missed me?" Ed said.

"What did you call me this late?" Tris said.

"Oh Anna, I'm your father, I can call you anytime, even take you from that place anytime," Ed said.

"Dad, we've talked about this a hundred times and I'm never going back to that house," Tris said.

"Is it because of my new wife? I can dump her if you want," Ed said.

"No, there's more to my reason for leaving your house than that and you know it," Tris said and immediately hung up, she blocked her father's number and hoped he wouldn't contact her again.

To be continued...