Chapter One — The Girl Who Wouldn’t Stay
Andrina had become very good at hiding.She hid her sadness behind smiles. She hid her fears behind confidence. And most importantly, she hid the part of her past that she was convinced would make anyone who loved her eventually walk away.At twenty years old, she had already learned something many people didn't understand until much later in life:Sometimes, the things you regret most are the things you are most afraid someone else will discover.Andrina had once lived a life she didn't like talking about.She had been influenced by people who made fast money look beautiful. They showed her expensive clothes, fancy restaurants, cars, and lifestyles that seemed impossible to achieve through ordinary work.At first, she only watched.Then she became curious.Eventually, she became involved.She started sleeping with men for money.At the time, she convinced herself that it was temporary. She told herself she was young and would stop whenever she wanted.But money had a way of making everything complicated.She became accustomed to it.And then, one day, she looked at herself in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back.That was when she left.She didn't tell many people.She simply disappeared from that world and tried to start again.She changed her friends. Changed her routine. Changed the way she lived.But she couldn't change her memories.Then Roy entered her life.Roy was twenty-five.He wasn't the kind of man who needed to be the loudest person in the room. He was calm, confident, and observant. He listened more than he spoke, and when he looked at someone, he made them feel as though he genuinely saw them.Andrina first met him at a friend's small gathering.She hadn't expected anything.She certainly hadn't expected him to notice her.But he did.
"You've been quiet all evening," Roy said as he sat beside her.
Andrina looked at him.
"Maybe I just don't have anything to say."
Roy smiled.
"Or maybe you're judging everyone."
She laughed.
"Maybe."
"I knew it."
"And what exactly am I judging you for?"
Roy leaned back.
"Still trying to figure that out."
That conversation should have ended there.
Instead, they talked for nearly two hours.
They talked about music.
Movies.
Family.
Dreams.
The kind of future they wanted.
By the time Andrina got home that night, she found herself smiling.
And that scared her.
Because she liked him.
She liked him more than she wanted to.
Over the next few weeks, Roy became part of her everyday life.
Good morning texts became normal.
Late-night phone calls became normal.
Hearing his voice after a difficult day became something she looked forward to.
Andrina found herself telling him things she'd never told other people.
Except one thing.
Her past.
Roy didn't pressure her.
He simply allowed their friendship to grow.
One evening, they were sitting together outside a small café when Roy looked at her.
"Andrina."
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
She nodded.
"Why don't you let me get close to you?"
Her heart stopped for a second.
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean."
She looked away.
Roy continued.
"Every time I get closer, you pull away."
Andrina remained silent.
"I like you," he said.
She looked at him.
"I really like you."
Her heart began beating faster.
She wanted to say it.
She wanted to tell him she liked him too.
But instead, she whispered:
"You shouldn't."
Roy frowned.
"Why?"
"Because I'm not the kind of girl you think I am."
"I never said you were anything."
"You don't know me."
"Then let me."
She shook her head.
"You don't understand."
"Then explain it to me."
Andrina looked down at her hands.
There were tears threatening to form in her eyes.
"I can't be with you."
"Why?"
"Because one day you'll find out who I used to be."
Roy was quiet.
"And when you do," she continued, "you'll hate me."
He gently shook his head.
"I don't think I could hate you."
"You say that now."
"Andrina—"
"No."
She stood up.
"I think we should stop this before it becomes something serious."
Roy looked up at her.
"Something serious?"
She nodded.
"Before we fall in love."
He stood too.
"And what if I already am?"
Andrina froze.
For a moment, she couldn't breathe.
Roy stepped closer.
"You don't have to tell me everything tonight. But don't decide for me whether you're worth loving."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She quickly wiped it away.
"You'll understand someday."
"Then let me understand."
Andrina shook her head.
"I can't."
She walked away.
Roy watched her leave.
And for the first time since meeting her, he realized something.
Andrina wasn't running away because she didn't love him.
She was running because she was terrified that if he ever knew the truth, he wouldn't love her anymore.
And that was a truth Roy was determined to uncover.
But neither of them knew that when the truth finally came out, it wouldn't just threaten their relationship.
It would put their entire future at risk.
