C L A I R E

We were in front of the cathedral now. Sierra decided to take some photos on the way and I was already amazed at what was in front of me. The cathedral was massive and already filled with people. Wait, this was where Michaelangelo's painting was, right?

"So, let's go in?" I asked Sierra as she took a picture outside of the cathedral. She didn't hear me at first, looking at the shot she got before I called her again. This time, she turned back her gaze at me and stared confusingly.

The design of the church almost looked like it was in the Renaissance period. They haven't changed its structure but the paint seems to be newly changed. I guess pale straw-colored walls were now replaced with a creamy white to enhance the cathedral's columns.

Don't even get me started on the inside. The designs were majestic. It looks like it was deliberately painted neatly and labored. All in all, it was utterly beautiful. It made me speechless.

"St. Peter's Basilica," I mumbled under my breath and immediately turned my gaze back to Sierra. She just smiled at me and ushered me to go on. When I was about to ask her why she did that, she answered me by raising her camera for me to see.

"If you need me, I'll meet you here outside. I need to take some pictures as a souvenir," she answered before walking away. Well, looks like I'm alone on this one. My eyes wandered inside the cathedral, looking at the ceiling — noticing the gold-colored design and paintings on it.

Of course, I also saw the dome shape made by Michaelangelo, one of the Renaissance artists known along with Leonardo Da Vinci and Raphael. I smiled and stared in awe. I can't believe my parents first met here.

Their love story started right in this place. Sadly, my love story wasn't like that. 

Before I could find a seat, I saw a woman clinging to a man's hand. Actually, it wasn't their affection for each other that I noticed but her dress. The posture and body shape seem familiar to me.

When she turned around, I was suddenly startled when she made eye contact with me. She didn't take her eyes off me and she even smiled at me.

Why the hell is she here?

Why the hell is Vanessa here?

I thought that she was in the States. 

If she's here, the guy right next to her is...my boyfriend. 

I saw her tiptoe and kiss the man on the cheek. The man smiled at her without hesitation as I saw his face in view.

It was indeed him. 

Suddenly my chest tightened and I stiffened where I stood. My head hung low and my hands immediately went towards my chest. No. I shouldn't be feeling this way. I've already moved on and decided to let him go, right? There is no way that I should act like this. 

"Well, well, if it isn't my boyfriend's fake girlfriend. Claire Guanzon, right?" I was surprised when she got closer and closer to where I was. I also heard the click of her heels on the church tiles. Once I looked up, I saw her giving me a smirk. 

Ethan, on the other hand, was in the distance. 

"I didn't actually think that you'd be here as well," I replied as I saw her stare at me. 

"Well, now that you mention it, I hate being here with you," she answered with a bit of hatred evident in her voice. I tried to calm myself down but what she said soon afterward really made my blood boil. 

"I pity you, though. You don't seem like a decent woman to follow my man."

"You surprised me, that's all. Out of all the places you could visit, you choose this cathedral. Sadly, I doubt this would cleanse your demonic personality. You don't really seem to be a decent woman yourself, you know." Her eyes widened and she immediately glared daggers at me.

"I'm not following my man if that's what you're wondering. He's already yours to keep." I expected her to get angry but instead, she just laughed a bit --- though making sure it was only us who could hear it. 

"Well, if that's the case, then it's nice that he decided to make it official." At the same time, she showed me the new ring on her finger. "Such a pity for you since he still chose me until the end."

"That's not true." As if on cue, Ethan suddenly walked in our direction. I could see the shock on his face as he got closer to us. I guess he wasn't expecting me here. He put his hand on Vanessa's shoulder while Vanessa was acting in front of him.

"Ethan, love, who is she?" Vanessa asked once pretending to be innocent in front of Ethan. I looked at Ethan, waiting for him to answer. If he falls for this, I would be really surprised. 

Though, he just shakes his head, patting her on the head. It was as if I wasn't even there. 

"I don't know her. She's probably a tourist here, "Ethan replied as Vanessa looked at me, mischief in her eyes. When I heard Ethan's answer, I could hear my heart suddenly breaking into million pieces. What did he just say? 

With no hesitation, I  slapped him.

I didn't know what came over me. We weren't even together now.  I broke up with him through messages.

But he never really gave our relationship any closure. 

I heard the smack of my hand on his cheek as he looked at me with wide eyes. But I could see how hurt he was when I backed away from him. No, maybe I was hallucinating. Before he could speak, I left the cathedral immediately — not daring to look back at him in the eye.

Because if I do, I'm sure I'll regret it. 

I never thought that the place where my parents started their love story is where I would end mine.