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Throwback to a few months ago when Gerald and Brielle are still dating…

"Mom! I have to go!" Brielle rushed down the stairs, almost slipping down.

In a swift and calculated motion, she hung her shoulder bag around her body and wore her shoes as she headed outside their house. Brielle was already fifteen minutes late for attending Gerald's basketball practice.

Throughout their relationship, Gerald has imposed that Brielle should always be present during his basketball practices and games just because the girlfriends of his teammates do so.

To him, Brielle was the trophy girlfriend. She excelled academically but she is not totally the nerdy type. Brielle knows how to dress that suits her body type, knows how to put on make-up that enhances the beauty she already has, and also has the interpersonal skills which enables her to carry out an interesting conversation no matter what the subject is.

For Gerald, Brielle exceptionally qualifies the girlfriend material for a seemingly popular campus basketball player like him.

Marilyn, Brielle's mother, looked up, her eyeglasses barely hanging on the bridge of her nose while scrolling through her phone. She was genuinely worried about Brielle which is why she asked, "Will Gerald come and pick you up? Darling, it's dark outside and it's better to be safe than sorry," She uttered, hoping her daughter would understand her point but not think of her as an overprotective Asian parent.

Shaking her head, Brielle replied. "He is already at the basketball court. I'm already late Mom, see you later!" She sprinted outside the house.

Earlier that day, Brielle had to do groceries and the lines to the cashier were extremely long making her spend twice the time she would have shopped on a normal day. Thus, she is now late for Gerald's practice and he would surely blow up.

Whether she argues with herself or not, Brielle longs for the old-school type of love. She has always loved the idea of doing things together such as grocery shopping, someone helping her with errand, and someone whom she could share her keen interest towards book reading.

Obviously, Gerald wasn't that kind of guy.

Brielle knew too well what others say about Gerald that he is indeed handsome and fit but his head is as hollow as an empty can of beer. He is loud with his irrational thoughts. She wanted to defend him but she knows for certain that what others say is true.

Why did she stay in the relationship? The answer is that she doesn't know either. Or she probably do know but is too hurt to admit which is why she does her best to shove the naked truth as to why she is staying in such a toxic relationship.

She loves him, that is for sure. But times such as him blowing up for her not showing up during his basketball games and practices for appropriate reasons, him controlling her on what she would wear and the likes, and him for not being on good terms with her siblings. Despite that, they are almost on the way to their second anniversary.

The players' shoes rubbed against the basketball courts floor thus creating a distinct sound which entails that the practice game has already started. Panting heavily, Brielle searched for a vacant seat.

Kara, the girlfriend of Gerald's team mate, waved her hand and motioned to sit beside her. Brielle ran as fast as she could to the basketball court. She could not help but fan herself and wipe sweat from her forehead. She has not run as much as she did just now her entire life. For sure, her being late would cause a long fight with Gerald.

After the game, Brielle waited for Gerald outside the court. He has his duffel bag on his shoulders while the team huddle is on going. The players bid each other goodbye and with every step Gerald makes towards her, her heart beats faster and faster.

Gerald wrapped his arms around her shoulder as he waved his team mates goodbye. He looks extremely caring and loving when his team mates are around but the same is not true when it is just the two of them.

Gerald placed his bag on the back seat while Brielle buckled up on the passenger side beside him, "Why are you late? Do you know how ashamed I was because of that?" His serious voice sent chills to her spine and she knows that he has the tendency to physically harm her when mad.

"I'm sorry, love. I went to the grocery and the lines were very long. I'm sorry," She bowed her head low and fidgeted with her fingers. Her palms and the soles of her feet have since turned cold because she knows she is in a tight spot.

Gerald scoffed, "It's okay. I know I am not that important to you anyway. I understand that you can't be early during basketball practice with me," He then clutched on the steering wheel and stepped on the gas. He drove the car so fast Brielle had to shut her eyes off and clutch tightly to the seatbelt on her chest.

Earlier that year, Brielle's father left them for another woman. Her sister, Cali, was five-years-old then and explaining why their Dad left with his things which he usually doesn't do was hard.

It was hard to explain to Cali why their Mom cries at night, even though she tries to conceal her tears, her sobs were very audible for the three of them. Thankfully, Cali is not the type of kid who asks so much.

She is the type who just observes and does her best to understand the situation. They never saw their father again. Even so, Marilyn got back on her feet and led a beautiful life with her children that they don't even feel that there was a void that only a father could fill in.

She did her best to play the role of the mother and the father though she is not perfect.

At school, Brielle is a well-respected student whom everyone adores and looks up to. She is strong, goal-oriented, and amiable so it is safe to say everyone likes her.

Though the majority thinks that Gerald and her are a perfect match, there's this minority of avid supporters who think otherwise. That Gerald is way too blessed to have Brielle as his girlfriend and that he does not deserve her.