Unforgotten First Love

Meliza's POV

When I woke up the following morning, I found Ruby lying on my bed beside me, still wearing her flimsy gown, and when I looked around, I saw her robe lying on the back of the vanity chair.

It must be late in the morning since I could feel the sun's rays on my face and couldn't believe she opened the wide window and pulled the curtains on the sides. I grunted as I covered myself with the blanket, but she pulled it away from my face as she turned her body sideways, and she was facing me with her big round eyes staring at me.

"I am your best friend, Iza. You ran away from everyone, and yet we were still able to communicate within those years that I haven't seen you." She declared as I stayed silent.

"I was worried about you every day since every time I asked you if we could meet up, you always had reasons not to see me." My best friend added with annoyance in her voice.

"I was hurt, and I tried my best to understand you because I care about you, and I love you like a sister." She continued.

"Even if I knew Vince was in love with you, I still wanted to see you and spend time with you. You were a threat to me since I know there is a 100% chance Vince would break up with me because of you." Ruby stated as she took my hand.

"Our friendship means so much to me, Iza. Seeing you like this breaks my heart. I want you to know I will never allow something bad to happen to you, not on my watch." She softly mumbled.

"Now, you have to tell me what is going on with your life, or I will hate you for keeping secrets as big as this; what are you up to, and who are those men, Iza?" She asked, and I was silent as I gazed at her.

"Come on, Iza, tell me," she demanded, and I shook my head.

"Don't worry about me, Ruby, it is not a big deal. I am fine." I replied and averted her scrutinizing eyes.

"Cut the bullshit, Meliza. How could you say that after what happened at San Fernando's peak?" She asked.

"I am not getting out of this room unless you will tell me what is going on with you. I never expected your life could be so messed up." She added.

"Okay, fine, but you have to promise me you will never tell anyone, especially Ethan," I responded, and her face fell.

"After what he had done to you? Ethan saved you, Iza. I think it is about time to set aside your animosity towards him." She declared.

"You don't understand Ruby. I don't want Ethan to know. I won't tell you anything unless you swear not to tell him." I said as I stood up.

"Okay, Iza. I promise I won't tell anyone." She replied, and I took a deep breath before I told her everything.

"Oh, Meliza. I am so sorry; I didn't know what you had been through. It must be hard on your part. You could have told me. I wouldn't force you to be here. Your safety is more important than my wedding day." My best friend said after I told her everything about Elijah, and I weakly smiled at her.

"I promised you to be here with you on your wedding day. I am sorry if I have been a pain since I arrived. I should be there with you every step of the way since I am your Maid of Honor, and I would be the one who will facilitate everything on your behalf." I replied.

"I felt so scared that they would find me; that is why I tried to stay away from everyone," I added.

"You don't need to say sorry, Iza. I couldn't believe Aunt Sol would allow his husband to use you. You can't marry someone like Elijah." She replied.

"Exactly. I was hiding for four years, and now they found me." I replied.

"You are safe here in San Fernando. Ethan hired men to guard the entire place to keep you safe." She said, and my eyes widened in disbelief.

"What do you, men?" I asked, confused.

"He still cares about you, Iza." She softly answered.

"No, he was doing all that to ensure I won't ruin your wedding," I replied.

"They already found you, and it only means you have no choice; you are stuck here with us. But don't worry, we will figure something to stop Elijah from taking you." She declared.

"Ruby, Elijah is a powerful man. I think it is time to face my fate. I will attend your wedding, and after that, I will stop running away from Eli. My mom was right; marrying Elijah is the answer to all my problems." I responded, and her face saddened.

"Meliza, I am sorry. It is all my fault." Ruby replied.

"Hey, you have done nothing, Ruby; you helped me enough. I missed my sister, and I am tired of running and hiding." I said, feeling defeated.

"Don't worry, starting tomorrow, I will do my duty as your maid of honor," I added, and I was stunned when she hugged me and cried.

"Hey, don't cry, Rubs. I got this," I replied.

"You are only saying you are okay, but I knew you too well, Meliza. You are not fine. You may look strong on the outside, but you are so broken inside." She mumbled as she tightened her arms around me.

"Ethan is the only person who can help you, Iza. He is a billionaire, and I am sure he will help you." She added, and I quickly pulled away from her.

"Ruby, that is the last thing I want. I lost everything I had, and what is left is my pride. Please don't take that away from me. The last thing I need from Ethan is his pity." I responded with pleading in my eyes.

"I am begging you, don't tell him anything, Rubs," I added, and she took my hands.

"Okay, I won't tell him, but I will help you, Meliza. I promise we will make a way." My best friend stated, and I weakly smiled at her.

"Don't waste your time, Ruby. I have to face this alone since this is my battle. It would be best if you focused on your upcoming wedding. You need to be stress-free." I answered.

Ruby left my room after she said goodbye. I walked out of my room and stayed on the balcony, thinking about what I said to Ruby. I only told her that I would marry Elijah to keep her from worrying about me, but I didn't have any plans of surrendering to him.

But as I thought about Ethan and his girlfriend, I couldn't deny the pain I felt inside my heart. I admit I was never over him, even if I hated him so much for breaking my heart.

I knew it was impossible for us to be together since he despised me as much as I loathed him, and he got a hot girlfriend while I was still single all these years, yearning for the love that I lost.

I knew I was such a fool for dreaming that someday Ethan would apologize and beg me to take him back. It was too late, and the only thing I could do to make myself regain my dignity was to marry Elijah, and he would take care of all of my family's debts.

I will be able to see Jessa again. She must hate me for running away, and I hoped she would forgive me.

I made peace with myself: if I wanted to have a normal life, to have friends again, I had to marry Eli, and I should stop hiding away from him. I don't want any of my friends to get hurt, especially Ruby.

The night became colder, and I shivered as I looked up and couldn't stop smiling as I beheld at the thousand stars glowing brightly in the skies above. It was a beautiful night, and I should have enjoyed this time with my friends, but because of my unfair fate, I couldn't even share laughter with them.

I got back inside my room when I couldn't take the coldness of the night.

I was turning on my bed and couldn't stop thinking about Ethan. He hated me, yet he was the one who saved me, and he made sure I was safe by asking his men to guard the farmhouse.

I think Ruby was right; I should set aside my anger towards him for the sake of her wedding. I can do that; I can be a good actress. I have to be civil with Ethan.

The following day, I woke up early, and I went straight to the kitchen to help prepare breakfast.

"Ms. Iza, you don't need to help; you are one of the guests of Señorito Ethan," one of the maids said.

"It was okay," I replied as I sliced the tomatoes.

"What are you doing here, Iza?" I stiffened when I heard Ethan's authoritative voice, but I quickly recovered and turned my head with a broad smile plastered all over my face.

"Hi, Ethan, good morning," I greeted him, giving him one of my sweetest smiles, and I could see the astonishment on his face.

"What are you doing here?" He asked again without answering my greetings. I felt hurt, but I promised Ruby that starting today, I would play my part right.

"Can't you see I am helping," I replied, still wearing the same smile.

"You don't need to do anything; the kitchen staff will do their jobs. The best thing you can do is avoid trouble and be there for Ruby until the wedding ends." He declared.

My face turned bright red as I kept my fists on my sides. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from countering Ethan. I don't want to say bad things to him.

"Don't worry, I won't do something stupid that would make you hate me more. Thank you for saving me, Ethan. I am glad you still have that within you. I knew how much you wanted me to disappear and leave the farmhouse, yet you still rescued me. For that, I am grateful." I declared.

"I am sorry if I caused you so much trouble, but you don't need to worry about anything from now on. I promised Ruby I would do my best to portray the role as her Maid of Honor, and I told her I would stay out of trouble." I added.

I stifled a laugh when I saw the expression on Ethan's face. My ex didn't expect me to say thank you; how much more saying sorry to him?

"Have a nice day with your girlfriend, Ethan." I continued before I walked out of the kitchen, and I felt triumphant I was able to talk with Ethan in an excellent way, even if I wanted to banter with him. I admit I feel better after saying thank you to him.

Maybe being friends with Ethan is not a bad idea after all, but thinking about his sophisticated girlfriend infuriates me even if I know I have no right to be jealous since I was only from his past, his forgotten ex-girlfriend. Still, for me, he will always be my unforgotten first love.