where we left off

****

-Three years later-

EVERYTHING WAS A blur. I found myself back to where I started before I felt anything. Though I wasn't completely numb, some days were particularly bad whenever I fell down a rabbit-hole of remorse and anguish. Nostalgia wasn't a welcome feeling as it always tasted bitter on my tongue whenever I thought of him. It served as a constant reminder of my mistakes and too much time has passed to fix them.

I don't deserve his love.

My melancholic thoughts were interrupted when Kennedy casually strolled into my office with his signature smirk.

"I'm busy," I didn't bother looking up at him, my attention straying, but I tried to focus it on the column a writer submitted only half an hour ago.

"I think you'll like my surprise," Kennedy waved around two pieces of paper in front of my face.

"You're so annoying," I grumbled, snatching what looked like a ticket out of his hand.

"And what about it?" Kennedy pressed his elbows on the stack of paper that towered over my desk. He picked up the snow globe - which used to belong to Raina- and shook it excitedly.

"Art gallery?" I turned the ticket over, familiar with the name and exhibition title. It was his. "What's this for?"

"Enzo sent it," Kennedy set down the glass figure and trained his eyes on me. He could tell I recognized it.

"I see," I was genuinely surprised he sent us tickets. I tried to hide any indication of the deviating thoughts I had earlier that might show on my face. After he left the party, Enzo was adamant about not maintaining any contact with me. I didn't have to ask why; I knew.

Ever since our breakup, I threw myself into work right after graduation. After mom stepped down, I basically took over everything and worked hard to prove myself to others in the company. Even after three years, I still felt there was more work that needed to be done. It wasn't easy getting rid of the corrupt executives, at least it wasn't a problem anymore, thanks to Kennedy and Zeke's help, who are now founders of a security company.

"Don't act like you don't know," Kennedy rolled his eyes. "You stalk his social media all the time. He posted about his showing last week."

"I didn't see his post," I lied, of course, I saw it. I leaned back, groaning in annoyance. "I don't know how to face him either. What do I even say? 'Hey, I'm still in love with you, by the way, your pieces are amazing.'"

"A simple 'hey' would suffice, Mila." Kennedy flicked my forehead. I rubbed the spot where it was burning, but didn't retort back.

"I can't go, Kennedy." I looked out the window. I felt insignificant in a significant world.

It wasn't like I regretted ending our relationship, if anything, it may have been the best thing I could do for myself.

Yeah, right.

"I'll tell him you can't come, then." Kennedy cracked his knuckles, picking up the tickets. He got up to leave, taking a piece of gum on the way from a small glass container I kept in the middle of a table where I held meetings.

The door clicked shut and I noticed he purposely left a ticket behind tucked underneath a packet of papers. I stared at it, trying to decide if I should take a leap of faith.

Would we still be dating if we healed together? I guess it was time to find out.

----

The gallery was packed. Everyone was marveling at the paintings and I could hear people scrambling to buy them before someone else did.

Ceiling mounted accent lights were positioned on the center of every canvas. They accentuated the highlights and shadows of every brush stroke and beckoned the viewer to come closer.

The gallery was overall dark and my pupils dilated to navigate my way through the corners of the warehouse-like gallery.

Enzo opted for a minimalist design in terms of framing his art, it didn't take away from his work and in my opinion, better enhanced it.

"His pieces challenge the current vernacular," I heard someone say.

Truth be told, I didn't know what I was looking at, yet I still felt moved. Enzo dabbled in different styles before he finally settled on contemporary. My interpretation of his work was always different compared to someone who was well versed in art, and much of the people here were from such community.

I passed by a throng of people crowding around a piece and came to a stop in front of an artwork no one was standing in front of.

The abstract combination of colors mingled with each other in disharmony. It was a dynamic combination that evoked feelings of uncertainty about societal pressures. It was... wonderful.

"Do you like it?" It was his voice, so quiet, but nevertheless, powerful enough to cause shivers on my arms.

I couldn't meet his eyes, my gaze fixed on the painting.

"I-" my breath hitched, the hairs on my neck standing tall. "I love it."

"I'm happy you came," his voice was transcendental. It scratched along my spine, straightening my back and waking every nerve in my body, making me aware of his every move. "Kennedy told me you wouldn't."

"It's your second showing," I still love you. I whispered, not trusting myself to blurt out anything. Do you still love me?

"You came to the first one?" Enzo dug his hands into his slacks. I stared, the shirt was fitted and contoured his muscles. I was now transfixed on the crease of his dress shirt. Fuck, get it together, Mila.

I blinked rapidly, coughing to hide my blush. It was a blessing that the lighting was dim.

"Yeah, I bought the ticket myself," I answered him. "Congratulations on selling all of your works back then."

"Thank you," Enzo's voice trembled. "You don't know how much that means to me. I hope things are going well for you."

They aren't. Not without you.

"Are you-" I paused. Was it okay to ask him? What if he said yes? I don't know if my heart could handle it. How should I respond afterward? "Are you seeing anyone?"

Enzo, who was analyzing his own work, seemed startled at my question. His shoulders stiffened and I cursed at myself. Of course, he was, there was no reason he wouldn't. Not after I trampled on his feelings and walked away like a coward.

"Mila," I was more devastated than relieved to hear my name on his lips.

"You don't have to answer!" I laughed nervously, waving the question away. "That's obviously personal."

"I'm not." His fingers drifted toward mine, softly touching them. It was like I could finally breathe again. "Seeing anyone, I mean."

"You're not?" I tried to contain my excitement.

"No," he brushed back and forth, the nerves on my skin jittery, the space between my thumb and index finger. He was now fully looking at me. "Are you?"

I slowly faced him, keeping my head down. "No, how could I?"

Enzo now stroked the curve of my cheek with the back of a single finger, and I wondered if he knew how much it felt like fire on my skin; how the memories came rushing back.

Pulling me in for a kiss, I completely surrendered letting myself go: the pain, regrets, confusion, all gone in a single moment.

"I missed you so fucking much," he rested his forehead on mine, panting as he held my head with his hands cupped beneath either side of my jaw.

It was perfect. All of the people I was conscious of faded away and the only thing that was clear to me was Enzo.

"I thought I was getting better, Enzo." I scrunched his shirt in my hand, the heat warming up my ice-cold fingertips. "I'm getting help, but things aren't the same without you in my life."

"I don't blame you. You needed that time to find yourself, just as much as I did. I don't feel insecure about my status as I used to. It's okay, Mila. We both needed time apart from each other."

"I still love you." I hiccuped. "I never stopped."

Enzo pulled away but quickly laced our fingers together, determination to leave evident. He went up to a person with a bright smile standing near the middle of the exhibition.

"Enzo!" The man raised his champagne flute in salute. "All of your pieces are sold again, great job. With this, we can end the show in ten minutes. You've talked to everyone, right? I can wrap everything up so you can go."

"Thanks, Cole." Enzo grinned. "If it wasn't for you giving me a chance, I wouldn't even be standing here right now."

"Ah, stop it. You're making me blush." Cole said, before saying goodbye.

"Let's go," Enzo didn't let go of my hand the entire time. We rushed out and a valet brought Enzo's car around. "I want to be alone with you right now."

I didn't even process what Enzo has in his apartment before he pushed me against the wall and his lips landed on mine. It was feverish and needy. The need to make up for lost time was the only thing on our minds. I could just get a tour later.

He brought his hands between us and slid his fingers just under my shirt to dance across the top of my naval. While his caress was sensual, it was also without motivation; a gentle gesture based on the need to simply touch my skin.

"You're so beautiful," his eyes danced across my clothed body.

"You are too," I kissed him harder. Little by little, his every touch sent a flash throughout my body. Sweat and anticipation running down my spine. "Where's the bedroom?"

Leading me inside the room down the hall, I stood in front of the large, white fluffy bed. With his chest against my back, I turned my head toward him, like a flower reaching towards the sun's light. He hovered his mouth over mine but nipped the sensitive area where my neck met my collarbone.

His hands were all over me then, sweeping over my skin with the attention one would give to something they treasure and care for. His stroke was firm and purposeful, and everywhere his fingers grazed, I was revived.

"I love you so, so much." He muttered into my ear as I felt his body shudder. "You make me so happy. You're the reason why I feel like I'm truly alive."

Enzo wrapped his arms around my torso and pulled me tighter against his body, and I had to reach my hand up to clamp around his neck to keep him from going any further.

As we fell into each other, it seemed as if everything fell into place.

Maybe it was all right to say that everything will work out.

****

author's note: this officially marks the end of Off Campus, I hope you all enjoyed this story. i'm so grateful for every single read, it means the absolute world to me. thank you so much for reading. please stay tuned for other future works as well. love, sage