The courthouse echoed after the judge gave his verdict. The clapping of hands continued along with the cheer of congratulations given to Melissa Campbell.

Melissa is a thirty-five year old lawyer who is considered as the Queen of justice to the Huebert and Brother's firm. She had won case after case without a single defeat since the day she joined the said law firm.

"A fighter through and through huh?" Aldritch, her trainee whispered to her ear, as they both exited the courthouse. She glanced at him and smiled while saying " It will take an army to bring me down," or a certain man, Melissa mused as an afterthought.

The rest of the day was spent just as she always did, browsing through numerous cases and invitations from multiple gatherings, asking her to become their guest of honor or begging for her services to take on their case.

The silent click of her office door pried Melissa's eyes away from the paper she held, forcing a frown to appear on her forehead.

"This came for you," her secretary murmured while taking a step towards her desk.

"How many times do I have to remind you Carly, use the the intercom before you come in here!" Melissa yelled. She hates interruption, she finds it frustrating, specially when she's submerged into reading a case file.

"I-I'm sorry ma'am, but I was told to give this to you as soon as possible, and I have been buzzing you for the past hour." Her secretary reasoned.

Frustrated, Melissa stood from her chair and angrily took the envelope from her secretary's hand, then commanded her to leave the office.

Her eyes narrowed and her blood pressure rose upon reading the details of the letter inside the envelope.

If there is something that can rip her off of the pedestal she now proudly perch on, the words written on the invitation would be it. After a few minutes of self loathe and reflection, she stormed out of her office, leaving her secretary and the other lawyers baffled.

Three hours later, Melissa found herself inside a bar with her best friend Jasmine angrily asking her to stop drinking.

"I never want to see him again!" Melissa yelled as she downed another shot of Tequila.

"It has been two decades Mel, you've come so far and achieved so much. What the hell is wrong with you? Besides, you can either attend or not right?" Jasmine explained, wondering how a powerful woman such as Melissa could stupidly hold on to a teenage love that was doomed from the start.

Melissa brought the shot glass down—with so much force that it broke and injured her hand.

"Jesus Melissa!" Jasmine yelled as she pulled out her handkerchief—she wrapped it around her friend's injured hand and forcefully dragged her out the bar.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" Melissa asked, her words slurred and breath coming in gasps after getting shoved inside Jamine's car.

"I'm taking you to the hospital!" Jasmine yelled whilst bringing the car engine to life.

"I don't need a doctor." Melissa whispered.

Jasmine took her hand and brought it level to her face. "Does this wound look shallow to you, you stupid bitch?" Jasmine questioned, her eyes glazed with furry.

Melissa, knowing exactly that her defeat is enevitable slumped back on the car seat. She is aware of how deep her cut is, but—the hospital would be the last place she wants to be in. Her childhood lover—the man who remained inside her heart for almost two decades is also a doctor. Every white wall or even the slightest smell of disinfectant drives her crazy-reminding her of the boy who stood in front of her under that moonless February night.

She is so hung up on him, she never experienced a normal relationship after their break up.

"Alright, make sure not to get your hands wet for the next two days."

Melissa gazed at the doctor before her and wondered, is this how Michael speaks to his patients too? Does he always wear a white coat too?

She can hear her best friend answering in her place, taking notes of all the instructions the doctor is saying-but none of it are registering in her head. All that is clear, are the words written in the invitation. Mr. And Mrs Charlton invites you to join the up coming reunion for Saint Agustin's batch of 1999.

She would be lying to say that she doesn't want to see him. Oh she longs for it, dreams about it and everyday wishes that she sees him once again. She knows where he works at, but, her heart still remains that of the fourteen year old girl who viewed Michael as the light of her life, so she never dared to meet him. Not even for a casual meeting. She fears, the flame she kept alive, hidden in the depths of her heart will come ablaze under his presence. That is a recepie for disaster, because Michael is a married man.

"Mel, will you be okay alone?" her best friend asked.

Melissa smiled at her and stepped out of the vehicle. They are now parked in front of her condominium building. "I'll be fine Jas, all I need is a good night's rest." She answered, followed by a heavy sight.

Her best friend stared back at her and bobbed her head, smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Melissa gazed up at the night sky before walking up to her building. There maybe things she had achieved with flying colors, but love isn't one of them. Matter of fact, love is the one thing she knew she never did good with.

She had a bunch of relationships after him, but they were all a divertion. It became a trend to her which eventually turned into an illness. She uses the male specie, not for love-but to fill the longing she bore for the one she lost.

Stepping inside the Twelve storey building, Melissa wondered, will she ever have the courage to face Michael, without doing something stupid.