"You can never lose what you never had, you can't keep what's not yours and you can't hold on to something that doesn't want to stay."

-3rd pov-

𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙄𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙨

"Thank you for coming here at such late notice." Tyler says. Madilyn could hear the genuine tone through his voice alone. His gaze locks on the girl as she poked with the strawberry shortcake on her plate with the fork she was holding.

They were sitting in the cafe, all was quiet and peaceful, contrary to that of the skies weeping outside. The raindrops could be heard gently tapping against the window. The earthy smell of wet soil mixed with fragrant flowers lingered in the air.

Madilyn clears her throat and smiles. The kind of smile that would make you happy just by seeing it. "It's alright, no need to worry." She says as she took a bite out of the cake. Tyler remains silent for a moment. He knew that she only sees him as a brotherly figure and was nice enough to actually give him a shot when she could have said no. He wanted her to be happy, even if he wasn't part of that happiness. Tyler's jaw was clenched and he was now looking down.

"Are you okay Tyler?" Madilyn asks, concerned. Worry was painted over her face. His gaze flickers to the girl for a moment, eyes casting down right after. He wanted to hold on to her but he felt as if he was only trapping her. He felt like he was in the way of her happiness. Ignoring the thoughts that were racing through his head, he simply nods, taking a sip from his cup of coffee. Clouds of steam drifting away from the cups rim, floating in delicate designs and later disappearing.

"So...." Madilyn trails off, "How is the deal? I heard you've had three meetings in China and the Philippines."

"Oh, yes. The meeting in China went well actually. It took a bit more effort to convince them since they are quite hard to persuade. But the meeting in the Philippines was great. We discussed it a bit over coffee then we signed the papers. They were also hospitable enough to show me around and took me out to eat dinner." Tyler says, clasping his hands on top of the table. He smiled as he recalled how nice the people there were. "That's great."

"I'm glad that it worked out that way." She sighs, propping her hands on the table. "Ours wasn't so good. The people we were meeting last week at the Rośe hotel weren't as nice. They were, if I must say, quite rude. They kept on cutting in and questioning us about what we could do in their favor and they kept pressing us to take care of most of the fees that we would be funding for the project."

"Oh..."

"Here's your coffee ma'am." The waitress says, placing the warm cup on the table before bowing politely and leaving. Maddie's face brightens as she smells the calming scent of caffeine. She hums in content and happily reaches for the cream.

Madilyn's phone vibrates and her screen brightens up. She didn't notice but Tyler did. As Madilyn stirs the sugar into her cup of coffee, his eyes wander towards her phone's screen. The first word displayed makes his heart drop. Ren.

He reads over the rest of the message, his heart breaking slowly as he read each word. I hope you are feeling better now, I'll make some mushroom soup just in case:). Tyler tears his gaze away from the phone. He knew that the two were both madly in love with each other, both just really dense and naive to notice each others feelings.

"Do you still like him?" He asks, breaking the silence. Madilyn tilts her head, confused as to what he was talking about. He points to her phone and her eyes follow, widening as soon as she saw the young lad's message.

"I really do not mean to be nosy but do you?" It was hard for him to say this words out loud as the answer was evident. Madilyn looks up to see him scanning her face for any reaction. Her cheeks flushes red as her grip on the phone grows tighter, clearly showing her knuckles turning white.

His mood dampens, heart stinging with pain but nonetheless sends her a small yet strained smile. It hurts knowing that the person she loves wasn't him and witnessing that hurts his battered heart even more. He pulls on a facade as he tries to look as convincing as he can. "You still do, don't you?"

His voice wavers but Madilyn doesn't notice. She sends him a shy look as she nods her head yes. His face falls. She braces herself for the harsh words he might say but instead, he pats her on the head. Then, he places his hand on top of Madilyn's and gives her a smile.

"Then, follow your heart."

"Will you be okay with this?" She asks, now having the courage to ask this question. He chuckles quietly, nodding his head yes. It pains him to force a bright smile and say he was.

"If you are happy, then I am too."

As if on cue, her phone rings. It was Ren. Madilyn glances at Tyler, hesitant on leaving him behind. Instead of holding unto her, he gives her a nod and a thumbs up, telling her that it was okay. That it will be fine. "Thank you Tyler, for everything." She mutters, giving him a hug. He felt his heart twist in pain and his vision become blurry.

This is it. I'm finally letting you go.

He returns the hug, basking in her warmth for the very last time. Taking one last look at him, she smiles at him ever so brightly then leaves the cafe.

Now that he has let her go, it felt like there was an empty space in his heart. He thought that maybe if he'd let her go they'd both be happier. He lets out a sigh. He had so many things he still wanted to do together.

I hope he buys you flowers

I hope he holds your hand

Flashbacks of Tyler happily holding Madilyn's hand flashes through his mind. Memories swirling inside his head. From the first time he laid his eyes on the beautiful girl at the party to the time where he confessed to her.

Give you all his hours

When he has the chance

He then remembers those times wherein he'd toss around wide awake at night because he couldn't sleep because he was thinking of her. He'd remember the times wherein they'd hit the cafe for some drinks and talk endlessly for hours. A small smile ghosts on his lips as he recalled these.

Take you to every party

'Cause I remember how much you loved to dance

Do all the things I should have done

When I was your man

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