Bradley and Gyu-ri’s breakup

Since we’re talking about the Langeraks, here’s the latest on Bradley’s life as a young adult in Cahaya. (Inzoi)

Bradley went outside for a while to gather rocks and wood for his creations on the workbench, hoping that would distract him from his thoughts.

He hasn’t been doing well lately, as he has some doubts about his relationship with Gyu-ri.

As soon as he returned from his walk in the park, he told her he wanted to talk to her. Gyu-ri was puzzled, she had no idea what was going through Bradley’s mind.

Or rather, yes, she does have an idea. This is about his ex-girlfriend Quinn for sure.

Brad didn’t dare tell her the truth: that he can’t forget Quinn and thinks about her all the time. He just told her he “wasn’t sure what he wanted from their relationship”. Pretty ambiguous, if you ask her.

That same afternoon, Bradley tried to talk to Quinn again. He made an appointment with her, but, as usual, she didn’t show up.

At sunset, Bradley set off on his way home, feeling like a failure. Where the hell has Quinn gone? Why does she reply to his texts but then fail to arrive for their dates?

Anyway, the winter holidays are coming up. It’s time to add some seasonal cheer to the house.

“Winter celebrations” is just a way of referring to them, since winter in Cahaya is very short and mild, with only one or two days of truly cold weather. (Basically, like my real life town, lol).

And even at this time of year, mangoes can be harvested.

Setting up the Christmas tree and harvesting mangoes distracts him for a while, but as soon as dawn breaks the next day, his worries return. He needs to talk to Gyu-ri. It doesn’t feel right to deceive her like this.

The worst part is Gyu-ri no longer buys his excuses and explanations. She’s now convinced something is seriously wrong, so today she went to see her friend Alaina Finley to ask for advice.

The advice from Alaina was clear: Gyu-ri must confront Brad and demand him to tell her the truth. Uncertainty is worse than disappointment, you know?

Following her friend’s advice, as soon as Brad arrives home (after being away all afternoon, just like every day these week), Gyu-ri demands him to explain his behavior. Once again, Brad doesn’t dare to tell her…

Every time she asks him what’s wrong, he tells her it’s nothing, he’s just feeling a little homesick cause he misses his homeland and his family. He repeats over and over that he loves her so much and that everything is fine, but the more he tells her these things, the less Gyu-ri believes him.

He repeats the same behavior day in and day out. He’s sweet to her, tells her that he loves her, then goes back to being quiet and moody.

Gyu-ri has no choice but to go out, distract herself, give him some space and wait…

Brad, meanwhile, continues to go out in the afternoons to return at dusk.

When at home, he spends practically the entire night on the computer. He says he’s studying, but Gyu-ri knows he’s chatting with someone. It could be his family in Island Paradise, but at this point… that’s highly unlikely.

So Gyu-ri decides to take a chance and ask him yet again what’s wrong, why his mind seems to be elsewhere.

At first, Bradley seems annoyed.

But his irritation soon turns into sadness and shame.

For the umpteenth time, she asks him for an explanation. Bradley notices that she’s about to cry. He doesn’t want to make her suffer any more, so he says the first thing that comes to mind: he has been reflecting and believes their relationship is not working. Gyu-ri can’t believe her ears. Their relationship not working? How? Why?

Bradley plucks up his courage and responds with the harsh truth: he hasn’t forgotten Quinn, and he can’t stop thinking about her.

It was never his intention to hurt her or deceive Gyu-ri; he genuinely tried to make this work. In fact, he cares a lot for her, but unfortunately, his heart still belongs to Quinn.

To Quinn? Really? Why? She doesn’t even care about him. She hides from him every day and stands him up every time he asks her out. Gyu-ri, on the other hand, is here with him. Can’t he see it? Oh, yes, Brad sees it, but his still in love with Quinn. Period. So he thinks it’s best to… cancel their engagement. Wait, what?

Wait, WHAT? Panic takes hold of Gyu-ri. What does he mean cancel their engagement? Brad sees the storm coming and tries to calm her down. She needs to understand. It’s not her, it’s him who has failed. But it’s too late, Gyu-ri’s heart has just been broken in two.

Note the effect the game throws when a zoi proposes canceling the engagement. Dramatic, huh?

And what about that little black rain cloud over Brad? It must be the guilt and regret he gets from hurting Gyu-ri like this. Shame on you, Bradley!

Yeah, what a shame, doing this to the sweet Gyu-ri, she doesn’t deserve it. And honestly, I don’t think she’ll ever forgive him.

No matter how hard she tries, Gyu-ri can’t understand it. Why the lie? Why didn’t he speak to her honestly from the beginning? Why propose to her when he was in love with someone else? Well, in Brad’s defense, he did want to marry her, but he never thought it would be so hard to forget Quinn. (More guilt, more regret, and above all, more rain over his head).

I didn’t ask for a free ride
I only asked you to show me a real good time
I never asked for the rainfall
At least I showed up, you showed me nothing at all

It’s coming down on me
Water like misery
It’s coming down on me
I’m ready, rain on me

++++

I can feel it on my skin (It’s coming down on me)
Teardrops on my face (Water like misery)
Let it wash away my sins (It’s coming down on me)
Let it wash away, yeah…

I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive
Rain on me, rain, rain
Rain on me.

(Sorry, I couldn’t help referencing this song, by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. I thought it perfectly described Bradley’s mood here). 🤭

Anyway, the argument is over, Bradley doesn’t know what else to say, and he’s wise enough not to open his mouth again, except to say a rather heartfelt “I’m sorry.”

Gyu-ri would like to forgive him, but she has her pride, so she prefers to remain silent and leave the house for a while. She doesn’t plan to beg him, or stay longer than necessary, just long enough to find herself another place.

Bradley of course doesn’t feel any good after hurting his once best friend like that. But at least the truth is out, he no longer has to feel guilty for thinking about Quinn.

Life goes on. Gyu-ri went for a walk to calm down and then to her yoga studio. Maybe one of her coworkers there could put her up for a while or help her find accommodation. Anyway, Brad has no problem with her staying with him as long as she needs to, if it’s not inconvenient for her, that is. We’ll see how she feels when she returns.

(To be Continued)

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