LOVE IN ALL SHADES

CHAPTER ONE...

"You know, I should have thought about it… It was weird how you asked me out, out of the blue," Ire said, her voice trembling. "But I was too blindly and foolishly in love with you to notice the signs. I don't blame you it's my fault," she added, gasping for breath as tears streamed down her face.

"What do you mean? What are you saying all of a sudden?" Henry asked, confused.

"Stop feigning innocence!" Ire yelled, her voice breaking. "I heard what your friends said about us. They said you're with me because Tyra broke up with you, and you wanted to move on and take revenge by dating me!" Her heart pounded so fast she could barely breathe, and her hand clutched at her chest.

"Come on, breathe," Henry said, stepping closer to steady her by the shoulders, but she shoved him away.

"Do you know the worst part?" Ire continued, her voice rising. "They said all of this to Tyra. Now she has another reason to taunt me at school. Why did you have to do this to me? You know what? You should consider a career in acting because you've done an excellent job pretending to love me."

"Ire?" Henry called her name softly, his frustration evident.

"That's not true," he said. "Why do you think I came here in the middle of the night to talk to you? Mark told me everything. Tyra asked Cole to say those things, knowing you’d hear it. Cole has been Tyra's childhood friend why would you believe anything he says?"

"Okay, let's assume that's not true. Then explain this," Ire snapped. "Why don't you have time for me? I know you're busy with school and work, but is it that hard to send me a message in the morning? Maybe after your shower? Or while you're on your way to school? Let's say you're too tired in the evening, but why am I the one always reaching out?"

"Hey, where's all this coming from?" Henry asked, his voice softening. His chest ached as he watched her crumble.

"Do I look like a fool?" Ire's voice cracked. "I even wished you a happy birthday, and you replied three days later. Three days! But you had time to spend the day with your friends and Tyra." She scoffed bitterly. "You know what? Let's just end this. I'm done being a pushover."

"What are you talking about, Ire? Calm down. I know you're mad at me, but please, don't do this to us"

"Us?" she cut him off, laughing bitterly. "There is no us. Even before you asked me out, you were already pushing me away. I was stupidly into you, so I ignored your rude behavior. I was so happy when you finally noticed me and asked me out, but since then, all you've done is hurt me." Her voice broke. "You weren't like this at first, so I thought if I tried harder to understand you, it would get better. But the more I try, the more it hurts."

She wiped her tears and turned toward her dorm building. "So let's end this. It's not like you love me anyway."

"Ire, stop this! I love you. Let me make it up to you, huh? Please, don’t break up with me!" Henry pleaded, his voice cracking.

But Ire didn’t stop or turn back. Henry stood frozen, watching her retreat, his heart shattering.

Back in his apartment, Henry sat in silence, staring at the pictures he had taken with Ire. He had tried so hard to hold back his tears, but now they fell freely.

It had been a terrible day. First, his father disowned him for staying in contact with his mother. Then his boss fired him, no doubt at his father’s orders. And now, the only person who made him feel at home had left him.

He knew Ire wasn’t wrong to feel the way she did. He had been so consumed by his problems that he’d failed to share them with her. She didn’t know how hard it had been for him these past few months.

The memory of his friends and Tyra barging into his apartment to celebrate his birthday resurfaced. He hadn’t told Ire because he knew she wouldn’t believe him.

Hey, Ire, have you checked the school page? Someone posted a picture of you and Henry, saying he dumped you," Sybil said, snapping Ire out of her thoughts.

"I warned you not to go out with someone who was involved with Tyra, but you didn’t listen," Sybil sighed. "Cheer up, Ire. Want to grab lunch with me later?"

Ire was about to decline, but Sybil cut her off. "Don’t even think of saying no. Be ready when I come back."

Sybil left for class, leaving Ire to her thoughts.

Ire skipped classes that day, unable to face anyone. She spent hours staring at her phone, waiting for Henry to call or text. But he didn’t. Her heart broke all over again.

At a nearby company, Henry had just finished an interview. The interviewer admitted Henry had great potential but said they couldn’t hire him due to his father. Nobody wanted bad blood with the CEO of Blackson Company.

Henry sighed, resigning himself to his part-time job as a barista until he found another opportunity. He picked up his phone to call Ire but hesitated, unsure if he’d only upset her further. Just then, a call from Mark came through.

"Hey, what’s up?"

"Henry, Cole’s been bugging me to invite you to lunch so he can apologize," Mark said.

Henry sighed. "Alright."

Mark sent him the location. It was a short drive, so Henry decided to go.

At the restaurant entrance, Henry spotted Tyra. He cursed under his breath for trusting his friends. His mood darkened as he stepped out of his car.

"Hey, Henry," Tyra greeted with a smile. "Don’t blame Cole this time. He didn’t know anything. I overheard him talking to Mark."

Henry glared at