Rejected Proposal from Ex

On the day I was invited to the centennial celebration of my alma mater, I bumped into my first love, Kellan Knight. After delivering a speech as an alumni representative, he made a theatrical display by presenting a diamond ring to me in front of everyone.

"You once joked about making a wedding ring out of thorny roses for me. Now it's my turn to propose. Alicia, will you marry me?"

The auditorium was buzzing with excitement. Everyone seemed to be waiting for me to tearfully agree. After all, back in college, I had pursued him so zealously, capturing everyone's attention.

But everyone seemed to have forgotten. During my senior year, my final design project was falsely accused of plagiarizing Nyra Garza. Kellan knew the truth, yet he turned against me, accusing me of plagiarism.

At a press conference, as the brand spokesperson, he announced the end of our collaboration and initiated a boycott against me across the industry. That infamous day, I left and moved far away.

Now that I'm back, his friends are begging me:

"Kellan has been waiting for you all these years. Even when you supposedly tarnished his reputation back then, he always cared about you. He even made a fuss in the dean's office just to ensure you got your diploma. Alicia, Kellan really loves you."

"Can you stop fiddling with your phone and give me an answer?" Jonah Romero, his friend, sounded slightly irked as he watched me ignore his pleas. I calmly put down my phone and looked at him indifferently.

"Sure, Kellan comes from a privileged background, but he hates being treated differently because of it. Even though his father is a trustee, he's never used his father’s position for personal gain. Yet, for your diploma, he made such a big scene in the dean's office that he almost got a serious reprimand!

"Alicia Fisher, do you have any heart at all? Are you really unmoved by all he's done?"

Jonah was visibly frustrated, recounting past events as if my lack of emotion was some grave offense. I slightly furrowed my brows and scanned the room. The alumni who had been observing the scene quickly turned their gazes away as if oblivious, though in truth, they were all eager for what came next.

The plagiarism incident was such a humiliating affair that even seven years later, I could still see the disdain etched on their faces. Today was no different; I had only intended to step backstage to prepare for the celebration when Jonah intercepted me with his never-ending chatter.

I wasn't sure if Jonah was speaking out of friendship, upset that I had left without a word seven years ago, or if he'd been urged to convince me because he knew I’d be here. But to me, none of it mattered anymore.

I sighed softly. "What am I supposed to feel? It's all ancient history."

Perhaps my response didn’t align with Jonah's expectations. He furrowed his brows and stared at me