A Bittersweet Romance: Vincent’s Breakup with Phoebe.

Over the past two weeks, other than attending the personal yoga classes and going to Phoebe’s house, Victor had been mostly staying at home. Today, while he was out, he found something amiss.

Everyone who walked past him turned around to stare at him. There were even a few times when he actually caught sight of people secretly taking photographs of him.

He looks so handsome! Is he some comic character?

Is he a celebrity? He is so elegant!

He seems to have a mixed ethnicity. He looks so gorgeous. His eyes are so charming!

Oh no! I have been lovestruck. He’s looking at me!

Along the way, weird thoughts flooded Vincent’s mind continuously. When Vincent looked at himself in the mirror, he only felt that he looked good and was not really bothered. However, when others looked at him, it seemed that Vincent had undergone an astonishing change.

For instance, when he went to the café for a meal, the waitress actually secretly passed him her mobile number, and many girls came up with different excuses to get his contact information. Vincent found this all very puzzling. Even if he was handsome, he should not be receiving so much attention.

After he finished his meal with Phoebe, she glanced at the seat on the left. Vincent immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”

Phoebe pouted and said, “That girl keeps peeking at you. You are very charming, aren’t you? Recently, you have changed a lot. Hmm, because I am always with you, I don’t feel anything. But you seem different from the first time I saw you. You look too stunning now!”

Vincent immediately teased her, “Have I become more good-looking?”

Phoebe touched her red lips and said, “You could say that, but it is more than that. You exude a charm, no, a scent. It smells good and is so captivating!”

Vincent was taken aback. “A scent?” He quickly sniffed himself and said, “I don’t smell anything.”

Phoebe laughed at once and said, “Only women can smell it. It’s the manly scent, the smell of hormones!”

Vincent lost control of himself and burst into laughter. However, he remembered what Phoebe had said.

Hormones and attraction are closely related, as hormones can influence human’s mood, behavior, and sexual desire. Some of the hormones that are involved in attraction are testosterone, estrogen, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin.

Have I adjusted my body into a perfect state, whereby it exudes a special scent that has caused this scenario?

Testosterone and estrogen are sex hormones that can increase libido and physical attractiveness in both men and women. Testosterone can also enhance confidence, dominance, and competitiveness, while estrogen can enhance femininity, nurturing, and empathy.

Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are neurotransmitters that can create feelings of excitement, euphoria, and happiness when we are attracted to someone. Dopamine is also associated with reward, motivation, and addiction, which can explain why we crave the presence of our crush. Norepinephrine can increase alertness, attention, and heart rate, which can make us feel nervous and jittery around our crush. Serotonin can regulate mood, appetite, and sleep, which can explain why we lose interest in other things when we are in love.

Oxytocin and vasopressin are hormones that can promote bonding, trust, and attachment between partners. Oxytocin is also known as the “love hormone” or the “cuddle hormone”, as it is released during physical contact, such as hugging, kissing, and sex. Vasopressin is also involved in sexual behavior, as well as territoriality and aggression, which can explain why we become possessive and protective of our partner.

After dinner, Vincent naturally went to Phoebe’s house. He took out a bottle of red wine from his car, and after enjoying two glasses or so, their desires were quickly ignited.

After everything, Phoebe was still in a daze and took quite a while to recover. Then, she looked at Vincent and said, “I nearly died just now!”

Vincent quickly said, “I will take note next time. You frightened me just now!”

Phoebe shook her head. “The feeling is great! Vincent, you are the most perfect man that I have ever met!”

Phoebe lay in his arms and scratched his chest like a kitten. After a while, she said, “Vincent, let’s end our relationship!”

“What?” Vincent could not understand what had just happened. They were having a good time in bed earlier, but things suddenly changed. Just as Vincent was about to use his mind power to explore Phoebe’s thoughts, she opened her mouth.

“My boyfriend is back. He has looked me up and talked to me for a long while. He wants me to go back to him!” Phoebe stared at Vincent, looking confused. She seemed to have made a tough decision.

Vincent cuddled Phoebe and asked, “Why? Is he better than me?”

Phoebe shook her head and said, “He is not as good looking or charming as you. You are much better than him in all aspects. But he loves me!”

Vincent immediately asked, “Do I not love you?”

Phoebe forced a smile and asked, “Do you love me?”

Vincent was dumbfounded. After a while, he slowly stood up and put on his clothes. He bent down and kissed Phoebe on her forehead. “I’m sorry. I truly enjoy the time that I have spent with you. I will not interfere with your life anymore. Also, I wish you and your boyfriend all the best!”

Phoebe looked affectionately at Vincent. She could not bear to part with him, but Vincent could tell that she was resolute with her decision. While he was in the car, Vincent felt a bit lost and confused. He felt that he was somewhat despicable.

Nevertheless, this had ended quite well as his relationship with Phoebe had come to a close. Moreover, his cancer had been cured and he now had a perfect body.

After having gone through so much, Vincent felt deeply that he should do something that he liked. He should live for his interests and hobbies, and not live like a dog, like how he used to!

By the time he reached home, it was already midnight. He parked his car and was about to open the door when he saw someone squatting outside, scaring him out of his wits.

Vincent slowly walked up and realized that the person looked familiar. It was a girl who was squatting with her head low, just like an ostrich. He pushed her shoulder and called out softly, “Ruby?”

Ruby lifted up her head and looked at Vincent, tears filling her eyes. In a hoarse voice, she cried out, “Vincent, where have you been? Why are you not home at such a late hour?”

Vincent curled his lips and said, “Who would know that you would be squatting outside my house in the middle of the night? Come in; it’s windy outside!”

After taking a hot shower, Ruby walked out of the bathroom and carelessly wrapped herself up in a towel. Her hair was still wet as she sat down on the sofa.

Vincent asked, “What happened to you? Why did you not dry your hair?”

Ruby lowered her head, not saying a word. As Vincent dried her hair with a towel, Ruby cried out, “I have broken up with my boyfriend!”

“Okay.”

Ruby was extremely dissatisfied. Right away, she lifted up her head and said, “Can you be a bit sympathetic? I have broken up with my boyfriend. Can you not comfort me? You are…”

Ruby did not finish her sentence, but instead looked at Vincent with her jaw dropped. “Who are you?” she gasped.

Vincent took out a hair dryer and plugged it into the electric socket. He then said nonchalantly, “Who else? Clearly I am Vincent.”

Ruby shook her head continuously and said, “Impossible. The Vincent that I know is not so good-looking. Tell me honestly, are you a monster?”

“…”

“Here is the hair dryer. After you have dried your hair, go to the room that you went the other time, and have an early night!