Chapter 3

Today was supposed to be a day of happiness for me and Elsa.

We had planned to finally introduce Elsa to my parents. We had been together for three years, but every time we scheduled a meeting, it kept getting postponed.

Elsa always had some excuse to avoid it. Excuses included nerves, a busy work schedule, not feeling well, or even saying the stars were not aligned for meeting the parents.

Three months ago, we were closer than ever to making it happen. My parents had even dressed in their best clothes and arrived at the reserved restaurant.

However, Elsa never showed up. Every call I made went straight to voicemail, and then she sent me a brief text, "My friend was in a car accident."

The absurdity of the excuse made it clear she was avoiding the meeting again. Elsa had once told me that her parents' divorce made her fearful of marriage, and I had only felt sympathy, promising her that I would wait until she was ready. So, I took the blame for her absence once again.

"I’m sorry, I must’ve told her the wrong time. She had a meeting she couldn’t miss. Next time, for sure."

But my parents did not believe me anymore. They were convinced that I had made up a girlfriend just to avoid being pressured into marriage.

"Even a company president can find fifteen or twenty minutes to grab a meal. What kind of position does your girlfriend hold?"

I had no response.

After three months of trying, Elsa finally agreed to meet my parents again a few days ago. I was worried something would go wrong if we waited too long, so I scheduled it for this weekend.

But yesterday, Elsa told me at the last minute that a friend needed her help with something important. The meeting was, of course, canceled.

My mom gave me a knowing look and said, "I knew this would happen. Since you’re free tomorrow, why don’t you come with me to a family gathering? Your cousin, who’s a year younger than you, is getting married soon. You can see what a real bride looks like."

She certainly saw it now, but it was my bride-to-be standing next to someone else.

It turned out that the important help Elsa was providing for her friend was pretending to be his fiancée to fend off marriage pressure, and it was all happening in our new home.

She had no hesitation in meeting all his relatives under the pretense of getting married soon. Meanwhile, I, the fool, was waiting like an idiot for a woman who stayed "pure" for someone else. All while my parents looked on enviously at the happiness of other families and worried about me.

……

After coming home, I sat alone on the couch, lost in thought. The events of the day kept replaying in my mind. I reached for a photo on the coffee table. It was one of the happy times Elsa and I shared. The smiles that once felt so genuine now seemed completely fake.

I heard the sound of a key turning in the door. It was already past midnight. I thought Elsa had come back. But it was Leo who walked in, holding a key to my place. I was not even surprised. If Elsa had given away our new home, what was a key to the rental apartment?

He smiled and said, "I didn’t know you were here, Seth."

This was my place, but Leo seemed surprised to see me, as if I were the intruder.

Without another word, he scooped up a seemingly drunk Elsa in his arms and carried her inside. He glanced at me sitting on the couch and said, "Move over."

I looked at the dazed Elsa and held back my anger. Leo casually walked into my bedroom, grabbed a blanket, and covered her with it before heading to the kitchen. He knew his way around this place as if he had been here many times before.

I felt a tightness in my chest. Perhaps, while I was away, Elsa had indeed brought him here often.

In front of me, Leo acted like the perfect gentleman, carefully giving Elsa water as if the way he had spoken about her earlier was just an act. It took a while for Elsa to regain full consciousness. She immediately thanked Leo. Her eyes were only on him, completely unaware that I was even in the room.

"Thank you, Leo."

"It’s me who should be thanking you. Since you’re okay, I’ll head out."

Even though it was only a few steps to the door, Elsa insisted on escorting him, shakily getting to her feet. They could not help but embrace, dragging out their farewell as if it was a dramatic scene from a movie.

I stood there coldly, watching their performance.

Just as Leo was about to leave, he stopped and stepped back into the apartment.

"Oh, my bad. I almost forgot to apologize to you, cousin. Sorry for borrowing your new home and your girlfriend today. You’re not mad, are you?"

He apologized with his words, but his expression showed no remorse at all. His tone was casual, and his eyes even held a hint of provocation. Before I could respond, Elsa quickly jumped in.

"Of course, he’s not mad. You were just trying to keep your parents from worrying. It’s all for a good cause."

Leo grinned and said, "Honestly, if it weren’t for how beautiful you look, I would’ve thought you were still single after we broke up."

His words were completely nonsensical and lacked any logic, but Elsa still ate it up. Her cheeks flushed red almost immediately. Leo's eyes roamed over her boldly and his gaze was full of teasing intent.

I was standing right there, and they continued to flirt as if I did not exist. My expression grew colder.

As Leo finally prepared to leave, I stopped him.

"Wait a second! If you’re going, take your fiancée and get out of my place!"

Elsa stared at me in disbelief.

"Seth, what are you saying?"