I didn't want to entertain her, but Lulu continued, "You know those corny romance novels where the male protagonist and the secondary male protagonist compete against each other just to find out that they're somehow blood-related? The whole story then becomes very suspenseful."Similarly, you're now stuck between Winston and Chris. Something might happen to prove that they're brothers. I sure can't wait for it."I laughed out loud. I came to Jinovy not long ago, and I had only met Winston twice. Why did she think that Winston and I would date each other? Jinovy had to be a very wondrous place to turn an art student into an imaginative visionary.Besides, why should I care if Winston and Chris were blood-related? I told Lulu very seriously that there would be nothing between Winston and me. She then dared me to have a bet with me. "Zara, if in the next three years, you and Winston don't end up dating each other, I'll give you a life-size portrait."If Winston manages to steal your h
I declined his help, of course. It was about to rain that day. Plus, asking a man in a suit and slacks to pick up trash with a trash bag might affect his personal image. We weren't friends, so I didn't want to bother him. I thought it was just a chance encounter and that I wouldn't meet him again.But fate had another plan. What would happen would happen—there was no use rushing it. Shortly after that day, I was walking home under my umbrella on a rainy day. A speeding car blitzed past a puddle, drenching my sportswear.I had begged Zachary for the longest time until he agreed to buy it for me. It was my first time wearing it, and it was all dirty because of the puddle water. I was so mad that I ran after the car to demand compensation. Alas, humans could not outrun a vehicle.Tired, I threw away my umbrella and caught my breath with both hands on my knees. I cursed at that speedy vehicle. Then, he appeared again. His umbrella shielded me from the rain as he looked at me from above.
For some reason, Chris rented a place near my university. It wasn't huge—two rooms and one living room, but it was more than enough for one tenant. We weren't together back then yet, so I had never been to his place.One evening, as I jogged at the central park opposite my university, I ran into a drunk Chris. He clung to me and begged me not to leave him. Unable to do anything, I sent him home. I wiped his face clean and took off the dirty jacket on him.Then, I tucked him in and sat on the floor before his bed, hearing him calling out Faye's name all night long. As I listened, I cried for his unrequited love and also for mine. I traced his facial features with my fingers as I told him how much I loved him.In the end, I said, "You fool, I'm the only one who loves you the most in this world. Why won't you notice me? Why can't you forget the woman who abandoned you?" He was still asleep. His brows furrowed into tight knots as if he was in so much pain.The next morning, Chris woke
I knew what Zachary said was true, but I chose not to listen to him because I wanted to try and see if Chris would fall in love with me. I knew how much he loved Faye, and I knew he dated me not because he liked me. But I loved him so much. I wanted to be with him.I knew Zachary was right. But stubbornly, I wanted to take the risk. No pain, no gain, right? The first three years we were together, we were alright. He wasn't very romantic, but we still talked nonetheless. We could engage in small talk, and he would go shopping with me.At times, he would give me presents. They were dainty things that a girl would like. They weren't expensive, but I loved the effort he put into them. The relationship wasn't full of surprises like others', but it was great to enjoy plain love like that. I was content to stay by his side.But in our fourth year of dating, he changed. He stopped communicating with me. I often sent him ten or 20 messages, only to receive one "OK" as his reply. He stopped c
When I heard that, I was so concerned. I disregarded how long he had abandoned me or how hurtful his cold treatment was. Instead, I drove under heavy rain to pick him up. When I arrived, there was no one else in the room. He was lying on the couch, presumably asleep."Faye, why did you leave me? Why?" Right when I wanted to pull him up, he mumbled those hurtful words that threatened to shatter my soul and my entire being. I loved him for five years, yet in the end, all he cared about was Faye.I gave him five years of my life. In his eyes, it was worth nothing. What kind of love would plague him so? Right, unattainable love. No wonder he never smiled at me. It was because he had never opened up to me. He didn't love me. He had never loved me. My love was but a sorry one-man show.That night, he slept on the couch. I ordered a dozen beer bottles and drank till I passed out. When I woke up, I held my head that throbbed with massive hungover and groaned. A pair of cold hands appeared a
Light gleamed in Chris' eyes. I had never seen him this happy or gentle in the past five years. So, he could be gentle and loving if he wanted. Why didn't he give me any of that in the past? Was I not good enough? Or was I too good to him?But I didn't want him anymore. I didn't want his love or affection. Why was he doing this? The pasta on my plate suddenly looked so bland, just like my mood. I took a few bites and lost all my appetite. Then, I asked him what he wanted.He looked at me for a while and smirked. Then, he grabbed my hands and put them in his. "Forgive me, Zara. I've been neglecting you because I've been very busy lately. We're getting old, and my parents have been asking me to get married. I also want to get married to you sooner."I was shocked. I couldn't believe that this was what he wanted to tell me. "Zara, my parents want to meet your parents so that we can discuss the wedding."I looked into his eyes, trying to glean any proof that he wanted to marry me becau
The instructor returned my phone. I charged it and switched it on. My phone was immediately flooded with many messages and voice messages that it almost died on me. Among all of them, Lulu left me the most messages. She must have missed me a lot.So, I decided to call her instead of my parents. I didn't know what she was doing, but she sounded excited when she picked up. She bombarded me with a lot of questions, and I didn't know which one I should answer first.She told me that Chris continued to wait downstairs in anticipation of me. He also went to Crystal House several times. Then, Lulu added that she once saw Winston punching Chris until Chris' nose bled. However, Chris was too cowardly to fight back.Lulu told me many things, most of which were saying that I shouldn't reconcile with Chris because he wasn't worth it. She wanted me to be happy and not lose myself to an infidel man. In the end, I asked Lulu to call my parents and Zachary to tell them that I was doing well.I als
"Can you handle spicy food?" Winston pointed at the menu and inquired seriously."I love spicy food."Winston cheered and said he finally found someone who liked spicy food. "Two servings of spicy meatballs and some cajun fries, then. Thank you."The owner then left with a smile. Before he left, he even gave Winston a mischievous look. I looked at him and at Winston in shock. They seemed to be harboring a secret from me.Winston saw that I noticed the discreet exchange between him and the owner, so he scratched the back of his head as he explained shyly, "I've been to this restaurant a few times. There's an event today. If you bring your girlfriend over, you'll get 50% off. I'm just a cheapskate. Please don't have any wrong ideas."I thought I could save some money if I didn't tell you. The owner looked at me weirdly just now because I always came here alone. I've never brought a girlfriend with me. But today, I brought a girl. So, he's just a bit curious."Urgh. He was too young