CHAPTER 3: WHEN THE WORLD BETRAYS

Unknowingly or intentionally, the driver opens the melodious music, full of sad love songs. He struggles to switch from one song to another, perhaps he is afraid that the painful lyrics will hurt a girl behind, who had just discovered she had been cheated on by her lover. Daisy softly says:

"I'm fine, you don't have to worry about it.”

The driver smacks his lips and turns off the music.

“Miss, about a love story, we can't force it. Meeting each other in this life can be exchanged by hundreds of thousands of glances in the previous life. If fate comes, we stay together. If we run out of debt, then we go apart. You should also gladly accept it. Think about it easily, miss.”

Daisy does not answer. These Buddhist philosophies she had heard many times, starting from her parents both died in traffic accidents when she had just graduated from university. As for the love story between a man and a woman, if they knew early that they could not go together till the end of the road, why do they still have to forcefully meet once to cause suffering for others. If we have longed to meet each other so much, wouldn't the love of this life not be able to compensate for the predestined relationships in the previous life? The end of fate is just an excuse for changed hearts.

Only blame, Daisy has relied on David too much. Since they were just students until now, they together shared all things. David had been with her the whole time when she thought she wouldn't recover from the shock of losing a loved family. David made her feel that she was not alone in this world.

Daisy uses to believe that even if everyone turns their backs on her, David still stands by her side, loves, protects, and cheers her on. But now, the moment of realizing that belief is just an illusion like a soap bubble, inside the glittering surface is an emptiness.  Why are beautiful things so fragile? Daisy finds herself falling. The whole world around her suddenly collapses, bringing with it many beliefs and plans she had put David's name in it. The left is a mess.

New Generation company has appeared massively before her eyes. Daisy can understand why her company values this partner so much. Daisy carefully looks at her face in the mirror and re-applies her make-up once more time to make sure no one can notice she cried.

As soon as the receptionist hears Daisy’s name, she immediately leads Daisy to a small meeting room. However, contrary to the initial quick reception, the New Generation side lets Daisy wait for more than 30 minutes but no one welcomes her. She is afraid that she will think in vain, so she takes out the plan sheet and reads it again and again until she memorized it.

About an hour later, a middle-aged man appears. He politely knocks on the door and calls out Daisy's name before entering. His medium build, bright eyes, and calm face, all prove that this man has been on the business market for many years. Daisy takes a breath, stands up, and extends her hand to the man.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Van. I'm Daisy from Pai Huang company. Today, I really thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet.”

The man does not shake Daisy's hand, only makes a sign for her to sit down. He sits on Daisy’s opposite chair. Daisy is a little embarrassed and withdrew her hand that is lost in the middle of the air. After looking at Daisy thoughtfully for a few seconds, the man speaks up:

“Miss Daisy, thank you for coming today. But unfortunately, today Mr. Van has an unexpected business, so he can not meet you. He asks me to tell you that you can come back tomorrow afternoon.”

Daisy shivers in anger. The person who gave the meeting time was New Generation, then they let her wait for more than 1 hour. And now they require to postpone the appointment. This is clear that they want to give her a hard time! In normal, Daisy will surely happily leave with a smile and come back the next day. But today, everything is enough for her, she wants to make clear this case:

“So you are not Mr. Van, right? Who are you?”

“I'm Nghia, Mr. Van's secretary.”

“Oh, so you’re Mr. Nghia. Do you the one who suggested the meeting time today?”

Recognizing that Daisy's attitude is changed a bit different, Mr. Nghia still keeps a calm face, but his voice is a little warier:

“Mr. Van is the one who suggested giving your side an opportunity to present. But unfortunately, today he has an urgent important business, so he has to miss the appointment with you. I'm very sorry, Miss Daisy.”

"Give your side a chance to present", his way to use words is quite good. Daisy sneers.

“Mr. Nghia, you are Mr. Van's secretary, you must know that New Generation and Pai Huang are not strangers. This is already our the 3rd collaborative project. I believe that your company also appreciates Pai Huang's services and products, so your side decides to return to cooperate again. For me, the business operates based on the symbiosis principle. Both of us get profit, neither side is competitive or inferior to the other. Moreover, Pai Huang always cares and puts customers' interests first. A slight change in the plan compared to the previous agreement that made Mr. Van angry can bring great benefits to New Generation. And today I come to analyze for you those benefits, not to beg for a contract.”

Mr. Nghia is about to say something, but Daisy doesn't let him have a chance to explain, she continues speaking:

“Okay, according to Mr. Van's will, I will come back tomorrow to discuss the things that can't be agreed upon today. However, I hope that your company will have the willingness to cooperate as Pai Huang always shows with New Generation and our partners. If Mr. Van really does not want to continue this project, please contact me first, to avoid wasting my time.”

After saying that, Daisy stands up, bows, and goes straight out without waiting for Mr. Van's response.

When leaving the gate of New Generation company, Daisy secretly blames herself for doing something thoughtlessly. If she loses this contract, not only she will lose the opportunity to become a regional deputy director, but also her position in the current department will be lowered. Even if Rita becomes a regional deputy director, it will be difficult for Daisy to continue working in Pai Huang because Rita sees her as a thorn in the eye.

But what does that matter? Daisy strolls down the sidewalk and looks up at the tamarind trees that are changing leaves overhead. It is a matter of the future. Now she is alone, with no relatives, no lover, not even friends to confide in and cry for satisfaction. Her phone book was nothing but a string of meaningless social numbers. If she disappears now, surely no one will notice or be sad.

Daisy doesn't want to go back to work, so she decides to cross the street to catch the car and back home. Daisy is just setting her foot on the road, a motorcycle speeds up and crashes into her. His hand snatched the phone in Daisy's hand, and darts away. Daisy falls onto the cold pavement. She feels warm liquid running from her neck and down her back. But Daisy feels no pain.

A woman's voice squeals very near her, "She's been in an accident. Come and help!” Strange faces surround Daisy, screams… but then they all fade and disappear. In Daisy's eyes, there is only a green space filled with young tamarind leaves...