Chapter 3 Unpleasant Meeting

My mind was groggy, and I fell asleep only to wake up and then sleep again. When I finally thought a long stretch of sleep was upon me, a thunderous roar jolted me awake.

"What is the meaning of this, Queenie?" Zach yanked me out of bed and dragged me to the living room.

He jabbed a finger at my suitcase and demanded, "Why'd you pack up? Where are you going? The wedding's next week! How long are you dragging this out?"

I fell silent before answering, "You know what? This is pointless. Let's break up, Zach."

He didn't seem to have heard me.

His voice held fury underneath as he spoke. "Daisy knew you wanted to dine at that restaurant. When you didn't show up, she packed a portion of the food to go! You faked a cold and packed your stuff. Are you trying to make me pile up on the wedding gifts?"

I frowned. "Are you mad, Zach?"

"It's the truth." Zach shot me an indifferent look. "Daisy told me your family wanted 880 grand, and she had to negotiate hard for you guys to drop it to 80 grand. I might be rich, but I'm not a pig for you to slaughter."

My lips twitched, and my body trembled with rage. "You thought I was in this for money? All the gifts you've bought me are cheaper than a pair of shoes you bought Daisy, and it's their value combined! I didn't even leave you when you insulted me that far.

"Yet, you thought I was after your money?"

He turned away and snapped coldly, "Sure, you don't care about the money. Listen to yourself! Three out of your four previous sentences are all about money."

I laughed mirthlessly. It was my fault for loving Zach too deeply, and that gave him the chance to hurt me again and again.

"Enough, Zach. We're through."

I picked up my suitcase and strode off. I wasn't sure if he'd heard me talking about breaking up or if he only thought that was another part of my tantrum.

The answer didn't matter. I couldn't care less about him.

…

One afternoon, I was in a department store, buying stuff to send to Brundela. When I turned the corner, I ran into two familiar faces.

Zach was pushing a shopping cart, while Daisy was right by him. Panic overwhelmed me, and I knocked over a soap tower. The soaps crashed and tumbled right onto the ground.

Zach and Daisy turned to the commotion, their smiles freezing on their faces when they saw me.

"It's not what you think, Queenie. He wanted me to help him buy some stuff for the wedding," Daisy blurted frantically. At the same time, she showed me the gifts and decor in the shopping cart.

Zach pulled her away. "Don't waste your time explaining. She's petty enough to drag this whole thing out over one gown."

He put his arm around Daisy's shoulder and strode over to the cashier.

As I watched them leave, something in my heart tore open and left a hole behind.

I used to beg Zach to set some time aside for a shopping session with me, but he would always refuse, citing exhaustion or shopping being a hassle.

When we were preparing for the wedding, I told him everything that would be needed right down to the last detail, but all he said was "I'm not interested in doing any preparation."

Now, he was taking Daisy out to do the very thing he wasn't interested in.

When I left the store, I saw Zach had already filled the trunk with the stuff they had bought, just like how a caring boyfriend would. Daisy went into the passenger seat like it was her God-given right. She rolled down the window and waved at me.

"Get in. We'll give you a ride."

I didn't move.

She feigned ignorance for a while before acting like realization just hit her. "Oh, you're upset I took up the passenger seat? Sorry, I always get carsick. Besides, I'm used to sitting here that I didn't realize."

She tried to unbuckle herself, but Zach stopped her. "If she doesn't want to get in, that's her problem. Don't spoil her."

He revved the car up and drove off into the distance, leaving nothing but a cloud of exhaust smoke blowing raspberries in my face.