Chapter 2

While waiting for the water to heat up in the bathroom, Hayden updated his social media again.

[I tried out a new popular milk tea place. A good buddy of mine queued for an hour, but the taste was just mid. I took a sip and gave the rest to someone else to enjoy.]

That someone else was clearly Kelly, who was smiling slightly at the camera.

I never knew that my girlfriend, who was so germaphobic that she refused to even share a cup with me, would drink from another man's drink.

I softly sighed and liked the post. Then I called my boss, Greg Simpson. "Mr. Simpson, I regret turning you down earlier. Can I still take on that project?"

Greg was surprised but mostly relieved. "You've finally come to your senses! If you do this project well, you’ll be promoted twice when you get back! It’ll just be one year abroad. Believe me, one year is nothing if it's true love."

I smiled and did not refute. That relationship had already ended.

I slowly finished my hot bath.

When I came out, Hayden's post was gone.

I was surprised. It turned out that Hayden was not as indifferent as he seemed.

Kelly suddenly called me.

I had a bad feeling, but I answered anyway.

"Who are you trying to piss off this time? You’re not answering my calls and not replying to my messages, and now, you’re making a fuss on Hayden's social media." She spoke rapidly, carrying a protectiveness I'd never heard when it came to me.

I suddenly felt exhausted. I worked overtime for a month straight to be able to see her, yet this was what I got in return.

"Kelly, whose girlfriend are you?"

She paused abruptly and stayed silent for a long time before finally answering with disappointment, "Do you have to make such a big deal out of this?"

"Kelly, maybe I should talk to him." Hayden’s hesitant voice came from the other end of the line.

I glanced at the time. It was 11 PM, which meant they had been together since 8 AM.

"No need. The more we indulge him, the bolder he becomes."

"But he’s my best friend, after all..."

The two whispered amongst themselves, discussing something before finally hanging up.

Their interaction carried a familiarity that made me realize the two of them had probably crossed the line much longer ago than I initially imagined.

I took a quick nap, but my frostbitten feet only grew more swollen.

I grabbed a cane and took a taxi to the hospital.

I gritted my teeth and endured the pain as the doctor cleaned my wound. After getting some medicine, I went home.

As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by a soft embrace and surrounded by the familiar scent of jasmine.

Seeing me staring blankly at her, Kelly smiled good-naturedly. "You ignored me, so I had to come to you."

My eyes welled up. As I opened my mouth to say something, she casually took the medicine from my hand. "What happened to you?"

"My feet are frostbitten."

She hummed in acknowledgement and casually put the medication on the table. She did not ask how it happened nor how serious it was.

Suddenly, her phone rang with that ringtone that always gave me a headache.

I did not know what Hayden said.

Kelly laughed happily and teased, "You asked me to come, so how could I have refused?"

My heart sank sharply. The slight feeling of gratitude I had felt vanished instantly.

I limped to the table, took a pill, and popped it into my mouth.

Kelly hung up, came over, and hugged me from behind. She said affectionately, "Stop being mad. I had my phone on silent that day. I was upset all night after you left."

I forced a smile. Her smile the next morning did not seem to be that of someone who had been upset all night.

"Besides, he's come over several times already. I just wanted to get it over with so I could focus on spending time with you."

I paused while drinking my water. "Does he hang out with you often?"

She smiled. "Are you jealous? Don't worry. He's like a greasy old man. I wouldn't want him. We just occasionally travel together, and it's only because you're too busy."

Seemingly not wanting to say more, Kelly turned and said she was going to take a shower, making sure to take her phone with her before leaving.