Jason’s eyes were dark, his voice low, “I’m
getting engaged tomorrow.”
“I know. Alex and I will be there.”
Seeing that he had nothing else to say, I said
goodbye again and left with Alex.
Instead of going to a movie, Alex took me
back to the studio and asked me to choose a
dress for tomorrow.
A row c ute couture dresses in my size
<
I stared at them, dumbfounded. “When did
you make all these? I had no idea.”
Alex shrugged. “I’ve liked you for so many
years, and you didn’t even notice. Take a
look. Any you like? If not, there are more in
my closet, all custom–made for you by other
designers.”
“Which one do you want me to wear?” I
asked.
“Wear whichever you like. It doesn’t matter
what I like.”
For years, Jason had dictated my every
choice, from what I ate to what I wore.
The only decision I’d made on my own was to
study
design in college.
Г
Now, Alex was suddenly letting me choose, and it felt strange, but good.
I picked a purple backless evening gown.
I’d never worn such a bright color or such a revealing style before. I felt a little self-
conscious.
But Alex was thrilled, praising how good it looked and taking pictures of me from every
angle, posting them online to show off.
[My girlfriend is gorgeous!]
Jason, rarely active on social media,
commented: The color and style aren’t
suitable for her. I’ll have someone send over
some dresses.
Г
Alex replied: Maybe you’re getting old, Mr.
Jason, and your tastes are different from us
young people. I think she looks great! Most
importantly, Chloe likes it!
Jason still sent over a few dresses.
He messaged me: [That dress isn’t suitable
for you. Pick one from the ones I sent.]
Jason always had good taste, but I still wore
the purple dress to the engagement party the
next day.
Alex, to match me, wore a purple suit.
His parents said it was too flashy, like a
peacock showing off its feathers, but he
refused to change.
L
But it didn’t matter anyway
–
the
engagement was canceled.
Melanie called me, crying, “You win, Chloe.”
I had no idea what she was talking about. She
hung up and blocked me.
Jason called me. “Sweetie, I’m not getting
married. Come home.”
“No, I like living on my own.”
I waited, but he didn’t say anything, so I hung
- up.
The next day, Alex took me to an amusement
park.
Jason had always said girls should be quiet
く
and well–behaved. Except for the carousel, I’d
never been on any rides.
I thought I wouldn’t like it, but it was Alex who
ended up crying on the roller coaster. I was
uneasy at first, but then I threw my arms up
and laughed, enjoying the wind. Even on the
way home, I was still buzzing.
“Can we go again tomorrow?” I asked
hopefully.
Alex slumped against my shoulder. “Babe,
have some mercy on me, will you?”
He nuzzled my neck.
I giggled, pushing him away. “Stop it, that
tickles!”
We called it dating, but our interactions were
much the same as before.
Sometimes Alex would hold my hand, put his
arm around my waist, or hug me, but nothing.
too intimate.
If I showed any discomfort, he’d immediately
stop, never making me feel uneasy.
We were laughing and joking as we reached
the studio.
A Rolls–Royce was parked in the dimly lit
street.
Jason leaned against the car, a cigarette
between his fingers, the ember glowing.
“Mr. Jason, what are you doing here?”
L
Seeing him, I stopped playing around and
instinctively adopted a more ladylike
demeanor.
Jason extinguished his cigarette. I couldn’t
see his expression in the dark, but his voice
was hoarse. “I’m here to take you home.”
Alex pinched my waist, clearly unhappy, but
he didn’t overstep and make the decision for
- me.
I grabbed his hand and smiled faintly. “I’m not
going back, Mr. Jason. We’re not related, and
living together is too close for comfort. It
could cause gossip, which wouldn’t be good
for either of us.”
Jason looked at me, said nothing, got in the
L
Not long after, my parents came to see me.
“Sweetie, shouldn’t you move back to
Jason’s? He’s been so good to you. We can’t
be ungrateful.”
“Yes, sweetie. And our family still relies on
Mr. Jason for many things…”
I interrupted them, my voice tight. “Mom, Dad,
do you even remember that my name is
Chloe?”
Why did they call me “sweetie” like everyone
else?
They fell silent.
I gave a bitter smile. “Haven’t you gotten
く
Embarrassed, they left.
Before New Year’s Eve, Jason fell seriously ill.
I knew that both my parents‘ visit and his
illness were his way of forcing me to see him.
But I still went.
Before I left, Alex hesitated several times.
He always spoke his mind, so it was rare to
see him so hesitant.
I chuckled. “Me being your girlfriend won’t
change just because I’m visiting a family
friend. What are you so nervous about?”
“Then I’ll wait for you to come back and
<
celebrate New Year’s Eve with me.”
“Okay.”
