The year I turned 27, my family started hounding me about getting married. So, I abruptly broke things off with the guy I’d been practically worshipping for three years, and moved back to my hometown, ready to let my family set me up with someone. My friend, Chloe, asked, “You were so crazy about Julian. Are you really over him?” I scoffed. “Please. I’m not an idiot. He’s fine for a casual fling, sure, but marry him? I’d be absolutely miserable for the rest of my life.” A low, chillingly familiar voice suddenly cut in from beside me. “Oh, so *that’s* why you dumped me?” Dragging my luggage home, I bumped into a girl opening the door and walking out. She was wearing an oversized black sweater that showed off her delicate collarbones, giving her that ‘no pants’ look, paired with YSL goblet heels. I recognized her as the bassist from Jax’s band, Lily, I think her name was. She looked barely in her twenties, very pretty. I instinctively paused behind the hallway door, not stepping out. A moment later, Jax emerged from behind her, wearing only jeans, lazily leaning against the wall to light a cigarette. His upper body was bare, his sculpted abs and obliques still glistening with water. After a beat, he casually tossed a Chanel tote bag her way. “Here, take it.” Lily’s eyes lit up. She turned and threw herself onto Jax, screaming: “Ah, I’ve wanted this bag forever! Where did you get it?” “Picked it up on my last trip to Hong Kong.” “I totally love it, thanks, babe!” Lily still wanted to linger, but Jax was already getting impatient, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Alright, hurry up and go.” The girl slid off him, half-pouting, half-coquettish: “So heartless. Just called me ‘babe,’ and now you’re kicking me out.” She didn’t seem mad, though, happily slinging the bag over her shoulder and blowing Jax a kiss. “See ya, tomorrow!” After she left, I stepped out from behind the hallway door. Jax didn’t seem to expect me back so suddenly; he froze for a second, but his expression quickly returned to normal. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?” I watched him for a while. “It was late. I didn’t want to call and disturb your rest.” The fresh hickeys on Jax’s neck were still very visible, but he showed no guilt. He just wrapped an arm around me and led me inside. “I’m hungry. Fix something to eat.” He sat on the couch and turned on the TV as if nothing had happened. Seeing me not move for a while, he frowned. “What’s wrong?” Then he seemed to realize, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Missed me?” He got up and came behind me, wrapping his arms around me. His warm breath swirled ambiguously on my neck, and his hand slowly slipped under my top. “Then let’s eat you first, then dinner—” He’d played guitar for years, his fingertips calloused and rough, causing a prickly sting and itch as they brushed my skin. I closed my eyes, tiredly pulling away from him. I was definitely into Jax’s body. Honestly, I’d mostly pursued him because of his killer looks. But maybe it was the long flight I’d just finished, or maybe it was that woman, but right now I just felt exhausted, completely not in the mood. Jax was rarely rejected by me; he paused, then his face darkened slightly. “What’s up?” I looked down and saw a crumpled black mass on the carpet. It was a pair of torn Balenciaga logo tights, utterly ruined. Jax clearly saw the tights too. He let out a “Tsk,” and his expression turned sour. The living room fell into an anxious silence. He pulled a cigarette from the pack and lit it, the menthol capsule crackling as he bit into it. “Her lease was up, and she had nowhere to stay, so I let her crash for a night.” “It was nothing.” I looked at Jax, our intersecting gazes separated by the white smoke. We couldn’t quite make out each other’s expressions. But we both knew how utterly lame that excuse was. This wasn’t the first time Jax had cheated. He was probably a born philanderer; he was like this the first time I met him. Back then, my best friend wanted to take me to see a pretty famous rock band perform, raving about how hot the lead singer was and how hard it was to get tickets. I wasn’t really into rock music, always pretty unenthusiastic. Until Jax stepped onto the stage. He strummed his guitar, head bowed. His dark hair, free of gel, fell casually across his pale forehead, occasionally revealing thin, pink eyelids. He was the most casually dressed person there, just a simple black T-shirt and jeans, yet he instantly became the focal point of the crowd. That face was the most expensive luxury item. He lifted his eyes, the hazy stage lights reflecting in his amber pupils, carrying a faint, elusive smile. It was my first time at a band performance. My best friend and all the girls in the audience were screaming like crazy, their shouts almost piercing the roof. His gaze swept over the roaring crowd, and our eyes met for a fleeting second before he looked away. The songs that night were beautiful, but I didn’t hear any of them clearly. Because at that moment, all was silent, and I only heard the thunderous beat of my own heart. After the show, countless girls swarmed backstage to ask for his contact info, and I was among them. I’d been single my entire 23 years; that was probably the bravest thing I’d ever done. Jax never refused anyone. Every girl who asked for his SnapChat that day got his QR code, including me. A year later, all the girls flocking after him had eventually given up; only I was still persistent. I don’t know if it was out of pity, or being touched, or something else, but Jax tacitly accepted our relationship. I became his girlfriend, and we’d been together ever since. But I knew that in all these years, Jax had never truly liked me. Or maybe he did like me—he liked my understanding nature, my generosity, and how I never made a fuss. He’d cheated on me many times, but each time, as long as he gave me a halfway decent excuse, I’d forgive him. He’d told me many times that I wasn’t his type, and he was only with me because I was good to him. He even joked that the day he found his true love, he’d dump me. Our relationship had only survived because of my constant compromise and sacrifice. “You promised me you wouldn’t cheat again.” My voice was low, as I looked at the ruined Balenciaga logo tights on the floor. A flicker of sarcasm crossed Jax’s eyes; he had no intention of sweet-talking me. “You actually fell for that?” He hooked a corner of his mouth, leaning closer and blowing mint-scented smoke into my face, his expression utterly malicious. “Can’t handle it?” “If you can’t handle it, then break up.” He’d said words like this to me countless times before. Each time, the ending was me clinging to him, begging him not to leave. Over time, he’d learned how to push my buttons. He knew that when he said those words, I was powerless. I turned my head. “I’m tired. I’m going to rest.” Jax grabbed my wrist. His prominent brow ridge always gave him a formidable intensity when he was expressionless. “Skylar, that’s enough.” I pulled my hand free and went into the bedroom. Soon after, a thunderous slam of the front door echoed from outside. Jax was gone. He was angry, I knew. After all, I was always fawning over him, always trying to appease him, and I’d never once acted defiant towards him like this. I rolled over and checked my phone. In the family SnapChat group, my mom had sent a message tagging me. “Your mom has never pressured you before, but you’re 27 this year, it’s about time you thought about marriage, don’t you think?” “My colleague’s son has great potential, and I think he looks decent. How about you come back this holiday and meet him?” Then I opened a message from my boss. “Skylar, the branch office is really understaffed right now. With your capabilities, being a deputy department manager is frankly an underuse of your talent. Are you interested in going to the branch office as a manager? It’ll definitely be harder to open up new business at first, but it’s up to you.” My mom was calling me home for a blind date. The company had just opened a new branch office, right in my hometown. All the stars aligned. It seemed I truly had no reason to stay here. I sighed. Honestly, I really did like Jax. He was handsome enough, had a great body, and we were incredibly compatible in bed. Most importantly, he was enough of a jerk. Being with him was easy because I didn’t have to worry about being responsible for him, or about our future together. When I first started working, I was swamped and desperately wanted someone to relieve the stress. But I was just average-looking myself, yet a total sucker for good looks, so I couldn’t find anyone suitable until I met Jax. He’d spent his prime years with me, and while I was busting my ass for my career, he was a great stress reliever in bed. And even though he had a messy love life, he was careful about it. Before we got together, I heard that any woman he dated had to show a health certificate from within three days. I always used protection, so I wasn’t worried about getting sick. It would probably be hard to find such a satisfying man again. But there was nothing for it. Dating was one thing; settling down and getting married was another. I liked Jax a lot. But I also knew clearly that he wasn’t the right partner for me. Now, it was time for me to make a choice.
Jax didn’t come home that night. He didn’t show up for the next few days either. My messages and calls to him all went unanswered. When I tried again, I just got a red exclamation mark. He’d blocked me – his usual passive-aggressive silent treatment. This had happened a few times before. Jax was a master of the cold war, and each time I’d have to swallow my pride and coax him for ages before he’d even look at me. But this time, I was too busy with work transfers to sweet-talk him. That evening, as I was buying a plane ticket back to my hometown, my phone rang. It was one of Jax’s friends. The other end of the line was noisy, with men and women laughing and shouting, and music so loud it was grating even through the phone. “Skylar, Jax is totally drunk. Can you come pick him up?” Jax loved clubs. His family was rich; the band was just a hobby, not how he made money. I once asked him why he didn’t join the family business. He scoffed, saying his half-siblings were fighting tooth and nail over it, and he wasn’t interested in squabbling over table scraps. Anyway, his grandfather’s inheritance and his mom’s would both go to him. He wasn’t short on cash; he just wanted to do what he liked in life. Jax seemed to have zero career ambition, and we had nothing in common on that front. Whenever I landed a big project at work or got a promotion, he always acted completely uninterested. He once scoffed, “What’s the point of busting your ass for a paycheck that barely covers one night’s bar tab for me?” I knew, deep down, we weren’t the same kind of people. Aside from physical compatibility, we had no common ground. I didn’t care about his soul; I just liked his body. He ignored my inner self, just accustomed to my understanding nature. It was fine, really. This way, when we broke up, neither of us would be sad. I thought for a moment, then said okay. Hanging up, I looked out the window. The city at night seemed even more magnificent than by day, with endless lights and bustling traffic, all woven together, obscuring the light of every star in the sky. I glanced at my plane ticket – 8 AM the day after tomorrow. I sighed. Honestly, I hadn’t wanted to break up so soon. Jax and I were really compatible in bed, and changing jobs had been pretty stressful these past few days. I’d actually wanted to have one last fling with him. I clicked my tongue, a little regretful, but since the opportunity had arisen, there was nothing for it. When I arrived at the club, Jax was surrounded by a gaggle of girls. Beautiful women of all shapes and sizes, all pretty, their heavy makeup couldn’t hide their youthful faces, practically brimming with youth. No wonder girls liked him. Jax was rich, generous, and handsome. His philandering almost seemed to add to his charm. I touched my own face, remembering Jax’s critical words from before. “You’re 27 now, get facials if you need them, can’t you put some effort into your appearance?” No wonder he looked down on me, surrounded by girls barely in their twenties. I said nothing, standing outside the crowd. My eyes met Jax’s. But he acted as if he didn’t see me, quickly shifting his gaze. Lily’s face was flushed, her body pressed tightly against him, her voice sticky-sweet. “Just one more drink, Jax.” Jax smiled. Under the lights, his eyes curved beautifully, yet utterly devoid of warmth. “Drinking like this is boring. How about you feed me?” “How?” Jax said nothing, just lowered his gaze to her. Half a second later, Lily understood. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, and she tilted her head back, downing the caramel-colored whiskey in her glass! Then Jax abruptly hooked her chin and kissed her fiercely. His kiss was utterly devoid of tenderness, seemingly a pure release of emotion. Lily tilted her head back, enduring it, her eyes gradually moistening from lack of oxygen. Liquid spilled from the corners of their mouths, shimmering under the lights, stretching into a long silver thread when they finally broke apart. The atmosphere around us instantly exploded; everyone was screaming and cheering. I knew he was doing it on purpose. He was punishing me. Punishing me for acting defiant that day, and for not sweet-talking him afterward. It wasn’t until I walked up to Jax that everyone finally noticed me, and the noise gradually quieted. Jax looked up, his expression distant. “What are you doing here?” I stared at his face, vaguely recalling our intimate days, when we’d whispered words of love in the throes of passion. Did it hurt? A little, I suppose. But not excruciatingly so, since I’d always known Jax was like this. Promiscuous, constantly seeking thrills, unable to say no. Selfish, probably spoiled from childhood, always self-centered, never considering others’ feelings. My voice trembled as I said, “Jax, you’re going too far.” Jax looked up at me. He was sitting, and I was standing, yet I felt as though he was looking down on me. His expression remained distant, a faint, scornful smile on his lips. “Going too far? You can break up. Nobody’s stopping you.” I said nothing, just watched him. I couldn’t count how many times he’d threatened to break up with me. Fifty times? Or a hundred? One of his friends beside him seemed to think he’d gone too far. After all, everyone had seen how I treated him over the years. He whispered to Jax: “Jax, don’t be mad at Skylar. Look, she’s almost crying.” In fact, I was crying. If you’re going to act, you might as well go all out. When that tear hit the floor, I clearly saw Jax’s expression change. The hand holding his cigarette twitched, but he still said nothing, just watched me coldly. The next second, I softly said, “Okay, Jax.” “Then let’s break up.” Jax’s face instantly turned incredibly ugly. For a moment, I almost thought he was going to explode! Yet, instead of raging, he laughed, though the laugh looked like he was grinding his teeth. “Damn, Skylar. Fine, but I’m not someone who goes back on his word.” “Just don’t come crawling back to me like a dog later.” “Okay.” I nodded, wiping away the tears from my eyes. Then I turned and left, not looking back at him once. Jax didn’t come home that night. I deleted all his contact info and everything related to him, then packed my bags. The next morning, I caught the earliest flight back to my hometown. As the plane flew above the clouds, I removed my SIM card and tossed it into the trash bag.
I didn’t contact Jax again. After posting a few late-night emo statuses on Ins to cultivate a wounded persona, I promptly forgot about him. Life back in my hometown resumed its regular pace. I quickly adapted to the new company’s operations and met the men my parents set me up with. The 28-year-old programmer, already showing signs of balding, babbled on: “I think women should prioritize family after marriage. What I mean is, you shouldn’t work after marriage. Don’t be too career-focused; take good care of the home. Every successful man should have a woman behind him…” He prattled on, and I smiled at my coffee cup, thinking I absolutely had to resist dumping it on that insufferable pig. Finally, he finished speaking and peered at me. “Did you hear everything I just said? Do you have anything to add?” I maintained my smile. “No, but Mr. Jenkins, I don’t think we’re a good match. Perhaps we shouldn’t continue meeting.” Then, amidst his rambling about “women over 25 losing their value, what are you being picky about, old woman…” I turned and left. It had been weeks since I returned home, and my mom had set me up with quite a few dates, some of whom were actually pretty good catches. However, once you’ve seen the ocean, it’s hard to be impressed by a mere stream. After being with someone as exceptional as Jax, I genuinely couldn’t bring myself to accept these average guys. This feeling persisted until a company meeting. Everyone arrived early, sitting silently around the conference table, the atmosphere tense. I quietly asked the VP next to me, “What’s going on? Is something wrong with the company?” The VP leaned closer. “The old chairman’s son is being parachuted in. I hear he’s starting with our branch office to get some experience, then he’s taking over the whole group.” “This Mr. Kingston supposedly went to Harvard, worked at Goldman Sachs for a few years after graduating, then went out on his own in finance and made billions overnight. If the old chairman hadn’t been coercing him all these years, he wouldn’t have come back. He’s a truly formidable individual, so be extremely careful when talking to him!” Soon after, a young man in a black suit walked in. He wore a black wool coat draped over his shoulders, and as he entered the office, someone behind him respectfully took his coat. His leather shoes stopped. I looked up. Not just me, but everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn to him. The first thing that struck me was the man’s aura. It was the air of someone who had long been in a position of power, accustomed to control. He wasn’t overtly arrogant, yet everyone in the room, including me, felt an irresistible urge to lower their heads and avoid eye contact with him. It was only then that I noticed his exceptionally clear eyes, his dark hair slicked back with gel, revealing a strong brow ridge. I’d heard that the chairman’s wife was French. The elegant blonde hair and blue eyes combined perfectly with Eastern aesthetics in him, a typical Western bone structure with an Eastern complexion. This man was incredibly handsome, on par with Jax, but his overwhelming presence made you overlook his looks at first glance. “Apologies, my flight was delayed. I’m late.” He first admitted his mistake, then took the head seat and immediately got to business. “My name is Declan Kingston, and I will be your General Manager from now on. I’ve already reviewed the company’s basic information and financial reports. Now, starting with the VPs, everyone will give me a brief report on their work achievements over the past year and the projects they are currently handling.” The managers one by one nervously went up to report. Mr. Kingston was indeed the elite everyone said he was, pointing out every detail of anyone trying to be vague. “I don’t like vague statements, and I don’t like being strung along. I hope to communicate well with all of you, but if my communication isn’t effective, I’ll consider other methods.” He didn’t curse or yell at anyone, yet everyone broke out in a cold sweat. Even my palms were faintly damp when I stood up. Thankfully, I was well-prepared, and my work performance over the past year had been excellent. The more I spoke, the more eloquent I became. My education and career were my pride, and the most important things in my life; I never cut corners on them. Mr. Kingston didn’t interrupt me. I saw a hint of appreciation in his eyes. A moment later, I stopped, indicating I was done. He nodded. “Skylar Stone, correct? Excellent.” “From now on, all work reports should meet this standard.” Ever since Mr. Kingston arrived, everyone’s workload had surged. He cleared out a lot of redundant tasks and bad assets, and also secured many high-quality projects. Everyone worked longer hours, but their salaries also increased. My colleagues, especially the younger female ones, were all very interested in Mr. Kingston. Two new junior employees, high on some rom-com fantasy, tried the “dominant CEO falls for innocent intern” routine. One openly argued with him in a meeting. The other spilled coffee on his three-thousand-dollar shirt and then tried to wipe it with her hand. The first one was fired the next day. The second one was fired that very day. The female colleagues all learned their lesson, but during breaks, they still gathered in the break room to gossip about him. “I heard he’s never had a girlfriend. Could he still be a virgin?” “No way, you watch too many dramas. A guy like him? So many women are after him, how could he still be a virgin?” “I’d pay a year’s bonus to spend one night with him, he’s absolutely divine! Did you see him in his suit pants the other day? Oh my god, he’s seriously packing!” Listening nearby, I suddenly found myself intrigued. Without Jax, Declan seemed like an even better option. This man, I wanted to try.
I started appearing regularly in front of Declan. He arrived at work half an hour early every day, and three days a week, I’d catch the same elevator as him. Usually, it was just the two of us. I wouldn’t say much, just a simple greeting, pressing his floor, then standing quietly to the side. Then, unfailingly, I’d go for a coffee refill at noon every day. He usually came for coffee around that time too. I’d make sure never to actually meet him in the break room, leaving before he finished, but making sure he saw me. Occasionally, I’d work late, and he’d pass my desk on his way out. Finally, on the 17th time he saw me working overtime, he paused and walked over to my desk. “I’ve seen you working late often lately. Are you running into any problems?” I looked up, feigning surprise. After a moment’s hesitation, I handed him the documents I was holding. “I just took on a new project, but there are some assets in this company whose risks I’m not entirely sure about, so I’m trying to research them more.” Declan naturally sat down at the workstation next to mine. “Let me see.” He carried a faint, woody scent, which, mixed with my subtle rose perfume, created an indescribable, intoxicating aroma. “I think this project is viable. Look at their company’s 2023 financial report; their financial situation is pretty good, and…” He spoke eloquently, and I nodded attentively, occasionally asking highly professional questions. After he answered each one, I’d show a look of sudden realization. “Oh, I see! Thank you, Mr. Kingston. I’d never thought about it from that angle before.” “Your professional abilities are already excellent; you just lack a bit of work experience. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” “Go home early,” he said, making a rare joke. “Don’t let people think I’m some kind of evil boss, forcing employees to work overtime all the time.” I nodded, gathered my documents, and went downstairs with him. As we exited, raindrops, driven by the wind, brushed against me. I hesitated, stepping back. Declan, who was about to leave, turned back when he saw me. “What’s wrong?” I waved my hand. “Nothing, Mr. Kingston, you go ahead. I… I just remembered something I need to do.” He didn’t ask further, nodded, and left. Five minutes later, his car pulled out of the underground parking lot. I was still standing at the company entrance. Declan lowered his window. “Did you not drive?” I looked a little embarrassed. “No, I didn’t. It’s raining, so it’s hard to get a ride. It’s fine, Mr. Kingston, I’ll just wait a bit longer, and one should show up.” He said, “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.” On the way, I talked a lot with Declan. He seemed a little surprised to find our interests aligned so well. Even a niche movie I liked, *The Holy Mountain*, turned out to be his favorite too. Declan’s initially reserved demeanor gradually became more talkative. When we reached my apartment building, he actually didn’t hit the brakes and drove past it. I pursed my lips, about to remind him, when he realized his mistake. “Sorry, I wasn’t looking at the GPS.” After the car stopped, I thanked him again for the ride home. Declan just nodded, his lips parting slightly as if to say something, then closing again. “What is it, Mr. Kingston?” I looked at him. “What perfume are you wearing? It smells nice.” The words were out, and he seemed to regret them a little, but saying anything more would only make it more awkward, so he simply lowered his head, silent. I smiled inwardly. “Penhaligon’s The Coveted Duchess Rose. Well, Mr. Kingston, see you tomorrow.”
I stood behind the curtain, watching Declan leave. Then I picked up a notebook from the table. To catch this opportunity, I hadn’t driven to work in ages. Luckily, today’s weather forecast was accurate, and I really did get that rain. I opened the notebook, filled with notes on Declan’s preferences. Information about him was scarce; I’d painstakingly found his old social media accounts from his school days, meticulously recording every detail, which was how I’d learned about his likes. Even *The Holy Mountain*, I’d only watched last night. There was no other way. For an average girl like me to land an exceptional man like him, I had to put in extra effort. I curved my lips, sitting on the bed, just about to rest, when my phone rang. It was an unknown number, but a familiar voice answered. Jax’s tone was indifferent. “You left a lot of your stuff at my place. Come get it.” “Otherwise, I’m throwing it all out.” I had indeed left some things behind when I moved out, but they were all things I didn’t need and that took up space. I thought, knowing Jax’s personality, he’d just toss them, so I was surprised he called to tell me. “Just throw them all out. I don’t want them.” I said, flipping through my notebook on how to win Declan over, my voice a little dismissive. Jax on the other end was clearly displeased. After a long silence, he hung up directly. He was always like that, moody, always needing to be coaxed. But now, I no longer had an obligation to humor him. After blocking the number, I put the matter out of my mind. After interacting with Declan yesterday, I couldn’t use the same approach today. I left work early for once and went to a bar with a friend for a few drinks. After three rounds, we were both a little buzzed. My friend squinted at me. “You used to be so crazy about Jax. Now that you’ve suddenly broken up, are you really over him?” When I was with Jax, my friends always used to scold me, frustrated that I was such a doormat, so pathetic. But I didn’t think much of it. Since I was using Jax for his body, I had to give something in return. Besides, whether I was fawning over him or not was my choice; how was that pathetic? I put down my glass. “Someone like him is only for dating. I’m not stupid; messing around when you’re young is one thing.” “If I actually married him, I’d be miserable my whole life, wouldn’t I?” My friend gave me a thumbs-up. “Awesome. Your perspective is on another level. You’re right, Jax was at his best when you were ‘playing’ him, you were actually the mastermind all along—” She suddenly stopped talking, her expression horrified as she looked behind me. “Am I effing hallucinating from all this booze?!” A faint, chilling laugh came from behind me, instantly sobering me up! “Oh? So that’s why you dumped me?” I stiffly turned around. Jax, wearing a silk white shirt, was leaning against the wall, watching me coldly. My friend, being utterly disloyal, snuck off. Jax yanked me into an empty hallway, looking down at me. I seriously thought he was about to murder me. “What are you doing here?” I preempted him. “You didn’t come specifically for me, did you?” Jax lazily tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Skylar, get real. Did you honestly think I came here for *you*?” “I’m here with the band for a gig. But if I hadn’t bumped into you by chance, I just found out I’d just been your convenient plaything all this time.” “I was just kidding with my friend, you know. You hurt me so deeply, and I have my pride too.” I turned my head away, refusing to look at Jax, but he grabbed my chin and forcibly turned it back. He bit down on one side of his jaw. “Skylar, have you always taken me for an idiot?” Yes, I silently answered, forcefully freeing my throbbing chin from his grip, maintaining a calm demeanor. “Jax, no matter what, I was dedicated to you these past few years. Honestly, tell me, how did I treat you?” “I’ve done nothing wrong to you; rather, it’s always been you who hurt me. Even if I did ‘play’ you, it wasn’t for nothing. Doesn’t my youth count for anything?” “Since we’ve come this far, let’s just part ways amicably. After all—” I paused, unable to say “love.” “After all, we did have something.” Jax watched me for a long time. Just when I thought he was about to get angry again, he suddenly smiled. Under the lights, his eyes were as beautiful as ever, but my heart no longer stirred. No matter how handsome a person is, after seeing them for over a thousand days and nights, you eventually get enough. “Skylar, you think too highly of yourself.” Jax curled his lips. “Of course we’ll part ways amicably. Did you think I’d cling to you?” “Just remember, you didn’t dump me; I, Jax, dumped you.” With that, he turned and left, as if I were some kind of repulsive dirt behind him. I watched his retreating back and silently sighed. Jax had indeed never been dumped in his life, so maybe being dumped by me made him feel incredibly annoyed. But if thinking that made him feel better, I didn’t care.
I maintained my usual frequency of working overtime, and Declan also started leaving later each day. Occasionally, he’d give me a ride. The late autumn, early winter air carried a crisp chill. In the stream of car lights, pedestrians huddled in coats, the coldness making everyone feel a little more distant, yet instinctively wanting to draw closer. We’d talk about company projects, discuss what we’d both been up to recently. I’d vent to him about people from partner companies, and sometimes he’d agree. “Yeah, I think that guy’s a complete jerk too.” Then we’d both laugh. Over time, I could feel his interest in me gradually growing. So, on the day of the first snowfall, I decided to take a bolder step. I asked him for leave, and when he asked why, I hesitated, then replied, “Something came up at home.” Logically, he shouldn’t have pressed for details, but Declan frowned. “Did something happen with your family? Is there anything I can do to help?” I gave an awkward laugh. “No, it’s not that. My mom is forcing me to go on a blind date.” Declan froze. It was rare to see that expression on his face. I added, “I’m 27 now, and my family keeps pressuring me. I’ve put it off before, but this time I can’t avoid it.” After a long silence, Declan looked down. “Alright, but you know the company is pretty busy right now, so I can only approve you for—” He pretended to check his watch, “—two hours. I think that’s enough for a blind date. Alright, you now have one hour and fifty-nine minutes left.” I hadn’t lied to Declan; I really was going on a blind date. My recent blind dates hadn’t gone anywhere, and my mom was practically frantic. This time, though, the blind date was surprisingly good quality: he’d returned from overseas, worked at a major tech company, was 6’0”, and seemed well-mannered, speaking respectfully, with no mansplaining comments whatsoever. I was intrigued and ended up chatting with him for quite a while. Mid-conversation, my blind date went to the restroom. I looked down at my phone, then felt someone sit across from me. I was about to speak, but stopped. Sitting in front of me was none other than Jax. He was nearly 6’3”, and the couch, perfectly sized for my blind date, felt a bit cramped for him. His long legs had nowhere to go, so he leaned as far back as possible. Jax fiddled with my blind date’s Volkswagen car keys left on the table, scoffing. “You dumped me just to come back and go on blind dates with this kind of loser?” The smile faded from my face. “Didn’t you say you were here with the band for a gig? Why haven’t you left yet?” “The band’s schedule changed. You think I want to stay in this godforsaken place?” I said sternly, “I hope you’ll respect my blind date. He’s a good person. Please leave immediately and don’t disrupt my date.” Jax’s face instantly darkened, the smile vanishing from his lips. My blind date returned, looking confused at the scene. “Excuse me, who are you?” Jax didn’t even glance at him, his presence radiating low pressure. “I’m her boyfriend. If you know what’s good for you, get lost.” I quickly explained, “No, he’s not, I—” But Jax stood up and grabbed my wrist. “What, do we need to kiss right here for you to believe it?” By the time I wrestled free from his grip, my blind date had already left, his face red with anger. I exploded. “Jax, what is wrong with you?! We broke up!” Jax leaned back on the couch, the smile on his lips looking utterly punchable. “That was your unilateral decision. I didn’t agree.” “Dating isn’t like marriage; it doesn’t need mutual consent! And you clearly said you’d never go back to exes!” “I changed my mind,” Jax said as easily as if discussing what to eat for dinner, completely unburdened. “I realized you’re pretty good at taking care of people. You made me feel pretty comfortable when we were together. I don’t want to break up anymore.” When people are speechless, they sometimes laugh. I twitched my lips. “But *I’m* not comfortable.” “My prime years were wasted on you! What’s so uncomfortable for you?” He raised his voice, causing others to look our way. I wanted to crawl into a hole and bury myself. I leaned forward to cover his mouth. “Shut up—” Jax grabbed my hand. I watched him flash a mischievous grin. “You haven’t met any good men since we broke up, have you? Skylar, you know deep down, I’m the best you’ll ever get.” “And we were so compatible in bed. Instead of being with those losers, how about we—” His words cut off because a hand pulled me away. I looked up. Declan was still wearing his black suit from the office, his brows deeply furrowed. “Didn’t you say you were here for a blind date? Why is there a physical altercation? Is he harassing you?” I was completely dumbfounded. My original plan was to make Declan jealous, but then Jax had unexpectedly shown up. And just when Jax was acting completely bonkers, Declan had arrived! “I’m her boyfriend. Who are you, interfering?” Jax stood up, annoyed, the two tall men facing each other. “I’m Skylar Stone’s boss,” Declan said calmly. “And as far as I know, Skylar Stone doesn’t have a boyfriend.” “Does she need to report her relationship status to you?” Jax turned to me, a smirk on his face. “Oh, no wonder you dumped me so readily. So, this is your new guy, huh?” “Skylar, does he know what a manipulative person you are? Are you planning to use your usual manipulative tactics on him too?” Even though I usually kept my emotions in check, I was furious now. Just as I was about to retort, Declan spoke. “So, you’re the ex-boyfriend who got dumped. If Skylar dumped you, it means she doesn’t like you anymore. Clinging on won’t help.” Jax’s face darkened. Declan then looked at me. “Your leave time is up. There’s a meeting waiting for you at the company. Let’s go.” Ignoring everything else, I frowned at Jax. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but Jax, what do I owe you after all these years? We got together willingly; I never forced you.” “I’ll say it again: I hope we can part ways amicably. Please, don’t bother me again!” Jax wanted to say more, but after my words, his eyes clouded over, and he said nothing further. Declan grabbed my wrist and led me out. “Was that really your ex-boyfriend?” In the car, Declan’s arms rested on the steering wheel, his voice heavy. “Weren’t we supposed to go back to the company for a meeting?” “Was that man your ex-boyfriend?” he repeated. “Yes,” I rubbed my face, giving a bitter laugh. “We were together for three years. I used to really like him, but he cheated on me again and again, and I just couldn’t take it anymore.” “My reason for coming back to my hometown this time was because of our breakup. I was so deeply hurt, and I was just starting to feel better these past few days with you—” I glanced at Declan’s expression, then said sadly. “I was doing so much better, and then I didn’t expect him to come back and harass me again.” Declan looked at me. “He doesn’t deserve you. Don’t be soft-hearted.” “Cheating is either once or a hundred times. His infidelity shows he can’t overcome his animal instincts; he hasn’t evolved. He’s a man with no self-control, and he doesn’t love you enough.” “You should find a responsible man.” My lips involuntarily curved upward, but I quickly pressed them down, saying sadly, “But good men like you are so rare. Where am I supposed to find a man like that?” Declan’s earlobes slowly flushed red. He coughed. “Well, I suppose only I could be worthy of you.”
Three days later, as I was drinking at a bar, Declan sent me a message. He asked when I was coming back to work. That day, when he said those words that were almost a confession, I was truly stunned. I hadn’t expected him to be so direct. But I didn’t say anything either. I was serious about Declan. After getting to know him these past few days, he truly exceeded my expectations in every aspect for a partner. So, we couldn’t just stumble into a relationship like that. Not like with Jax. A muddled beginning always led to a muddled ending. Conveniently, using the excuse of a broken heart, I took my annual leave and went out with friends to relax. This bar was unique in the city for being high-end, not too rowdy, and the band played great music. I enjoyed watching the handsome men and beautiful women on the dance floor while drinking with my friend. Then, at some point, the music stopped. After a moment, guitar strings strummed again. “I found a love for me Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me ‘Cause we were just kids when we fell in love Not knowing what it was I will not give you up this time …” A magnetic, slightly hoarse voice began to sing. My drinking hand paused, and I opened my eyes wide, looking at the stage. Jax, in a black shirt, sat on a high stool, strumming his guitar. A silver chain gleamed at his neck. In an instant, the rowdy crowd and the hazy lights vanished. I could only see the faint glimmer in his eyes as our gazes met. The young girls below were going wild, all discussing going to ask for his SnapChat later. Everything was just like the first time we met. Except this time, I wasn’t the one walking towards him. Jax, still holding his guitar, slowly walked off the stage and smiled at me. “Can I add you on SnapChat?” The whole place erupted in cheers. I, who always thought my heart was calm as still water, felt a genuine ripple. I looked at Jax with a complicated expression. “What’s the point?” It wasn’t false modesty. I could tell Jax genuinely liked me. But how much of his liking was for *me*, for who I truly was? Or was it just because I took such meticulous care of him when we were together, because I was the “understanding” one who never argued about his infidelity? I felt that perhaps everything he was doing now was because, in his subconscious, I had always been the weaker party, and he had full control over our relationship. Now, he couldn’t accept being dumped by *me*, his former doormat. The crowd slowly dispersed. Jax gave a nod to the stage, the music resumed, and he sat down next to me, leaning back against the booth sofa, sighing. “What you said that day, I went home and thought about it. You were right.” “All these years we were together, you never did me wrong. You gave a lot, and it was always me hurting you. I can understand why you’d leave.” His expression was a little strained, as if there were words he really didn’t want to say but had to, spoken with a clumsy unfamiliarity. “Um, if I change from now on, I’ll be good to you, and I won’t get out of line with other women, can you—” As if remembering his earlier vow to never go back on his word, his face flushed. He seemed to steel himself. “Can you get back together with me?” “I’m sorry, everything before was my fault!” I stared at Jax in surprise, half-convinced he’d been possessed. Jax, who had always looked down on me, was actually apologizing and asking to get back together. “Who put you up to this?” I knew this wasn’t his usual style; someone had to be advising him. Jax pursed his lips. “…My buddies. After we broke up, they all told me I’d been a total jerk and if I wanted to win you back, I had to swallow my pride—” At this point, his embarrassment seemed to hit its limit. “So, do you want to get back together with me?” “I’m way better than those blind dates of yours. After dating me, you must find them all annoying, right? And that boss of yours the other day, he looks like a boring elite, only talking about work. We’ve had three years to get comfortable with each other; we’re the most suitable.” I answered evasively, “How did you get the owner to agree to all this?” Jax smirked. “I bought his place. Now I’m the owner of this bar.” “Do you like this bar? If you do, it’s yours.” “No.” I drained the last bit of wine from my glass, grabbed my bag, and stood up. “Thank you for the kind offer. The song was great, but getting back together is a no-go.” The air froze. Jax pressed his lips together, watching me expressionlessly. “Why?” Jax had beautiful, expressive eyes. Even when he was upset, they usually sparkled with life and moisture. I t was rare to see them so cold. “Because,” I smiled, “I never go back to exes.”
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