Chapter 1

1 It was my birthday, and finally, Melissa agreed to go on a trip with me overseas.

Before we got on the plane, she texted, saying her mother was sick and leaving me, someone who barely spoke English, behind.

That night, overseas, I saw a picture her childhood sweetheart posted �C her sleeping soundly in his bed. The caption read: "True love is when I call, and you drop everything to rush to me."

Everyone was staring at me, waiting for my reaction.

My reply was: "You're already sleeping in the same bed, shouldn't you two get married?"

...

Melissa knew my English was terrible.

I wasn't particularly angry when she left me at the airport; she said her mom was sick.

I even wanted to offer help, but she didn't reply.

Then I saw the Instagram post from Ryan, showing Melissa asleep in his bed, with the caption: "True love is when I call, and you drop everything to rush to me."

I finally lost it and had a huge fight with her.

She was the same as always, tossing me a dismissive, "He's just a friend! You always think everyone is having an affair!"

Then she blocked me.

Alone, with my broken English, and facing a lot of judgmental stares, I stumbled through my fifteen-day trip.

But the day before I flew home, Melissa unblocked me.

She texted, "I'll pick you up tomorrow."

I knew she wanted to make up.

In our relationship, she always called the shots.

She could block me after a fight and unblock me whenever she felt like forgiving me.

I would never block her.

That's why, for all these years, she's had her way, always in control.

But she didn't know that fifteen days of fending for myself in a foreign country had made me rethink our relationship.

In the past, I would have been ecstatic that we were back on track.

This time, I wasn't that happy.

I simply replied, "Thanks."

Then I threw my phone aside and packed my bags. She wouldn't reply anyway.

But before I went to bed, I saw another text: "See you tomorrow."

I turned off my phone and slept soundly until morning.

I landed at seven pm.

I scanned the airport but didn't see Melissa.

I walked out with my two large suitcases.

A cab driver greeted me enthusiastically, "Where to, son?"

I smiled, "Waiting for someone."

I'd sent Melissa my flight information; she knew what time to pick me up.

But I waited until dark, cabs came and went, but Melissa never showed.

No texts either.

"Son, I've given three rides already; no more cars after this," the driver said, rolling down his window.

I approached him, lugging my bags, "Let's go."

I got home around midnight.

The driver, worried I wouldn't be safe alone, followed me to my building, shining his headlights until I was inside. Then he drove off.

Still no message from Melissa.

I didn't confront her. I showered, collapsed on the couch, and opened a message from my boss, Janet: "Seriously, aren't you reconsidering the overseas assignment? It's only two years, you can still come home on vacation to see your girlfriend."

Janet was my superior; there was a project in Yemen that needed someone, and she'd been pushing me hard.

I'd told her my English wasn't good enough �C she knew that anyway. I couldn't leave Melissa.

Janet sent another message: "Your annual salary can increase to $120,000 after you return, and I'll go with you. Don't worry."

Melissa and I were college classmates.

We started dating in our junior year and had been together for three years after graduation.

For five years, I'd revolved around her.

During graduation, the school asked us to write our future aspirations on sticky notes.

Among all the "Million-dollar salary," "Becoming an academician," and "Becoming a CEO" aspirations, I solemnly wrote: "Have a home with Melissa."

I'd been chasing her for five years.

But I couldn't even get her to pick me up late at night.

How ridiculous.

I replied, "I'll go."

Janet immediately sent me a thrilled voice message: "That's right, Lee! No one else wants this project! Now! Sign up for IELTS and aim to take it next month! A 6.5 score is enough!"