Chapter 3: Chapter 3

< Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Menu and acted as if nothing had happened.

eating it spoon by spoon.

All of a sudden, Mariela felt like her three–year relationship was a joke.

She silently closed the dialog, put the mouse back in place, Then she went to the downstairs kitchen and poured herself some soup, Jaime had a weak stomach, so she learned to make this soup, especially for him. It had a lot of ingredients and took time.

Though it took a lot of time and effort, since he had once said he liked it, she had made it for him for two years. After she finished a bowl of soup, Jaime walked downstairs.

He had already taken a shower, blow–dried “Where did you go? I didn’t see you when I came back.”

his hair, and changed into clean and fresh clothes.

Mariela responded in a calm voice, “I went out for a walk for a while.”

He walked towards the door and said, “I have to step out for a while. Something came up. If you’re tired, go to bed. Don’t wait for me.” She lowered her head and nodded.

“Are you coming back tonight?” she asked.

He paused while putting on his shoes, remained silent for a few seconds, and then replied, “There’s an urgent matter at the company. If it takes too long, I probably won’t come back.”

“Oh, OK.” She didn’t make a fuss.

She had always been very understanding.

Jaime didn’t dwell on it. After he changed his shoes, he left without looking back.

She went upstairs and pushed open the door to his bedroom. Sure enough, the soup next to his computer remained untouched.

On her WhatsApp, she saw a message from her arranged marriage partner, Lennon Stark.

Lennon texted, “Marie, when are you coming back to New York?”

When they were little, they were neighbors. In Mariela’s eyes, Lennon was like a kind older brother especially when he called her “Marie“. She didn’t think of him as her fiancé.

She replied, “After I deal with things here.”

Lennon texted, “Alright. Let me know if there is anywhere I can help.”

She replied, “OK. Thanks, Lenny.”

Lennon replied, “Rest early. Good night.”

That night, Jaime didn’t return.

The next morning, Mariela was awakened by a phone call.

“Hello?”

birthday the day after tomorrow.

Remember to come to my birthday party!”

“Marie, it’s my Mariela took the phone away from her ear and groggily glanced at the caller ID.

It was Taryn Sharp, a friend from Jaime’s social circle. She and Taryn were quite close. “OK. Send me the location.”

After hanging up the phone, Mariela got up, washed up, and went to the mall to pick a gift for Taryn. It was the latest necklace from a well–known On Taryn’s birthday, Mariela arrived early.

“Taryn, happy birthday.” She handed over the gift.

brand, and it matched well with Taryn’s style.

< Chapter 4