chapter 5
903 Words
Upon entering the hotel, my first act was to run a bath.
The hot water enveloped me, washing away the fatigue of a twelve-hour flight.
I murmured softly, "Bliss."
Turning off airplane mode, John's messages bombarded me in a long string.
Frowning, I swiftly added him to my blacklist.
I intended to savour my holiday; John's mess was none of my concern.
On my seventh day in Country X, I encountered a rather handsome young chap.
"Sis, where shall we go tomorrow?"
Tomorrow?
Slumped on the sofa, I waved my hands hastily. "No, no, no. I'm not going anywhere tomorrow."
"I want to sleep in the hotel."
"I'm getting on in years, dear. I don't have your boundless energy."
"Tomorrow, no more sightseeing."
"Sis, give me your room key card!"
"I can bring you breakfast in the morning."
After seven days of getting acquainted, I'd formed a basic understanding of Ross, the little charmer.
These past few days had utterly exhausted me.
X Country hotels didn't offer room service, so I relented and handed him my key card: "Don't go into my bedroom, but feel free to use the rest."
I yawned:
"Off you go now, I'm too tired to stay awake."
Today Ross had dragged me around to several different places.
The moment I reached the bedroom, I fell into a deep sleep until dawn.
Morning. Upon waking.
I gave myself a quick tidy and opened the bedroom door, spotting a figure seated at the dining table.
Then the aroma of food hit me, and I sniffed:
"Mmm, delicious."
Leaning closer, I saw Chinese dishes laid out on the table. My half-asleep eyes lit up instantly.
Forgetting to grab chopsticks, I scooped some food with my fingers and popped it into my mouth.
"Chinese people really do need Chinese food," I murmured.
"Sis, is it tasty?"
Ross asked.
I picked up a fork, abandoning all pretence of ladylike manners as I shovelled food into my mouth. "Delicious."
After all, the dry, bland fare in Country X had been utterly dreadful.
"Where did you get all this?"
I asked anxiously, determined to dine at this restaurant every evening henceforth.
"I made it myself."
"Ah! You can cook?"
I stuffed another mouthful in, astonished.
He propped his chin on his hand: "Of course. Otherwise, I'd have starved to death all these years abroad."
"Have you been here long?" I inquired.
"Several years now. My father insisted I take charge of the company here."
Ross wore a hint of resignation.
"My brother runs things back home. The Luo family business isn't going under, so why should I manage it?"
"Just the other day, I was negotiating a deal. Everything was going smoothly until the other party abruptly hung up."
"I was furious. I suspended all business dealings with their company."
"Then my brother berated me."
I finished the last drop of soup and offered comfort: "Your father wants you both to shoulder the family responsibilities. Keep striving."
Knock knock knock.
I activated the hotel's video screen.
It was John.
My head instantly pounded.
Ross asked if I knew the person outside.
I replied, "That's my husband."
His jaw dropped as if he'd swallowed a fly: "You're married."
I nodded, equally stunned, and went to open the door.
"John."
I am currently his lawful wife, and I have no intention of divorcing him.
I couldn't think of a reason to refuse him entry.
"Come in!"
John dragged his suitcase inside and spotted Ross.
John's expression changed abruptly: "Who is he?"
I rolled my eyes inwardly: "Ross, a good friend I met in Country X."
The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.
I broke the tension: "Ross, my husband's here. You should leave now."
My straightforward introduction, coupled with Ross's impeccably luxurious attire,
softened John's expression considerably.
Ross took my hint and departed.
John arrived laden with gifts, seeking my forgiveness.
Half-asleep, I found his pleas tiresome.
"Darling, will you forgive me?"
"I was wrong. I'll treat you well from now on."
I replied insincerely: "Very well, dear."
"I knew you'd come round. We'll make a good life together."
"But you're not to cheat again."
Deep into the performance, I even shed a few tears.
Moved by my acting, John embraced me tenderly.
That evening, John went to shower.
He hadn't taken his phone in, and it kept vibrating.
An unfamiliar text.
[John, I've had the termination.]
[We can try for another.]
I didn't unlock his phone, only glimpsed the notification on the lock screen.
I'd said it before: I wasn't interested in their messy affairs.
John emerged from the shower.
Fuming, he fiddled with his phone. To give him space to vent, I stepped outside.
"Sis, over here."
The restaurant outside the hotel.
"Chinese food... it smells absolutely divine," I murmured admiringly.
Ross's mood was peculiar, and I understood his peculiarity.
"You know about John's business back home?"
"That affair caused quite a stir. I found it with a quick search."
I replied seriously: "I know, but I won't divorce him."
Ross grew agitated:
"You deserve better. Why cling to him?"
I couldn't tell him it was because John was dying.
Simultaneously, I had to dispel his romantic notions about me.
"I love him."
Hearing this, Ross deflated like a punctured balloon.
Just then, John came down to find me.
I waved, signalling to him I was here.
Suppressing my revulsion, I engaged sweetly with John.
- Writer
