“Stairs?” I suggested. “Fifth floor. Not that
bad.”
“I’m tired,” he complained.
93
“What do you want to do? I’m not carrying you.”
I always knew Ethan was a neat freak, picky to
a fault. “No need… just hold onto me,” he’d said seriously, as if instructing a toddler.
Me: blink blink
I forced a smile. “Ethan, I have a boyfriend.”
He went quiet,
lips pressed together, then his
face transformed into a smirk. “Funny, I have a girlfriend.”
What was that supposed to mean?
く
“Is dinner with me that repulsive?” he
continued. “Fine. Use your phone’s flashlight.
I’ve never been in such a cramped stairwell.”
I gritted my teeth and complied. He walked
excruciatingly slowly, stopping every time the
light flickered. This guy was high–maintenance.
Finally, at my apartment, he plopped onto the
couch, phone in hand, waiting to be served like
a king. I rolled my eyes and headed to the
kitchen, eager to get this over with.
Just as the dumplings were almost ready, the
doorbell rang. I froze. Only Josh and my mom
came over, and they both had keys. Maybe it
was a delivery?
I wasn’t surprised when Ethan answered the
door.
Then I saw Josh. My blood ran cold.
く
“Amy… who is this…?” Josh asked, trying to
sound casual, but his smile was strained.
My mind went blank. I instantly regretted
bringing Ethan home. I was terrible at handling
awkward situations.
“An old friend,” Ethan said smoothly, in stark
contrast to Josh’s shock.
Josh’s face went through a series of emotions.
This was a disaster.
“Guests? Why didn’t you tell me?” Josh
plastered on a smile, slipped off his shoes,
grabbed my apron, offered Ethan a seat, and
–
headed into the kitchen – all in one seamless,
territorial move.
Ethan sat on the couch, glancing from me to
Josh, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. “So
thoughtful of you two to cook for me,” he said,
the words dripping with ice despite his smile.
<
I had no clue how to handle this. I followed Josh
into the kitchen.
“What are you doing here?” I asked lamely,
hovering uselessly.
“Making sure your gas isn’t leaking, your fridge
is plugged in, and that screen door I left open is
closed so mosquitos don’t get in…” He
rambled, avoiding the real question.
This was typical. He acted like my apartment
was his, everything under his control. I often felt
like a puppet.
“Josh, I don’t need a babysitter. I can manage,”
I snapped.
“Can you?” he retorted, then lowered his voice.
“I think I’m better suited to handle these
things.‘
“”
I sighed. I hated this passive–aggressive act he
く
put on, only to bring it up later and make me
feel guilty.
“Aren’t you going to ask who he is?” I pressed.
Was he delusional? He couldn’t possibly believe Ethan was just some random friend.
“He said he was your friend,” Josh said, stirring the dumplings, still avoiding eye contact.
“Yes, he’s my friend, but you’ve never met him. Aren’t you curious? There’s nothing going on. He’s just here…”
“Amy, I don’t care,” Josh interrupted, his tone sharp. “As long as it doesn’t affect our wedding,
I don’t care.”
He paused. “The venue is booked, our families
have met, I’ve invited everyone. I can’t lose
face, Amy. Do you understand?”
9:06
I froze.
93
“So, you’re marrying me for appearances?”
“What else? We’re not kids anymore. Marriage
is about fulfilling obligations, building a life together…”
“What if I’m not ready? What if I call off the wedding?”
He frowned. “I won’t let that happen.”
My heart sank. I managed a weak smile and said nothing.
I had to hand it to Josh. He put on a charming
act for Ethan, serving him dumplings, even blowing on mine to cool it down, the picture of a perfect husband. It was a silent war, and I
was caught in the crossfire.
Ethan ate a few dumplings, then declared he’d
く
lost his appetite and stood to leave. Josh
insisted I walk him out.
Ethan hesitated, picked up his jacket, and
smiled blandly, not refusing.
I pressed the elevator button, escorting him downstairs. He barely looked at me. As we reached the lobby, he turned, his eyes boring into mine. “Out of everyone, you picked him?”
I flinched. He was talking about Josh, but it felt
like an insult directed at me.
“Ethan… his name is Josh.”
He ignored me, scoffed, and walked out. I
hesitated by the elevator button, then went
back upstairs.
Josh had cleaned up and was now mopping the
floor. He stopped and looked at me. “Amy…” he
said, pulling me into a hug.
<
9:06
ร 93
I stiffened, resisting his embrace. “We need to
talk.”
He loosened his hold, searching my eyes. I
couldn’t read his expression. Before I could
speak, he kissed me. Josh was usually
restrained, but this kiss was rough, forceful. I
struggled to breathe, pushing against him.
He tightened his grip, his hands wandering.
“Josh, stop it!” I yelled, trying to reason with
him.
He ignored me, pushing me onto the couch.
“Amy, this is inevitable. I don’t want to wait
until the wedding. I want you tonight.”
He started ripping at my clothes. I was terrified.
“I don’t want this!” I pushed his hands away.
“You don’t?” He glared at me. “Because of
- ))
92
him? Who is he? Why did you bring him here? What would you be doing if I wasn’t here?”
“Is he the one on top of you now?” he sneered.
My skin crawled. “It’s not about him! We need to talk about us.” I took a deep breath. “We’re not compatible, Josh. I feel suffocated with you. I can’t do this.”
He stopped.
Silence.
