Chapter 2 — A Stranger's Bride

I politely refused. After calling, I lay on the bed. Look up at the ceiling. Five years. From 19 to 24 years old. The best times I spent with Giang Thanh. Now have to start again from the beginning. A little scared. But more than excitement. From tomorrow, I will live for myself. 3The next morning, I was woken up by the doorbell. Mom opened the door. "You want to see Noan Noan?" - It's Giang Thanh's voice. "He doesn't want to see you." – My mother's voice was cold. "Auntie, I came to apologize." "Sorry? Giang Thanh, do you think an apology is enough?" "Auntie, I know I was wrong. To Phi and I really have nothing, it's just work." I heard every word clearly in the room. Giang Thanh still tried to deny it. "Giang Thanh, go home. Noan Noan won't see you again." – My mother said. "Auntie, I beg you, let me meet Noan Noan for just a moment. Our feelings cannot end like that." "Emotions? Do you still have the face to talk about feelings?" – My mother's voice was harsh. "Auntie..." "Go away! Don't ever come back again!" Bang! – The door slammed shut. Mom turned back into the room: "Noan Noan, Giang Thanh is here." "I know." – I still didn't get out of bed. "You haven't seen him?" "Haven't seen him." Mom nodded: "Then I haven't seen him." In the morning, my mother and I went to the supermarket to buy food. As a result, I met quite a few acquaintances. They were all invited to the engagement ceremony. "Noan Noan, why are you here? Aren't you preparing for the engagement?" – Aunt Ly asked. “The engagement ceremony has been canceled.” – I smiled and replied. "Why? Why?" "Personal reasons." "Did something happen in Giang Thanh?" "Nothing serious, just inappropriate." Aunt Ly was about to ask more, but was pulled away by my mother. "Noan Noan, are you really okay?" – Mom asked worriedly. “You're okay.” Really okay. Compared to what I imagined, I feel much better. In the afternoon, I returned to the company. I originally took a day off today to prepare for the engagement ceremony. But now that it's canceled, let's get back to work. All of my colleagues were surprised. "Noan Noan, why did you come?" – Tieu Truong asked. “The engagement is canceled.” – I sat back in my seat. "What?" "We broke up." The whole office suddenly became quiet. Then Tieu Truong asked in a low voice: "Did Giang Thanh do something wrong?" "It can be considered so." "Bad man!" – Tieu Truong was angry – “Noan Noan, you did the right thing!” Other colleagues also took turns comforting me. I am very touched. It turns out that, away from Giang Thanh, I still have many people by my side. After work, I went to the bar alone. Want to drink something. The bar is quite crowded. I found a quiet corner to sit down. Order a glass of red wine. “Alone?” – A male voice rang out next to me. I raised my head and saw a man. Very handsome. But completely unfamiliar. “Yes.” – I nodded. "Can I sit with you?" "It's up to you." The man sat down. "I'm Co Han Da." "I'm Lam Noan Noan." "Is there something unpleasant today?" – He asked. “How do you know I'm not happy?” “People who come to bars alone often have confidants.” I laughed: “That's right, today I just canceled my engagement.” “Why?” “Found out that my fiance is having an affair.” Co Han Da nodded: “Then it's true that I should have a drink.” “And you? Also came here alone.” “I also have a confidence.” “What confidence?” “Work matters.” – He answered briefly. We talked for a long time. About work, about life, about dreams. Co Han Da is a very good talker. He knows how to listen. Also knows how to comfort others. "Actually, breaking up isn't necessarily a bad thing." – He said – “At least you saw clearly his true self.” “Yes, I feel very grateful now.” “Grateful for what?” “Grateful for finding out before marriage, not after.” “So what are you going to do next?” “Start from the beginning.” –

I raised my glass of wine – “For a new beginning.” “For a new beginning.” – He also raised his glass. We toasted. The alcohol made my head a bit dizzy. “Are you drunk?” – Co Han Da asked. "Just a little bit." "Do you want me to take you home?" "Then please bother me." We left the bar. Co Han Da's car is very modest, a black Mercedes. "Address?" – He asked. I read the address for him. The car rolled into the night. I leaned my head back on the chair, looking out the window at the brightly lit streets. "Lam Noan Noan." – Co Han Da suddenly called my name. "Yes?" "Do you want to marry me?"4 "What?" – I thought I heard wrong. “I said, do you want to marry me?” – Co Han Da's voice was extremely calm. I turned my head to look at him. It didn't seem like he was joking. "Are you drunk?" – I asked. “You're completely sober.” “But we've only known each other for a few hours.” “Sometimes, a few hours are more valuable than a few years.” I didn't know how to answer. The car stopped at a red light. Co Han Da turned to look at me: "Lam Noan Noan, I think we are very compatible." "Why?" "Because we both need to start over." "That's not the reason to get married." "So what is the reason to get married? Love?" I nodded. "Do you and Giang Thanh have love?" – He asked. I was stunned. “You had to think for so long to answer, which means no.” – Co Han Da said – "If you have ever accepted a marriage without love, then why not try a marriage without love but with the ability to develop?" "Capability to develop?" "I think we can have that." The red light turned green. The car continued to roll. My heart was pounding. “Are you telling the truth?” – I asked. "Very serious." "But we don't understand anything about each other." "Then slowly get to know each other." "What if we're not compatible?" "Then divorce." – He said softly – “At least we tried.” I looked at his face sideways. So beautiful. Also very stubborn. "Why do you want to marry me?" – I asked. "Because you are very special." "Where am I special?" "You dare to cancel the engagement right before the engagement day." "Just because I can't stand the betrayal." "No, it's because you have courage." – Co Han Da looked straight ahead – "Many people, even though they know they have been betrayed, still do not dare to stop." "What about you? Why do you want to get married?" "Your family urges you to get married." – He answered briefly. "That's it?" "That's it." The car stopped in front of my apartment building. Co Han Da turned: "Lam Noan Noan, give me a chance, also give yourself a chance." I looked into his eyes. Sincerely. “I need time to think.” “Of course.” – He pulled out a business card from his pocket – “Here's how to contact you.” I took the business card. Just name and phone number. “What do you do?” – I asked. “Investment.” “Which company?” “Your own company.”