Chapter 3 — A Stranger's Bride

I nodded. "Thank you for taking me home." "Nothing." I got out of the car. Co Han Da lowered the window: "Lam Noan Noan, no matter what you decide, I will respect it." "Yes." The car left. I stood downstairs, looking at the business card in my hand. Co Han Da. A strange man. The first time we met, we proposed. When I got home, my mother was already asleep. I sat alone in the living room, thinking back on what happened tonight. Marry. Marry a stranger. It sounds ridiculous. But… Why didn't I immediately refuse? Is it because I want revenge for Giang Thanh's betrayal? Or is it because Co Han Da is right – I need a new start? I looked at the numbers on the business card. Wondered for a long time. But in the end still didn't call. The next morning, my mother asked me where I went last night. “I went to the bar.” – I answered truthfully. "Going alone?" "Meeting a friend." "Which friend?" I didn't know how to describe Co Han Da. "A friend... just met." Mom nodded, without asking further. While going to work, Tieu Truong asked me if I was feeling better. "It's okay." – I replied. "Really?" "Really." Actually, I'm still thinking about Co Han Da's words. Marry a stranger. It sounds crazy. But what about being married to your lover of five years? What is the outcome? At lunch break, I took out Co Han Da's business card. Looked for a long time. Finally put it back in your wallet. In the afternoon, Giang Thanh appeared at the company. "Noan Noan, let's talk." – He stood in front of my desk. “There's nothing to say.” – I didn't bother to raise my head. "Noan Noan, you can't treat me like that." "What have I done to you?" "You canceled the engagement, making me lose face in front of my friends." I looked up at him: "Giang Thanh, it was you who betrayed me and made me lose face, not me who canceled the engagement and made you lose face." "I didn't betray you." "So what do you mean by hugging To Phi?" "It's just... a misunderstanding." "Misunderstanding?" – I stood up – “Giang Thanh, until now you still refuse to admit it?” “Noan Noan, I admit that you and To Phi are a bit ambiguous, but I did not betray you.” “Isn't ambiguity a betrayal?” “In my heart there is only you.” “In my heart, there is me, but my body is intimate with someone else?” Giang Thanh was speechless, unable to say a word. “Giang Thanh, we are over.” – I sat down – “Don't come looking for me anymore.” “Lam Noan Noan, you will regret it!” “I won't.” Giang Thanh angrily left. Everyone in the office looked at me. “Noan Noan, so cool!” – Tieu Truong gave a thumbs up. I smiled. Yes, it's really cool. On the way home that night, I thought about Co Han Da again. What are you doing now? Do you still remember me? I took out my phone. Dial the number. “Hello?” – His voice was still as warm as last night. "It's me, Lam Noan Noan." "I know." "How do you know?" "I saved your number." "When..." "When you read the address last night, I wrote down the number." I was a bit surprised. "Is something wrong?" – He asked. I took a deep breath: "I want to meet you." "Okay, when?" "Is it now?" "Of course. Where to meet?" "It's still the bar from last night." "Okay, I'll be there right away." Turn off the phone. My heart was pounding. I was about to make a decision... crazy. 5 Half an hour later, I was at the bar. Co Han Da was already waiting, still in the same seat as last night. "You came so quickly." – I sat down. "You always live nearby." "Do you live nearby?" "You can say the same." The waiter approached, I ordered a glass of red wine. "What do you think?" – Co Han Da asked directly. "I want to ask a few questions." "Just ask." "If we get married, is it a real or fake marriage?" "Really." "Do we need to have a wedding?" "It's up to you." "I don't want to organize it." "Then it won't be organized." "What about property?" "Whoever's property before marriage will remain the same, after marriage it's common property." "What if there's a divorce?" "Whoever brings what comes, that person takes away." "And the children." What about that?” “What child

"If we have children in the future." "Let's see who is more suitable to raise." I nodded. "Are there any other questions?" – He asked. "Does your family agree?" "They just want you to get married, and don't interfere with anyone." "Don't you need to know my family's situation?" "If you want to share, I will listen." I thought for a moment: "My family only has two mothers and two children, my father passed away very early." "I'm sorry." "It's okay, I'm used to it." "Does your mother agree?" "I will talk to her." Co Han Da nodded. "So, your decision." What is it?” I looked into his eyes. “I agree.” He smiled. That smile, is the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. "So when are we going to register our marriage?" "Are you in such a hurry?" "Once you've decided, don't hesitate." "So... tomorrow?" "Okay." We toasted. Because of this crazy decision. "Lam Noan Noan." "Yes?" "I promise, I won't let you regret it." "I also promise, I will try to be a good wife." "Then let's go prepare the papers?" "Okay." Co Han Da took me home. Downstairs, he said: "Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., let's meet in front of the registration room?" "Okay." "Good night." "Good night." When I got home, my mother was still watching TV. "Noan Noan, are you home?" "Mom, I have something to say." "What?" – Mom turned off the TV. I sat next to her: "Mom, I'm getting married." "What?" – Mom thought she heard wrong. "You want to get married." "With Giang Thanh?" "No, with someone else." Mom was stunned for a long time: "Noan Noan, with who?" "Someone named Co Han Da."