Chapter 5 — Don't Dream Of Escape From Me

11 Since the time Kim Tu woke up, there has always been a magical atmosphere between us. Every time he looked at me, his eyes seemed to have thousands of words to say, but in the end he stopped in the middle of the road. As for me... I don't know what expression to face him with. I used to be a "wife in name" and was close like a friend, but now I'm like an outsider. In my heart, there is an emptiness that is difficult to name. It's not clear, but dull and sad. Thanks to Kim Tu's awakening, the Thoi family's villa became completely bustling. Every day, there were wealthy ladies visiting. Lady Thoi was busy receiving guests, the housekeeper was running around, while Kim Tu was practicing recovery and inventorying all his assets after many years in the hospital. Everyone is busy, only I am... free. I wandered around the villa, sometimes walking in the garden, sometimes sitting in the corner of the sofa hugging my pillow, unconsciously remembering the past times. At that time, Thoi Kim Tu was still lying in bed, really... much cuter. He will whine and say: 「This place is uncomfortable! They hurt me! You come, you come and do it! 」 When the sun shines, he will grumble: 「 Won't I have brown skin when I wake up? It's so tragic... Before we could see the antelopes migrating, they had already become local people... 」 He even gossiped about all sorts of high-class dramas: 「 They're all fake people! While studying abroad, he secretly gave birth to several children, but when he comes back, he pretends to be pure and innocent. It's so disgusting, just looking at it makes me want to wash my eyes! 」 Remembering those words, I burst out laughing. After laughing, I suddenly woke up - those memories don't belong to me. When Kim Tu was originally an outstanding young master, anyone in my position, whether a nanny, an assistant or a "half-wife", would have a hard time not being moved. Especially when I can still hear his heart... making the distance between us seem closer. But in reality… it was just a gentle confusion. No one noticed my strangeness. • The maid is busy. • The housekeeper is busy. • The wife is busier now. • Even the Golden Age was busy. It's just me, standing quietly in the corner of the terrace, watching the luxury cars leave one after another, feeling... redundant. Lady Time finally raised her head high in front of society. As for me, from "wife in name" became an outsider with no name and no space. A feeling of loss welled up, but I couldn't put it into words. That day, I was wandering around the villa, so bored that I started counting the number of bricks in the yard when my dad called. His voice was full of tension and hustle as if something big had just happened. Now the villa had nothing left for me to do, so I packed my bags, chose a quiet restaurant near the center, and sat across from him. I took a sip of water, but before I could ask, he spoke: "The money you owe me... haven't you already paid it all?" I was stunned, a bit choked up. During my time working at Thoi Gia, I hardly saw my father. This time, seeing him, I suddenly realized... his hair was a lot of white, his body was thin, as if the wind blew away. I smiled faintly: "That's over... don't worry, Dad." But he shook his head: "I'm not looking for you to talk about money. I want you... to leave Thoi Gia immediately." I was a bit dumbfounded: "Why?" My father was silent for a moment, as if considering what to say. Finally, he sighed, his voice hoarsely: "The family is really good... but I'm afraid you love Thoi Kim Tu. I'm afraid... you won't be able to escape, and in the end, you'll suffer for the rest of your life." I quickly shook my head: "I didn't... I really didn't think about that." He slapped the table, his voice trembling slightly: "Nhu Nhu! I can be confused all my life, but I see your matter very clearly! A man like Thoi Kim Tu, so good that it makes everyone feel touched... You have to understand, I can't handle it." He said a series of words, each word seemed to hit my chest: "You and him, the gap is too big. Now that he is awake, of course he will find a girl to help him. As for you, what does that count?" Dad paused for a moment, his eyes red: "Even if you want to redeem yourself, the Thoi family still has enough ways to push you out." His voice was low, but each word was heavy: "Nhu Nhu, you have to believe me. Dad is a man, he understands men. To them, love has never been the most important." I looked at his old face, the first time I saw my father so panicked. I should object...but I can't say a word. Because what he said was cruel, but... not wrong. The distance between me and Thoi Kim Tu is not only measured by money, but also by status, background, and worldview. It's just that, when I heard my dad say these things, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my heart... like someone was squeezing my chest, making it impossible for me to breathe. My father looked straight into my eyes, his voice low, each word as heavy as stone: "Besides... are you sure he loves you?" I stopped. It felt like something was being knocked in my head. He did not stop and continued: "You are with him every day, eating together, living together, experiencing many things together... Ask yourself, have you really never been touched?" I bit my lip and said nothing. "Nhu Nhu, listen to dad. Get out of there quickly. Time... is not a place you can stay for long." I picked up the spoon and gently stirred the latte in front of me. For the first time, I felt that latte was so bitter. From the moment I joined Thoi Gia, I always reminded myself: "This is just a job. Make enough money, then leave." But... living there for so long, even though I didn't mean to, I started to consider the people in the Thoi family as relatives. Now Dad uses these cold words again, like using a knife to cut that fragile connecting wire. I feel a bit choked. “Dad, rest assured.” — I took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I'll go home and pack my things… then leave the Time House.” Hearing that, my father breathed a sigh of relief and his shoulders relaxed. “It's dad… I'm sorry.” "If it weren't for Dad's debt, I wouldn't have needed to step foot in that place for the rest of my life..." His voice was hoarse, his eyes were pink, and for a moment he looked several years older. “Nhu Nhu... Dad regrets every day.” "You see those luxuries, and being next to such an excellent man... I looked at the man in front of me, my heart a bit constricted. Dad used to be a pervert, making my mother angry and leaving, making my childhood patchy. But now, he said these words, in a low, urgent voice, completely different from his arrogant appearance. "I want to go to the place where your mother used to live..." - his voice trailed off, lowered, "I owe her one. life... As for you, Nhu Nhu... from now on in Van Thanh, you have to take care of yourself." He looked at me and once again emphasized: "You must listen to Dad. Stay away from the Thoi family.” 12 What my father said was not wrong. When I got back to the villa, just As I entered the door, I heard the maids whispering loudly: "I heard that young master Thoi Kim Tu is about to get engaged again..." I stood frozen in place. Nowadays, there are many rich ladies who proactively send "olive branches" to the Thoi family. Even more powerful families than the Thoi family sent invitations to become friends. When Mrs. Tho saw me, she looked a little confused. She opened her mouth, her voice hesitant: "Tieu Nhu... look, the situation is like this now... Actually, I was very satisfied with you that year, but now..." I didn't answer, just glanced at the tea table. It's filled with profiles of prestigious ladies: • Some graduated from famous families • Some are famous in the entertainment world • Some are gentle beauties, some are sharp and elegant... All kinds of designs, gems - beauties - perfect talent. Compared to them, I am just an ordinary mortal. She didn't say anything, but I understood. Kim Tu not only has money, he is also excellent and full of temperament. Now that he wakes up, of course he will become the piece of cake that everyone desires. Lady Tho also asked me if I knew about Nghiem Du and the Bach family's young master. She said recently reporters continuously took pictures of Nghiem Du walking with Crown Prince Ngo Duong, but the Bach family did not dare say a word. She looked at me, her eyes full of worry: "I don't want... you to encounter the same situation in the future." I pursed my lips and replied softly: "I understand... If young master Thoi hadn't had an accident, we would have been two different worlds."