Chapter 6 — Don't Dream Of Escape From Me

Hearing that, Mrs. Thoi sighed, her eyes softened, and she even held my hand: "You are a good girl. If anything happens in the future... you can always find me. I am willing to accept you as my adopted daughter." I smiled slightly, but still refused that offer. "You... shouldn't dream about things that don't belong to you." After hearing this, Mrs. Tho was silent for a few seconds, then generously transferred me a few more months' salary, plus a generous bonus. A number enough for me to buy a small apartment in Van Thanh. I bowed my head in thanks and firmly said: "I will quickly leave, and will never mention this matter in public. I... will not cause trouble for the young ladies who enter the Time House in the future." Not long after, I finished packing my luggage and left the villa I had lived in for a year. Stepping out of the big gate, I suddenly remembered what my father said: "If you stay any longer, you won't be able to escape. You will sink deep, yearning for a life that doesn't belong to you." Now that his father's debt has been paid off, he also left Van Thanh alone. I… have no reason to stay here anymore. 13 I dragged my heavy suitcase and slowly left the villa. There is a shuttle bus every weekday, so this is the first time I know this road is so long. The last time I walked in here… was when I went to the Times for an interview for a critical care job. It's been a long time. It was dark, the street lights were dim, and tree shadows fell on the ground like ink streaks. I looked at my phone to check the map and pulled my suitcase, completely unaware that there was someone in front of me. “Ah!” My head hit hard against a solid chest, the pain was so dizzying. I staggered, almost falling. “Sorry, I…” Before I could finish my sentence, a familiar deep and hoarse voice rang out right in front of me: “Where are you going?” I was stunned, raised my head and looked up - Thoi Kim Tu. In the darkness, his figure was tall, his face hidden in the dim light, the corners of his lips slightly curled, his eyes so deep that it made my heart skip a beat. I felt awkward like someone caught running away, but immediately reassured myself — what did I have to feel guilty about? “You're awake, my work is done, I have to leave.” I tried to keep my voice calm, but my heart was racing. Thoi Kim Tu looked at me, his eyes mixed with fatigue and... resentment? He raised his hand and grabbed my wrist, the force wasn't strong but enough to keep me from moving. “You call this leaving, don't you just leave without saying a word?” I rolled my eyes at him, my mind full of question marks. “In the past, Lady Thoi hired me, I've already paid her everything, so... how can it be called running away?” Having said that, I personally feel... something is wrong. This job is ambiguous from beginning to end, between you and I... there are many things that cannot be named.{Read full at Van Ha Tuong page} The more I explain, the lower my voice gets, my heart beats like a war drum. Thoi Kim Tu slightly raised his lips and stepped closer, his shadow covering me. “But… we haven't even had time to register our marriage yet.” I: "???" “You clearly agreed to be my wife, but now you want to slip away?” He bent down, his voice hoarse and dangerous, but the corner of his lips contained a smile that was half teasing, half sincere: "Don't tell me... are you planning to cheat on the wedding?" I almost choked on my words: “You... don't say it miscellaneous!” He didn't pay attention to my resistance and shortened the distance, so close that his breath brushed past my ear. “And more…” “I just got better and you tried to run away, that would… make me lose face, you know?” Me: “…” What is “losing face”, what is “wife”, what are you talking about?! The hot feeling spread from my ears to my neck, my whole face was red as if it was about to burn into cinders. Just when I was about to refute, he suddenly tilted his head, his voice lowered, leaning close to my ear: "When I was in a coma... the person who always talked to me was you, right?" I stiffened. It feels like there is an electric current running down my spine. Thoi Kim Tu continued: "At that time, you could still hear my thoughts, right?" I: "!!!" In that moment, I felt my heart jump out of my chest. You know? You know I can hear everything?! I immediately snatched my hand back, using all my strength to escape his grasp. “Thoi… Mr. Thoi… I… I don't understand what you're saying!” Having finished speaking, I pulled my suitcase and ran straight as if there was a ghost chasing me. Behind me, I vaguely heard his low, hoarse laugh, like the night wind passing through the leaves. But I... my face was as red as fire, my heart was in chaos, I didn't dare to look back. 14 It's not like I never imagined... that Thoi Kim Tu and I would continue to be together. But — the prerequisite of that dream was that he was still in the hospital bed. At that moment, the distance between us seemed to be erased: I took care of him, heard the "sounds" that no one knew, and quietly nurtured the pieces of tender emotions. But now… he stood up, returning to the world that belonged to him. Everything was suddenly different. My feeling was like a female supporting character in a novel - having passed through a brilliant part of the male lead's life, being attracted to him, moved by him, and then written out of the story. I ran out of the villa, called a car, and returned to the small apartment I had just rented. As soon as I walked in, I opened the refrigerator, poured several glasses of cold ice water in succession, and drank until my mind was numb, my heart beat slowed down, and then I gradually calmed down. I closed my eyes and muttered a mantra as if trying to cling: "We don't belong to the same world." “We don't belong to the same world.” Tomorrow, I will continue to look for a job. Then… forget the Golden Temple. Must forget you. Must forget. But… someone has no intention of letting go. I don't know if after a month of waking up, he had solved everything for the Thoi family or not, but now Thoi Kim Tu... started a general attack. • Fresh flowers — every morning placed in front of the door, luxury value. • Luxury restaurant invitations — sent continuously. • Gifts of all kinds — from limited bags to luxury accessories. I brought it back to the villa, no one signed for it. As a result, everything was sent back to my apartment. In just one week, my tiny apartment was transformed into a gift showroom. There was no answer on the phone, his messages kept coming, I refused... he kept sending them. Even my best friend couldn't help but tease: "Oh my god, people are so sincere, how long are you going to pretend?" I choked: "No... I just..." My friend squinted his eyes, clasped his hands behind his head, his voice trailed meaningfully: "Ah ah, I see. Before, he had seen everything inside and out, but now he wanted to pretend to be human strange, I didn't know I thought you were filming the movie 'Acquaintances Become Strangers'." Me: “…” My face was hot. “I… I'm just worried… I'm a supporting woman.” My best friend let out a long sigh to the heavens: "My God, I saw how brave you were before, why have you suddenly turned into a turtle? Whether one is the male lead or the supporting female... shouldn't one decide for oneself? She looked at me, her voice serious: "You're just afraid that the ending won't be beautiful, so you'd rather not start." But if you skip the Golden Temple now, you won't regret it later, right?" I can't answer. Just silence. I just found a new job. But Golden Temple... continued to rock my little world. He sent milk tea and cakes to the entire office. It's like you're "visiting the film crew", raising your voice, publicly, and ostentatiously. My colleagues assumed I had a boyfriend. Even the customers who intended to "drop a signal" for me... were cleverly pushed aside by him. I can't stand it anymore. I decided... to talk clearly with you. We need a boundary. Either step forward, or step back. Taking a deep breath, I took my phone and composed a message: [Me: Shall we talk?] Just a few seconds later, the screen lit up, displaying the response: [Thi Kim Tu: Okay.] Seeing that word "Okay", my heart suddenly skipped a beat.