Chapter 1 — Don't Wait For Someone Who Doesn't Choose You

It was almost time to pay at the supermarket when her best friend Duong Niem Nhat suddenly said there was an item she forgot to buy. My boyfriend, Pho Than, without hesitation turned his back to go with her. Before leaving, he also instructed: "Just line up here, wait for us to come back and then pay." But when it was my turn, neither of them came back yet. I had to give up my seat to each person, one by one in the back, until I got to the last person and couldn't see a trace of them. Messages sent without sound. When I arrived home carrying three large plastic bags filled with snacks that Duong Niem Nhat liked, the two of them were sitting in the living room watching TV, talking and laughing. The heavy bag fell to the floor with a heavy thud, only then did Pho Than pay attention to me.

“You're home, why so late?”

There was a lump in my throat: "I've been waiting for you two at the supermarket."

“Nien Niem suddenly had her period and had no choice so I had to rush to take her home.” Pho Than explained lightly, then pointed towards the dining table: "I left some outside food for you."

I opened the paper box, inside were a few half-eaten pieces of chicken and a cold hamburger. My stomach suddenly hurt. I couldn't help but ask: "Then why didn't you tell me? Does it take a long time to send a message?" Pho Than looked at me with strange eyes. He turned on the phone, his expression changed a bit, but it wasn't guilt, but helplessness.

"I set it to "do not disturb" so I didn't see it. Who would have thought you would just stand there and wait like that? It's not that I want to tell you, but why have you been so persistent and stubborn lately?"

Okay. I'm stubborn. So for those who are destined to not be able to wait, I won't wait anymore. I opened my phone and texted the director of Pho Than's rival company: "Last time you said you wanted to pay me a high salary to invite me back, Mr. Luc, does this still count?" The other party replied within one note: "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this sentence from you?" …Put the phone back in your pocket. I threw the leftover food box into the trash. Turning around to look at the two people laughing and talking on the sofa, their heads almost close to each other, I suddenly realized that in this house, it seemed like I was the guest. Having been together for three years, Pho Than always maintained his principles and was determined not to go beyond the limit before getting married. Even in the house I rented, he didn't even step inside. At that time, I thought I had met a good man. Anyway, these days, men who stay pure until marriage are truly rare animals. However, it was the third month since Duong Niem Nhat came to stay at my house, and it was the second month she started working at Pho Thi Group. Pho Than broke the rules and took the initiative to come to the house. He said: "This childhood best friend of yours has a really interesting personality, innocent and cute. I just happen to be lacking a younger sister to pamper. Her mother is kind to your family, don't worry, of course I have to treat her well." A sentence like a sister. One sentence for being my best friend. By now, it had become a routine for him to come to my house every weekend. Because he doesn't want to miss out on business opportunities, Pho Than's phone is always online 24/7. Yet now, he can also turn on “do not disturb”. I bowed my head, quietly unpinned the message and gave it special attention Pho Than, go to the bedroom to pack your luggage. Mr. Luc offered triple the salary, plus a luxury apartment with sea view. I can give it to them for this two-bedroom, one-living room apartment that still has half a year's rent left. Halfway through unpacking, the stomach pain became even more obvious. Because I have to entertain guests all year round, drink alcohol, and eat irregularly, my stomach will protest whenever I'm not careful. I originally planned to finish cleaning and then eat, but it seems there's no time anymore. I went out to pour a glass of warm water and rummaged through the pile of spicy snacks to find the only bread I could eat. Before he could peel the shell, Duong Niem Nhat's voice rang out:

“Thu Dao, can you not eat that?”

I didn't understand: "What's wrong?" Duong Niem Nhat seemed hesitant and turned to look at Pho Than. He immediately understood and came forward to snatch the bread from my hand. He pointed to a cartoon character on the packaging whose name I didn't know:

“This is the collab that Niem Niem likes the most, there's only one left on the supermarket shelf, she can't bear to eat it.”

What is your favorite Duong Niem Nhat collab? I lived with her and didn't even know it. Yet Pho Than knew.

“Okay.”

I nodded, picked up the cup of warm water and drank it in one gulp. Pho Than frowned at my pale face and instinctively reached out to rub my stomach: "Is your stomach upset again?"

“Yes.”

Pho Than knows that although my stomach is weak, it is easy to comfort. I just need to eat something immediately and I will be fine. But he still put the bread in his bag and opened the app to order food.

"What do you want to eat? I'll order it for you."

It's raining outside, it will take at least half an hour for the goods to be delivered. I shook my head: "No need." I went downstairs, ran through the rain to the convenience store. The employee smiled brightly and gave me a hot bun:

“Sister, I invite you, can you help me say something to your best friend? Ask if her boyfriend's company comes to Giang University to recruit?”

I was stunned.

“Her boyfriend?”

The employee nodded, his eyes full of admiration: "Yes, the other day you two came to my store, holding hands very sweetly. Your best friend is really happy, your boyfriend is both handsome and has a lot of money, don't you know?"

“I didn't know before, but now I know.”

2 The next day. I brought a stack of documents for Pho Than to sign as usual, the resignation letter was placed at the top. Pho Than just glanced over, his face began to darken: "Work must focus on efficiency, documents must be opened to the page that needs to be signed. It's been three years since I followed you, and do you still need me to repeat these basics?" Duong Niem Nhat next to him quickly nudged Pho Than's hand, his voice cooing: "Brother Pho Than, why are you so fierce? Thu Dao is scared by you!" Instinctively, I glanced at her desk. Previously, that position was my exclusive seat. Later, Pho Than said: "Nien Niem is your close friend, and is eager to learn. In the future, I will take it with me to personally instruct you, so go out and work." I swallowed the bitter taste in my throat and gently opened my mouth: "Sorry A Than, I slept too late last night so I..."

“Bang!”

Pho Than slammed his hand on the shiny desk surface. "I don't want to hear an explanation. If you do it again, you automatically ask for demotion. Standards of Pho Thi is very strict. Also, during business hours, please call me by my title.” I quietly flipped open all the documents to the page that needed to be signed, watching Pho Than sign one after another. My voice was so calm that I found it hard to believe:

“I know. Dear Deputy General."

By the time the resignation process was halfway done, the whole company was buzzing. Ms. Luu from human resources approached with a cup of coffee:

“Thu Dao, are you really planning to quit your job? Pho Thi is so good, can you afford to leave?"

I smiled: "It's not that I want to go, it's that I can't stay anymore."