Chapter 5 — From Best Friends to Strangers

6 Maybe I'm having bad luck these days. I think. Even if you eat a meal, you can choke, so you have to let the waiter use the Heimlich maneuver to save you. I was a little disheveled and lying face down on the table. Looking at Tran Canh Ky with a worried expression, he no longer had the strength to get angry.

“Don't take it.”

I said decisively.

“I have no intention of getting married recently.”

"Mr. Tran, find someone else."

Unexpectedly, Tran Canh Ky was completely unaffected.

"It's okay, I didn't pursue Miss Phuong but directly proposed, I was too sudden."

He was serious as if he was declaring something.

"But I've really had sympathy for Miss Phuong for a long time. If you don't have a boyfriend right now, can you give me a chance to pursue you?"

My mind is full of questions. This brother was apart of a few vacations we spent together in high school. And we met a few times at Tet parties. After all, when did you have sympathy for me? Thinking it was probably a courtesy to force the marriage, I got a little impatient and stood up to leave. Tran Canh Ky followed again.

“This restaurant is quite far, I'll take you home.”

I walked a few steps faster.

“I already called the driver.”

But Tran Canh Ky still stubbornly walked one meter behind me. Didn't say anything, just stood there waiting with me.

“Or you should go home first.”

I looked at the sky outside the window gradually getting darker, the driver said there was a traffic jam and it would take more than an hour to arrive, which was a bit frustrating. Apparently the morning forecast said no rain.

“There will be a thunderstorm in a while.”

Tran Canh Ky spoke in a low voice.

“She doesn't like thunder.”

“I'll take you home.”

Finally I turned to look at him.

“In the summer when she was sixteen years old, every time it rained, she didn't like going out.”

“Especially on thundery days, she likes to hide in the movie theater in the basement and sleep.”

“Even though you never said it, the mood will be a little worse on rainy days.”

Tran Canh Ky's eyes are dark green like a forest, when looking at others very attentively, like a tropical forest.

"Miss Phuong, I'm not kidding, nor am I lying to you."

“I've actually secretly liked you for a long time.”

“But I know you have someone you like.”

“If it's all over now, can you give me a chance, even if it's just to see me as a normal partner.”

I looked at him for a long time, until lightning tore across the sky. I slowly opened my mouth, just like that day when I asked for a promise from Tran Du Chau.

"Tran Canh Ky, I will not marry someone just because of marriage."

“If you want to marry me, I need your sincerity and love.”

He said solemnly:

“I accept being monitored.”

I couldn't help but laugh. This person is always so serious, but unexpectedly he is a little interesting. Well then… let's give it a try. 7. Meeting Tran Du Chau again. It's at the hair salon I usually go to. I have blocked all his communications. Everything related to property during the time we were together was picked up and handled by the driver and nanny. Even dealings with the Tran family are handled by her mother and lawyer. This city is so big, when you don't want to meet a person. Besides keeping watch, waiting in places you often go, contacting the shop owner to ask about your recent whereabouts, there is no other way to meet you. Tran Du Chau lost a lot of weight, lost his former elegance, and in my eyes suddenly became very calm often. Maybe it's because I finally let go of the "filter" for him, and also let go of myself.

“Phuong Tinh, can we talk for a moment?”

He followed closely behind me.

“I didn't know the game would go so far that day, I never wanted to hurt you.”

I walked quickly towards the parking lot, without turning around.

"What happened that day was my fault, I didn't clearly explain Wen Tu Qing's identity to everyone, it was because I pampered her too much, and let her run up to you and say nonsense."

“From now on, I will definitely take good care of her, I will send her abroad, I will not let her appear in front of you again.”

I went to the car and opened the door. Tran Du Chau suddenly grabbed my hand that was on the door handle. The voice was hoarse, almost screaming:

"Phuong Tinh! Does it have to be like that?"

I frowned at him. His eyes were red, as if he would cry if he said just a few more words.

“Tran Du Chau.”

I even ask in a confusing way:

“Haven't we already broken up? Have you forgotten what you said yourself?”

“I don't remember.”

Tran Du Chau shook his head and just held my hand tightly.

“Stop talking, Tinh Tinh, I don't remember.”

"You've seen me have a girlfriend before, why can't you forgive me this time?"

"We've known each other for thirty years, I can't live without you in my life."

“Tinh Tinh, please.”

“Please give me one more chance, I just need you, I really can't be without you.”

He half knelt in front of me, chokingly begging. Forehead placed on my hand. Hot tears fell onto my fingertips. ……