Chapter 5 — Return the Diamond Ring

8. Not long after arriving at the airport, I received a notice of flight delay. The reason was that some passengers had problems, so the take-off time was delayed by four hours. Many people angrily changed to another flight. But I was in no hurry, so I decided to wait in the airport waiting room. My house is very far from here. When I graduated, I planned to return home to start a career. Many companies invited me with an attractive salary, even offering to sign a contract before I graduated. But because of Tong Van Nghiem, I refused everything and followed him to this city. I knew nothing about this place, but because of him, I told myself I would adapt. Now, everything becomes meaningless. I was thinking, not noticing that the number of people in the waiting room was getting less and less. It wasn't until I felt unusual that I realized— I was the only one left in the room. Confused, I glanced at the clock— There was still nearly an hour left until the flight. Outside the waiting room, a group of security guards seemed to be conferring with someone. I thought maybe they were checking security, so I stood up and prepared to leave. But at that moment— A group of men wearing neat suits, holding huge bouquets of flowers, walked in one by one.

“Miss Tham Tu, please forgive Mr. Tong Van Nghiem.”

“He knew his mistake, he wanted to take you home.”

They spoke in unison, their voices full of emotion. I frowned, as soon as I heard the name Tong Van Nghiem, I immediately realized— This is his game. Their appearance attracted the attention of surrounding passengers. Everyone whispered, their eyes filled with surprise and admiration. Suddenly, I remembered— In the past, Tong Van Nghiem was also the one who proactively confessed his love to me. That year, on Christmas Eve— A circle of heart-shaped candles glowed, rose petals fell from above like in a movie. He was holding a large bouquet of roses, becoming the focus of all eyes. I was both touched and surprised, almost lost my reason and agreed to his confession. Many years have passed, every time I have an argument, after I calm down, I always remember that moment to soothe myself. But now— I just feel tasteless. A touching moment in exchange for years of suffering. No matter what you think, it's not worth it. I don't react. Sure enough, less than two minutes later— The door opened once again. Besides Tong Van Nghiem, who else could it be besides Hua Thanh Thanh? Taking advantage of a hidden corner where Tong Van Nghiem could not see, Hua Thanh Thanh's eyes were full of jealousy and hatred, glaring at me strongly. But in the next second, she immediately changed her attitude. Quickly step in front of me— Kneel down.

"Sister Tham Tu, I know I was wrong before. Please be generous, don't accept it, forgive me, don't leave Mr. Van Nghiem."

"He really loves you. I'm also ready to withdraw and make things happen between you two."

These words were said with weakness and resentment. It was as if the person who suffered the most was her. I raised my head to look at Tong Van Nghiem, only to see him attentively observing me, his eyes full of anticipation. It's not hard to guess— Hua Thanh Thanh was forced to come here to apologize to me, it was definitely arranged by him. I smiled faintly, mocking myself. Perhaps, this is the first time in all the choices between me and Hua Thanh Thanh, Tong Van Nghiem is willing to "sacrifice" her to appease her. I. 9. When my eyes met his, Tong Van Nghiem also smiled.

“You go.”

He calmly said to Hua Thanh Thanh. Hearing that, she quickly stood up, said a few more words of "advice", then turned and left. But as soon as I passed behind Tong Van Nghiem, I clearly saw— She turned her head and looked at me with cold eyes full of hatred.

“Tham Tu, I told Hua Thanh Thanh to apologize to you.

The company also fired her. After this, I won't have to see her again. Come home with me, okay?” Having said that, he received a large bouquet of roses from the hand of someone standing next to him, just like that year— Bring it in front of me.

“Let's go back to the beginning.

Let's start from the beginning, just like our first days together, okay?” Tong Van Nghiem looked at me intently. His eyes were full of urgency. I received the bouquet of roses from his hand. Tong Van Nghiem's eyes lit up in the blink of an eye, but before he could be happy, I calmly said:

“You seem a bit too confident.”

“If everything could go back to the beginning, do you think I would still agree to be with you?”

After speaking, under his panicked look, I raised my hand and threw the bouquet of flowers straight into the trash can next to me. It seemed he had predicted I would do that, so Tong Van Nghiem was not surprised. There was only a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. But very quickly, he regained his composure. A bright smile appeared on his face again. He rummaged through his bag and said:

“It's okay, I can still show you my sincerity.”

“I bought a house as a gift from us.”

“You said before that you wanted to hang a lot of photos in your new house, right? I chose a really good camera and bought a lot of photo frames.

I'll let you decorate our memory wall. And for your peace of mind, I will give you the red book to keep."

“Where is the red book…?”

"It was obviously still in the bag just now..."

His expression became confused as he hurriedly searched everywhere. Then even poured the whole bag back out, but... Everything was still intact. Only the red book has disappeared.

"That's not right, I clearly saw it just now..."

He became more and more confused, frantically searching. I glanced at the clock.

“Sorry, but it's time to board the plane.”

“I don't have time to watch you act anymore.”

My voice is cold. Tong Van Nghiem seemed to want to say something, but as soon as he looked up at me, the light in his eyes completely went out. Because in my eyes— There is only coldness and sarcasm.

“If it's lost, it's lost.” “No matter how hard I try to hold on, I can't find it again.”

My words have hidden meanings. But I believe that Tong Van Nghiem understands. His eyes gradually turned red again, filled with regret and pain. In just one day, he cried so much. To the point that I almost no longer recognize the image of the arrogant and cold Tong Van Nghiem from years ago.

“I'm leaving.”

I calmly walked past him. As if understanding that all efforts to hold on were futile, Tong Van Nghiem completely collapsed. He collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears. The crying was heartbreaking, but I didn't stop. I pretended not to hear, nor did I turn my head. In the surprised eyes of everyone around me, amid whispers, I walked straight towards the boarding gate. Stepping towards a new journey that belongs to me. 10. After I returned home, Tong Van Nghiem kept texting me. He shares every little story in his life— Like how the soy milk at the restaurant below the company today was sweeter than usual. Or a colleague complained about the food in the cafeteria, so he changed to a new supplier. Or the story of him going jogging at night and accidentally meeting a small cat digging through the trash looking for food. He also sent a photo, saying that he had adopted the cat. Sometimes, reading those messages, I suddenly remember the time when we first fell in love. Even though we are far apart, we still share everything in life. Later, when the long-distance relationship ended, even though we didn't see each other, we still spent time every day talking. Until Hua Thanh Thanh appeared. He started texting me less. Since then, the only person left standing to share life... is only me. Exactly like him now. A few days later, I deleted all contact with him on social networks. But very quickly, he found another way to contact me. That night, he was drunk. Called me, crying and cursing. Curse me cruelly. Cursed me coldly. Cursing me for leaving him alone... He said all the words that could blame me. Finally, he sobbed and asked me:

“We took so many photos before... So why is there not a single photo left in the house now?”

“Tham Tu, I really miss you.”

A week later, I received a text message. Tong Van Nghiem announced that he was about to get married. With Hua Thanh Thanh. This was already within my prediction. I'm not surprised, nor concerned. At that time, I was focusing on getting promoted. After leaving him, I found a new job with an open future. Based on my previous experience, in just three short months, I was promoted to a management position. I sent a polite congratulations, then thought no more about it. Later, friends recounted that—Tong Van Nghiem and Hua Thanh Thanh's wedding was extremely lavish and splendid. But on the wedding day, the two of them had a fierce argument in front of all the guests. While angry, Tong Van Nghiem accidentally pushed Hua Thanh Thanh down the stairs, causing her to lose too much blood and miscarry on the spot. The baby cannot be kept. This scandal spread everywhere overnight. Later, I found out how it really happened. Hua Thanh Thanh worked carelessly and accidentally ruined a large cooperation project. Tong Van Nghiem forced her to apologize to her partner, and she obediently obeyed. But as soon as she heard a few words from the other person, she immediately became angry and threw the glass of wine in his face. The project failed, the company's reputation plummeted. Tong Van Nghiem hurriedly ran around to save the situation. But while he was busy with foreign affairs, Hua Thanh Thanh blamed him for not being by her side. She secretly withdrew a huge sum of money from the company fund. Tong Van Nghiem was extremely angry. But at that moment, Hua Thanh Thanh told him that she was pregnant. He was helpless, so he agreed to marry her. On the wedding day, Hua Thanh Thanh continued to play tricks. Can't stand it anymore, Tong Van Nghiem was angry right at the wedding. And the result is tragedy. Hua Thanh Thanh was taken to the emergency hospital. But before he could wake up, Tong Van Nghiem filed a lawsuit against her, demanding compensation. Result— Hua Thanh Thanh was sentenced to prison for embezzlement of public funds. After that, Tong Van Nghiem declared bankruptcy and liquidated assets. Then disappeared completely. No one saw him again. There's just one strange thing— The same day he disappeared, I received a package sent in his name. Inside is the villa ownership certificate— In my name. And a diamond ring— Fits perfectly on my finger. End