Chapter 3
Ryan and I were locked in a deadlock.
I didn't break up with him right away, not because I was still attached.
It was that he was about to close a deal with a big client I'd spent half a year nurturing, and the contract was almost signed.
This project was mine from start to finish. Ryan never got involved.
Luna had never even met the client.
If I broke things off now, I'd be handing over the deal I spent months working for.
Ryan must have realized I was genuinely angry this time.
After a couple of days of silent treatment, he started reaching out to me, trying to smooth things over.
"Mindy, give me another chance," Ryan said.
I didn't say a word.
By Friday afternoon, the client finally gave the go-ahead, and the contract signing was set for next Monday.
I dropped the update in the team group chat.
Ryan replied almost instantly: [Thanks for handling this. I'll go with you on Monday.]
Luna chimed in right after with a cute sticker, "Mindy, you're awesome. I want to come along and see how it's done.]
I didn't reply.
Over the weekend, Ryan tried to smooth things over by booking us a table at my favorite restaurant.
While we waited for our food, he reached across and took my hand. "Mindy, once this contract goes through, let's get married."
I blinked, momentarily stunned.
He said gently, "I've been looking at some apartments. They're all close to the office.
"It's the layout you like. And I've already picked out the wedding dress. Just the one you said beautiful last time."
If it were before all this, I probably would've been so touched I'd cry.
But now, I pulled my hand back. "Ryan, are you saying this because you feel guilty?"
His gaze wavered. "I'm serious."
I met his gaze. "If you're really serious, then you need to stop expecting me to always sacrifice for you. Can you do that?"
Ryan fell silent.
The answer was obvious.
*****
On Monday morning, I got to the office early to get the contract ready.
When I got to my desk, I saw Luna sitting in my chair, flipping through my project files.
"What are you doing?" I snapped.
Luna was startled, and the folder slipped from her hands, hitting the floor with a thud.
"M-Mindy," she stammered, scrambling to her feet. "Ryan told me to check out the project files. He said I should tag along with you later..."
"Who gave you permission to go through my files?" I said coldly as I picked up the folder.
"I told her she could," Ryan replied.
Ryan walked out of his office, looking completely unfazed.
"Mindy, Luna's working on a similar project. Let her take a look and learn. She can help share your workload in the future," he said.
I scoffed, "Help me share the workload?
"I spent three months wining and dining this client to close the deal.
"What did Luna ever do? Why does she get to walk in and enjoy the payoff?"
"Mindy!" Ryan raised his voice, sharp and tense. "Mind your language."
Everyone around us turned to stare.
Luna's eyes filled with tears again. "Ryan, I'm sorry. I'm to blame. I shouldn't have gone through Mindy's stuff without asking her first."
"You didn't do anything wrong," Ryan said, giving Luna a reassuring pat on the shoulder, clearly siding with her.
He turned to me and said, "This is a team project, Mindy. Luna is part of the department, so she has the right to be in the loop."
Watching him defend her again, I felt exhausted to my core.
"So you're really bringing her along today?" I asked.
"Yes," Ryan said without hesitation. "I've already told the client. Luna will be joining us."
Mindy nodded, picked up her bag, and said coldly, "Go ahead. I'm taking a leave today."
"Mindy!" Ryan shouted, grabbing my wrist. "Don't throw a tantrum here."
"I'm throwing a tantrum?" I shot back.
I jerked my hand free. "Ryan, how many times have I sacrificed for you these past five years? And now, because I refuse to go, I'm suddenly the one being difficult?"
"That's not what I meant," Ryan said, flustered.
"Then what do you mean?" I demanded. "You talk about marrying me, but you keep giving Luna everything that should be mine. Ryan, what exactly am I to you?"
Ryan was at a loss for words.
As I turned to leave, I heard Luna whisper softly behind me, "Ryan, is Mindy upset because she thinks there's something between us?"
In the end, I still went to meet the client.
It wasn't for Ryan. It was because I'd spent six months working my ass off on this project.
I couldn't let Luna mess it up.
Sure enough, it didn't take long for Luna to start pulling her usual stunts.
The client brought up some technical details.
I was about to answer when Luna jumped in. "We can go with the latest solution for this. Sure, it costs more, but the results are way better."
The client frowned, "Our budget is tight. Mindy said last time we could use another solution."
"That plan's too old," Luna chimed in, her smile sugary sweet. "Ryan says, if we're doing this, we go for the best."
I looked at Ryan.
To my surprise, he actually nodded.
The client's face darkened.
I quickly jumped in to smooth things over. "Mr. Lewis, the solution we discussed before already meets your requirements, and it's been thoroughly tested for stability.
"The new technology Luna mentioned is still in testing and might affect the timeline, so it's a suggestion."
The client's expression finally relaxed. "Mindy, you're the professional here. Let's stick with the original plan."
Luna bit her lip and looked at Ryan with big, sad eyes, like she was the poor victim in all this.
After the meeting, Ryan dragged me into the stairwell.
"Why didn't you give Luna a break?" he demanded.
"Why should I?" I retorted. "Ryan, this is a contract signing meeting. This isn't child's play. With one slip, the whole deal could go south."
"She's inexperienced. Teach her instead of making her look bad in front of everyone, okay?" Ryan said.
It was the same line.
"I can't do it," I said, my voice steady. "Ryan, let's break up."
Ryan froze, staring at me in disbelief. "What did you say?"
"Let's break up," I repeated.
"Because of this?" Ryan blurted out, his face full of disbelief. "After five years together, you're breaking up with me for such a small matter?"
"Small matter?" I let out a laugh. "Ryan, you really think this is a small matter?
"Alright, let's call it a small matter. But all these so-called small matters have drained everything between us."