Chapter 1
Charles Kingston: [If you're even a second late, you're taking a cab. I'm setting some ground rules for you.]
When I read that message, I suddenly saw things crystal clear.
One second late, and he wanted me to take a cab to our date? I wouldn't give a damn about this kind of twisted compliance test.
Without a second thought, I blocked him and turned to accept the hot coffee from Andrew Scott, my junior.
With red-rimmed eyes, Andrew draped his coat over my shoulders. "How could Charles be so heartless? If it were me, I'd wait for you forever."
*****
Charles: [You coming down? One-minute countdown starts now.]
I glanced at Charles's message and picked up my pace down the stairs. Today was our one-year anniversary, and outside, a cold drizzle was falling.
As I stepped out the front doors of the dorm building, I spotted Charles's car parked by the curb. He hadn't turned off the engine or rolled down the window.
Just then, my phone buzzed. [61 seconds. I said one minute, not a second more. You're taking a cab to the restaurant. Maybe that'll help you remember next time.]
Charles hit the gas and sped off, exhaust and rainwater splattering my canvas shoes.
I stood there in the cold wind, not panicked or upset. My mind had never been clearer.
Charles came from money and always acted like he ran the show. I only agreed to date him because he chased me for over half a year and helped me deal with my grandparents' emergencies.
I figured he wasn't a bad guy, so I gave him a chance.
Over the past year, I'd done everything for him. I organized his study notes for finals, took care of his daily needs, and even put up with his spoiled trust-fund buddies.
But what I got in return was his growing disregard for me, and now these pointless compliance tests.
He probably thought I'd send him a voice message to apologize and hop in a cab to meet him at the restaurant, just like always.
He was trying to train me into total submission, but I suddenly felt exhausted. I didn't want to go along with it anymore.
I stood there and deleted Charles from my phone. Then I blocked his number and every other way he could contact me.
"Zoe, what are you doing out here in the cold all by yourself?" A gentle male voice came from behind me. It was Andrew, a sophomore from the business school.
He held a black umbrella and stepped forward to shield me from the cold rain.
He glanced at the phone I was gripping tightly, and then at the empty street, sounding surprised. "Charles didn't come to pick you up? Isn't today your anniversary?
"If it were me, I'd wait downstairs for two hours if I had to. I'd never let a girl stand in the rain."
I smoothed my hair and replied calmly, "We just broke up."
Andrew paused for a moment, and then looked down, feeling guilty. "Sorry, did I say something that made you feel bad? Charles is really immature. Losing you is totally his loss."
"I'm not upset. Actually, I feel relieved," I replied, looking at him. "Since you've got an umbrella, could you walk me back to my dorm?"
"Of course." Andrew smiled. "If you haven't eaten yet, let me treat you to some chicken soup outside the campus. After a breakup, you need something hot and comforting."
"Sure." I nodded in agreement.
Zoe's POV
Meanwhile, Charles parked his car in the restaurant's underground garage, pulled out his phone, and waited for Zoe to apologize.
Five minutes went by. Not a single message from Zoe.
He frowned, took a quick shot of the steering wheel, and posted it on his social feed. [Rules are rules. Even being a second late means you pay the price. Can't let her get too comfortable.]
Some mutual friends immediately jumped in with comments.
[Charles, laying down rules for Zoe again?]
[Bet she's probably bawling her eyes out in a cab, rushing over.]
Charles figured it was about time, so he texted Zoe on WhatsApp: [When you get here, stand outside for ten minutes before coming in.]
He hit send, but his message had only one grey tick.
Charles froze. He tried calling, but it didn't go through as well. He'd been blocked on everything.
"What, she's got some attitude now?" Charles sneered, tossing his phone onto the passenger seat. He couldn't believe Zoe would actually break up with him.
After all, she'd always gone along with whatever he wanted. He was convinced she was just having a mood swing and would crawl back to unblock him in a couple days.
Instead of heading back to campus, Charles went straight to a bar to meet up with his friends for drinks.
Zoe's POV
Meanwhile, I was sitting in a noisy little shop off campus, enjoying a steaming bowl of chicken soup. Andrew sat across from me, carefully picking out the ingredients I didn't eat for me.
"So, Zoe, what are your plans after this?" he asked.
"I'm prepping for my internship interviews next month, and I need to finish my thesis proposal first," I said, swallowing a spoonful of hot soup. My stomach felt warm and cozy.
"Dating is such a time-waster. Focusing on my career is way more practical."
Andrew looked at me with a smile. "You're totally right, Zoe. If you ever need help with research or formatting, just hit me up. I've got plenty of time."