Chapter 3
After sticking to my decision and submitting my resignation to my manager, I went back to my desk to start handing things over and finish up my remaining tasks.
Vanessa Turner, the coworker I was handing things over to, was someone I usually got along with. When she found out I was leaving, she seemed pretty bummed about it.
"Lilian, are you really leaving?" Vanessa asked. "So now I'll have to watch those two shameless jerks rub their relationship in my face every single day."
I followed her gaze and saw Percival going over a case with Bella.
Percival had just gently chided her, and Bella looked a bit sulky. To make it up to her, Percival suddenly produced a Cartier bracelet out of thin air, and Bella instantly put it on, grinning from ear to ear.
Then she met my gaze and shot to her feet, completely flustered.
"Lilian, there's nothing going on between Percival and me. It's just a regular bracelet," Bella blurted out.
Her words made everyone's gaze flicker back and forth between the two of us.
After five years of dating, Percival had never given me anything fancy. And just like him, everyone here assumed I was some girl from the sticks who couldn't even recognize a designer label.
Everyone thought I was the one to be pitied.
Even Vanessa, standing right beside me, was indignant for me.
"You're still his girlfriend, and they're totally making a fool out of you," Vanessa said.
I held her hand and shook my head, telling her to chill and not cause a scene. Then I looked over at Bella again.
"That bracelet looks great on you. It really suits you," I said.
Bella, seeing I wasn't getting angry, looked a bit reluctant and insisted. "Lilian, it's honestly just a regular bracelet. Don't get upset."
I just felt weird.
I didn't need to be angry. I got plenty of bracelets like that, just that they were all sitting at my house in Jinsland.
Percival stood up, frowning as he called me out, "Lilian, stop making a fuss."
I let out a sigh and shook my head.
"I'm really not upset. Can you guys quit jumping to conclusions about me?" I said.
My tone was calm, and Percival looked a bit surprised. Then he snorted, "You better be."
He then tugged Bella to sit down next to him.
Vanessa couldn't hold back anymore. "Seriously, Lilian, you're just going to let them get away with that?"
I shrugged my shoulders while sorting through the files.
"Yeah, honestly, as far as I'm concerned, I already dumped him," I replied.
We tried to get married fifty-two times, and not a single one ever went through. Honestly, I was just so over it now.
After work, Percival came over to help me get my things together, which was rare for him.
"Let's go. I booked a table at Lunaline Hotel for eight o'clock. If we leave now, we'll get there right on time," he said.
Then Percival's eyes landed on my clean wrist, and he paused, a little anxious as he asked, "Hey, where's the bracelet I gave you?"
"I was worried I'd accidentally break it, so I took it off and left it at home," I replied.
He let out a breath and smiled at me, clearly relieved, "You used to wear it every single day. What made you suddenly decide to put it away for safekeeping?"
Before I could figure out how to make up a story, Bella hurried over and stopped beside us.
"Percival, I'm all done," she called out.
Percival's attention immediately shifted to her. He nodded, signaling her to wait in the car.
I watched as Bella headed straight for the front passenger seat and waited there.
We'd been together for five years, and I'd never once sat in the front passenger seat of his car. Percival always said that the seat was for his future wife, and I could only sit there after we got married.
When Bella gave me a challenging look, I just looked down and said nothing.
My heart felt nothing now.
When we got to the restaurant, Percival and Bella sat together on one side and ordered for themselves, not bothering to ask me what I wanted.
I didn't mind the peace and quiet, just propping my head up and gazing out the window at the scenery.
After tomorrow, chances were I wouldn't get to see this view again.
When the food came, Percival, for once, peeled a whole plate of shrimp and placed it right in front of me.
"The shrimp here are pretty good," he said.
I looked up and caught his gentle smile.
I never thought he'd bother with me, especially now.
Bella couldn't help but show off, eager to take credit.
"I was the one who told Percival about this place. Last time we came, he polished off three plates of shrimp," she said.
Percival's face went red.
"Why would you say that in front of her?" he muttered, flustered.
Bella giggled, covering her mouth and glancing at me a bit sheepishly.
Bella giggled, "Hey, Lilian, don't let this silly story change how you see Percival, okay?"
The two of them started laughing together.
I looked at the shrimp, but suddenly it just tasted like nothing to me.
I forced myself to eat one, fighting the urge to gag, then shoved the plate back.
"I don't want it. You eat it," I said.
They finally stopped goofing off, and Percival, a bit wary, asked me, "Are you upset?"
I shook my head. "No, it's just too fishy for me. I'm not used to it."
Just like them two, their drama reeked even more.
After dinner, Percival drove Bella home after she'd had too much to drink, and I was the one left behind to close the door.
After watching them leave, I called a cab and went straight to the airport.
Percival was still texting me, talking about plans for our upcoming wedding.
Maybe out of guilt, he insisted on planning and organizing everything himself this time.
Percival: [Don't worry. This time the wedding will happen for sure. No one's going to ruin it for us.]
I replied flatly, showing no emotion: [Okay.]
I knew it was never going to happen.
This wedding would end up canceled just like before.
Just as I was about to board my flight, he sent another message.
Percival: [Bella drank too much, and now her stomach's acting up. I won't be coming home tonight. Good night.]
I snorted, already seeing right through him.
[Go ahead, stay at her place for all I care. I've packed up and moved out. From now on, we're nothing to each other.]
[Percival, goodbye forever.]
Right after I sent that last message, I blocked and deleted him.
Once I was on the plane, I watched as Anilewood slipped further and further away beneath the clouds, its city lights still glittering in the night.
On the other side, Percival was left utterly speechless.