Chapter 2

Just as I expected, he'd sent me a few more messages.

He said: [Ellen's coming to dinner too. She's been working overtime lately and hasn't had a proper meal.]

[She's not into spicy food. I'll take you to that place next time, but let's pick somewhere else for today.]

[I'll send you the address.]

I locked my phone.

Still, I found myself at that spot after all.

Melvin had already canceled the reservation, so I had no choice but to wait in line.

The place was packed, and I had to wait a whole hour before I could finally get a table.

My phone kept buzzing, but I just kept eating, not paying it any mind.

This place was the real deal when it came to spicy food. It was so hot that it actually brought tears to my eyes.

But honestly, it felt amazing.

When it was time to pay, I finally took out my phone.

Sure enough, it was flooded with more than a dozen messages.

He said: [Are you here yet?]

[Are you sulking again? Didn't I tell you I'd take you there next time?]

[Ellen's got a sensitive stomach and can't handle spicy food. Can't you be a little more considerate?]

[She's feeling so bad that she can't even eat. Get over here, quick!]

It was just him repeating himself.

But honestly, it was more than all the messages we'd exchanged in the past month combined.

On my way back, I kept asking myself. How did I end up dating Melvin anyway?

I thought it all started that day when he struck out for the twentieth time trying to get investors for his startup, and my boss shot down my design for the thirty-fifth time.

We both ducked into the same café to escape a thunderstorm, and that was how we met.

At first, we just made awkward chit-chat.

But by the time the rain let up, we totally clicked.

After that, we just naturally ended up together.

I never bought into love at first sight. To me, it was just a spark with no real depth. Even if I felt something, it disappeared before I knew it.

But after six years with Melvin, I often felt incredibly lucky. In this vast sea of people, it was thanks to that one moment of love at first sight that I found someone I could spend my whole life with.

But when I really thought about it...

Were these six years really about us loving each other, or was I just clinging to something one-sided all this time?

Lucy took me out for drinks.

She and her boyfriend were about to start planning their wedding, and things were going to get crazy busy, so she wanted to unwind a bit before the chaos began.

Don't worry, nothing wild, just some good clean fun.

She couldn't really hold her liquor, so she was drunk in no time.

But even after a few too many, she kept going on about how she had to get me home first.

It was both funny and touching. Even when she was wasted, she still put me first.

But Melvin would always, without fail, choose Ellen over me.

I comforted her, "I'm crashing at your place now, so let's just head home together."

I'd moved out these past few days, wanting some space to figure things out between me and Melvin.

Lucy's boyfriend was away on a business trip, so she invited me over to spend her last single days together.

When we got home and I helped her onto the couch, she mumbled in a slurred voice, "Daniela, if it's broken, just toss it. Don't force yourself."

Lucy and I had been friends for over ten years. Even if I didn't say a word, she could always see right through me.

I smiled and gave her a fond pat on the head.

Just then, Melvin started texting me again.

He asked: [Are you done sulking yet? When are you coming back?]

[Come back and I'll take you to that Sichuan place, okay?]

[You're an adult. Disappearing every time you get upset? Do you really think that's the right way to handle things?]

For the first time ever, I didn't reply to him.

Lucy's boyfriend, Crosby Vazquez, was back from his business trip, and I didn't want to overstay my welcome, so I was planning to leave.

But Lucy wouldn't hear of it. She actually kicked Crosby out to his parents' place instead.

Crosby just gave me this resigned, doting look and went along with it, even telling me to keep an eye on her.

I felt kind of bad about it, but Lucy just brushed it off, "Seriously, girl, stay as long as you want."

A couple of days later, Lucy told me Crosby's old college buddy was back in town, so Crosby had set up a hangout, guys, girls, the whole crew.

She insisted I tag along.

I knew she was just worried I'd end up wallowing in my misery and never snap out of it.

So while I was crashing at her place, she was always by my side whenever she could.

I agreed. Figured I might as well go for a change of pace.

The party was at a swanky club where Crosby had a stake.

That was where I met Jovani Trevino. The friend Crosby was welcoming back.

He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had this refined, scholarly vibe.

But don't let his looks fool you. He really knew how to have fun, and with him around, the energy never dropped for a second.

Everyone was having a blast.

While we were chatting, I found out Jovani was already killing it at a young age. Sure, he came from money, but he'd built his own company from scratch and even took it public in just a few years.

As the party wrapped up, he asked if he could add me on WhatsApp.

I shot him a surprised, awkward look.

I hadn't even broken up with Melvin yet.

Jovani flashed a friendly smile. "Don't get the wrong idea. Lucy showed me some of your work, and I think it's really mature and has a unique spark. I just wanted to ask if you've ever considered changing jobs or exploring a new work environment."

I looked over at Lucy, and she just shrugged. "All I did was show Jovani your portfolio. What happens next is totally your call."

"But I think you should add him first. You can always find out more and decide later," she suggested.

Honestly, I have to admit, my heart skipped a beat in that moment.

So I added Jovani's contact info.