Chapter 6

I continued to work overtime as usual, and Silas stayed later and later each day.

Occasionally, he would give me a ride. The weather in late autumn and early winter was dry and cold, and the pedestrians wrapped in coats seemed to be kept at a distance by the chill, instinctively wanting to draw closer together.

We would talk about the company’s projects, discuss what we had been up to recently, and I would complain to him about people from the partner company. Sometimes he would agree with me:

“Yeah, I think that person is really an idiot too.”

And then we’d laugh together.

Over time, I could feel his growing affection for me, so on the day of the first snowfall, I decided to take a bold step.

I asked him for leave, hesitating when he asked for the reason:

“There’s something going on at home.”

Normally, that would be the end of the questioning, but Silas furrowed his brow.

“Is something wrong with your family? Is there anything I can help with?”

I smiled awkwardly:

“No, it’s just that my mom is forcing me to go home for a blind date.”

Silas was stunned.

It was rare to see such an expression on his face, so I added, “I’m already 27, and my family has been pushing me hard. I’ve always postponed it, but this time I can’t avoid it.”

After a long pause, Silas looked down:

“Alright, but you know the company is quite busy lately, so I can only approve–” he pretended to check his watch, “two hours, which I think is enough for a blind date. Now, you have one hour and fifty-nine minutes left.”

…

I wasn’t lying to Silas; I really was going on a blind date.

Recently, my blind dates hadn’t been going well, and my mom was getting frantic.

This time, the blind date was promising–a returnee from abroad, working at a major company, 180 cm tall, scholarly in appearance, respectful towards women, and without any condescending remarks.

I was intrigued and couldn’t help but chat a bit more.

Halfway through, the blind date went to the restroom, and I lowered my head to play with my phone, sensing someone sitting in front of me. I was about to speak but stopped.

The person sitting across from me was none other than Kaele.

He was nearly 190 cm tall, making the sofa that was perfect for the blind date feel cramped when he sat down, his long legs having nowhere to go, forcing him to lean back on the sofa.

Kaele toyed with the Volkswagen car keys left on the table by the blind date, sneering:

“You broke up with me just to come back and date this kind of person?”

My smile faded:

“Didn’t you say you had a band performance? Why haven’t you left?”

“The band’s schedule changed. You think I want to stay in this godforsaken place.”

I said seriously, “I hope you can respect my blind date. He’s a good person. Please leave and don’t disturb my date.”

Kaele’s face suddenly darkened, and the smile at the corner of his mouth disappeared.

When the blind date returned, he looked at the scene, somewhat bewildered:

“Excuse me, who are you?”

Kaele didn’t even look at him, his mood low:

“I’m her boyfriend. If you know what’s good for you, leave.”

I quickly explained, “No, he’s not. I–”

However, Kaele stood up and grabbed my wrist:

“What, do I have to kiss you right here for you to believe?”

By the time I broke free from his grip, the blind date had already left in anger.

I was furious: “Kaele, what’s wrong with you? We’ve already broken up!”

Kaele leaned back on the sofa, the smile at the corner of his mouth infuriating.

“That was your unilateral decision. I didn’t agree.”

“Dating isn’t marriage; it doesn’t require mutual consent. Besides, you clearly said before that you’d never go back on your word!”

“I changed my mind,” Kaele said as if deciding what to eat today, without any psychological burden, “I think you’re quite good at taking care of people. Being with you was comfortable, and I don’t want to break up anymore.”

When one is speechless, they really do laugh. I forced a smile:

“But I’m not comfortable.”

“You had the best of me, and now you’re uncomfortable?”

He raised his voice, drawing the attention of others. I wanted to find a hole to crawl into, leaning forward to cover his mouth:

“Shut up–”

Kaele grabbed my hand, and I watched him with a hint of malice in his eyes.

“Since we broke up, you haven’t met any good men, have you, Elowen? You know in your heart that I’m the best man you could ever meet.”

“And we’re quite compatible in bed. Instead of being with those kinds of people, why don’t we–”

His words were abruptly cut off because a hand pulled me away.

I looked up, and Silas was still wearing his black suit from the company, his brow furrowed.

“Weren’t you supposed to be on a blind date? Why is it getting physical? Is he harassing you?”

I was completely stunned.

My original plan was to make Silas jealous, but Silas hadn’t come, and instead, Kaele showed up.

When Kaele was acting up, Silas suddenly appeared!

“I’m her boyfriend. Who are you to meddle?”

Kaele stood up, displeased, as the two tall men faced each other.

“I’m Elowen’s boss,” Silas said calmly.

“As far as I know, Elowen doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

“Does she need to report whether she has a boyfriend to you?” Kaele turned to look at me, smirking.

“Oh, no wonder she broke up with me so decisively. Is this the new man you’ve taken a liking to recently?”

“Elowen, does he know what a despicable person you are? Are you planning to use the same tactics you used on me against him?”

Even though I usually kept my emotions stable, I was infuriated at this moment, just about to retort when Silas spoke up.

“So, you’re the ex who got dumped. Since Elowen dumped you, it means she doesn’t like you anymore. Pestering her won’t work.”

Kaele’s face turned black.

He said, looking at me, “The leave I granted you is up. There’s a meeting waiting for you at the company. Let’s go.”

I couldn’t care less, frowning at Kaele:

“I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but Kaele, I don’t owe you anything over the years we’ve been together. We were together willingly, and I never forced you.”

“I still say, I hope we can part amicably. Please don’t come and disturb me again!”

Kaele wanted to say something, but after hearing my words, his eyes darkened, and he said nothing more.

I was led out by Silas, holding my wrist.

…

“Was that really your ex-boyfriend?” Sitting in the car, Silas rested his arms on the steering wheel, his tone heavy.

“Didn’t you say we needed to go back to the company for a meeting?”

“Was that person your ex-boyfriend?” he repeated.

“Yes,” I rubbed my face, letting out a bitter laugh, “We were together for three years. I really liked him before, but he kept cheating, and I couldn’t take it anymore.”

“Including this time going back home, it was because of the breakup. I was deeply hurt. Originally, spending time with you–” I glanced at Silas’s expression, feeling down.

“It was getting better, but I didn’t expect him to come back and bother me again.”

Silas looked at me: “He doesn’t deserve you. Don’t be soft-hearted.”

“Cheating once is the same as a hundred times. His infidelity shows he can’t overcome his animal instincts, hasn’t evolved well, and lacks self-control. He doesn’t love you enough.”

“You should find a responsible man.”

I couldn’t help but smile, then forced it down, speaking with sadness:

“But there are so few good men like you. Where can I find such a man?”

Silas’s ears slowly turned red, and he coughed:

“Well, only I can be worthy of you.”