My girlfriend, Amber Norris, promised to meet my parents with me, but the day before, she went to meet her ex-boyfriend Gilbert Walker’s parents instead.
Hadson Matrix?
Her eyes widened in panic when she saw me appear unexpectedly.
But she quickly retorted, What are you doing here?
Just passing by.
Gilbert’s mother, Samantha Walker, smiled and asked, “Amber, who is this?”
“A friend.”
——
I walked out of the restaurant and went straight home.
I thought Amber would come after me to explain.
But even as I boarded the subway, she didn’t follow, nor did she call or text.
My mind was racing.
Why would she choose her old flame over me, her current boyfriend?
Back home, I saw a lipstick package on the table.
It was a bright red lipstick from the look of the packaging.
I was fond of bright red.
Last year, for her birthday, I gave her one, thinking she would be pleased.
But she refused it, saying bright red was tacky and her least favorite color.
The packaging was already open, and there was a card next to it with words written on it: [To my dearest love.]
Though it had no signature, I knew it had to be from Gilbert.
Seeing those words, I could almost see Gilbert with a mocking smile on his face.
Amber and I had had our share of arguments over Gilbert.
At first, she would explain that they were just friends, telling me not to overthink it.
But as it happened more frequently, she grew impatient, accusing me of not focusing on earning more money and obsessing over trivial matters, even calling me dirty-minded and petty.
When the arguments escalated, she would slam the door and not return all night.
But this time, I decided not to argue.
I was just tired.
After taking a shower, I went back to my study to work.
It wasn’t until after midnight that I heard the sound of keys in the door.
It was Amber returning.
But it was Gilbert’s voice I heard. “Why is your place such a mess? Doesn’t Hadson clean up? He can’t be that lazy, can he?”
In reality, I had been the one cleaning ever since I moved in with Amber.
Hearing his voice made me furious.
But before I could get up, Amber’s voice came through. “Hadson, come out. We need to talk to you.”
Her tone was commanding as if giving an order.
I got up and went to the living room. Gilbert grinned at me. “Hadson, you’re home! Hope we’re not interrupting anything.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“What happened today was a misunderstanding, and I came to explain it to you.”
Gilbert and Amber exchanged a smile. “It’s like this. My mom keeps nagging me to find a girlfriend, and it’s driving me crazy. So I thought of finding someone to pretend, just to get her off my back. Amber is my best friend, so I asked her for help.
“So, things aren’t what you think. Please don’t take it to heart. If you’re angry, just take it out on me. Yell at me, hit me, I don’t care. I just hope you don’t blame Amber.”
Before I could say anything, Amber jumped in to defend him. “Hadson, Gilbert is sincerely apologizing to you. Don’t be so petty.”
Seeing them defending each other and exchanging glances, I felt like an outsider, like I was the one who had committed a grave sin and had to be judged by them.
I immediately got angry. “So should I thank him? Thank him for taking my girlfriend to pretend to be his girlfriend and meet his parents? What’s next, are you going to move in with his family?”
Amber’s face immediately hardened.
Then she growled, “Can you please not put it that way? It makes it sound like Gilbert and I are having an affair!
“Gilbert asked me for help, and I agreed to help him. We’re just friends helping each other out. It’s not as dirty as you think.”
She didn’t miss a chance to insult me. “If someone’s heart is filthy, they see filth in everyone.”
“Hadson, you can say whatever you want about me, but you can’t humiliate Amber like that.”
As Gilbert said this, he patted my arm, putting on a good guy act. “Apologize to Amber quickly, and don’t do it again next time.”
I slapped his hand away.
Apologize?
Why should I apologize?
Over the years, I apologized to her more times than she had spoken to me.
Gilbert let out a hiss after I slapped his hand as if it really hurt.
Amber’s nerves jumped, and she asked anxiously, “Gilbert, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He chuckled and said to me, “Didn’t expect you to be so strong, Hadson. You look pretty skinny. It’s nothing.”
His words instantly infuriated Amber.
She turned and glared at me. “Hadson, why are you so petty? Gilbert was just asking you to apologize to me, why did you hit him?”
Even a fool could tell Gilbert was faking it, but Amber believed it.
It seemed I really was an outsider.
Amber suddenly said, “Hadson, I command you to apologize to Gilbert right now!”
“Amber, I’m fine. I came here today to apologize to Hadson, how can I let him apologize to me? Wouldn’t that be backwards?”
The more Gilbert said this, the angrier Amber became.
She pointed at me and shouted, “Hadson, did you hear that? If you don’t apologize, I’m breaking up with you!”
Here we go again.
In the past, I would have just swallowed my pride.
But not today.
“Then break up.”
With those words, I went to the bathroom.
At that moment, I felt an indescribable sense of relief, as if I had done something remarkable.
Amber was furious. “Fine, fine, that’s what you said, we’re done!”
“Amber, you can’t be so impulsive.”
“Don’t worry. I know what he’s like. He’ll be on his knees, begging me to come back before tonight is over. Let’s go.”
Amber said it loud enough for me to hear.
In college, Amber was the star of the dance club.
Not only was she beautiful with a great figure, but she also had a natural talent for dancing and had many admirers.
She was like a celebrity surrounded by fans.
I could only secretly adore her from afar.
Back then, she had a crush on Gilbert, but Gilbert was solely focused on pursuing the most popular girl at school, indifferent to Amber’s affections.
After a failed confession, Amber was heartbroken and wept bitterly.
On that day, a heavy rain poured down. I saw her sitting by the roadside next to a bouquet soaked and wilted by the rain.
My heart ached for her, so I gave her my umbrella.
From then on, we got to know each other better.
But I always felt she was too good for me, that I wasn’t worthy of her.
In our senior year, encouraged by my roommates, I finally gathered the courage to confess my feelings to her, and she accepted.
At that moment, I felt like the happiest man in the world.
To prove my devotion, I swore in front of her to love and cherish her forever.
She hugged me tightly, shouting with joy, “I want to be with Hadson forever!”
Thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes.
But that sweetness lasted less than a year because when Gilbert returned, she seemed like a different person.
Standing under the showerhead, I let the hot water continuously wash over my face.
I want to rinse away every drop.
It was my final emotion towards her.
Since she was heartless, I would harbor no more sentiments.
The next day, my parents arrived as scheduled, full of excitement to meet Amber.
But she wasn’t home.
I had to lie and say that she had received a sudden call from her boss and had to go on a business trip for a couple of days.
My parents were disappointed but understanding and didn’t get angry.
So, I accompanied them around the city, showing them the sights of my life in the big city.
I tried my best to show them my good side, to reassure them about me.
Before they left, my mom specifically reminded me to treat Amber well.
I nodded and agreed.
Another day passed, and Amber still hadn’t returned.
She was definitely waiting for me to give in, to come to her and apologize. Then, she could stomp all over my face, crush my dignity, and show off her superiority.
But I didn’t contact her.
It was our first cold war.
And it was the first time I mustered the courage not to reach out to her.
Every time we argued in the past, I would search all over town for her after she ran out.
When I found her, regardless of whether it was my fault or not, I would apologize profusely and coax her for a long time before she would reluctantly forgive me.
I truly loved her and was terrified of losing her.
So, even though I was being pathetic, I didn’t care
Even my friends would say, “I’ve seen guys who are whipped, but none as whipped as you.”
Back then, I’d proudly reply with a smile, “I’d gladly be Amber’s lapdog for the rest of my life.”
Thinking back now, I was so pathetic.
On the third day, Amber finally returned.
As soon as she entered the house, she started yelling at me, “Hadson, what is wrong with you? I was gone for so long. And you no give me a calls or texts! Would you even care if I died out there?”
“I was too busy with work these past two days. I forgot.”
“Forgot?”
She walked up to me, her eyes wide. “How can you even say that? Do you still have any feelings for me?”
I did have feelings for her.
And that was why I knew she must have gone to see Gilbert these past two da
Less than an hour after she left with Gilbert that night, she updated her Instagram.
It was a video of her and Gilbert clubbing together.
And she captioned it: [Because of you, it’s a sunny day.]
So why should I even bother?
But she continued to rant, “Have I been too nice to you lately? Have I given you too much freedom, making you think you can do whatever you want in this house?
“Let me tell you, Hadson, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re my boyfriend. If you piss me off, I’ll break up with you and you’ll never see me again!”
Then, she laughed arrogantly. “If you apologize to me now, I might consider giving you another chance.”
“No need.”
She didn’t expect me to say something like that, and her face changed as she asked, “What did you say?”
“I said, no need to give me another chance.”
Amber froze, and her words started to stumble. “You, what do you mean?”
Seeing her stunned expression, I said indifferently, “Let’s break up. It’s better for both of us.”
Amber’s face was full of panic, her eyes lost. Her previous arrogance vanished instantly.
Her lips twitched, and she thought I was joking. She forced a comforting smile. “Hadson, are you outraged? Such a petty guy.
“Come on, I told you, I was just helping Gilbert out, there’s nothing between us. You’re a grown man, can’t you be a little more magnanimous?”
“You’re my girlfriend, yet you pretend to be Gilbert’s girlfriend and meet his parents. I haven’t made a scene, isn’t that magnanimous enough? Or do I need to send a few blessings your way for you to be satisfied?”
Filled with frustration, I couldn’t hold back anymore and finally let it out.
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