From You to Another

A week after the engagement was called off, I went to a tea estate on the outskirts of the city to discuss a business deal. The place was designed like a traditional garden. Just past the entrance was a small courtyard, with trees growing along both sides of a bluestone path.

As I walked through the courtyard and headed further inside, I saw Whitney. She was sitting in the corridor at a tea table, with pastries and tea laid out in front of her. She was smiling as she spoke to someone, and across from her sat Gabriel.

Whitney noticed me first. Her eyes lit up for a moment, but she quickly composed herself and continued talking as if nothing had happened. A server came over and asked how many people were in my party. I told them I had an appointment, and they led me to a table in the corner.

The table wasn’t far from Gabriel’s. From there, I could hear their conversation clearly.

I had just sat down when I heard Whitney ask, “Gabriel, what happened after Erin called off the engagement that day?”

My hand paused slightly as I lifted the teacup.

Gabriel’s voice came from across the room. “What’s there to deal with? She’s the one who canceled it. Am I supposed to beg her not to? ”

Whitney laughed softly. “But she embarrassed you in front of everyone. Where does that leave your pride?”

Gabriel chuckled. “She thinks canceling the engagement will scare me? The engagement was arranged by both our families. She doesn’t get to decide that on her own.”

I held the teacup and took a slow sip. It was camomile from this year’s harvest, and the flavor was good.

Whitney asked again, “So, will you still see her in the future?”

“What for?” Gabriel replied casually. “I have you now.”

Whitney’s voice turned playful and sweet. “Then when are you going to marry me?”

There was a brief silence from their table.

Two seconds later, Gabriel spoke, “Soon. Once things settle down for a bit, I’ll marry you.”

I swallowed the tea in my mouth and poured myself another cup. The steam from the hot tea rose and brushed against my face, leaving the air damp.

Whitney continued talking, but I could barely hear her anymore as one sentence kept echoing in my mind.

“Once things settle down for a bit, I’ll marry you.”

Once things settle down? I felt the urge to laugh. I had waited an entire year for him to come back to me. Meanwhile, he would only marry once things settled down for him.

I finished the tea in one gulp and called the server over to pay the bill. When I stood up to leave, I passed by their table, but I didn’t slow down. There was even a faint smile on my face.

Whitney’s expression shifted, probably because she hadn’t expected me to remain so calm. Gabriel watched me as I walked past. His gaze followed me the whole way until I stepped out of the courtyard.

Once I got into my car, my grip on the steering wheel tightened. My nails dug into my palm, hurting me. Then I sent a message to the client’s project manager and changed the meeting location for the business discussion. Three seconds later, I started the car and drove away.

Back at the tea estate, Gabriel pushed aside the pastry Whitney had offered him.

“Let’s go.”

Whitney was taken aback. “Go where?”

“I’ll take you home. I have something to deal with.”

Her expression changed, but she didn’t dare say anything more.

That night, the project client was finalized. It was Black Group. The next day, I received another message that the project liaison from their side was Whitney.

I stared at the message for a long time. Did Gabriel bring her into the company, or had she always worked there?

In the end, it didn’t matter. I set my phone down and continued revising the proposal.