Just Being with You in This Life

Maybe it was because I stayed up too late at night.

I failed to be woken up by my two alarms on Monday morning.

In anxiety, I rushed to the gate of my community.

During the morning rush hour, I couldn't even get a taxi.

However, a marketing manager in my company also lived in the same community.

He once offered to give me a ride every day as if it were carpooling.

He was in his fifties and had a wife and children.

But Quentin didn't like me having contact with any other men.

And he had to pick up Willow every day.

As a result, I had to get up an hour earlier every day and take two subway shifts.

I ran into the marketing manager today.

He asked me if I needed any help.

While I was hesitating, Quentin's car stopped in front of me.

He glanced at the car behind him unhappily and said coldly, "Get in."

I was a little surprised.

Just as I was about to get in the car, his cell phone rang.

I saw Willow's name on his phone screen.

Soon, Willow's pretentious voice came over.

I walked to the car behind Willow's car in silence and got into the marketing manager's car.

Just as I fastened my seat belt, I received a text message from Quentin: [Willow has a stomachache. I will bring her breakfast first. You can take a taxi to the company.]

I knew this would happen.

Luckily, I thought ahead of it.

When the two cars passed each other, I met Quentin's eyes, and he opened his mouth in surprise.

Fortunately, I wasn't late.

I transfer some money to the marketing manager.

Just as I sat down in my seat,

Quentin sent me a message asking me why I took another man's car and saying that it was very inappropriate.

"Unbelievable. If I didn't do that, I would be late for work." I thought.

He sent me a few long voice messages, but I didn't want to listen to them.

I replied: [Stop it. I'm busy.]

Then, I started working.

Perhaps my attitude finally made him realize that something was wrong.

At noon, he actually condescended to come and have lunch with me.

Willow also followed.

She naturally took Quentin's arm and said, "Quentin, let's go have lunch together."

It was as if she suddenly noticed my presence. "Hey, Jane. It's a pity that they don't have your favorite food today. So, it's best if you don't join us."

In the past, I would be jealous and pester Quentin to accompany me or follow them to dine outside anyway.

But that annoyed Quentin a lot, and he always said that my presence made all three of us uncomfortable.

So, I stepped aside and gave them privacy today, chuckling, "You're right. I won't go. You two can go."

Hearing what I said, Quentin looked unhappy.

He suddenly shook off Willow's hand.

The latter was surprised for a moment. Then, Willow's eyes immediately turned red. "Quentin, what's wrong? Is Jane upset again? If so, she can join us in lunch, then."

Without replying to me, Quentin took a few steps back. "I have a girlfriend. Please keep a distance from me."

Willow's face immediately turned pale. She ran away crying, feeling humiliated.

Quentin looked at me with pride and confidence

like a big dog waiting for praise.

"Jane, shall we go have lunch?"

"No. Let's keep our distance in the company."

That was the first time he treated Willow that way.

He looked at me expectantly.

But what I said made him suddenly feel dejected.

I couldn't understand him.

"Isn't this what he's always want?" I thought.

In order to join the same company with him, I worked hard to pass the postgraduate entrance examination.

But after I entered the company, the first thing he said to me was, "It's better to keep our distance in the company."

"Why does he look so hurt right now?" I wondered.

He probably wanted me to coax him, but I remained silent.

He sighed and took out a portion of sweet and sour ribs from behind him.

We spoke almost at the same time,

"But I bought your favorite food, sweet and sour ribs."

"Besides, we've already broken up."

Awkwardness prevailed suddenly.

I looked at the sweet and sour ribs in his hand,

knowing that he must have felt proud that he could do so much for me.

But I still reminded him with a smile, "You remembered it wrong. I don't like sweet and sour ribs. Willow loves them."

When Willow first came back, I didn't realize the seriousness of the problem.

I felt sorry for her and was willing to put up with her when Quentin told me that she was alone and helpless.

Willow would always order sweet and sour ribs.

Both of them loved that dish.

It turned out that they had the same tastes and interests. So, they were really a perfect match.

I, on the other hand, love spicy food. Every time I ate with Quentin and Willow, I couldn't eat well.

He wanted to say something more, but Willow called him. I didn't know what she said.

But Quentin looked panicked. He stuffed the sweet and sour ribs into my hands and said anxiously, "We'll talk about this later."

Then, he rushed out the door.

I looked at his back and threw the lunch box he gave me into the trash can.

After having lunch with my colleagues, I focused on work for the whole afternoon.

Before leaving after work, my colleague Linda brought me a cute little band-aid and iodine.

She gently addressed my wound and said, "Girls can't have scars on their faces."

I was no longer nervous.

I had devoted the past several years to Quentin.

Unfortunately, he was still cold to me.

For the first time, I felt other people's kindness.

My nose started to feel sore again.

Although Linda and I weren't very close, my heart softened at that moment.

"Thank you."