The Proposal That Was Just a Bet

3: 3

Behind me came the sound of Sylvia sniffling. "Job, is Erica leaving because she won't forgive me?"

Job's voice was tight with anger.

"Ignore her. She's always making a fuss."

"Can't even take her to dinner without a tantrum, spoiling it for everyone."

My chest felt like a stone was pressing down on it. Even breathing was heavy.

I ran all the way to the old locust tree by our front gate before I finally let myself sob out loud.

When I'd cried enough, I took out my phone and deleted every one of Job's contacts before going inside.

The moment I walked in, Dad took one look at me and sighed.

"I knew you'd come home in tears."

"Job called me a little while ago. Told me to keep you in line, said you were being petty and bullying that Sylvia girl."

I looked up. "What else did he say?"

"Said if you don't go apologize to your classmate, he'd rethink going with you to New York for grad school."

"Said you were wearing him out."

I let out a bitter laugh.

Job had watched me leave without a single word of comfort. He hadn't even noticed I'd blocked him. All he'd done was call to demand justice for Sylvia.

I took a deep breath.

"Dad, I'm not going to New York for grad school. I'm taking a job in Los Angeles, three thousand miles away. The offer's already in. I start as soon as I have my diploma."

Dad's voice rose a few notches.

"Erica, you've finally come to your senses. The job market's tight right now. Getting into a company that good, that's a few years I won't have to worry about you."

The whole night, not another word from Job.

The next morning, Dad came back from his workout in a fury.

"That Job kid is no good. I thought he did well in school, treated you right, figured I'd take him on as a son-in-law someday."

"Never thought he'd bring some girl home last night and cook her breakfast himself this morning. Don't you go looking for him again."

The more Dad talked, the angrier he got.

"And his mother's over there bragging that Sylvia's sweet and sensible, just right to be her daughter-in-law. Says you only ever made her son upset."

The cup froze in my hand.

Job had never once cooked me breakfast. His mother had never once said I was right to be her daughter-in-law.

At least I'd already let go of what I felt for Job.

My heart didn't ache so much anymore.

But Dad thought I was heartbroken.

He hurried to pull out some cash.

"Erica, go buy yourself a milk tea. Something sweet will lift your mood."

Dad pushed me out the door.

At the coffee shop, I didn't expect Job and Sylvia to be there too.

They were holding hands, sipping from each other's drinks.

I used to love stealing sips of Job's drink too.

But he always dodged me on purpose, said he'd catch the germs from my mouth.

Now here he was, drinking away with a look of pure contentment.

They saw me too.

Job's eyes brightened for a clear instant.

Then his voice went cold again. "Erica. You made a scene in front of everyone yesterday, and today you've got the nerve to come chasing after me?"

With that, he ordered a sweet iced latte, the one I loved.

Sylvia came over and took my arm, all friendliness.

"Erica, don't be angry. I'll give Job back to you today."

Job pulled her into his arms.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Erica didn't behave yesterday. Her punishment is that I stay yours three more days."

He looked at me.

"For the next few days, Sylvia and I are a couple. Don't come interrupting our time alone."

So it turned out he knew a couple needed time to themselves too.

But when he and I went to the movies, I had to bring Sylvia along.

When we went to the library, he'd save a seat there for Sylvia.

Even on the anniversary of when we fell in love, he said it was too quiet and had Sylvia join us.

Our time alone had long since become a party of three.