Having been embroiled in scandal, Joy no longer wished to participate in the world’s disputes and competitions. She left the city for the outskirts, purchasing a small house, but always supported her dream of creating excellent works. In the past, apart from writing, she engaged in events, advertising, and more to increase her income and satisfy her vanity. But now, her life had become humble, yet still very intriguing.
After a significant incident, she changed her mindset, living more slowly to savor the joys of life.
Joy’s house was designed in a Hue garden house style. Constructed primarily of wood, it was very cool. A large garden with many flowers, fruit trees, and ornamental plants surrounded it. Joy habitually collected rare plants and flowers, so her living space was full of lush greenery and the subtle fragrance of various blooms.
It had been over a week since their meeting, and Joy had yet to recall her. Seeing this, Mary anxiously sought her out.
…
Hearing the doorbell ring, Joy put down the glass she was halfway through drinking and stepped out.
Seeing Mary in an elegant suit, meticulously made up, and accompanied by a tall, well-built, and courteous man, Joy paused in disbelief. How could that man be attending Mary? Why did they seem so close, like a couple?
“Why are you coming here?”
Joy offered the two a drink, then slowly spoke.
“A life full of competition and struggle is not good. Since I moved here, I’ve become a different person. A peaceful life may be even better, you know.”
Upon hearing this, Mary intuitively grasped Joy’s intentions but had no intention of giving up and continued to persuade her.
“I understand that you need time to calm down and reconsider everything. But can you ignore everything, ignore those who made you lose your reputation and career? You can’t let them look down on you, let the public misunderstand you.”
Hearing this, Joy also felt a twinge in her heart.
“There’s no shortage of injustices in life, and I’m fatigued.”
Mary earnestly wanted Joy to return, as this was her only chance to make a comeback.
But faced with Joy’s firm attitude, Mary was greatly disappointed. Sitting next to her, Bryan couldn’t help but speak up.
“Perhaps you’re worried that it would be even more disastrous if this publication fails. But I assure you it will be successful, and if not, I’ll shoulder the full responsibility.”
This startled Joy, prompting her to question him.
“What do you stake as your assurance?”
Without hesitation, Bryan replied.
“I am currently the second largest shareholder of the publishing house. If this project fails, I’ll transfer all my shares to your name. So you don’t need to worry too much.”
Joy forced a bitter smile.
“It would be no different from robbery if you do that. The money is yours. How can I accept it?”
But Bryan was adamant.
“I do it willingly, not because of you.”
“Of course, it’s not because of me but for the beauty beside you.”
Joy mused to herself, recalling how he was a reckless teenager who abandoned his home to wander ten years ago and how he had grown into an audacious man, living flamboyantly, curious to see how long his arrogance would last.
Ten years ago, she unexpectedly encountered a group of young men on a deserted road while returning from work on a stormy night. In a panic, she turned to run, but to her horror, they chased after her. She pleaded through her tears when she found herself at a dead end with no way out, but they only approached closer. The words of their leader sent shivers down her spine.
“She’s quite pretty, boys. Let’s go.”
Just as they were about to harm her, one of them intervened, giving her the chance to escape. Joy didn’t know why he did what he did, but from that moment onwards, her perspective on life was forever altered.
A decade had passed, and today, she reencountered him. He might have forgotten about the past, but she remembered it vividly. He was still the same, brave and fond of doing the unconventional.
…
Andrew’s behavior had recently become rather peculiar – he would leave early and return late. Agnes, naturally suspicious and prone to jealousy, had secretly monitored him. One afternoon, as he left the publishing house, she tailed him and was surprised to discover he frequented a well-known city entertainment hub.
She had visited this place before but was unaware that Andrew was its owner. He disappeared into a room. The closed door, guarded by many subordinates, deterred her from getting any closer.
She veered into a hallway leading to the restrooms to evade their attention. As she passed the men’s room, she overheard someone mentioning Andrew, and intrigued, she paused to assess the situation.
Inside, the deep, scoffing laughter of an older man echoed clearly.
“Andrew, that cunning youngster, thinking he can compete with me. He’s out of his depth, trying to manipulate me. He’s taken a liking to that woman, but now she’s with his close friend, and he’s not content. He plans to exploit me to interfere.
If I don’t teach him a lesson now that he’ll never forget… this time, I’ll have him deliver her into my hands.”
Agnes heard everything. She didn’t quite comprehend what was happening among these men, but it seemed potentially advantageous.
She carefully considered everything upon returning home before deciding on her next move.
Today, like any other day, Mary went to work. As she entered the office, she was taken aback to find Agnes there. Sensing trouble, she placed her bag on the table and asked calmly, “What’s brought you here this early?”
Agnes sneered at her. “Just checking in to see how you’ve been living since you paired up with your new boyfriend.”
A little irritated, Mary concealed her discomfort, replying, “Since when have you cared about my life? It seems strange that you’re suddenly interested.”
Exasperated, Agnes blurted out the truth.
“You’re nothing more than a puppet for them to control and manipulate. Bryan won’t be able to protect you and might even use you. Andrew is no different. If you don’t believe me, investigate what plans they’ve been hatching recently. Oh, and don’t trust someone before you understand their past. I’m just reminding you, but you know this better than anyone else.”
Observing Agnes’s sarcastic and arrogant posture, Mary felt a surge of anger, but the words spoken held a validity that gave her pause.
Mary mulled over Agnes’s insinuations. She noticed how Bryan had increasingly started to step out every time his phone rang as if hiding something. Once, he even received a call in the dead of night and left immediately, disregarding Mary’s protests.
Today marked the first anniversary of their acquaintance, and Bryan had prearranged a dinner at a lavish restaurant. But Mary, wanting to surprise him, decided to cook for him herself.
In the afternoon, Mary left work early to go grocery shopping. Since they’d been together, she had never cooked a meal for him at home, so this occasion moved him profoundly.
It was an intimate dinner for two, set on a luxurious dining table. Mary had prepared various dishes, each as tempting as the last. Bryan, who had grown up without a family, yearned for warm, wholesome meals.
The twinkling candlelight added an ethereal touch to the room. The soft music playing in the background, the gentle clinking of wind chimes mingling with the sound of clashing wine glasses, created a symphony of harmony. Bryan’s smitten gaze at Mary was enough to incite envy in others.
Caught in the throes of passion, he wrapped his arms around her, their bodies entwined as they shared yet another night of rapture.
Mary stirred in the dead of the night, with Bryan fast asleep like a child. She grabbed his phone from the sofa, perusing through an oral log and all recent messages. Unbelievable as it seemed, everything Agnes had said was true.
Tears welled in her eyes; Mary felt an acute fear of a life filled with deceitful people. Initially suspicious of him, his attentiveness and tender care had gradually erased her doubts. But who would’ve imagined that despite claiming to have cut ties with Andrew, despite seeming wholly committed to helping her, he was still in contact with his old comrade, his partner in adversity?
With a bitter laugh, Mary conceded. After all, he and Andrew had been as close as brothers for years. How could a fragile girl like her hope to separate them?
In the end, Mary succumbed to the vulnerability in her heart. Whenever she dared to trust, she was deceived again and left sad.