I pushed her gently, afraid the elevator doors would close. Instead, she tightened her arms around my waist.

“No escaping!”

“What?”

“I've already discussed the wedding with both parents and the wedding preparations have begun. Three days later is the best auspicious day this year and I don't want to miss it.”

After saying that, she pulled me out of the room without saying a word, but her moist palm gave away her nervousness. Looking at her tense side face, I suddenly stood still.

“Azalea Pereaslav, I want to have a traditional and simple wedding!”

Her figure lurched and abruptly turned around. The smile in the bottom of her eyes was like a star being lit up.

“Okay.”

My thoughts couldn't help but go back to the old days. In high school, she was a top student and a school beauty and I was a poor student who couldn't teach her no matter how hard she tried.

After going to college, we were separated. She would take a three-hour flight to see me every week. She also didn't get tired of running for three whole years. Until Bibiana and I started to fall in love.

***

When I dragged my suitcase back to Barkworth Family’s house, my mom held my hand with red eyes.

“That kind of asshole isn't worth it.”

My dad sent a voice in the business group with his stern tone, “Anyone who seeks out Bibiana for investment counselling again is messing with me, my son.”

After pacifying my parents, I collapsed on my bed exhausted.

Opening my Instagram, Ludovico just posted his latest photo. Eight screenshots of the game victory, right in the middle was a selfie of Bibiana sitting on his lap and making a ‘V’ sign. His caption was Brother and sister are united. The strength can break metal!

I silently clicked the thumbs up. 

A few minutes later, Bibiana called, “Do you want to play games? Ludovico and I will take you, just follow us. Don't run around and mess with the rhythm!”

In order to fit into her circle, I had once lowly begged her to take me to play games. As a result, just that one time, she scolded me to death, saying that I was a rookie and a burden and asked me to get out.

Today, she called me again, but I didn't care anymore. Just as I was about to hang up the phone, Ludovico's voice came through.

“Bibiana, why did you throw up on the floor again? It's all your fault! That night you said you wanted to try to see if I had feelings for women, I thought you were joking, you gave me the real thing! You can clean it up yourself, I'm tired.”

“You can coax your jealous boyfriend later, okay? Which is more important, brother or man? You can choose.”

Bibiana threw me a sentence, “Do not talk, forget it. I don't want to pay attention to you.”

A busy signal came from the other end of the phone. My brain exploded.

What a drunken accident, it was all planned for a long time. They actually had a clue.

Every time she went on a date, she felt bored and turned around to play games with Ludovico until late at night.

When travelling, she must bring Ludovico with her, saying that “He can liven up the atmosphere.”

The dialogue box of Ludovico was always on top of her phone. She also set up a special tone.

The gift given to me on Valentine's Day always includes Ludovico because he is single and too pitiful. And whenever I questioned it, she must have stormed out.

“Are you possessed by a troublemaker? Why don't we just break up so that I don't have to look at your face for everything I do!”

“Don't try to control me just because your dad has some filthy money. I, Bibiana Boscardin, do not rely on your Barkworth Family charity!”

Countless times today, I thought, if I had forcefully asked her to keep her distance from Ludovico, would it have ended differently? But in front of her, I had never been humbled to the dust.

Sensitive, suspicious and stupid, these are the words she gave me. Every time I was uneasy, she defined it as unreasonable.

Even my dad introducing clients to her was misinterpreted as an insult to her ability. What else could I say?

The next day was the school's centennial celebration. I didn't expect that the school had invited the outstanding alumni from the neighbouring school, Bibiana and Ludovico to attend as guests.

After their speech, the host laughed and joked, “The two of you look really talented and a perfect match, shouldn't they be a couple?”

Bibiana didn't answer right away but instead coldly swept a glance at me. I expressionlessly averted my eyes.

Ludovico immediately put his hand on Bibiana's shoulder. “Do we look like it? We're actually just brothers…”

Before his words fell, Bibiana suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist. “That's right, we already have a baby.”

A burst of cheers and applause erupted from the stage.

Whispers came from behind me, “Bibiana was a recognized goddess in the university town back then. I heard that a shameless licker had been pestering her for three years, causing her to remain single. And in the end, she actually let the licker get his hands on her.”

“A few days ago, the classmate group also said that they were going to get married, but today the rumour has finally been disproved.”

“That loser also came today. If it wasn't for the fact that his family has a few stinking bucks to donate to the school, how could he deserve to be an outstanding alumnus?”

I clenched my fists and turned to look directly at them. “Have you said enough? Why not say it in front of me?”

The two of them flickered their eyes and muttered in a low voice, “We didn't mention any names, but you insisted on taking it personally.”

By this time, Bibiana and Ludovico had already sat next to me.

Ludovico hypocritically advised, “Matthew, these two girls didn't say it was you. You're too sensitive.”

Bibiana sneered, “You are sick!”

With them backing them up, the two of them immediately became confident. “That's right, you're looking for trouble over nothing, you're nuts!”

Right at this moment, the host on stage announced to enter the alumni sharing session and invited me to speak on stage. I took a deep breath, forced down my anger and prepared to get up.

Just as I took a step, Ludovico suddenly stretched out his leg and tripped. “Bang!”

I fell heavily to the ground. The whole body was in severe pain, especially in the knees, elbows and chin and the body seemed to be torn apart.

My face was burning with pain. And when I touched it, my fingertips were stained with blood. The whole venue was silent in an instant.

“Too excited to see the school leaders, Matthew?” 

A piercing mockery came from behind him, “You are giving such a big gift to the school leaders!”

In the midst of all the laughter, I was in so much pain that I couldn't get up for a moment. 

Bibiana sat there, lowering her voice in anger, “Get up right now! You’re embarrassing yourself”

Ludovico pretended to reach out to help me. “Matthew, don't do it in this situation, it's just a fall. Everyone is watching you now.”

The long-suppressed anger suddenly erupted and I shook his hand away fiercely. “What's the point of pretending to be nice? Ludovico, why did you deliberately trip me?”

“Ah!” 

He suddenly fell back and hit the chair behind him heavily, holding his lower back and screaming in pain, “Matthew! I was kind enough to help you, but even if you don't appreciate it, you still pushed me. What if you hit Bibianan?”

“Men are really troublesome. If it wasn't for Bibiana's face, I would have fought with you today!”

After saying that, he turned to Bibiana. “Bibiana, control your man. Small actions are pleasant to the heart, but big actions are harmful to the body! I am really fed up with these men, fighting for women all day long and they are bored!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his audacity. I saw clearly what Ludovico did when he stretched out his leg and tripped me just now and I also saw the sneer of triumph at the corner of his mouth.

Now he actually dared to hit me with a rake? I couldn't bear it anymore. I stood up with all my strength, raising my hand to punch him. Bibiana took an arrow step in front of him and slapped me with her backhand.

The force of this slap was so great that it hit me so hard that my eyes went black and my ears buzzed. The venue exploded immediately.

Bibiana looked at the blood on her hand and disgustedly wiped it with a tissue. Her eyes were as cold as ice.

“Matthew, get out of here!”

I stared at her dumbfounded and my throat tightened. “Bibiana, can't you stand on my side just once?”

She was stunned for a moment and then became even more furious. “I'm going to count to three. If you don't get out, we'll break up for good! Three, two...”

Looking into her glaring round eyes, I suddenly felt empty. Covering my burning cheeks, I walked out quickly.

Behind me, Bibiana's tone suddenly softened, “Slow down and don't fall again.”