Ronald was a photographer. But he never took photos of people. I used to plead him to take a photo of me. He refused.

After learning that, I never asked him to take photos of me again.

Until one day, I picked up a book from the ground, inside which was a photo of a girl smiling under the green gabble.

I recognized her. She was a college student sponsored by Ronald.

How ironic. I was cuckolded.

I put the photo back into the book and called Ronald. "Have you ever taken a photo of any person, for example, any girl?"

My tone was light, but my heart ached faintly.

"No, what's wrong?"

"Sophie wants to find someone to take photos for her. I wonder if you know any photographer."

"I see. I'll send you the contact information."

"Okay."

His tone was as usual, neither too fast nor too slow. However, my heart sank as he spoke.

I had told him before that I hated deception the most, but he lied.

——

"Let's break up."

On the day when Ronald came back, I proposed a breaking-up. He didn't seem to be surprised. His gentle eyes were as calm as when I first saw him.

I couldn't help but think, Ronald, will you ever be lovesick?

Will you regret your doing and be afraid of losing someone?

He hugged me tightly, held my hand with great strength, and kept apologizing.

"Yvonne, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I'll spend more time with you in the future."

I didn't struggle. His solution, an indifferent apology, was within my expectation.

Ronald was very busy and spent little time with me. My traveling plan was always laid aside.

However, that was not why we had to separate.

I leaned against his chest and listened to his dull and powerful heartbeat.

This was Ronald, who seldom lost control of his emotions, who always compromised and said okay, and who made me speechless and unable to refute.

"No."

Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes, but I spoke rationally.

Love was just icing on the cake for me. It was good to have it, but it was not a pity to lose it.

"I don't agree to break up. Let's calm down first."

Ronald loosened his grip and looked at me with gentle eyes, as if he was indulgent of my unreasonable behavior.

I hated his hypocrisy and deception at the moment as much as I used to admire his considerateness.

After resigning from my job, I moved to the suburbs for its quietness.

The house was bought not long after my graduation. Back then, I won an award in a design competition with my friend. The bonus paid the down payment.

I simply desired to have a home in such a big city, a place completely belonging to me.

I was so happy. But I didn't tell anyone, including Ronald.

The flowers on the balcony were dancing in the wind. I leaned against the sofa. My mom pestered me with questions over the phone.

"When do you plan to get married to Ronald?

"You're becoming a spinster. Speed up!

"Don't hesitate. Ronald is a good guy. You'll soon be too much aged. What's the use of making so much money and ending up alone in the end?"

...

"Mom, I broke up with Ronald. Don't mention him again.

"Don't call me again if there's nothing important."

After saying that, I hung up the phone.

My mother graduated from a famous university and thought highly of herself. Although she came from a backward area, she had never felt inferior.

She had always been proud, decisive, and even bold.

Her husband's affair was undoubtedly a stain for her, so she didn't feel guilty at all for leaving her husband and abandoning her daughter.

If I weren't her daughter, I would definitely think that what she did was understandable.

Unfortunately, I was her daughter, and she had always looked down on me.

She didn't accompany me through those dark times.

So she shouldn't judge my life.

"Yvonne, how are you doing?"

When I heard Ronald's voice again after half a month, I was a little dazed. I had been in love with him for three years. I wasn't totally over him.

"What do you expect me to say?

"Ronald, have you ever loved me?"

The person on the other end of the line did not speak for a long time.

I tore off the photos on the wall, shred them one by one, and threw them into the trash can.

I said to myself, "It's over."

However, things did not go as I wished.

I met Ronald in the restaurant which I had always wanted to try with him.

Ronald did not come alone.

I stood at the door and fixed my eyes on the two smiling persons in the restaurant, kind of at a loss.

I had always thought that I knew Ronald very well, but now I realized that I was too conceited.

Ronald's diet was light. He rarely ate anything heavy. Hot pot was never his choice.

He didn't behave like him.

"Men are truly fickle.

"Sophie, let's go. I suddenly don't want to eat hot pot anymore."

"What's wrong? Haven't you always wanted to try this restaurant? Why leave? It's our turn."

The waiter was calling our number. Sophie pulled me in, fearing we couldn't get a good place.

When we sat down, I realized that Ronald was right across from us, and he had noticed me.

Ronald had a handsome face and a gentle temperament. The bustling society didn't seem to change him. He was still as unaffected as ever.

Without me, his life was still the same. Maybe I was dispensable for him.

Maybe I couldn't even compare to the scraps he had shot.

I looked away from him and lowered my head to look at my phone. In fact, there was nothing intriguing. I moved the web page back and forth.

"Yvonne, what would you like to eat?"

Sophie was browsing the menu. She seemed ready to order all the recommended dishes.

"You can decide for me." I was a little absent-minded.

Sophie put her hand on my shoulder and asked, "Is it because of Ronald?"

She could always see through me at a glance.

"Maybe." I gave an ambiguous answer.

"I've found it out. Yvonne, you are not good at hiding your feelings. Ronald is in this restaurant, isn't he?"

She raised her head and followed where my eyes directed. There sat Ronald.

"Fuck! Yvonne, it hasn't been long since he broke up with you, but he's already with another girl. What a jerk."

Sophie didn't know Sabrina.

She was a girl from the mountains, sponsored by Ronald through a charity project. I still remembered the first time we met when she smiled shyly at me and called me "Yvonne".

It had been so long. No one could tell how self-abased the well-dressed and fashionable girl opposite him used to be.

"Ronald doesn't like her," I said blankly, as if I wasn't sure myself.

"Yvonne, look at them. Are you sure? They are so close. The woman make him hand over her bag."

Sophie's tone was very angry, and she was about to get up.

"Don't care about them. Sophie, let's eat."

The dishes were all served. I grabbed Sophie's hand.

"Don't worry. Wait for me here."

Sophie broke free from my hand, walked straight to Ronald, and slapped him in the face.

"Pa!" The slap was very loud and must be painful as well.

Sophie had done her manicure. Her long nails scratched his face.

Ronald didn't realize what was going on at first. After being slapped, his countenance turned gloomy and he scolded angrily, "Sophie, what's wrong with you?"

It was not his fault. After all, no one would feel good being slapped. He raised his hand and subconsciously wanted to hit Sophie.

I walked up to Sophie and stood in front of her, saying in a cold tone, "I apologize to you on behalf of Sophie."

Ronald's hand stopped in the air.

Then it fell down powerlessly.

"Yvonne, I am not in a relationship with Ronald. Don't get me wrong."

Sabrina was busy caring about the wound on Ronald's face and explaining to me at the mean time.

Unfortunately, I didn't even spare her a glance at all.

"Yvonne, don't worry. My hand feels just a little numb. It's good."

Sophie was still in the mood to joke at a time like this. I decided to pull her away and leave.

However, Sophie raised the drink in her hand and splashed it on Sabrina's body when I was not heeding. The white dress was quickly stained.

"Bitch! How dare you bully Yvonne."

"I didn't, Yvonne."

Sabrina was on the verge of tears. She called out to me, aggrieved, but her eyes were fixed on Ronald.

I didn't know Ronald's expression. Was he grievous, angry, or sorry?

I no more cared.

"Sorry, Sophie didn't do it on purpose."

With that, I pulled Sophie away.

After walking out of the restaurant, Sophie patted her forehead and said, "I was so focused on venting my anger that I didn't eat anything."

"Have you paid the bill?"

"Not yet."

She realized it and was to go back.

"It's too late."

We looked at each other and smiled.

"Yvonne, I have to part with you. James came to see me today. I forgot about it," Sophie looked at her phone and said sorrily.

"It's okay. You haven't seen each other for a long time. Go ahead."

"Then remember to send me a message when you get home."

"Alright."

Sophie and her boyfriend had been together since high school. Although they lived in different areas, their relationship was still the same. When they met, they would always have endless talks to exchange.

In fact, I envied Sophie very much.

The autumn night breeze was very cold, and the lights in the bar at the corner of the street were really dazzling. I couldn't help but walk in.

The light was dim. No one would notice me.

"The decoration is novel," I commented. "The lights are beautiful."

"Is that so?"

A slightly hoarse male voice rang in my ears. It was very appealing and tickled my ears.

Subconsciously, I looked for the man who spoke and tilted my head. Then my lips touched his warm skin.

"I'm sorry," he said.

I lifted my head to look at him. He was very tall and I couldn't see his face clearly in the dim light. He was wearing a loose hoodie and jeans in a Hip-Hop style.

"I should say sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." I said rigidly like an old scholar.

"It doesn't matter. Please enjoy yourself."

I didn't look at him again and went to a corner alone.

There were various wines on the counter. I ordered one casually. It tasted slightly sweet, but then it turned bitter. I didn't drink often, so I had no idea how strong it was.

After half a glass, I started to feel dizzy.

"Beautiful lady, someone has to accompany you when you drink alone."

The talking fellow tried to touch my hand. The music in my ears was very noisy, and I could smell the strong cheap perfume on his body. It made me extremely uncomfortable.

I avoided his touch and said coldly, "Stay away from me."

I thought I was polite enough, and that he should leave tactfully. However, some people just couldn't understand human language.

"You're so fierce.

"I'll treat you to a drink."

...

He tried to hug me, but as soon as he reached out his hand, he was shackled.

I was pulled into a warm embrace. There was a faint fragrance at the tip of my nose, which was completely different from the previous smell. I leaned comfortably against him.

"Dear, I'm here to pick you up."

"What?" I was tongue-tied and couldn't speak clearly.

I could feel that he was helping me tuck my hair. It felt very familiar, so I relaxed.

"I'm sorry, buddy." The man apologized tactfully.

With a cold expression, Nicole hugged me in his arms and pointed at the wine on the table.

The man's face turned pale, and he reluctantly paid the bill.

Nicole helped me into the hotel elevator.

"Why are you so careless? How dare you come to the bar alone?"

He whispered into my ear in a helpless tone.

I didn't catch what he said, and my head was still dizzy. I held his face and kissed him.

"It's so soft."

"Do you know who I am?"

I shook my head, trying to see his face clearly.

"Don't shake. I can't see you clearly."

"Idiot.

"Is Yvonne an idiot?"

I saw the smile at the corner of his mouth. His whole face was full of joy.

"What are you smiling at?" I was speechless.

I was a little heady from drinking. Sophie once said she didn't know the fool who hugged the pole and kissed it.

After entering the room, I threw him onto the bed, propped myself up with my hands, and looked at him. Pouting, I kissed him on the lips.

"Man, you're so damn sweet, hahaha."

Then, I fell asleep.

A stunned expression appeared on his face.

The hangover gave me a splitting headache. I suspected the man in front of me was not real. I rubbed my temples and reached out to touch him.

It was warm and real. My throat was hoarse and I couldn't speak.

"You're awake. Are you hungry?"

Nicole's words rang clearly in my ears.

"Long time no see, Nicole."

Tears fell from my eyes.