Chapter 7
“I saw the messages between him and you, and I realized he was provoking you.
“I never expected him to be like that. I treated him so well, but he was trying to sabotage our relationship.”
Her tone was no longer hysterical like that night. She sounded much calmer.
I found it amusing.
She still didn’t understand why I left.
Eric was at fault, but what hurt me more was her indulgence.
Honestly, I never had much hope for her.
So, forgiveness wasn’t really on the table.
“If you’re just calling to tell me this, there was no need.
“I don’t care about your life, and I’m not curious about it.
“My new job is going great, and I’m out drinking with friends. Unless there was something else important, I’ll hang up. They’re still waiting for
me.”
“Don’t hang up.”
<
Before I could respond, Jacqueline hurriedly added,
As if she really feared I’d end the call, her voice grew more desperate. “Lawrence, I really know I was wrong. If you won’t forgive me, can I come find you?
“I’ve already applied for the next overseas transfer. I’ll go with you, and we can start over.”
She wouldn’t stop talking.
But I wasn’t interested in listening any more.
After giving a few brief and dismissive replies, I hung up the phone.
I knew very well that being sent on assignment wasn’t an easy matter. Especially considering that Jacqueline’s performance at work had seriously declined over the past two years, the chances of her application being approved were slim.
When I returned to the bar, I saw a crowd gathered around the stage hot far away.
A foreign man with deep–set eyes was holding a guitar, playing some wild music. A lot of people around him were cheering and clapping.
After the song ended, a blonde foreign woman laughed and threw herself into his arms, giving him a thumbs–up and praising his performance.
The crowd cheered and teased, and the two kissed amid the noise.
“Lawrence, didn’t you take guitar lessons for two years? Why don’t you give it a try?”
A colleague laughed from the side.
I didn’t hesitate, chuckling as I stepped onto the stage.
It had been a long time since I last played the guitar on a stage like this.
A couple of years ago, when I noticed my relationship with Jacqueline was fading, I’d taken the chance to play for her.
But she didn’t react the way I expected. Instead of being happy, she frowned and, with a look of disappointment, said to me, “Lawrence, are you serious? Is this all you think about, playing around? Can’t you act more mature?”
We parted on bad terms that day.
Since then, I never touched a guitar again.
Now, as I picked up the heavy guitar, my hands felt stiff. I made several mistakes while playing.
But no one seemed to mind. They cheered and clapped, going along with my rhythm.
From a distance, a colleague gave me a thumbs–up, calling out, “Wow!”
I played one song after another.
We didn’t leave until very late that night.
But I didn’t feel tired at all. As I headed home, my heart was racing.
For a moment, I felt like I was seeing the confident, optimistic version of myself from the past.
A few days later, Jacqueline’s application was rejected.
I wasn’t surprised when I heard the news from Debra in HR.
“I knew this would happen. What was the point of all this?
“She even went to the CEO’s office to cause a scene a couple of days ago. However, since Eric still held a grudge about being fired, he exposed
<
One even went to the CEOs office to cause a scene a couple of days ago. Nowever, since eric Sufi neid a grudge about being tired, ne exposed her accusation against you. The CEO knows now, and they’re investigating it seriously.
“It’s unclear whether she’ll be able to stay with the company.”
Debra sighed again.
I didn’t say anything.
I had been the one who recommended Jacqueline for this job.
At first, she was doing great, with excellent abilities. In just one year, she had been promoted twice. But after Eric came along, her progress stopped.
It was a shame, but it seemed Eric didn’t appreciate it.
But now, it was too late to say anything.
No one had forced her into this. It was her own choice.
Taking responsibility for one’s actions was what maturity meant.
I had thought that after this, she would calm down. But to my surprise, when I got home from work that evening, I found her standing at the door of my rented apartment, looking out of breath.
