Christopher… I recited his name silently. Suddenly, the car lights from far away flashed. Focusing my gaze on it, I realized that it was Christopher’s BMW under the dim light of the lamps.
Thinking I was seeing things, I rubbed my eyes forcefully, trying my best to see it clearly. As if Christopher could sense what I was thinking, the owner of the car flashed the car lights again.
For a moment, I felt like my surroundings were awash with light again, enveloping my face. Hope was right in front of me. I was so excited that I had an urge to jump down and hug him. Even my hand, which was gripping my phone, was trembling.
A text message popped up on my phone. You fool, why did you call now? What if someone overhears you?
Only then did I realize that he did not pick up the call because he was thinking on my behalf. All my anxiety and unease flew away in an instant. Holding onto my phone, I grinned foolishly toward the window and sent another message: Do you know the story between planes and love?
When I was young, I saw it on the television. Back then, I thought that the female character in the drama was adorable and impressive. Although she was as foolish as me, she understood such philosophical stuff.
Christopher sent me a confused emoji. Is it a fairytale? You already have a prince, so why are you still thinking about fairytales?
I replied: It’s because I met a prince that I have even more faith in fairytales. You fool, it’s getting late. Go back home quickly.
Christopher then messaged: Can you bear for me to leave?
I replied exasperatedly: I haven’t saved the world yet. When I accomplish such an amazing feat, I’ll come and pick you up in grandeur.
Christopher sent another reply quickly: Don’t worry, I’ve got some tricks up my sleeves. Sleep now and remember not to kiss him. Otherwise, I’ll beat him up.
Chuckling, I told him to leave first and that I wanted to watch him leave. The man flashed the car lamps three times, signaling that he was going to leave first. Only then did he drive away. Gazing at his car, I smiled.
It was my fortune to have such a man for me to rely on during my lowest point. I did not know what the outcome would be between Christopher and me, but at the very least, he was the only glimmer of hope in my life now.
Instead of leaving the bedroom to wash up, I lay on the bed with my clothes on. A moment later, Christopher messaged me and asked: Do you know what flashing the car lamps thrice means?
I blinked. Are we asking each other a question from a fairytale? Not knowing the answer, I was about to ask him when I heard urgent knocking on the door and Lyle’s furious yells. He said that if I did not open the door, he would kick the door open just like what he did in the afternoon at the apartment. I had no choice but to open it.
The moment Lyle entered, he pushed me onto the bed. His hands started roaming on my body almost instantly. The memories of when he tried to force himself upon me were still crystal clear. Shoving him away forcefully, I mocked, “So you called me back because you want to force yourself upon me again? Did your mistress fail to satisfy you?”
The man raised his arm, wanting to slap me. I did not avoid him, nor did I even intend to dodge it. Instead, I stared at him coldly. In the end, he did not slap me. He wrapped his arms around me, collapsed onto the bed, and hugged me tightly.
“I’m really happy you saved me that day. You still love me. Let’s spend the rest of the days we have together happily, okay? We shall forget about the past.”
I did not reply to his words. If I spoke, I would only rebuke him with harsh words. There was no point in arguing endlessly.
Before the peace could continue for a second more, Lyle’s phone rang. He continued hugging me, perfectly playing the part of a gentle and loving husband. After rejecting the call, his phone rang two more times. When I saw his conflicted expression, I felt uncomfortable.
“Are you sure you aren’t going to pick the call up? There might be an emergency.”
At that comment, Lyle got up. Noticing my calm expression, he glanced at his phone and answered it, unable to hold himself back. When he heard the voice on the phone, his expression changed. Dragging me outside, he broke into a run and demanded, “Hurry up! We need to go to the hospital.”
