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?
