Yesterday marked one hundred days with my girlfriend.
To surprise her, I gave her a globally limited-edition handbag worth $600,000.
She burst into tears. "This must have cost a fortune!"
I chuckled, leaned down, and kissed her forehead. "You deserve the best."
The next day, she called to break up.
"John Weiss, it's over. I can't stand you anymore!"
I was blindsided. My first thought was the bag—maybe she didn't like the style?
"Sophie, why? Is it the bag? We can exchange it."
She twisted my words instantly. "I'm breaking up with you and you bring up the bag? What, you want it back?"
"You're disgusting."
She hung up. I sat there, anxious, convinced I must have done something wrong. Work was impossible. I had to find her and figure this out.
On my way, I passed a secondhand luxury store—and froze.
There it was. The bag I'd given her yesterday, displayed in the front window.
Sophie stood inside, laughing with the owner, negotiating the price.
My vision went red. The woman I'd poured my heart into had been playing me the whole time.
I shoved open the door, demanding answers.
But the owner spotted me first. His face lit up. "Mr. Weiss! What brings you here in person? Whatever you like, I'll have it delivered. No need to trouble yourself!"
Sophie went rigid. "Mr. Weiss? Which Mr. Weiss?"
The owner leaned toward her, lowering his voice. "Which one do you think? The Mr. Weiss. President of Baoli Department Store."
The color drained from her face. "He's the president of Baoli?"
"You just got back, so you wouldn't know. Mr. Weiss is the most respected philanthropist in the region..."
Sophie stared at me, mouth open, completely frozen.
——
It started at the high school reunion.
Sophia Finch—the class beauty, back from studying abroad—had organized the whole thing. Half the room was doing well: luxury car keys on the table, triple-fold phones in hand.
Sophie worked the crowd, chatting up every guy, casually asking about their relationship status. One by one, they turned out to be married or engaged.
Then she noticed me. Still single. Arrived on an electric scooter.
I clearly didn't register.
Her best friend Elisa Fleming shot me a look. "John Weiss, you're still single, right? Everyone knew you had a crush on Sophie back in high school." She grinned. "Well—she's back now. Want to try your luck again?"
Sophie gave Elisa a subtle glare, signaling her to drop it.
But the guys had already piled on.
"Sophie, you probably don't know this—back in senior year, you were scared of that dark path after evening study hall. John installed that solar light just for you."
"The fact that you came back here to build your career? That's fate."
"Sophie's still gorgeous, highly educated. John's successful. You two are a perfect match!"
Sophie finally turned to look at me properly.
Her eyes flicked to my scooter key. A smile curled her lips.
"John Weiss. Sounds like you've really made something of yourself—even Alex Lane sings your praises."
