The Bet That Lasted a Lifetime

At Emily’s birthday party, I lost the game. Her male assistant grinned and announced my punishment.

“Find an e-girl to date for a day — and it has to include at least a kiss.”

The whole room burst into laughter.

I ignored them and looked at Emily.

She took a casual sip of her drink. “A bet’s a bet, Roger. Don’t tell me you’re planning to back out?”

I smiled. “Alright. But just one day doesn’t feel like enough. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it for a lifetime.”

——

I pulled out my phone and, in front of everyone, posted on social media:

“’90s old man looking for an e-girl to wreck me — online now, urgent.”

The picture attached was my Porsche key.

The noisy laughter in the private room instantly faded.

Emily’s fingers tightened around her wine glass, her knuckles turning white.

Her dazzling, beautiful face suddenly fell.

“Roger, what are you doing?”

David quickly put on his trademark fake smile and stepped forward to smooth things over.

“Come on, it’s just a game. No need to take it seriously. We’re all here to have fun, right?”

As he spoke, his eyes instinctively flicked toward Emily.

Around us, the low murmur of whispers buzzed like flies.

“I can’t believe Roger’s such a sore loser…”

“Yeah, he’s totally jealous. He’s just trying to show off for Emily.”

“What kind of man acts so petty? Doesn’t he see where he is?”

“He probably can’t stand Miss Simpson getting close to David lately…”

“He’s asking for it. She hates people who mix personal feelings with business.”

I listened to their unfiltered gossip, a cold smile tugging at my lips.

They had no idea—today wasn’t just Emily’s birthday. It was also the fifth anniversary of the day we met.

And on the first of next month, we were supposed to get married.

David and Emily had been classmates in high school.

Three months ago, after I returned to the country, Emily personally hired him into the company, saying she wanted to bring in people with fresh ideas.

Ever since David became her assistant, things between Emily and me had started to change.

He was good at playing the game — on his very first day, he brought coffee for everyone and greeted every colleague with enthusiasm.

He always managed to show up just when Emily needed someone — handing her the document she was looking for, or offering the exact opinion she wanted to hear.

He had a sweet tongue and knew how to charm people, winning over all of Emily’s coworkers and girlfriends in no time.

Next to him, I — the quiet, introverted boyfriend — seemed out of place and dull.

On the surface, he always called me “Bro” with polite humility, but the smile on his face didn’t show true warmth or friendliness.

He would casually bring up funny stories from his and Emily’s school days.

When she was buried in work and stressed out, he’d distract her with nostalgic memories — just enough to make her smile for a moment.

Then he’d glance at me with that look — one that seemed apologetic, but was really a quiet provocation.

Emily’s attitude toward me had shifted too.

At first, everything felt normal, but soon, whenever she looked at me, there was comparison in her eyes.

She would laugh easily at one of David’s meaningless jokes, yet brush off the dinner reservations I had carefully planned.

She’d patiently listened to his obviously exaggerated compliments, but when I tried to talk about our future, she’d cut me off with a tired, “I’ve had a long day.”

And now, just like that moment — she was looking at me, cold and distant.

The love that once filled her eyes had been replaced by impatience — even disgust.

“Roger,” she finally spoke, her tone icy. “Delete that post. Stop embarrassing yourself here.”

David immediately chimed in, “Yeah, Bro, just take it down. It’s her birthday — no need to ruin the mood.”