Lissy remained silent, her gazed fixed on the carpet. She looks like spacing out however her mind is running faster than the speed of light. There are things she cannot miss but at the same time she had to be very careful. However, she is pressed by time now. The moment of truth is right now. She wished Tim would just wait for next year. It could have been better if that is the case, whatever is the outcome of gambling over Li Bin she will have time to plan and manage the situation.
The long silence is causing ripples of disappointment in Tim's heart. He is suspecting this could happen. There were signs but because he trusts Lissy 100% he chose to ignore. He is prepared for the worst. A while ago he noticed that Lissy is not wearing her engagement ring. His heart aches, if she told him to keep everything secret. He probably would have agreed to it.
Lissy stood and walked towards the closet, she took something and walked back to where Tim is. She stood in front of him as Tim looked directly into her eyes waiting for what she well say.
"Tim, I don't know why you are suddenly bringing the marriage in advance. Yes, I agreed with your proposal, but we clearly discussed about having the wedding not anytime soon because I have things I wanted to accomplish before settling down."
"Get straight to the point Lissy, you are not ready to marry me anytime soon." Tim cannot really understand why this is an issue. Today not only did he validate Lissy's the lack of commitment to marriage, her career is more important than him. Maybe it was selfish of him to ask for marriage soon but this is the only why to get the answer he needs.
Lissy trembled at the coldness of Tim's voice. "I am sorry Tim you pushed me to make this decision, can you not wait for me next year?" She clenched her fist holding the engagement ring. Though her heart seems to be wavering, Tim is more than good enough. However, someone like Li Bin may not cross path with her again. She wanted to give it a try.
"Today, tomorrow or next Monday is no different from next year if you are committed to be with me. I only asked for us to be legally married. I made it clear, I won't stop you from you career plans. I cannot understand how being wife to me will stop you from chasing your dreams. Do you dream of becoming Miss Universe that you have to be single?"
Tim stood, there is no use to stay in this room, in this place, in this country. He might say some other things.
"Tim!" Lissy called him.
Tim halted from reaching the door. Is she going to say sorry? Will she agree? Somehow he wishes for it. He turned to face her.
Lissy walked towards him and stretched her hand, "I am sorry… but I cannot keep this." The 1 carat diamond ring was on top of her palm.
At this point, Tim felt like he just had undergone ALS ice bucket challenge. The last ounce of hope is gone. "Why? Do you think I should wait for you to be ready for this ring?"
Deep inside her hear this is what Lissy wishes for. That Tim would wait for her. She almost responded with yes, but she chose to be indirect, "a deserving lady could own this one day." Truth is she think she is the only one who deserves this ring. If Tim managed to stay single for 7 years looking for Pim, he is likely to do the same after this with her. The owner of this ring could possibly be her again.
"What makes you think I will recycle this ring; I bought this thinking of you." Lissy's heartbeat was so fast hearing this from Tim. "This ring is you; don't you want to keep it as keepsake?"
Lissy is confused, she doesn't know if it means waiting for her or he hates the idea of recycling the ring. Her pride as a woman made her say, "no I don't think I deserve to keep this." This will make it appear like she does not deserve Tim or the ring.
"Do whatever you want to do. If you don't want to keep it, then throw it. I bought it for you. I don't take back what I give." Tim straightforward rejected her offer to return the ring. It's not a question of deserving him but a question of commitment to love him. He needs to leave now; the frustration just keeps on growing every minute he stays in this room.
Tim quickly stormed out of the room. He is not expecting Lissy to run after him, knowing her demeanor. As he is expecting this worst thing, he had a ticket booked early morning.
Meanwhile, Lissy stood speechless with what happened looking at the ring on her palm. She really hope that today's decision is right. She must make it right. She loved Tim, it's just that her plan did not go with the expected flow. What she hates at this moment is losing one of the good options. She still thinks that Li Bin is the best option emotionally and professionally. She is sad, this happened too soon. However, she could not bring herself to cry. Her tear ducts are dry as the desert, but her legs lost its strength. She wobbled towards the bed and looked at the ring once more. He recalled how Tim proposed to her. Tim is incredibly handsome, his Asian Western features are perfect. He is a capable man and someone faithful to her. He sang for her when she proposed. She is his 'Real Thing'. Her heart suddenly missed Tim.
Lissy laid down on the bed for hours wide awake. Its already past 3am, almost 4am. Whether she is regretting her choice, she made a decision to call Tim. The phone was turned off. She then recalled Tim calling the hotel room. He must have checked in. She rose from the bed and grabbed the in room phone. Looked at the call log and dial back the last number that called her. The phone rang, no answer.
'Is he asleep?' She called the reception to ask if Timothy Connor is still checked in mentioning he called earlier. Since the reception can verify that indeed Tim room number called Lissy's room, she got the answer. Tim did not waste time and checked out few hours ago. 'This is it.' Lissy took this as sign not to hold back.
Tim at the airport lounge, 'this is it. It really happened. Too soon.' After waiting for Pam for 7 years despite finding love again and losing it, he is no longer willing to wait for another 7 years.