Back in Lily's office, Lily had been flipping through pages of the business project in her hands for half an hour. However, it was clearly obvious that not even a single word had gotten to her brain. As for why....
Lily looked up for the nth time from her document to observe Ginny's presence on her leather couch. Though she was lying there with the arm of the couch as her pillow and scrolling through her social media, it was more than obvious that dark clouds were forming above her head.
"Alright, what's wrong?" Lily broke the silence between them.
"Hmm? I thought you wouldn't ask and would keep looking up every two minutes at me. Did I not hide it well enough?" Ginny touched her cheeks, trying to redirect the conversation on a different topic.
"Don't try to change the topic. We all know that I won't focus on my documents while you are feeling down. Not in my office at least." Lily took a seat across from her and crossed her legs in a dominating posture.
"Ahhh, then if I step out of your office, I can change the topic?" Ginny blinked at her playfully.
"Ginny." Lily used a sincere tone this time. She was concerned about Ginny ever since the recent phone calls they've had.
"Alright! I surrender. I'm just having second thoughts on my engagement with Alan.." She sat up, looking rather uneasy as she voiced her thoughts.
Lily waited a few minutes before interrupting her with a question. "What kind of thoughts?"
Sighing, Ginny plopped her back against the couch and let her body bounce slightly forward. "Whether he is the right man to marry."
"What would make you think or feel this way? I remember how sure you were when you said yes and went on weeks about your proposal to me when you first got engaged. I was busy around that time, but still listened to all your voice messages. So, why now?" Lily found it surprising to hear her speak of her uncertainties.
For one, she always knew that Ginny and Alan may have their disagreements, but they would easily come to a truce. Ginny had never voiced any insecurities towards marriage either.
Ginny rubbed her temple, wondering where she should start explaining the situation. "I was very excited about the proposal. I was very certain I wanted to marry him, but when it came to actually getting the marriage planning.. that is when it fell apart."
She bit her lips as she tried to form words to express herself better. "We were happy during that trip when we got engaged. When we came back, he was very busy with his work and I was too. But still, this was our wedding, so I found time to do my research on venues and wedding studios."
"I was really excited to show him all the research. From venues to wedding dresses and studio pictures for wedding couples...But everything was just me." Her eyes reddened and sentences became fragments as she tried to control her emotions. She looked at the ceiling, hoping tears won't fall.
Lily grabbed the tissue box on the table and walked over to comfort her. "Continue. If you want to cry, then cry. You never have to act strong in front of me. Whatever you want to say, just say it. I'm listening. We'll figure a solution afterwards."
"I tried to talk to him, but he would say he was busy! I asked him which venue, wedding dress style or even what flowers I should order for our wedding and he just didn't seem to care! Some need to be pre-ordered and others need to be answered. So many questions are tossed at me, and I'm just so overwhelmed. I tried to be understanding and did as much as I could've done by myself."
Ginny dabbed tissue on her face and blew her nose. "I told him my stress, but he would tell me that he was also stressed from work. I went to venues alone even when I made an appointment for us. Fine! But today was the only booking appointment I got by luck for a designer I really loved for wedding dresses! I told him to be on time, but not only did he never came, he dared to cut me off on the call after telling me he was busy!"
The soaked tissue was rolled into a ball and squeezed by her fists as she slapped her thighs in anger. "When we were on the phone earlier, the staff was telling me that they were closing. I tried to hold them even though it was not right, but him? He answered my call and we ended up arguing. I got so mad. So mad that I just agreed to call off the wedding so we don't need to give any screws on what is arranged. Anyway, it wasn't as if he was doing anything by effort. Without me, the wedding won't go on either way. He can deal with it."
Lily frowned after hearing her side of the story. If it was any other person, she would definitely jump in and tell Ginny to dump him. However, this person was Alan, so Lily still gave him benefit of the doubt. "Ginny, I know wedding arrangements could be frustrating, especially when you two are normally busy and need to take time off. Could you have gone to see him in person and the both of you speak calmly?"
"Don't get me wrong that I am on his side. I am not on anyone's side. This is a conversation you need to have with him to clear all misunderstandings. I am sure he must have a proper reason to be this busy. Perhaps he didn't want to tell you too much because of the nature of his work as well. You should give him another chance and hear him out. Don't easily throw away a possible good marriage. You know you two love each other, right?" Lily held Ginny's hands tightly in hers, trying to express her point.
After calming down for a while, Ginny nodded. "I know. It was an impulsive move. But I still won't let him easily treat me like this and forgive him right away. I need some time to myself. Maybe I'll message him tomorrow or the day after when I am more calm about this. My attitude was not the greatest earlier."
Right when Lily was about to agree with her, her phone vibrated. She stared as the incoming call stopped ringing and a missed call notification flashed on her screen. It was from Lin Que.