"What is a halfling like you doing here? Don't you know what they do to your kind?" He asked, and I looked up at him, startled. "Why don't you leave the city?" He continued. "I could give you some money."
My eyes were filled with a mix of emotions—desperation and pain beyond repair. I wanted to talk, to explain my situation, but what could I say? Who would love an orphan like me, with no family and no home? I was so alone, and he was the only one who cared. Tears welled up in my eyes again.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that I've heard stories about halfling mistreatment in this city."
As I stared at him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal wash over me. All the love he had shown me, all the kind words he had spoken—it was all a lie. He was my last hope, my rock, and the one person I thought I could always count on.
I had loved him with all my heart, and I believed he felt the same way. We had shared so many conversations and moments together. But now, as I looked back on those memories, they were tainted by the realization that it was all a façade.
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes as I tried to process the pain and hurt I was feeling. How could he do this to me? How could he lead me on for so long, only to crush me in the end?
As I stood there, trying to come to terms with the reality of the situation, I knew that I would never be the same again. The trust I had placed in him was shattered, and I wondered if I would ever be able to love and trust again.
I desperately wanted to reach out and touch him, go on my knees, and beg him not to leave me. However, I knew doing so would make me look like a fool. The thought of losing Wang was too much to bear, and I could feel the tears starting to drop down my cheeks. I turned around and ran inside, not wanting anyone to see me in such a vulnerable state.
Once I was alone in the bathroom, I cried, as I thought about what had just happened. I couldn't believe what he had said.
But as the tears continued to fall, I knew that I couldn't give up on him. I had to find a way to make things right and show him how much he meant to me.
With that determination in my heart, I slowly picked myself up and wiped away my tears. I knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but I was willing to do whatever it took to win Wang back.
I rushed back to the lounge. "You smell mature, and I like your new lens," Cheng shouted over the loud music. I smiled at him and thanked him. Then I looked around the lounge and tried to act like nothing had happened outside. I wanted to blend in and forget the events that had just taken place.
As I looked around, my eyes were strained on table 1, but there was no sign of Wang. I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me as I realized he had not come inside.
I said goodbye to Cheng at 5:30 a.m. and walked out of the lounge with my head hanging low. My heart was heavy, and I just wanted to be alone. I trudged back to my house, climbed onto my sleeping mat, and curled up. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I drifted off.
As I woke up early this morning, I followed my usual routine and started doing chores. I finished them quickly and started cooking breakfast. However, my mind kept drifting back to Wang. I couldn't help but think about everything he had said to me. Suddenly, I remembered him calling me a halfling. I wondered if it was a name hybrid gave humans.
I thought about Wang's boyfriend and how he seemed so protective and possessive of him. I wondered if Wang was treating me differently because of his boyfriend, and I couldn't help but feel hurt and jealous. I was so confused. Wang had told me I wasn't going to share him with anyone else, but it seemed like he already had someone in his life. I was hurt and angry, and I felt betrayed by Wang. I questioned whether I was foolish to trust him and get close to him.
I also cursed Uncle Hoa's friend, wishing he had never done what he did to me. If he hadn't, I would have stayed and worked and wouldn't have gone home with Wang. I felt like I had been tricked, and it was all his fault.
A slap jolted me out of my trance. My mind wandered off, and I lost track of time. When I regained consciousness, I smelled something burning. It didn't take long for me to realize I had burned the food I was cooking. The once appetizing aroma had turned into a foul smell that lingered in the air. I quickly turned off the stove and assessed the damage. The dish was ruined, and the pot was beyond repair. I was disappointed in myself for being so careless.
Uncle Hoa, Aunt Ru, and Mao coughed out of the kitchen. I felt embarrassed and ashamed as I apologized to the three for the mishap.
I hissed in frustration, knowing that Uncle Hao was definitely going to punish me for my carelessness.
I spent the next hour cleaning the kitchen, scrubbing the pot and stove. I opened the windows to let the smoke out and aired the kitchen. When I was done, I headed to the basement to get some money and buy breakfast. I noticed smoke at the back.
I was in shock as I ran to the backyard and saw flames shooting up from my bag. Everything I had burned, including my work uniform, I quickly grabbed the hose and sprayed water onto the burning clothes, but it was too late. The flames had already engulfed everything. I was devastated. I had worked so hard to save for relocation, and it was all consumed in minutes.
I immediately regretted not putting the money in the wall crack as before. Due to exhaustion, I placed it under my clothes in the bag. Looking back, I realize that I should have made the extra effort to secure the money, regardless of my fatigue.
I slumped on the ground and cried for not taking the extra step to protect my money. I was so overwhelmed with regret that I felt like I had made a huge mistake that would have far-reaching consequences.
I was certain that I was cursed, as it seemed like anything I did was destined to fail. First, my mother passed away, then Wang left me, and now my other hope of security has been crushed too. I was so disheartened by the string of misfortunes that I felt like giving up.
After leaving the house, I walked to work. My mind was completely blank, and I didn't have a single thought in my head. I walked straight towards the staff quarters, not realizing where I was headed. Fortunately, when I arrived at the staff quarters, Cheng was there. With no energy left in me, I slumped onto his bunk and fell asleep. It was a deep, restful sleep I desperately needed.
I woke up 4 hours later and found Cheng giggling while chatting with someone. It seemed like he was having a good time, but I was still groggy from my nap.
I cleared my throat to get Cheng's attention, and he turned to me with a smile. "Hey, you're finally up!" he said. " He added quickly as he tossed his phone on the bed, "Are you okay? I didn't mean to wake you up."
I sat down next to Cheng and explained everything that had happened. As I finished my story, I could not keep the tears at bay. They flowed freely. While he listened, his eyes flickered with anger. He reached out and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. "It's alright," he said soothingly.
I felt my heart racing as he released me from the hug. I knew what he would ask, and I wasn't sure I was ready to answer. "What about your boyfriend? Did you talk to him last night?" he asked, reminding me of my heartbreak. I tried to keep my composure, but memories flooded back. Late-night conversations, laughter, and love—all of it is lost now.