"What are you doing here?" Nathaniel opened the car hood with one hand, his head buried as he examined the vehicle's condition.
"Are you going to hide in this countryside forever if I don't come to you?" The woman, wearing sunglasses, crossed her arms, appearing haughty.
"What's it to you?" Nathaniel lifted his head to look at her.
"I'm your girlfriend, how is it none of my business?" The woman, seeing him ignore her, positioned herself in front of him, blocking him from working.
Fat man pulled me aside, signaling me not to approach.
"They're arguing. Boss has it tough," he whispered.
"Were they together before?" I felt an inexplicable discomfort.
"Yeah, Boss was from a wealthy house in the city, and Mona's family was wealthy too. She was with him for years. When the construction payment issue arose, Boss wanted to use his own money to pay us, but Mona disagreed, and they broke up."
"It's because of us that Boss is burdened. Otherwise, he would have been married by now, maybe even with kids who could buy soy sauce."
Fat man's tone was low.
Again, it's because of the construction payment?
Ultimately, it was still my father's fault.
But why didn't I want him to reconcile with her at all?
"Do you think Nathaniel still likes her?" I asked Fat man.
"Sure he does, I guess. For a year, I haven't seen Boss get involved with any other women. There are often beautiful women in luxury cars coming to find him at the repair shop, but he pays them no mind. Even in his rental apartment, besides Mona and you, we've never seen any other woman."
Fat man kept talking, but I felt increasingly agitated, especially when I saw Nathaniel start chatting with that woman. It infuriated me.
I don't know what came over me. I grabbed my toolbox and walked over, ignoring man's attempt to hold me back.
As I approached—"Nathaniel, can you swear you haven't missed me this past year? Have you forgotten all the days we spent together?" The woman grabbed his hand directly.
My steps halted as Nathaniel looked up and saw me, his eyes flickering slightly.
"No, I haven't missed you. It's been a year since we broke up, and I've long forgotten."
He spat out coldly.
"You're lying. I haven't forgotten. The way you called my name with your hoarse voice, that kind of feeling, I'll never forget it in my lifetime."
I stood there, my mind buzzing instantly with all kind of thought.
The thought of their past intimacy was unbearable.
"Mona, stop it." Nathaniel shook her off his hand and, seeing me, asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Fat man told me to bring you tools," I lied.
He sighed, softening his tone, "Go over there first, I don't need anything. Be a good girl and listen."
Mona heard his voice and followed his gaze to me, her look unfriendly.
"Who is she?" She stared at me.
"A little girl," Nathaniel replied impatiently.
"So, you haven't looked for me in a year because you've been keeping a mistress outside? " Mona's eyes widened.
"It's got nothing to do with her." Nathaniel urged me to leave, but I had no intention of going.
"You protect her so much, and it's got nothing to do with her? I think it's a big deal. Nathaniel, I, Mona, am not someone to be messed with. Whoever tries to take my man, I'll take their life."
"If you dare,you can try." Nathaniel's voice was terrifyingly low as he tossed his wrench aside and pulled me away without sparing her another glance.
Mona continued to make a scene outside for a while. Nathaniel took me inside and said, "Stay here, she's crazy."
"Sir, do you like her?" I stared at him and asked.
"That's none of your business."
"How is it not my business?" I countered.
"Who are you to me for it to be your business? You're a kid, focus on your own things. It's adults' matters, stay out of it." He sounded frustrated.
"Will it be my business when I grow up?" I asked him seriously.
He looked at me but didn't answer.
"Sir?" I called him softly.
"We'll talk later."
He didn't speak, and I felt miserable, my head foggy. Almost possessed, I tiptoed, wanting to kiss him.
Before I could, he picked me up and moved me away. "What are you doing?"
Realizing what I was about to do, my heart raced.
"I... I... didn't do anything."
"Do you know what you're doing?" He stared at me fiercely.
"No." I admitted.
"Don't do things you can't take responsibility for. Don't think you can act on impulse just because you're a child."
He left these words, lit a cigarette irritably, closed the door, and walked out.
He was angry.
He must have been shocked by my impulsive move.
I blamed myself too.
After a while in the room, I couldn't figure out why I would initiate a kiss or why I wanted to possess him so strongly.
But I knew he rejected me, and he was furious.
I felt defeated.
About half an hour later, I composed myself and went out, only to find Nathaniel gone.
People gather in a group was discussing.
"He went out with Mona."
"Boss probably won't be back today."
"Why?" I asked.
"Why else? They haven't seen each other in a year, they wouldn't have energy for anything else."
"Looks like they're really getting back together."
They laughed.
I stood there, my scalp tingling.
"Felicity is here, can't you guys tone down your jokes?" Fat man thought I was blushing from embarrassment.
Actually, he didn't know I was jealous.
"Felicity, haven't you eaten? Where are you going?" Fat man called out, but I just walked away.
I returned to the rental house. Nathaniel wasn't home.
I grew even more agitated.
Without a phone and no way to reach him, I stayed home until I was on the brink of madness. I started searching through his room, frantically looking for any traces of that woman.
I found nothing.
Finally, in his bedside cabinet, I uncovered an unopened box.
Looking at the production date, my heart chilled.
So, he knew she was coming back, he had prepared all along?
Saying 'we'll talk when you grow up' was just a lie to pacify me.
He always saw me as just a child.
Taking care of me was merely using me as a bargaining chip, hoping my father would return to repay the debt.
Everything was just my wishful thinking.
Thinking of this, my chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.
When night fell, he finally returned.
We had our first big argument.
"If you don't like her, why sleep with her?"
"Do you know what you're saying?" He looked at me for a while, then sighed, "I went out to handle something."
"You jerk, is that what you went out to do?" I threw the box at him.
His gaze darkened, "You went through my things?"
"You bought it, did you? And you're afraid of others finding out?"
"How am I a jerk?" He was furious now, "I've been feeding you for months, have I starved you or mistreated you? I can't even keep a plant alive for three days. Do you have any conscience?"
Our argue escalated, neither of us backing down.
Finally, he compromised, softening his tone, "What's wrong with you?"
"I just can't stand seeing you with other women," I declared and walked out.
He froze for a moment, "Are you sure you're alright?"
"What's wrong with me?"
"I'm 31, it's normal to have a woman for me, isn't it? What are you jealous about? Are you alright?"
"Can't I be jealous?" I asked him.
"Jealousy is something between lovers. Do you know what our relationship is?" He countered.
"Can't I be your lover then?" I clenched my teeth, finally voicing the question that had been haunting me.
"Of course not." He seemed to realize his blunt answer was harsh and added, "I'm 31, My age could be your uncle, and you're just a kid."
"Not even in the future?"
"No."
"I understand."
I was devastated and at a loss.
After hesitating, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" His voice came from behind.
I ignored him, feeling suffocated, needing fresh air.
"Stop, aren't you disobedient?"
"You dare run, then don't ever come back."
I couldn't heed his threat and just ran away.
