Chapter 5. Lucky Reunion

“What if you could search him up?” I said. He looked stunned. “And probably meet him and try to make him run for the hills?” I asked Dad.

He looked at me, words unable to leave his mouth.

“No, Dad, I will not let you shame the man I love just because of your position,” I said.

I pushed my chair and stood up to leave when he banged the table. I stood frozen in my tracks.

“That is no way to talk to your father, young lady,” he said.

“I will set a date for you to meet him. When you do, you can get all the information you want,” I said and walked away.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I was out of sight. Any longer in their presence, and I wouldn’t be able to keep up this facade. I ran up to my room and locked the door this time. I didn’t want Mom snooping around.

I ran to my phone, grabbed it, and ran to my bathroom. I dialed the number and waited patiently. I counted every beep, waiting for an answer. My eyes were starting to sting as multiple thoughts clouded my mind. What if he doesn’t pick up this time? My mind was clouded with thoughts, and my eyes were teary.

“Beep, beep, beep,” I looked up at my reflection. I could see the sadness laced in my movements.

“Hello,” I heard a voice, and I smiled happily.

“Hello, this is Mei Xing,” I said.

“I was calling to book an appointment at the Lin firm, but I changed my mind. But you kept calling. I promise there is no issue,” the person said hurriedly and ended the call.

I stared at my blank cell phone. I just wasted my time. It wasn’t even the stranger. He probably doesn’t want to marry me. Why would he marry me? What am I, Cinderella? Fall in love, be a princess, and live happily ever after?

Defeated, I went back to my room. This was not what I pictured. I pictured a perfect ending, one with me and the stranger. That was so stupid. I sounded right earlier, but now the stupidity of my plan glared at me. I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling. It was so white and so out of reach. I couldn’t even lead a normal life, and the one thing I wanted, I couldn’t get it.

Life just hated me. I never did anything. I grabbed a book and flipped through the pages, thinking if I wanted my fairytale, I couldn’t stay home and drown. I have to find a husband, another stranger, a willing stranger. To get to the ball, I have to try to get there first, don’t I?

Maybe comparing my life to a fairytale was stupid, but it was my only motivation. The next morning, I got dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a white knitted short-sleeved cardigan. I wore white sneakers and walked out of my room. I didn’t plan out what I was going to tell my parents, but standing, staring at Dad, my head was blank, and I couldn’t think of any lie.

“What do you want?” Dad asked.

“I am going out,” I said, prepared to use my sickness as an excuse.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I was faster.

“I will die soon, so I should be…”

He interrupted me. “Shouldn’t you hear my answer first?” He asked me, and I nodded shyly. “You may go. You have an hour, and you will be with the driver,” he said and dismissed me. I smiled and walked to my car.

“Where to, miss?” He asked me.

“Where we went last time, I want to see the spot again. It was beautiful,” I lied.

“You didn’t go inside the restaurants or see the pretty flowers. What part was pretty, miss?” he asked me.

“Freedom is,” I said, and he nodded.

We arrived at the spot where the stranger was fired the last time I met him. He should be here. I met him here before, I should meet him again. I was going to try the restaurant, but he was fired from there just yesterday. He couldn’t be there.

“I want to have breakfast,” I said to my driver and walked into the restaurant. I walked to an empty chair and sat down quietly to observe my environment.

“What can I get you, ma’am?” a waiter said.

I was scared. When did he get here?

“Hello,” I greeted and thought of what to eat. “Anything you would suggest from your breakfast menu,” I said with a smile.

He nodded and left. He returned a few minutes later with a plate of pancake maple syrup.

“Can I get coffee too?” I asked, and he nodded.

He returned shortly with a cup of coffee, and I smiled.

“Before you leave, can I ask a question?” I asked the waiter, and he nodded. “Someone was fired from this restaurant yesterday. Do you know him?” I asked.

I hope he didn’t suspect that I was up to something. Sweat broke out on my forehead as I waited patiently for his reply.

“I don’t really know him, but when I arrived yesterday, I was informed that I was replacing someone called Min Jun. That’s all I know,” he said.

“Can I get his number?” I asked awkwardly.

“I can ask the manager,” the waiter suggested, but I shook my head. He nodded and left.

I grabbed my fork and was about to start eating when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up to see the waiter talking to someone, and they were both looking at me. I dropped my fork and searched my bag for cash. I placed some cash on the table and dashed out. I bumped into someone on the way out and fell on my butt.

“Ouch!” I squirmed.

“Watch where you are going!” he said and groaned at me.

“I am so sorry,” I said.

He looked at me and was about to walk away, but there was no way I was letting him go after meeting my stranger.

“Min Jun,” I called out.

He turned to look at me, and...