“So what?”
“Because of a failed relationship, a failed marriage, I can’t like you? I prefer to call you Ashley. I like you, and you can’t stop me.”
“And my dad said that even though your leg hasn’t been treated in a while, you can
recover here. We’ll get you the best doctors, and you’ll be walking again in a year.”
Joy stood up, wrapping his arms around me.
I looked down.
“I’m not good enough for you, Joy.”
I felt something warm on my forehead. “Don’t
say that.”
“Love is brave, isn’t it?”
21-15
And so I found myself dating Joy.
He waited for me every day after class, and
we’d go to our favorite place.
On weekends, he wouldn’t bother me,
knowing I needed my own space.
But otherwise, Joy was clingy.
Even if we wanted to keep it a secret, we
couldn’t.
Professor Ellsworth kept giving us meaningful
looks.
“Joy, Ashley’s not feeling well, don’t wear her
out.”
I blushed, but Joy said, “Dad, what are you
talking about? I’m just helping her with her
homework.”
“Homework?” I asked.
“Is there something you need me to help you
with?”
“No, I’m helping you.” He winked.
“…” I knew I was done for.
Even though Professor Ellsworth had
accepted us, I needed more money if I wanted
to marry him.
Even though Joy told me not to worry, I told
him, “Joy, I want us to be equal, not for me to
depend on you.”
Joy nodded.
I remembered when I was a research
assistant at Landis Group, I’d synthesized a
few elements, and I’d brought them to San
Francisco.
I sold the new crystals.
They could be used in perfumes and
aromatherapy.
I couldn’t donate them to the institute, but I
sold them to a perfume company. The owner
of the company was so impressed that he
asked me to be their consultant.
I had just gotten home, but I didn’t have time
to show him the gifts.
Joy covered my eyes.
“Guess who?”
I laughed, grabbing his wrist. “Joy!”
“I’m not a cat!”
He hugged me tight. “You’ve been making money, you’ve forgotten about me.”
His voice was full of reproach.
I stroked his hair.
“Sorry, are you angry? I won’t do it again.”
Joy nuzzled my neck.
“Don’t lie! I need a promise!”
<
“I’m not a cat!”
I smiled. “Cats and dogs are a perfect
match.”
The perfume company launched its new line faster than I could have imagined.
A week later, I got an invitation to the launch
party.
The perfumes were all unique, and the most unique one was going to be auctioned off to
the public.
I took Joy with me.
I had never found happiness, but I could pass
it on to someone else.
<
When I’d synthesized the crystal, I’d wanted
to make it into a ring for Mark.
But it was too soft.
Perfume was a perfect fit.
Maybe it was fate.
The owner of the company spent a lot of money to hold the auction, inviting companies
from all over the world.
Since it was a women’s product, the investors were willing to spend money, both because the women’s market was huge, and because
they could bring something back to their
wives and daughters.
The host introduced the perfume. “This
perfume uses a raw material from a well- known scientist, and she named it ‘Love’s Promise.‘ It symbolizes a lifelong vow of love.”
“We’ve also added some special ingredients. The bottle also has a surprise. After you win, you’ll get a special gift from the company.”
Joy was fascinated, and looked at me with a
confused expression.
“The host is really talented,” he said.
The auction started.
The price started at $500,000, but it kept
rising..
Everyone wanted a good omen for their
future happiness.
L
“$600,000.”
“$700,000.”
“$800,000.”
Just when I thought no one would offer more,
a familiar voice cut through the air.
“I’ll offer ten million.”
The crowd was stunned.
The host was surprised that someone would
pay so much for a perfume.
“Ten million once, ten million twice, ten
million three times.”
<
“Sold! Congratulations to Mark Landis, CEO
of the Landis Group! You’ll get a special membership and a gift from our company.‘
I saw a familiar figure standing in the crowd. He looked more mature and composed.
Maybe it was a coincidence.
Joy and I left the auction. We looked out of
place among the fancy cars.
I was nervous. Joy seemed to sense it.
“Ashley, what’s wrong?”
Before, I could answer, Mark was standing in
front of me, holding the perfume.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Joy asked, “Hello, can I help you?”
Mark looked awkward. He noticed Joy’s hand
holding mine.
“You have a new boyfriend?” he asked.
Joy bristled. “What’s your relationship with Ashley? Are you the ex–husband who cheated
on her?”
I squeezed Joy’s hand to calm him down.
“Mark, can I help you with something?” It was
the first time I’d seen Mark in two years, and
he looked tired.
He handed me the perfume. “Congratulations
to you.”
Then he left.
Joy and I stared at the perfume.
“Ashley, he’s not what you said. I thought he was going to kidnap you! He scared me to
death.”
I laughed. “We’re in America, he can’t just
drag me away.
“But he gave me the perfume, so…” I looked
at Joy.
“What?”
“Would you… marry me?”
Joy gasped.
But this time, it was because he was so
happy.
On the way back to the hotel, Mark was thinking about Joy’s hand in Ashley’s.
Even though he knew she’d moved on, it still
hurt.
He opened his phone and looked at a social
media account.
A picture of the perfume and two hands
intertwined.
“The rings finally found their way to two
people who love each other.”
The picture was too much for him. He
regretted everything, but there was nothing
L
After Ashley left, he tried to find her, but he
was afraid to open the links.
The auction brand had announced the auction a week ago, and he immediately recognized Ashley’s style. If Ashley could forgive him, he would do anything to win the rings and start
over.
But when he saw Joy, Mark knew he wasn’t good enough for Ashley.
He had hurt her too much, and all he could do
was give her the “Love’s Promise” and let her
be with the man she truly loved.
“Mr. Landis, Ms. Jones called again,” his
assistant said.
Mark was in a bad mood.
“Didn’t Jessica leave the company? Stop
calling her Ms. Jones.”
“Block her number.”
“Yes.”
The assistant sighed.
Mr. Landis had come to the auction, but now
he wanted to leave.
He was always getting what he wanted.
The assistant thought, “So true, what’s gone
is the best.” But he still had to ask, “Are we
going back to the hotel?”
“No, go to the airport. Get me a flight home.”
The assistant was shocked.
Mr. Landis had been so determined to come
to the auction, but now he was mad and
wanted to leave.
Money was hard to earn.
