Chapter 2 Two hundred miles was a distance that could easily be covered in a day by train for a round trip, yet sometimes, he’d stay
overnight.
Now, it all clicked; he was visiting Julia, whose family was based there.
Maybe they were the true love.
But why did Ricky still hold on to me?
With this question gnawing at me, I delved deeper, like a voyeur, into his chat records.
Sure enough, all his friends knew he had a girlfriend.
Casual friends thought he had broken up with me before dating Julia.
But his close friends, like Philip, knew Ricky was dating two women simultaneously.
The reason for Ricky’s cheating was revealed in his chats with Philip.
Philip: [Ricky, you broke up with Emma Green?]
Picky: None we’re still living together]
12:01 PM N
Ricky: [Nope, we’re still living together.]
Philip: [Then who’s the girl kissing you on your Facebook?]
Ricky: [My new girlfriend, Julia Colbert.].
Philip: [Damn, two girlfriends? You really know how to juggle. Respect, man!]
Ricky: [Well, what guy would say no to having more women?]
Philip: [Don’t they mind? What if they get jealous and it all blows up?]
Ricky: [Don’t worry. Julia’s from out of town; neither knows about the other. In their eyes, I’m still the faithful, innocent Ricky.]
Philip: [Ricky, I see on Facebook you’re tying the knot with Julia. What about Emma?]
Ricky: [Getting married is one thing, but dating is another. With a wife tucked away at home and a girlfriend out on the town, there’s no clash at all.]
Philip: [So, you’re marrying Julia but keeping Emma as your girlfriend?]
Ricky: [You get me, bro. A wife at home, and a girlfriend out there. Jealous much?]
Philip: [This kind of thing can’t be hidden forever. What if Emma finds out?]
Ricky: [Don’t worry, Emma’s been with me for years; I know how she thinks. Without me, she’s nothing. As long as we don’t break up, she doesn’t care about titles.]
Philip: [And Julia? Can she accept Emma?]
Ricky: [Julia’s gentle. Once we’re married, I’ll work on her mindset. She’ll come around.]
Philip: [Impressive! Planning to live with both of them in the future?]
Ricky: [Basking in the hugs of two beauties. Don’t you want that?]
Philip: [Man, I do, but I ain’t got your game. Two beauties under your wing! Color me impressed!]
I was utterly shocked. My world shattered into a thousand pieces.
Who would’ve thought that Ricky, who seemed so honest and straightforward, harbored such deceitful intentions?
Where did he get the confidence to think he could manage this?
I did love him, but I had my limits.
Ricky was my first love, the only boyfriend I had ever had, from the innocent days of high school, through college, and out into
the real world.
For ten whole years, I considered Ricky my one and only.
He didn’t come on a white horse or with a heroic aura, but in my heart, he was my hero.
Growing up in a fatherless family, I lacked security and yearned for a complete family.
After graduation, I expressed my desire to marry him several times.
But Ricky kept pushing me away with his reasons: fresh out of school, job on shaky ground, pockets empty, unable to offer me the joyful life I was worthy of.
I naively thought he was considering my wellbeing and that he loved me.
In this world, to find a good job as a fresh graduate, one needs either a prestigious degree, connections, or money.
Ricky and I had none of these.
I was more reserved, settling into a design job at a trendy company and working diligently.
But Ricky had high aspirations; his life motto was to achieve something great and leap across social classes.
Thus, in the two years after graduation, he switched jobs eight times, never satisfied.
At our class reunion after graduation, when we found out one classmate had aced the civil service exam and landed a spot in the state government, emerging as a rising political star, Ricky found his new direction.
He, too, would take the civil service exam.
To focus on studying, Ricky quit his job, leaving me to bear our living expenses alone.
I had just been promoted, but my salary wasn’t high.
Besides rent, I had to buy study materials for Ricky, enroll him in prep classes, and ensure our daily meals.
To save money for two years I bought no new clothes and no makeun.
12:01 PM MM.
To save money, for two years, I bought no new clothes and no makeup.
I sold meal tickets and benefits from work for cash.
I would settle for plain water and bread rather than let Ricky feel any hardship.
When I returned to our modest rental after a long day at work, the evening would just begin for me. I would roll up my sleeves to tackle the laundry and move to the kitchen to cook. After serving dinner, I would clean. As the night deepened, I would dive into overtime work.
Ricky was a man fueled by towering aspirations. His roadmap was clear and meticulously planned: within one year, he aimed to transition from a provisional to a regular employee. By the end of two years; he envisioned himself climbing to the position of deputy director. By the fifth year, his ambition was set on clinching the prestigious title of director. He even harbored a grander vision: to descend from those lofty administrative heights to the tangible realm of state leadership. He dreamed of becoming a
governor.
“Emma, just wait till I become the governor. You’ll be the First Lady of the state then! Back in the day, people would line the streets, bowing and showing you the highest respect as you walked by!”
Ricky loved painting this grand picture of our future during his breaks, his eyes sparkling with ambition.
In truth, I didn’t crave the trappings of power or any of those lofty titles. My deepest wish was simple: a quiet life with him, just
the two of us, living in peace.
Those years were hard, no doubt about it. But even in the struggle, I was happy.
The first year, he didn’t pass the written exam. The second year, he got cut in the interview. Year after year, it was one setback after another. For four long years, I supported us with my salary alone, hoping that things would turn around.
Eventually, reality hit Ricky. He started to compromise, shifting his focus from pursuing administrative roles to institutional
positions.
Around the same time, I got promoted to team leader, and my salary tripled. The financial pressure eased, and for the first time in years, we could breathe and even started saving some money.
After all the hardships, it seemed like our luck was approaching.
Ricky switched to the institutional exam, and this time, it was smooth sailing. He aced both the written test and the interview, landing a job at a local TV station.
After completing a year on probation, he would transition into a full fledged employee, opening the door to future opportunities, including the potential to shift back into an administrative position later on in his career.
My job was secure, Ricky’s future was looking bright, and everything seemed to be falling into place.
It felt like the right moment to talk about the next step: marriage.
By then, Ricky and I had been together for a full decade.
I was not a strong woman. All I ever wanted was a small home to call my own, a husband to support, and maybe a couple of kids to raise. That was my dream, plain and simple.
In the two years since my promotion, I had saved up some money.
I thought maybe, just maybe, we could use that, along with a little help from Ricky’s family, to put a down payment on a
modest house.
With both of our careers steady, it felt like the perfect time to take that step.
But when I brought it up, Ricky’s reaction was lukewarm at best.
“Work’s been busy. There’s so much pressure right now. Let’s wait a bit longer,” he said, brushing it off.
I wasn’t getting any younger. I had spent my best years with Ricky. So, finally, I pushed him, asking him directly about marriage.
That was when he dropped the bomb.
“Emma, my parents have never really approved of us.”
I fell silent, stunned. My heart sank.
To ease the tension, Ricky promised he would do everything in his power to convince his parents to bless our marriage.
So, I waited. Again.
I came from a fatherless family. My father died in an accident shortly after I was born.
I found myself struggling to recall his actual face; all I had were the images from photographs to remind me of what he looked
12 01 PM M
like.
- me.
My mother raised me by herself, working tirelessly to give me a decent life.
Ricky’s father, Henry Blake, was a factory worker, but his mother, Samantha Blake, was unemployed.
Objectively, their situation wasn’t much better than ours. Yet, for some reason, they always acted like they were better than
The winter break of my senior year, marking the fourth year of our relationship, was etched in my memory, never to be forgotten.
After much hesitation, I finally accepted Ricky’s heartfelt invitation to join his family for Christmas.
When I arrived, Ricky’s parents were all smiles.
They helped with my bag, seated me, and offered me water and fruit; their hospitality almost made me feel like I was home.
Samantha had prepared a feast. It was a spread fit for royalty, and for a moment, I felt honored, like they truly respected me.
But as the night wore on, the atmosphere shifted. Over dinner, Samantha and Henry took turns praising their son, subtly
probing into my life, asking question after question.
Naive and eager to please, I answered them all, wearing my heart on my sleeve. I didn’t hold anything back.
It was all too easy for them to piece together my life story.
Once they discovered I grew up in a fatherless family, Samantha made no attempt to mask her disdain as we sat around the
dinner table.
“Raised without a father? Emma, do you have any psychological issues? Are you harboring bitterness? Do you despise men? Or perhaps you’re out to get back at society? My Ricky is a sweet boy. If you’re just toying with emotions, leave my son out of your theatrics. Is single parenting a family trait? Some sort of curse, perhaps? Does your mother, you know, go around flirting with other men?”
Samantha made no effort to hide the venom in her heart as she unleashed a flurry of probing questions at me across the
dinner table.
Growing up in a fatherless home had shaped me, but nothing had ever humiliated me as much as that dinner.
I wanted to flip the table and scream, but I held back. I had manners. I had dignity.
“Mr. and Mrs. Blake, I’ve had enough. Thank you for your hospitality. I’m feeling a bit tired, so I’ll head out now. Have a good
night.”
I gently placed my fork down, stood up with grace, offered a courteous nod, picked up my bag, and with my dignity intact, I
walked out of his house, head held high.
That night, I found a small hotel near the station.
I hoped that Ricky would come after me and comfort me. But he didn’t.
Instead, he sent a message saying there was an emergency at home and he couldn’t come.
Was it really an emergency, or were his parents keeping him away?
I didn’t linger on the thought. I bought a ticket for the next day and went home.
For the entire winter break, I ignored Ricky’s calls and messages.
I knew I shouldn’t blame him for Samantha’s words, but they stung like acid, burning into my soul.
Just because my father had died young, she assumed something was wrong with me.
Just because my father had died young, she assumed our family was shattered.
That night made me question our relationship and our future. Was it worth it?
When the break ended, Ricky was waiting for me at the school gate.
I met him, steel in my spine, and told him I wanted to break up.
I expected him to try to win me back, but what he did next shocked me.
There, beneath the watchful eyes of the throng, Ricky dropped to his knees.
He professed his love, swearing that his parents‘ views weren’t his own.
He spoke of a future we could build together, one free from the shadows of his family’s prejudice.
He begged for a chance to prove his love for the rest of our lives.
12:01 PM DA D
His public plea, his vulnerability, broke down the walls around my heart.
I forgave him, believing Ricky was the man I could trust with my life.
From that moment on, I poured everything I had into keeping our love alive.
It became my habit, my lifeline.
But somewhere along the way, Ricky began to take my devotion for granted.
Ricky and Julia’s wedding was set for July 7th, a date whispered by the stars themselves.
There were still two weeks left, but I felt the clock ticking. I needed to do something.
Two days later, Ricky returned from his business trip, worn out and weary.”
He had passed his exam for a position at the institution but was still on probation at the TV station, doing the grunt work no one else wanted.
His days were filled with sorting materials, editing videos, and hauling equipment.
Only when he became a regular employee would his life get easier.
When Ricky came home, I didn’t mention Julia or the wedding.
I acted as if everything was normal, as if I didn’t know the truth.
“I’m totally wiped out. Driving 900 miles from sunup to sundown feels like every bone in my body’s been on a roller coaster ride without a seatbelt.”
Ricky collapsed on the couch the moment he walked through the door, too exhausted to move a muscle.
I believed him. Juggling the driving, managing all the logistics, and handling the heavy lifting all by himself; no wonder he was completely exhausted.
“You’ve worked hard, my busy man. Just hang in there. Once you’re promoted to station director, no more of these exhausting
trips,” I said softly, trying to sound encouraging.
I brought a basin of hot water for him to soak his feet, my hands gently massaging his shoulders as I spoke.
“No need to wait for station director,” he mumbled, a tired smile playing on his lips. “I need to build seniority first. Once I’m a regular employee, I’ll find a way to transfer to Corporation for Public Broadcasting, directly into a leadership role.”
As always, Ricky basked in my care, still weaving dreams of his grand plans and ambitions.
I had heard these promises countless times over the years. At some point, they had lost their meaning. Just talk. Just dreams.
But this time, for some reason, I believed him.
Maybe because Julia’s family wasn’t just anyone.
From the chat logs I stumbled upon, I learned that Julia came from a wealthy family, seriously wealthy.
Her parents owned three listed companies and had investments spread across numerous industries, with connections so vast and tangled that it made my head spin just thinking about it.
For Ricky, jumping from the TV station to Corporation for Public Broadcasting would be a breeze with Julia’s family pulling strings in the background.
It was obvious that Ricky had latched onto a golden opportunity. Marrying Julia meant he’d be rising from the ashes of his
mediocre life into something grand.
“Alright. Mr. Blake, what would you like for dinner tonight? I’ll cook it for you,” I said, my voice dripping with the same affection I’d always shown. I didn’t let on that I knew the truth. I didn’t expose him.
“Anything’s fine. I just need to catch up on sleep. These past few days have been exhausting. Oh, by the way, Emma, in about ten days, I might need to go on another long trip. Could be one month, maybe two. I won’t be here, so please, look after yourself, alright?”
He stretched lazily on the couch, casually dropping this bomb like it was no big deal.
Ten days from now? That was exactly when he and Julia would be getting married.
After the wedding, they’d jet off for their honeymoon; one or two months sounded about right for newlyweds.
Using work as an excuse? How utterly perfect that excuse was!
If this had been before, before I knew the truth, I might’ve clung to him, worried about his long absence, touched by his concern for me. I would’ve fussed over him like I always did.
12:02 PM P
But now? Now, all I felt was a churning disgust; a deep well of hatred bubbled up inside me.
All these years, I’d been the one holding everything together. I did the laundry, cooked every meal, and took care of every little thing in our home. Was there anything that I hadn’t done for him?
Ricky lived like a spoiled child under my care. He practically needed me to dress him and feed him. Even simple chores like washing dishes or wiping down the table were beneath him.
And yet, here he was, talking about taking off on another “work trip‘ like he was some kind of martyr. How dare he?
Without him in the picture, my life would be so much easier.
“So long? Can’t you skip this one?” I said, forcing a pout, playing the part of the reluctant, loving girlfriend. I even shook his arm for effect.
“This trip is a test from my superiors. A man’s got to focus on his career. I can’t stay in the comfort zone forever,” Ricky said, putting on his serious face, like he was some dedicated, hardworking hero.
I wanted to scream.
I thought, “Comfort zone? Isn’t that exactly what you’ve been chasing with Julia?”
“Okay, fine,” I said, playing along. “But promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Eat on time, rest, and don’t overwork. And if you’re not feeling well, go to a doctor. Stay safe. And we must video call every day. I’ll miss you too much, you know?”
I acted like a lovesick schoolgirl, reminding him to miss me, to think of me while he was “away“.
Before, I used to believe that acting was a skill only professional actors could master. But now, here I was, in front of Ricky. spouting words I didn’t feel, and the pretense flowed so effortlessly.
In love, every word and every action could feel real. Otherwise, learning how to fake it was necessary.
“Don’t worry. I’m an adult, remember? I can take care of myself. The place we’re going might be pretty remote and could even be no signal there. Video calls might not work out. We’re going as a team, so safety that there won’t be an issue. If you can’t reach me for a while, don’t panic. Please, don’t do anything silly like reporting me missing. We wouldn’t want to make a scene, right?”
He was covering all his bases, making sure I wouldn’t suspect a thing.
Ricky was always so meticulous that he had thought this through thoroughly, even considering the possibility that I might report him missing if I couldn’t get in touch.
How convenient that his wedding and honeymoon would conveniently leave no room for communication.
And the excuse of no signal was perfect, believable and reasonable.
But more than that, it revealed just how confident he was in his ability to control me.
“Alright, then. But do try to find a moment to check for a signal, okay? Remember to stay in touch, and don’t give me a reason
to worry.”
I played along because the show must go on, right?
Only now, the script had changed. Instead of Ricky performing solo, I was playing the part of a woman about to expose his true
colors.
The world knew Ricky was getting married, but they didn’t know I was the one he was leaving behind. And I was the only one
who knew I knew.
In the days that followed, life carried on with a semblance of normalcy.
We both went to work during the day, and in the evenings, I returned to cook and do housework.
The only difference was that my workload had become endless, often keeping me up past midnight.
To avoid disturbing Ricky’s sleep, I moved my blanket to the couch, no longer sharing the bed with him.
This shift made him uneasy. He hinted at intimacy several times, but I gently rebuffed him, citing my overwhelming workload.
“Just like how you’ve been dragging your feet on our marriage,” I murmured to myself.
I explained, “The company’s given us an ultimatum. We have to finalize the design drafts within half a month. The whole team
is under immense pressure. You’ll have to bear with me for a few days. Once the new product launches successfully, I’ll get a bonus, and I’ll take you out for a big meal. I promise to make it up to you, okay?”
I caressed his face, soothing his restless mood.
As soon as he retreated to the bedroom, I rushed to the bathroom, washing my hands over and over.
Before I couldn’t wait to be with Ricky: every second with him was a treasure
Now, touching him felt like touching the filthiest thing in the world.
Ricky was puzzled by my behavior, but seeing me genuinely working late on designs, he didn’t suspect a thing. Sometimes, when he was too aroused to sleep, he would come to the living room, wanting to cuddle while I worked.
At those moments, I would gently distance myself and ask him questions to divert his attention.
“Our company’s theme this time is love and protection. Any good suggestions? Maybe you can inspire me.”
Sitting inches away from him, I asked with a serious expression.
“Well, love is the purest and most beautiful emotion in the world. It’s selfless giving and guarding without expecting anything in return. When two people are in love, there’s both giving and guarding. It’s about having only you in my heart, and only me in yours. Guarding isn’t just physical, like walking on the inside of the sidewalk or stepping forward in danger. It’s also about reserving an exclusive place in your heart for each other. A place no one else can enter or break. Loyalty, eternal vows…”
Ricky, with his background in the humanities, could effortlessly weave a tapestry of touching sentiments in the blink of an eye. His eloquence was impressive, and he was undeniably talented.
That was how he managed to juggle between me and Julia so smoothly.
That was how he convinced a wealthy heiress to marry him in just three years.
I listened intently, even though I knew these weren’t his true feelings. Yet, I couldn’t help but be moved.
I had heard these words many times over the past decade, and each time, it felt like returning to the first moments we shared.
I whispered, “Do I have that unique place in your heart? Will I be replaced by someone else? Will one become two, then countless others?”
Caught up in the feelings, I threw him a couple of subtle cues. If Ricky could just muster a shred more honesty, maybe I wouldn’t feel like I’m at the bottom of the barrel.
“Of course not, you are you, and no one can replace you.”
Ricky paused and shook his head firmly.
My heart sank even deeper.
Ricky wouldn’t turn back, and neither would I.
On the morning of July 5th, I hailed a taxi to take him to the train station.
The night before, he told me he was going on a long business trip far away.
His lies were riddled with holes.
A trip lasted one or two months? Yet, he packed only one set of clothes, no toiletries.
He said it was a team trip, but there was no company bus and no meeting point; he made his way to the station all by himself.
I didn’t expose him, saying goodbye at the station square.
He told me he was heading to a remote area over one thousand miles away, but I knew his ticket was for the capital, just two hundred miles away.
Two days later, he would marry Julia there.
“Goodbye!” I called out.
“Goodbye!” he replied, waving as I watched him disappear into the waiting hall.
That goodbye was final, like we were closing a chapter that could never be reopened.
Of course, his wedding would haunt him for the rest of his life.
On the way back, I made two phone calls.
One was to a scrap collector, the other to a moving company.
Everything that belonged to Ricky had to go. What could be sold was sold. What couldn’t be sold was given away. And what no one wanted, I threw out.
Then, I packed up my own things and moved them to the new apartment I’d rented.
Within an hour, the house was empty.
The only thing left behind was the faint yellow stains of time on the walls. The six years Ricky and I had shared were effortlessly erased.
After settling the lease with the landlord, I figured Ricky would have reached the capital by now.
I slung my bag over my shoulder, caught a taxi back to the station, and boarded the next train heading to the same destination.
It was time to expose the real Ricky.
