Chapter 2
The landlord and the new tenant exchanged a glance, muttered awkward pleasantries, and hurried off.
I curled up on the couch, watching their new posts.
After landing, Ryan and Chloe went straight to that truffle restaurant from the video, laughing for the camera. The villa they booked was the exact one I’d shared in the group chat that day.
So they did see my messages. They just chose to ignore them.
I wiped the dampness from my eyes and blocked their feeds.
Got up and started packing to move.
Four days later, Ryan called.
“Mia, you off work?”
“Chloe and I just landed, brought you a little gift. Let’s go check out the new place. Didn’t you say you had something important to tell me?”
I looked out the window. Rain was pouring down.
“Sure. But it’s hard to get a cab in this weather. Pick
me up on your way.”
Silence on the other end.
Then Chloe’s timid voice came through.
“Mia, could you just take a cab to the new place
yourself?”
“Ryan’s cooking for me at my place. Picking you up would mean a detour and we’d hit traffic.”
My tone turned cold.
“Didn’t he just land?”
“Another time then.”
I hung up.
Ryan’s message popped up: [Don’t take it out on Chloe
over something small. I’m coming to get you now.]
It made me laugh.
[Don’t bother. First time I knew you could cook.]
[Another time. Not going out today.]
Ryan didn’t reply.
Two hours later, the doorbell rang frantically.
Ryan was calling my name from outside.
I opened the door, frowning.
“Didn’t you see my text? I said I’m not going out today.”
But Ryan took my arm and urged me to come outside.
“Stop throwing a fit. Chloe had stomach cramps on the
flight. I just made her some soup.”
“I told her to rest at home. But she saw you were upset
and insisted on coming. Talk to her, or she won’t be able to relax.“
I said nothing, pulled my hand away, and looked at the spot where he had held me.
Grabbed my bag and followed him downstairs.
I didn’t even glance at the passenger seat and slid into the back.
Because I knew Chloe would be sitting there.
Sure enough, seeing me not fight for the front,
Chloe turned from the passenger seat with an awkward smile.
“Mia, sorry.”
“I’m really not feeling well, didn’t want to move.
Thanks for sitting in the back.”
I hummed in response.
Ryan saw my cold attitude and glared at me.
While driving, he tried to smooth things over.
“Mia, Chloe was worried we’d have a fight over the trip. She’s not feeling well but came anyway to
explain.”
“You… got anything to say?”
I leaned against the window and replied flatly.
“Nothing to say.”
Ryan was speechless.
He gave an awkward laugh and turned to chat with Chloe about something else.
But soon, the topic circled back to Tuscany.
“Ryan, remember when we fed the pigeons by the lake?”
“How could I forget! They swarmed me, I almost fell in. And the pottery class, you got dye all over my face.”
“You dare bring that up? You ruined that dress, I couldn’t even wear it!”
Their back and forth hit my ears.
Like needles.
Ryan seemed to finally remember his girlfriend in the back seat.
“Mia, next time the three of us should go to the Alps.”
“You said you’ve been tired at work and want to relax, right? Then…”
I cut him off.
“We’re here. Let’s get out.”