The Two Projected on the Screen

In Adrians suit pocket were two concert tickets. I thought they were a surprise for me.
I waited eagerly for the concert date, only to watch him pack his bagsand the ticketsfor a business trip.
I pulled some strings and paid a scalpers price for my own ticket, just to witness him passionately kissing another girl amidst the roar of the crowd and the pulsing music. Their kiss was projected onto the giant screen for everyone to see, their faces streaked with what looked like tears of joy.
After the concert, I found the girls Instagram post:
Kissing the love of my life at our favorite artists concert. The best birthday present I could ever ask for.
The comments were a sea of well-wishes. Then, his car suddenly accelerated, and I was on the pavement.
When I woke up, Adrian was sitting by my hospital bed, head bent over his phone, a gentle smile playing on his lipsa smile I had never seen directed at me.
I asked him who the girl was. He just looked up, his expression blank.
Im your boss, he said coolly. Now that youre awake, focus on getting better.
He left as quickly as he could. I picked up my phone and dialed my uncles number.
Uncle, I said, my voice steady. That arranged marriage you mentioned before? Ill do it.

1
My uncle was stunned into silence for a moment, then his voice filled with relief.
Kristina, youve finally come to your senses! A boyfriend whos kept you a secret for five years deserves to stay in the shadows forever.
When can you come back? I just texted them, and theyre already asking to set a wedding date.
Five years with Adrian, and I was the one who was never meant to see the light of day. He was so desperate to distance himself from me that I knew he wouldnt make a fuss about my resignation.
The sooner, the better, I replied. The paperwork on my end should be quick.
Just then, Adrian returned to the room, looking for his car keys.
Resignation? Is someone from our company leaving?
I knew my resignation would have to cross his desk for final approval, so there was no point in hiding it. But he was too engrossed in his phone to notice my nod.
He picked up his keys. The doctor said you hit your head and might have some memory loss, he said casually. I was half-afraid youd actually forgotten everything.
I was the one driving. It was dark, and you were looking down at your phone
I froze.
So that was it. That was why hed pretended not to know me, even though we were alone in the room.
Ten minutes ago, when hed claimed to be just my boss, his expression had been perfectly cool and distant, a carefully measured dose of professional concern. There was no trace of guilt.
But just before the impact, I had seen the car clearly. Adrian was in the passenger seat. The girl hed been kissing was behind the wheel.
He hadnt even given me a chance to confront him, just used a flimsy excuse about being busy and fled. I had thought he was overwhelmed with guilt for hurting me, that he didn't know how to face me.
How laughably wrong I was. He didn't care at all.
I was still a bit fuzzy when I woke up, I said, playing along. Sorry for not recognizing you, Mr. Wright.
He had fed me a lie, and I was serving it right back to him.
He turned, a flicker of confusion in his eyes as he took in my cold expression. The girl who would have cried and demanded kisses and hugs for a paper cut was gone. Something was different.
He glanced around, and once he was sure we were alone, his voice softened. Kristina, hospitals are full of prying eyes. It wouldnt be good if someone saw us. You just rest and get better. When youre discharged, Ill make it up to you at home, I promise.
I offered a polite, practiced smile. Thank you, Mr. Wright.
In private, I used to call him boss as a playful, flirty nickname. But now, the word was a wall of ice between us. Adrians brow furrowed.
Before he could say anything, the doctor came in for his rounds, and Adrians cool, professional mask slipped back into place.
As he left, he added one last instruction. Get some rest. And dont think you can use your special status to get privileges at the company. Everyone is treated the same. Rules are rules.
The doctor saw the strained smile on my face. Hes gone now, he said kindly. You dont have to pretend anymore. Your boss seems like a tough nut, but he paid for everything upfront.
My fake smile turned into a bitter one. Adrian was a master actor. Thats why, apart from a few of his closest friends, no one knew we were together. No one knew we had been for five years.
Id lost count of how many times Id asked him when we could go public. He always brushed me off, saying the time wasnt right. It got to the point where I wasn't even sure what we were.
Today, he gave me the answer. In that moment when he thought my memory was gone, the words Im your boss slipped out. That was the truth.

2
The accident wasn't severe. After three days of observation, I was discharged. The hospital refunded the overpayment from the insurance back to Adrians account. He hadnt shown his face or even called in three days, but the refund prompted a call.
Youre already out? You should have told me. I have a client meeting today, I cant pick you up.
Okay, I said, swallowing the questions that threatened to spill out. His phones location tracker showed he was at a hotel. I didn't need to ask what he was busy with.
A womans voice drifted through the line. Honey, can you come dry my hair?
He hung up immediately.
A few moments later, two money transfers appeared on my screen.
One for 0-0,314. One for $520.
The numbers were a play on words, meaning forever and I love you. For five years, I had dreamed of receiving these amounts from him, of finally having something to post on social media like all the other girls. He had always refused.
Now that I was letting go, he finally gave me what Id wanted. I wondered why.
I looked at his new profile picture and clicked decline on the transfers.
His avatar was clearly one half of a matching pair. But the other half wasnt me.
A series of question marks popped up from him. I didn't reply.
The apartment was exactly as I had left it. It seemed he hadn't been back since the night of the concert.
I pushed aside the memories and started to pack. In just half a day, the home I had lovingly decorated for five years began to look empty and hollow. Most of what I packed were matching couples items I had bought. But Adrian, with his obsession for secrecy, had refused to wear or use anything that hinted he was in a relationship. I used to joke that he was as cautious as a spy.
I know why now. In his heart, I was never his girlfriend.
I was halfway through when Adrian walked in.
Kristina, what the hell is this? I called, I texted. Why are you ignoring me?
I caught the scent of a perfume that wasn't mine and held up a hand to stop him from coming any closer. I glanced at the faint, tell-tale mark on his neck. I was busy, I said flatly. I didnt see my phone.
His eyes swept over the half-empty apartment, and his face soured. Dont tell me youre busy tearing the place apart. You just got out of the hospital, you should be resting.
He pointed to a few boxes of new, untouched items I hadnt had a chance to throw out yet. Are you getting rid of all this?
I bent to pick up a box. He took it from me. Ill get it, he said, his voice laced with annoyance. Stop buying all this useless junk. Do you have money to burn?
Go change. Im taking you out to dinner.
It was time to end this.
From the balcony, I watched him toss the boxes of couples items into the dumpster without a second thought. Just like our five years together. Worthless.
At the restaurant, he ordered several of our favorite dishes, but he also ordered one I despised: bitter melon with scrambled eggs.
My appetite vanished. I wasnt going to force myself anymore. Waiter, I called out. Could you please take this dish back? Well still pay for it.
Adrian pulled the dish in front of him. What, youre going to be this dramatic just because I didnt visit you in the hospital? If you had been watching where you were going, you wouldn't have been hit in the first place.
I had seen him care for me before, so his lack of love now was painfully obvious. The man who had once carried me through the night to the emergency room in a panic when I had a fever couldn't even be bothered to visit me in the hospital after his girlfriend ran me over. The man who knew I hated bitter melon and never let anything bitter cross my plate was now ordering it, just as he had when we first met.
I gave a faint smile. I hate bitter melon, I said calmly. The smell makes me nauseous.
So dont eat it, he snapped. His impatience was a sharp edge in his voice.
I kept my smile in place. We should break
Before I could finish, a girl appeared at our table.
Adrian, after all these years, you still remember I love bitter melon!

3
I calmly looked up at the impeccably dressed woman who was staring down at me with unconcealed disdain. She squeezed in next to Adrian, sitting opposite me.
Let me introduce myself, she said, her voice smooth as silk. Im Adrians girlfriend, Nora.
I said nothing.
She deliberately rubbed against Adrians arm. Adrian, honey, arent you going to introduce us? She is?
Adrian looked uncomfortable. Noras sudden appearance had clearly caught him off guard.
His evasive glance was almost comical. Im an employee at Mr. Wrights company, I said smoothly. The restaurant was full, so we were just sharing a table.
Adrians head snapped toward me, a flicker of shock in his eyes, quickly replaced by a wave of relief. Ah, yes. This is one of my employees, Kristina.
Noras smile was dazzling. Miss Miller must be an exceptional employee. This is the first time Ive ever seen Adrian share a meal with any woman other than me.
She placed her phone on the table, casually pushing it toward me. The message was clear. It was a challenge.
I glanced at her screen. Her profile picture was, as I suspected, the other half of Adrians. Even their outfits were a coordinated color scheme, a high-end designer couples set. Sitting together under the soft restaurant lighting, they looked like a perfect match.
I put down my chopsticks and stood up to leave.
Nora grabbed my arm. Where Adrian couldn't see, her long, sharp nails dug into my flesh. Miss Miller, youre leaving as soon as I arrive. Did I say something wrong? I can apologize, if thats what you want.
I had no patience for her games. I yanked my arm free.
As I was examining the angry red marks on my wrist, her hand suddenly flew out and slapped a small boy who was playing near our table.
The boy, shocked and hurt, burst into tears.
Noras eyes immediately filled with tears of her own as she rushed to apologize to him. Adrian quickly followed suit, offering to pay the boys parents.
But the little boy pointed a trembling finger at me. It was her! he sobbed. She pushed that ladys hand, and it hit me! I want her to say sorry!
Nora immediately adopted a wounded expression. Miss Miller, I dont know what I did to offend you. If you have a problem with me, you can take it out on me, but please dont involve innocent children.
Suddenly, all eyes in the restaurant were on me. Murmurs and judgmental glances followed.
Adrian shot me a furious glare. What are you just standing there for? Apologize! Aren't you embarrassed?
Emboldened, the little boy ran over and bit my hand, clamping down hard and refusing to let go. The more Nora tried to soothe him, the harder he bit.
I wasn't about to get into a fight with a child. I apologized.
But Adrian wasn't satisfied. He couldn't see the blood welling up from the bite marks. He grabbed my arm as I tried to leave. Kristina, apologize to Nora.
Nora feigned reluctance. Adrian, its fine. Im not hurt. The little boy just got a scare, thats all.
He looked at the red mark on the back of Noras hand with exaggerated concern. Then he turned back to me, grabbed my hand, and shoved it into a bowl of hot soup that had just been delivered to the table.
The soup wasnt boiling, but it was hot enough. The salty liquid seeped into the open wounds, a searing, agonizing pain that made me tremble.
Kristina, how can you be so vicious? This is a lesson for you.
Is that what you really think of me? The question was out of my mouth before I could stop it, even though I already knew the answer.
The commotion had attracted more attention.
Which one is his girlfriend? someone whispered.
Are you blind? Obviously the one hes protecting. Cant you see their matching outfits?
Their gazes turned to me, filled with pity. Hey, kid, thats enough. Youre going to cook the girls hand!
My face was pale, but I looked at Adrian and laughed, a cold, empty sound. For a moment, he seemed flustered.
Finally, he released my hand, took Noras, and swept out of the restaurant.

4
Back at the apartment, he ordered a tube of burn cream for me online.
A message followed: Kristina, stop being so sensitive and targeting Nora. Youre going to be seeing a lot of her, so I expect you to get along.
Did he really think a tube of cream was enough to placate me, so he could have us both?
I applied the cream in silence. He didnt come home that night.
The next day at work, my colleagues stared at me with strange expressions.
My friend Wendy leaned over my desk and whispered, Kristina, everyones saying you tried to seduce Mr. Wright and his girlfriend caught you. Theres a whole group chat about it
She handed me her phone. Someone from the restaurant had been there last night. An entire group had been created overnight to gossip about my failed attempt to climb the ladder.
Before I could explain, Adrian appeared with Nora by his side. Everyone, Id like to introduce our new department manager, Nora Cole.
So thats what he meant by seeing a lot of her. He had parachuted her in as my new boss.
Every head in the office turned to look at me. The previous manager had left months ago, and I had been running the department ever since. Everyone had assumed the promotion was mine.
In front of the entire office, Adrian added Nora to the companys group chat. They both sent a message, one after the other. Anyone with eyes could see their matching profile pictures.
The entire morning was abuzz with gossip.
I didn't care. I was leaving anyway. They could have the job.
I emailed my resignation to HR and went to the breakroom to make myself a cup of tea.
Id barely taken two sips when Nora walked in. She made a coffee and sat down next to me, the picture of smug victory.
Kristina, I know youve been Adrians little secret for five years. But Im his real girlfriend. Now that Im back, its time for the other woman to gracefully exit. As long as you keep your mouth shut like you always have, I wont cause you any more trouble.
She played a voice message. It was the little boy from the restaurant. Auntie Nora, did I do a good job? Dont forget the Transformer you promised me!
I knew it was too much of a coincidence.
A sense of foreboding washed over me. I needed to get out of there. But she grabbed my cup, dumped the contents over her own head, and then smashed the cup at my feet.
The lukewarm tea dripped down her face, soaking her blouse and matting her hair, making her look utterly pathetic. This woman was willing to go to any lengths to destroy me.
She blocked my path. Kristina, what are you doing? she shrieked. Why are you doing this to me?
Her screams brought our colleagues running. She wasn't done. She poured her own coffee down the front of her shirt and began rubbing her neck until it was red and raw.
I had had enough. I slapped her, hard.
Adrian heard the commotion and burst in to see me, perfectly composed, standing over a disheveled and weeping Nora.
Without a moments hesitation, he slapped me back. Kristina! If you dont want this job, then get the hell out!
Still not satisfied, he shoved me aside and swept Nora up into his arms, carrying her into his office. I stumbled backward, my lower back slamming into the edge of a table. The pain brought tears to my eyes.
The HR manager, who had been on the fence about my resignation, immediately signed off on it. Adrian, busy comforting Nora, approved it without even reading it. The finance department, eager to curry favor with the future bosss wife, processed my final paycheck on the spot.
I still had client files to hand over. I bundled them up to email to Adrian, only to find that my company email account had already been deleted.
The only person with the authority to do that was Adrian.
I tried to send him a final text: Were over. But my number was blocked. My social media, blocked.
I walked out of the company without a backward glance. I went home, erased every last trace of myself, and went straight to the airport.

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