Love Without a Common Language

My foreign language skills are a joke, so its ironic Im dating Adrian, a diplomat fluent in eight.
On my birthday, I waited excitedly at the upscale French restaurant hed booked. The waiter had already approached me patiently seven times when Adrian finally texted:
[Work came up. I ordered for youplease eat without me.]
Soon after, I saw a post from Vivienne, his unforgettable ex: a photo of Adrian handing her a disposable bib while pausing his order. The caption:
[He treated me, worried Id starve because I forgot English~]
Suddenly, the night felt meaningless.
I handed the French menuwhich I couldnt readback to the waiter. One of everything, please.
After eating my fill and packing the rest, I saw dozens of missed calls. Adrians last message said:
Dont overthink it. Viviennes new hereI was just helping. Next time, Ill make it up to you.
I didnt reply.
If a relationship always needs a next time, is it really worth having?

1
I never expected to run into Adrian at a bar.
Id just settled into a booth with my best friend when a firm hand clamped down on my arm.
Adrians eyes widened in disbelief when he saw it was me.
Amanda? Youre ignoring my texts to come out drinking this late?
Before I could say a word, my friend yanked my arm free and shot a look at the woman standing behind Adrian.
Whats the problem? Its fine for you to be here alone with another woman, but she cant be here with her best friend?
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose.
Dont jump to conclusions. Vivienne brought a client here to unwind. I was just worried theyd run into trouble if they drank too much, so I tagged along.
Besides, I told Amanda where I was going. She just never replied He trailed off, a hint of frustration in his voice.
I checked my phone. He was right; there were a few more messages from him, trying to soothe me and explaining where he was.
I was genuinely surprised. Adrian, proactively telling me his whereabouts?
In the past, if I even asked how long his business trips were, hed shut me down.
Amanda, everyone needs their own space. Can you stop trying to keep tabs on me all the time?
It took a mountain of apologies and a solemn promise to never ask about his schedule again before hed finally forgiven me.
I pocketed my phone, my voice flat.
Sorry, I didnt see them.
Adrian was speechless.
Just then, Vivienne drifted over.
Adrian? If Amanda minds, you should just take her home. Ill be fine getting a cab on my own.
I clinked glasses with my friend without looking up.
I dont mind. You two do whatever you want.
Adrians brow furrowed as he gave me a once-over.
Amanda!
Be good and go home first. If you want to drink, Ill pick up a few pounds of your favorite crawfish after I drop Vivienne off, and we can drink all you want. How does that sound?
Adrian is a neat freak; he cant stand strong smells in the house.
After we got together, I gave up all my favorites: smoky barbecue, spicy curries, and messy crawfish boils.
Assuming he was just desperate to get Vivienne back to her hotel, I nodded vaguely.
Fine. You should get going.
He seemed surprised by how easily I agreed and ruffled my hair as a reward.
Good girl. Wait for me at home. Ive already called you a car.
He left in such a hurry he didnt even notice me flinch away from his touch.
It was three in the morning when I finally got home.
The moment I pushed the door open, I nearly collided with Adrian, who was clearly on his way out to look for me.
He saw me and his voice was cold. Amanda, do you have any idea what time it is? How old are you? You can't just run off and come home this late like a teenager every time you're upset.
I was so exhausted I could have passed out standing up. I didnt have the energy to argue, so I tried to sidestep him and head to the bedroom.
He blocked my path.
Stop being so jealous. If anything was going to happen between Vivienne and me, it would have happened long before you came along.
He pulled a small jewelry box from his pocket. Here. Your birthday present. Youre another year older now, so you cant keep acting as petty and childish as you did tonight.
I was too tired to even speak. I took the box without a glance and walked toward the bedroom.
Right. Thanks for the gift.
I tossed it onto the nightstand.
Whatever. I crawled into bed and shut my eyes.
I was dead to the world before I could even register the sound of the front door slamming shut.

2
The next morning, I woke up and scrolled through my phone to clear my head. Thats when I realized Adrian had stormed out last night.
Vivienne had a new post up.
[Wish time could just stand still right here.]
The picture was of her and Adrian, their backs to the camera, watching the sunrise from a mountaintop.
I gave it a like and sighed. Well, good for you two. A shame my front door had to suffer for it.
After a quick breakfast, I took a cab to the office.
My manager was thrilled and relieved when I told her I would accept the overseas assignment.
Shed been so disappointed when Id turned it down before, not wanting a long-distance relationship with Adrian.
Youve finally come to your senses! Transportation is so convenient these days, a two-hour train ride is all it takes to see each other. You know what they say, Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I smiled at her teasing before finally telling her the truth.
Im planning on breaking up with him.
I finished the transfer paperwork right as the lunch bell rang. My work friends insisted on taking me out for a farewell meal.
Laughing, we all piled into the elevator.
But as soon as we stepped out of the building, Adrian materialized out of nowhere, shoving a bouquet of flowers into my arms.
A peace offering.
My colleagues erupted in good-natured laughter.
Whoa! What did you do to get on our sweet Amandas bad side, Adrian? Youre even waiting with flowers!
Haha, youre too late, Adrian! Weve already booked Amanda for lunch.
Adrian took my hand, steering me toward his car while offering apologies over his shoulder.
So sorry, everyone. Amanda and I have an emergency. Ill treat you all next week to make up for it!
Thinking something serious had happened at home, I said my goodbyes and let him guide me into the passenger seat.
The first thing I did was toss the bouquet into the back before buckling my seatbelt.
Adrian got in just in time to see it. His lips thinned.
At the next red light, he couldnt hold it in any longer.
You dont like them?
I was busy handing off work tasks on my phone and it took me a moment to look up.
What?
His words finally registered.
Oh, the flowers, I realized. Im allergic to pollen. Did you forget again?
Adrian froze, a look of deep regret on his face.
Im sorry. Ill remember this time. I promise.
My eyes were already back on my phone.
Its fine.
It wasnt the first time.
How could a diplomatic genius who could converse fluently in obscure languages fail to remember something so simple?
He just didnt care enough.
But it didnt matter anymore. I didnt need him to.
Were here.
Just as Adrian announced our arrival, I finalized my start date with the branch office.
I glanced out the window and saw we werent at our apartment complex, but in an airport parking garage. I was confused.
Before I could ask, Adrian was already opening my door, pulling me by the hand.
He was pulling me in a mad dash through the terminal.
I was a little stunned.
In my mind, Adrian had always been the epitome of calm and collected maturity.
This boyish, energetic side of him was something Id only ever seen in Viviennes Instagram posts.
Come on, Amanda, hurry! Our flight is already boarding.
It was only after I was breathless in my seat that I had a chance to ask him what was going on.
Whats wrong? Did something happen to your family?
His family lived abroad, so that was my first assumption.
Adrian was still catching his breath.
He tucked our passports and IDs safely away. I know you havent used your vacation days this year.
Youve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris, right? Im on leave, so I thought Id take you. Please, dont be mad at me anymore, okay?
It hit me then. In three years together, this was our first trip.
Because every single one of his previous vacations had been claimed by Vivienne.
Or rather, Adrians vacations were for Vivienne.
He would go with her on a safari in Africa, chase the Northern Lights in Iceland, or see kangaroos in Australia.
But when I asked him to just explore a few local coffee shops with me, he was always too busy with work.
Whatever.
Ill just think of it as a breakup trip. A final, clean break.
I pushed down the urge to end things right there.
Wait, if we just boarded like this, what about our luggage?
Adrian patted my head. Dont you worry, my little planner. I was afraid wed miss the flight, so I had a friend whos also heading to Paris take our bags to the hotel ahead of us.
I nodded, my mind elsewhere. Thank God I was between assignments. If I had to request time off this suddenly, I wasnt sure my company would have approved.

3
It was late at night when the plane landed.
Wed just pulled up to the hotel when Adrians phone shattered the quiet.
He answered. Dont cry. Stay right where you are. Im coming now.
He snatched the car keys back from the doorman, his face etched with anxiety.
Amanda, Vivienne followed us to Paris.
Its not safe here at night, Im worried something might happen to her. You go on up to the room and get some rest. Ill be back as soon as I pick her up.
With that, he floored the gas and sped off into the distance.
He completely forgot that not only do I not speak the language, but he also had both our passports and IDs.
The trip was so sudden I hadn't had a chance to set up international roaming.
Unable to contact Adrian, I tried using a translation app to communicate with the front desk, but without any identification, I ended up stuck in the lobby, waiting.
The long flight and the late hour were catching up to me. I was dozing off on a plush sofa in the lobby.
The airport was only a half-hour drive from the hotel.
But the clock hands made two full rotations, and there was still no sign of Adrian.
I couldnt be bothered to imagine what he and Vivienne were doing.
I closed my eyes, ready to drift off again, when a deep voice suddenly sounded right beside my ear.
Amanda?
My sleepiness vanished instantly.
I whipped my head around in shock. Leo! What are you doing here?
I jumped to my feet, overjoyed.
Seeing a familiar face in a foreign countryespecially your high school desk mate of three yearswas an incredible relief.
Leo walked over, a warm smile on his face. Here on business. Managed to close the deal a few days early.
His eyes scanned the lobby before narrowing slightly. Did Adrian bring you? Where is he?
Hed immediately ruled out the possibility of me traveling alone. Anyone who knew me knew my talent for foreign languages was zero.
I grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the front desk, waving a dismissive hand. He went to pick up a friend.
Just get me a room, quick. Im about to pass out.
Before we parted ways, Leo made sure to add, They couldnt give us adjacent rooms on such short notice. Im just upstairs in 1312. Come find me if you need anything.
I nodded. Got it, got it. Youre still such a nag, just like in high school.
Go get some sleep. Good morning.

4
I hadnt been asleep for long when a series of loud bangs on the door woke me.
Thinking it was Leo, I stumbled to the door, eyes still closed, and opened it.
The person on the other side immediately pulled me into a tight hug.
Amanda, are you out of your mind? Youd actually sleep in a room some strange man got for you? Do you have any idea how long Ive been looking for you?
The fog of sleep finally cleared. I pushed Adrian away.
And what was I supposed to do? Sit in the lobby like an idiot and wait for you all night?
Adrians anger deflated.
He was so taken aback by me pushing him away that he forgot to be shocked. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Im sorry, its my fault. Vivienne lost her passport, and I was helping her look for it at the airport.
He reached for my hand. Amanda, come back to our room with me. This one will be perfect for Vivienne.
I sidestepped his touch, my voice flat. No need. I trust you two. After all, if anything was going to happen between you, it would have happened long before I came along.
Adrian froze. Those were his own words, the ones he always used to brush me off.
Like the time two years ago when Vivienne came back for a visit, forgot her pajamas, and wore his t-shirt to bed.
Or last year, when she got a single mosquito bite and insisted on being cradled in his arms like a princess.
And just this year, when she borrowed his electric razor to shave her legs.
Every time I felt their interactions crossed a line and asked for some distance, he would placate me with that exact phrase.
I yawned, too tired to deal with him anymore, and slammed the door in his face.
I fell back onto the bed, eager to get back to sleep.

5
In my dreams, I vaguely remember hearing more banging on the door.
It wasnt until I woke up and saw a note, some cash, and my passport slipped under the door that I realized it hadnt been a dream at all.
[Amanda, Im taking Vivienne to get a replacement passport. Ill be back as soon as were done. Dont be afraid to spend the money. Ill take you for a boat ride on the Seine tomorrow.]
I pocketed the cash and my passport, tossing the note into the trash on my way out.
After getting ready, I stepped out of my room and ran right into Leo, who was just about to knock.
I beamed. Leo, what a coincidence!
Leo smiled back. It is.
Is Adrian here? I think I saw him leaving with someone when I went down for breakfast this morning.
Hes probably not back yet, I answered simply, not wanting to let irrelevant people ruin a perfectly good vacation.
Leo took my bag from my shoulder. Well, in that case, want to go see the Eiffel Tower this afternoon? Ive chartered a boat.
Really?
I couldnt hide my excitement. Lets go! Ive been dying to find out if the coffee by the Seine is as good as they say!
The Parisian sun was especially bright that day.
Leo and I walked through the Arc de Triomphe, cruised down the Seine, listened to a violinist play by the riverbank, and finally had dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
When we got back to the hotel, I left my door ajar since Leo was going to bring his camera down to transfer the photos to my laptop.
A message from him came through:
[Amanda, the hot water is out on the 13th floor. Would you mind if I used your shower?]
I replied:
[Sure, no problem. Bring the camera down with you.]
Leo handed me the camera and disappeared into the bathroom with a change of clothes.
I was completely absorbed in scrolling through the beautiful pictures.
When a knock came at the door, I instinctively called out in English, Just a second!
At that moment, Leo emerged from the bathroom and went to open the door for me.
The next thing I heard was a guttural snarl: You bastard.
I looked up just in time to see Adrian swing his fist at Leo.
Adrian pointed a trembling finger at Leo, who stood there bare-chested, a single white towel wrapped around his waist.
His eyes, blazing red, locked onto mine.
Who is he?

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