The Promise of Tomorrow

One second, my online girlfriend had just sent me $5,200.
Her voice was sweet and soft. Anything you want, baby. Just buy it.
The next second, a stunningly beautiful woman swept my legs out from under me, and I landed flat on my face.
Her eyes were filled with disgust, her voice cold enough to freeze hell over.
Get out. Dont even think about touching me. I have a boyfriend.
Holy crap. I thought I was about to meet my maker.

1
The moment the plane landed, my phone exploded with messages.
Baby, why arent you answering?
Talk to me, please dont ignore me.
I smiled at the GIF of a fluffy kitten rubbing its face against the screen. My heart melted.
Im here, babe! Just landed in Westport! I replied, dropping a pin of my location.
Almost instantly, a voice message came through. Her sweet voice was laced with a mix of concern and adoration. Baby, why did you come by yourself? I was going to pick you up tomorrow. Was the flight exhausting?
I wanted to surprise you, I cooed back. And I know youre busy with work.
Hearing her chuckle on the other end made my ears burn.
A second later, a notification chimed.
Ten thousand dollars has been deposited into your account.
Buy whatever you want, she said. Dont you dare try to save my money.
I loved it when she played the bossy rich girl.
This was my online girlfriend. We met on an international social media app. Shed teased me for eating instant noodles every day, and we just clicked.
Im an art student, and one time I casually complained about how expensive and hard to find good supplies were overseas. Less than a week later, a complete set of top-of-the-line, imported art materials arrived at my door.
Im scared of the dark, so every night shed call and tell me stories in a soft, gentle voice until my breathing evened out and I was just about to fall asleep.
My heart was bursting with pink, fluffy clouds as I dragged my suitcase to the new boutique hotel my sister, Barb, had just opened. The front desk manager recognized me and handed me a keycard with a smile.
Mr. Chen, your sister left instructions. This is for the penthouse suite. Please, go on up and get some rest.
I was too giddy about finally meeting my girlfriend to pay much attention. I grabbed the card and headed for the top floor.
Now that school was out, I was back in the country, ready to meet the sweet, adorable girl Id fallen for.
The door beeped open. I tossed my suitcase inside, but before I could even take in the ocean view Id been dreaming of, the door behind me was pushed open again.
I assumed it was my sister. Grinning, I turned to jump into her arms. Barb!
The hug I expected never came.
My wrist was seized in an iron grip. A sharp, skillful force hit my ankle, and my world spun. A gasp caught in my throat.
Thump.
I landed hard, face-first on the plush carpet.
Huh? I was completely dazed. I looked up, tears welling in my eyes.
A tall woman, at least five-foot-nine, stood over me in a simple black dress. She looked down at me with cold, sharp eyes. Her face was stunningly beautiful, in an aggressive, dont mess with me kind of way.
Get out, she said, her voice laced with a lethal dose of contempt. Who gave you the nerve to try and climb into my bed?
My head was spinning. Who are you? This is my room!
Your room? She laughed as if it were the funniest joke shed ever heard.
Just then, Barb burst in, stopping dead when she saw me on the floor and the goddess of death standing over me.
Barb! I scrambled behind her like she was my savior. She pushed me! Avenge me!
Barb shielded me, giving the woman an awkward smile. Hera, its a misunderstanding! This is my little brother, Leo! This is Hera, a a good friend.
I clung to Barbs arm. The front desk said this was my room!
Barb smacked her forehead. Oh, you little disaster! The front desk messed up. Your room is next door. I have your keycard! She pulled out another keycard.
I looked at the card in her hand, then at the one Id used to open this room, and my brain short-circuited.
I found out later that because it was peak season, Barb had last-minute given the penthouse to her VIP guest, Hera. Shed told the front desk to put my brother next door, but in the rush, theyd never updated the system and gave me the master keycard for the suite.
Barb dragged me out of the room, her heart still pounding. Leo, for the love of God, do not mess with her. Thats Hera Seimetz, of the Westport Seimetzs. Shes rich, powerful, and has a temper that could curdle milk. Shes been raised to take over the family empire, and shes like this with everyone. Pissing her off is like kicking a hornets nest.
I rubbed my sore knee. So what if she decides to come after me?
Barb sighed, then rolled her eyes at my hopeful expression. What, you want me to be your human shield? Not a chance. But seeing my reddened knee, she stuck her chin out. But if she really tried to hurt you, Id Id definitely have a word with her!
Then she muttered, Youre lucky, though. Shes been in an online relationship recently. Spends all day giggling at her phone. She probably doesnt have time to deal with you.
I thought of my own gentle, sweet girlfriend. Thank God my girl was nothing like this Hera.

2
That evening, Barb hosted a dinner to welcome Hera and to help me recover from the shock. The private room was filled with a few other impeccably dressed young women, and the conversation revolved around mergers and valuations. The atmosphere was tense. I shrank in my seat, trying to be invisible.
Hera sat at the head of the table, looking distracted, her long fingers constantly tapping her phone. I snuck a glance at her. Her voice sounded vaguely familiar, like my girlfriends, but mine was much softer, sweeter.
Thinking of her made me miss her.
I instinctively reached for my pocket. Empty. Where was my phone?
Barb called it for me. A familiar ringtone echoed from Heras room next door.
I swallowed hard. I think I left my phone in her room.
We had just stepped out of the private room when we ran into Hera, who was returning from a call. Barb quickly explained. Heras icy gaze swept over me.
Dont think you can get my attention with such a pathetic excuse. I have a man.
What kind of man would be into a woman this intense?
Blood rushed to my head. I forced down my anger and stepped forward with a sycophantic smile. Im so sorry, it was my mistake. Could you please just open the door? Ill grab my phone and be right out of your way.
She snorted but reluctantly swiped her card and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
I hurried in and spotted my phone on the coffee table. As I picked it up, my eyes fell on her open laptop.
The chat window at the top of the screen had a familiar username. The last message was the goodnight GIF Id sent last night.
My world tilted. I grabbed my phone and fled. The screen was lit up with dozens of missed calls and unread messages. The latest notification was from My Darling Wife.
On impulse, I answered.
Hello, baby.
At the exact same moment, an identical, anxious voice came from behind me.
Baby, why did you finally answer? You scared me to death.
I froze, my blood turning to ice.
The voice on the phone continued, Sweetheart? Why arent you talking? Where are you? Ill come find you.
My mind was a complete blank. I stumbled back to my own room, my voice trembling. No, its nothing. Im just not feeling well. Im going to sleep.
Where are you? Im coming over. The voice on the phone and the voice at the door synced up again.
Dont! My heart was hammering against my ribs. Its nothing! Just jet lag! Ill be fine after some sleep!
I hung up before she could say another word and sent a quick goodnight GIF.
I was so screwed. This terrifying, aggressive woman whod sent me flying was the same sweet, gentle girl whod lulled me to sleep, patiently tutored me, and sent me money without a second thought? My perfect online girlfriend?!
My world was ending.

3
I barely slept a wink. The next morning, I finally forced myself to open our chat. A new flood of messages from Hera had come in.
Baby, are you awake? Please talk to me.
Did I do something wrong? We can talk about it.
Above that was a long, rambling apology, explaining how some random guy had barged into her room yesterday and shed pushed him away. She emphasized that she was a woman of virtue, chaste and pure as the driven snow.
At the very top was another ten-thousand-dollar transfer, with the note: If youre not feeling well, go to the doctor. Dont suffer in silence.
My feelings were a tangled mess. It was true shed maintained her virtue when she didnt know who I was, but shed been so rough, and that fall had hurt. And seeing how cold she was in person, I knew a real-life relationship was doomed. I could already imagine her scathing insults and vicious sneer when she found out it was me.
No way. I could not let her find out.
If I couldnt beat her in real life, I could at least break her heart online.
I changed into a white casual suit, found Barb, and took a selfie with my arm around her, making sure only our shoulders and arms were visible against a blurred background.
Then I sent it to my online girlfriend.
Sorry. My ex came to find me, and we got back together. Lets cancel our meeting tomorrow. I wish you all the best.
After sending it, I looked at the ten-thousand-dollar transfer, accepted the money, then blocked and deleted her.
Its fine, its fine, its fine! She could afford it.
It was a dirty move, but it would be effective.
Goodbye, my online love. What a disaster.

4
I put on my jacket and swaggered out the door. As I opened it, I saw Hera standing across the hall, looking utterly devastated. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were red, and a dark cloud of gloom hung around her.
I felt a pang of guilt and quickly looked down, trying to slip away unnoticed.
She didnt seem to see me. She closed her door, and I heard a dull thud from inside, like something falling.
My heart lurched.
She wasnt going to do something stupid, was she?
I immediately called Barb.
Barb rushed over and swiped her keycard. I peeked around the doorframe.
Hera was sitting on the carpet, leaning against the sofa. Her long hair was disheveled, her arms hung limply at her sides, and her expression was one of pure despair. An overturned glass and a puddle of water were next to her. There was a smear of blood on her fingertips, probably from a shard of glass. Her phone screen was still on, stuck on our chat history.
Barb was frantic. Hera! What are you doing? Its too early to be this dramatic! Did your online boyfriend dump you?
Heras body stiffened, and the atmosphere grew even heavier.
Barb was heartbroken for her. I told you online dating was a bad idea! He was probably some creepy old man trying to scam you.
Youre the creepy old man! Your whole family wait, youre the only creepy old man in your family!
Hes not! Heras reaction was explosive. She grabbed Barbs collar, her eyes blazing. Dont you dare talk about him like that! Hes the most handsome, most adorable little prince in the entire world!
She let go and slumped back against the sofa, her voice thick with emotion. He must have had a good reason to lie to me He wasnt feeling well yesterday, and today he breaks up with me It must be something he cant handle on his own
Hiding by the door, my heart softened into a puddle. Even after being cheated on, she was still making excuses for me.
Barb had a sudden epiphany. I get it! He must have a terminal illness and doesnt want to be a burden, so he made up a story to push you away! Its just like in the movies!
Heras eyes lit up for a second, then quickly dimmed, replaced by panic. No, I have to find him. Barb, I dont care what it takes. I want all his information. Now! Immediately!
I couldnt help but let out a small laugh.
Both of them turned to look at me.
I cleared my throat awkwardly. Um, Hera, do you even know his name?
Hera froze, her face flushing with embarrassment. No We met on an overseas app. I just know hes studying abroad.
Do you know what he looks like?
Hera looked even more ashamed. He only ever sent one picture of his back But I know hes the most beautiful boy in the world.
I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Thank God I never sent a picture of my face.
So you know nothing about him. How are you going to find him? I shrugged. Besides, maybe he was just playing around.
She shot me a death glare, then turned to Barb. I really, really want to throw your brother out a window.
Barb quickly pushed me away. Go on, little man, stop causing trouble. Go find your friends.
Great. Kicked out again. That little bit of guilt vanished into thin air.

5
I spent the day hanging out with my friends, but there was still an empty feeling in my stomach. I probably just hadnt eaten enough.
That night, I decided to guilt-trip my sister into buying me dinner. When I called, the sound of blaring music nearly deafened me.
Leo! Im at a bar with Hera! Shes heartbroken, clinging to a bottle like its a life raft.
I was hoping some cute guy would hit on her and cheer her up, but when a guy from the next table tried, she just flashed her phone screen at him and said, I have a boyfriend, leave me alone. Tsk, talk about loyal!
I hesitated for a moment, then headed over.
Hera was sitting alone in a corner booth, surrounded by empty bottles. Her face was flushed, her eyes unfocused, and she was mindlessly stroking the picture on her lock screen.
My heart was in my throat.
She drunkenly stood up, grabbed a bottle, and stumbled toward the exit. I instinctively reached out and caught her.
As we got closer, the strong smell of alcohol mixed with the scent of gardenias filled the air.
She tried to push me away, her voice slurring. Get off! Dont touch me!
The movement was so forceful it pulled my jacket zipper down.
I lost my temper. Fine! Only a blind person would fall for a psycho like you anyway!
I turned to leave, fuming. My jacket was open, revealing the white casual suit underneath.
Time stood still.
Heras gaze traveled up from my chest and locked onto my face. Her expression shifted rapidly from confusion to shock to disbelief.
She stared at me for a long time, her voice hoarse. I should have known it was you.
My mind went blank.
Crap! Busted!
My reflexes took over. I pointed behind her. Look, a UFO!
Then I turned and ran for my life.

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