The Double Standard Couple

Henry had a female buddy.

Their bond was so tight theyd share a bed, even scoop ice cream from the same bowl.

I insisted they keep their distance.

He grew impatient: If anything was going to happen between us, it would've happened ages ago. Can't we just trust each other?

Fine.

I turned around and found myself a male best friend.

When Henry once again spent the night out with Violet, I reacted with a calm indifference.

He came home around noon, carrying a box from a fancy pastry shop. Seeing me, he uncharacteristically offered an explanation:

Its been a while since we all hung out, and I drank a bit too much, so I just crashed at a gaming hotel. But this time it wasnt one bed, I slept on the floor.

He emphasized that last part. After all, last time, that particular detail had sparked a huge argument between us.

I accused him of being married yet having no boundaries, relentlessly demanding a confrontation with Violet.

Violet was a girl theyd all grown up with in the same neighborhood. I say girl, but her personality was more like that of a brash tomboy. She was chummy with everyone, like one of the guys.

More than once, Id seen Violet brazenly sitting on the laps of Henry and his friends, laughing, joking, and even sharing a drink without a second thought.

At first, Henry would patiently explain. But eventually, he grew annoyed, bluntly stating, If anything was going to happen, it wouldve happened long ago, and you wouldnt be my wife anyway, before slamming the door.

What was even funnier was his friends trying to reason with me:

Violets like family, shes just got that kind of personality. Henry practically sees her as a kid.

A kid? Is twenty-five considered a kid?

I was disgusted. I warned him that if he couldn't maintain appropriate distance, Id divorce him.

From then on, Henry did keep Violet at arms length for a while. But the consequence was Violet subtly throwing shade at me in public:

Hey, Audrey, see? Im not sitting next to Henry this time, am I?

Henry, you really shouldnt join us for a second round, or your wife will get upset.

Henrys not the same old Henry anymore, hes got a leash around his neck. I wouldnt dare go near him.

Shed say these things specifically when I was present, naturally creating an awkward atmosphere. Over time, my reputation as being petty, jealous, and unreasonable became widely known. My relationship with Henry began to cool and drift apart from that point.

Snapping back to reality. I looked at the pastry box in Henrys hand. What used to be my favorite treats now held no appeal.

Henry noticed my coolness. He placed the box on the table, walked over, and hugged me, his voice a pleading tender:

Honey, havent you been wanting to see that movie? Im not going to work today, so we can go see the one youve been looking forward to. I hear its really good.

That movie was one Id been eagerly anticipating. As soon as it premiered, I asked Henry to go. He said he was busy. A few days later, I saw Violets social media post showing off movie tickets.

Two tickets.

Though no faces were shown, the distinct, long-fingered hand in the photo, wearing Henrys wedding ring on its ring finger, was unmistakable.

I caught the faint scent of pear blossoms on Henry, expressionlessly pulled away, and refused, No, thanks.

I continued packing my suitcase.

Audrey.

Henrys voice was laced with anger. Seeing my actions, he reached out and grabbed my hand:

Are you playing the running-away game again? Ive told you, theres nothing between Violet and me.

I know.

I calmly pulled my hand free. Youre just buddies.

He seemed to be speechless. Henrys face flushed uncomfortably. He sheepishly let go of my hand, frowning, Then what are you making a fuss about now?

Im going on a business trip, I explained.

Henrys expression grew even darker. He stared at me for a long time, as if trying to detect any hint of pretense on my face.

But there was nothing. My reaction remained perfectly calm.

Because I simply didn't care anymore.

Who he saw movies with, who he spent the night with, who he went on dates with

It was all, whatever.

My calm seemed to infuriate Henry even more.

He appeared convinced I was deliberately giving him the cold shoulder and, in a misguided attempt to make amends, pulled out his phone to book movie tickets.

I watched him frantically search.

Finally, I couldnt help but softly remind him, That movies already out of theaters.

Henrys finger froze on the screen. In that instant, I saw a mix of emotions cross his face.

A silent, stifling tension filled the air. The pastries on the table slowly grew cold.

I bent down, placed the last item in my suitcase, and zipped it shut.

After that day, Henrys demeanor towards me suddenly became overtly warm.

During my few days away on business, he sent morning and evening greetings regularly, pressing me for my return time. I told him.

On the day I flew back, I spotted his car outside the airport. A black Bugatti, parked by the curb.

Seeing me, he quickly got out and naturally walked over to take my suitcase.

But as I reached the car with him, I saw Violet in the passenger seat.

She was lounging carelessly, legs propped up, an arm resting on the window. Seeing me, she smiled sweetly, Hey, Audrey, want a ride? Ill move to the back for you in a bit

She was being playful, but despite her words, she made no move to shift.

Henry finished stowing my luggage and came over. Noticing me standing still, his tone was a little awkward:

She happened to be nearby, so Im just giving her a lift. She gets carsick, so I let her ride shotgun for this stretch.

During our past arguments, Id brought up Violets old habit of monopolizing the passenger seat whenever we went out.

But before I could say anything, Violet leaned her head out the window, eyes crinkling with a smile, and chimed in, Good thing Henry was around today, otherwise Id never get a cab from that godforsaken place. Audrey, you can check our group chat, its all there

That group was their old childhood friends chat. I wasn't in it.

And if Henry had left me stranded, I wouldve told my godparents! Violet continued, feigning a punch to Henrys chest. Mid-swing, she seemed to remember something, pulled back, and winked at me with a look of mock apprehension, Audrey, its just habit, I dont mean anything by it, honest

Ever since my big fight with Henry, Violets unrestrained physical contact had morphed into feigned caution. As if all her careful distancing from Henry was solely due to my nitpicking.

But if Violet truly wanted to maintain distance, why did she soon resume spending nights out with them, going on private outings?

And I distinctly felt the subtle challenge in her eyes.

In the past, these little games would have infuriated me.

But now, I couldn't be bothered. Even when Henry told Violet to get out, I simply waved him off and opened the back car door:

Its fine, I have a friend with me anyway. Hes going the same way, Ill take the back with him.

Friend? Where?

Before Henry could express his surprise, someone called my name.

I turned around, and his face instantly changed.

A handsome man, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, dressed rather flamboyantly, rushed towards me, dragging a suitcase. As he stopped, he complained:

Audrey, youre so disloyal! I just went to grab my luggage, and you vanished in a blink.

The man said, pitifully hugging my arm, whimpering playfully:

Im new here, you have to take responsibility for me.

This scene left Henry and Violet simultaneously stunned.

Soon, Henry reacted, pulling me close:

Is this the friend you were talking about?

His voice held displeasure, and he stared at the man before him, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

Yep, Im Audreys bestie, Nathaniel. Nathaniel confidently shook Henrys hand, then, with an air of familiarity, tossed his luggage into the trunk, and promptly plopped himself into the backseat, excitedly waving at me:

Audrey, come on in.

I moved to get in the car, but Henry blocked me.

Honey, theres a proper distance between men and women. Sitting with another man like that isnt appropriate, is it?

He was so close to me, I could almost hear his teeth grinding.

I looked at him, puzzled: Just a friend.

My peripheral vision caught Violet, still firmly planted in the passenger seat.

For a moment, Henry was speechless.

Nathaniel chatted with me the entire ride, making the front seat unusually quiet.

It wasn't that Violet didnt speak. She was typically boisterous. On every outing, shed pull Henry into endless chatter, from childhood embarrassments to the latest neighborhood gossip. Theyd go back and forth, but the topics were always ones I, relegated to the back seat, couldn't join.

But today, no matter how Violet tried to initiate conversation, Henry remained distant.

The thirty-minute drive finished in fifteen.

After dropping off the two in the car, he promptly opened the passenger door:

Come sit up front.

I glanced at him, unmoving in the back seat, and gently refused:

Im fine back here. Im tired, lets just go home quickly.

I closed my eyes to rest.

In the quiet, Henrys car door slammed louder and heavier than usual.

Henry walked into the house with a dark expression. I had just changed my shoes and stepped out of the entryway when I saw him sitting in the living room, smoking.

The crimson glow of the cigarette illuminated his face, his expression a shifting play of light and shadow.

Whats your relationship with that guy?

Henry took a deep drag from his cigarette, then viciously snuffed it out in the ashtray, looking up to ask me.

I looked back at him, my tone even:

Hes my friend, my sister, you know.

A six-foot-plus man is your sister? Audrey, you went on that business trip with him, didnt you! Spent days with that grown man

Growing angrier with each word, Henry kicked my suitcase hard.

I flared up too. I unzipped my suitcase, and seeing his furious face, retorted, A business trip partner is either male or female. Hes got a good personality, easy to get along with. Whats wrong with having him as a sister?

Of course theres a problem! Hes a man! What kind of sister is a man?!

What? You can have female buddies, but I cant have male sisters?

My single sentence choked him.

I had never seen so many vibrant expressions cross Henrys face. There was shock, chagrin, and suppressed frustration.

Finally, he almost spat out from between clenched teeth:

Violets different. She grew up with us, if anything was going to happen long ago

And Nathaniel and I are different too. Cant we just trust each other?

I cut him off, stating it unequivocally.

Henry had been put in his place. For several days, we were locked in a cold war.

After a few tense days, his parents invited us for dinner.

At the dinner table, my in-laws noticed the strained atmosphere between us and subtly prodded Henry:

Henry, Audrey moved so far to marry you. You cant treat her badly.

Henry and I were college sweethearts. I was an only child. According to my original plan, I should have returned to my hometown after graduation. But for him, I resolutely stayed here.

Listening to his parents, Henrys expression softened. As we were leaving, he took my hand:

Audrey, I

Before he could finish, someone threw an arm around Henrys neck.

Henry, its rare for you to be back, want to hang out?

It was Violet.

Once again, she was casually draped over Henry, arm slung around his shoulders. But this time, Henry didnt smile back as usual. Instead, he gently removed her hand and looked at me, a little flustered.

Violet noticed me too, made a tsk sound, and began to wink and grimace:

Oh, its Audrey, is it?

Saying that, she took a deliberate step back, right into the arms of the group of people who had followed her.

Henry, youve been back and havent even said anything in the group chat. If Violet hadnt seen you, you wouldve just escaped!

Exactly! Its rare to have everyone here, why not all hang out?

The group started egging him on. Henrys face clearly showed his temptation.

But unlike before, he didnt immediately agree. Instead, he looked at me, seeking my approval.

Everyone noticed. Although married, that group of people, to varying degrees, kept their distance from me. Firstly, I wasnt part of their circle, and secondly, because of Violet they couldn't relax when I was at their gatherings.

How about we all go hang out? Henry tentatively asked me.

Almost simultaneously, I sensed the tension in the air.

Violet was even more obvious, pouting and constantly winking at the people around her.

Everyone was waiting for my answer. They didnt expect me to come, but they expected me to let Henry go.

As they wished. I pulled my hand from Henrys, my voice calm and gentle, and said:

Then Ill just take a cab home.

No one spoke. The atmosphere became strangely silent.

After a long pause, Henry hesitated, seemingly relieved but also guilty:

Then, Ill be back early.

He offered a reassuring promise. And I just smiled, walking straight out of the yard.

As I turned my back, someone blurted out:

Henry, has your wife changed her mind? Not jealous of Violet anymore? Shes letting you come with us?

Eleven o'clock that night. Henry hadnt returned.

I didn't ask. Because I had just made plans with Nathaniel. A few friends and I headed to the liveliest bar in town.

The pounding music rattled my eardrums, offering a sense of reckless abandon. Our group found a spacious booth and quickly started having fun.

After a few rounds of drinks, the person next to me suddenly pointed excitedly and shouted:

Holy shit! Theyre playing something wild over there.

Everyone immediately grew curious and turned to look.

I turned too.

And saw a familiar crowd.

At the table not far away, it was Henrys gang of childhood friends from the neighborhood C seven men and one woman. The table was piled high with empty bottles. Henry was at the head of the table; I couldn't clearly see his face from this distance, but judging by his posture, he was looking down at his phone.

Soon, his phone was snatched away by Violet. Then, Violet straddled him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and held up a bottle.

Everyone was used to it, some even stood up and started cheering:

Looks like theyre playing Kings Game, mouth-to-mouth drinking.

This girl is something else! She was asked to take off her bra just now, and without a word, she pulled it out and hung it around someone elses neck. That move, ten tough guys couldnt match.

Seen men on women, but never seven men and one woman.

Everyone was laughing. I wasnt.

Because I saw Henry put down his phone, and amidst all the cheering, he let Violet lean in with the drink in her mouth, opening his lips to meet hers

Utterly disgusting.