Today was the fourth day.
Well began to feel that he no longer fully knew the woman named Vivian Zhang.
Or maybe he had never really known her.
Since yesterday's incident, their relationship had become increasingly strange. In the office, Vivian was still professional, stern, cold, and unapproachable. But behind all that, another side began to emerge.
A side that only Well had ever known before.
And that made his heart even more uneasy.
"Mr. Well, the meeting at 10 am has been confirmed," Farah's voice reminded.
Well nodded. "Okay, I'll be there."
Today there was a big meeting with an external client and also an important opportunity for him as a Senior Project Manager.
However, deep down in his heart there was still one unfinished business.
Vivian.
The meeting started right on time. Everyone sat around a long table, including Vivian who was at the end of the table as the leader.
Well presented his project confidently. His voice was calm, his explanations clear. For a moment, he managed to forget all his personal problems and focus completely on his work. Until,
"Sir, this strategy sounds good. But I wonder why you chose this approach?"
A customer asked.
Well smiled slightly and started to answer. But before he could finish his sentence
"Because he always rushes to make decisions."
The voice cut him off.
Vivian.
The entire room fell silent.
Well looked at him, a little surprised. It wasn't a typical professional comment but it was… too personal.
Vivian continued calmly, as if nothing had happened.
"He tends to rely more on instinct than analysis. Sometimes it works, but it's risky."
Her tone was slurred but every word was sharp.
Well clenched his jaw.
He understood that it was a criticism of his work. But the way Vivian said it sounded as if she were talking to someone she knew very well.
And that made things uncomfortable.
"Okay," Vivian looked at him. "Explain your reasons."
His tone returned to being professional.
Well took a slow breath before answering calmly, even though his heart was a little disturbed.
The meeting continued as usual, but the atmosphere became a little tense.
After everything was over, one by one, they left the meeting room. Only Well and Vivian were left.
Silence.
Well stood in his place, looking at Vivian who was still arranging the files on the table.
"What is that?" he finally spoke.
Vivian didn't look at him. "What do you mean?"
"The way you said it… it's not like a boss with an employee."
Vivian paused for a moment.
Then he raised his head and looked at Well.
"This is the office. I'm just giving an assessment."
Well laughed softly, weakly.
"Sigh."
Vivian pursed her lips.
For a few moments, she was silent.
Then she said something that Well had completely unexpected.
"I'm just saying what I know about you."
That sentence made the atmosphere change immediately.
Well frowned.
"You 'know' me?"
Vivian looked at him sharply.
"More than anyone else."
The answer was short but enough to make Well's chest feel tight.
"If you really know me…" Well stepped forward, his voice starting to change, "why did we end up like this?"
The question was heavy because it had been suppressed for too long.
Vivian didn't answer right away.
Instead, she turned her face away, as if trying to avoid it.
"Okay…"
Her voice was low.
"Nnn…not everything you know."
Well fell silent.
"What do you mean?"
Vivian let out a long breath, as if making a difficult decision.
Then she looked at Well again.
"Do you remember why I agreed to break up in the first place?"
Well answered without thinking.
"Because you couldn't stand me anymore."
The answer was bitter but it was what she had believed all along.
Vivian smiled thinly.
"You really never understood."
Well clenched her jaw. "If there was something I didn't understand, why didn't you ever explain?"
Vivian fell silent.
A few moments passed before she finally spoke—
"That time… I was sick."
Well was stunned.
"Huh?"
Vivian lowered her gaze.
"I have a health problem. Seriously." Well was shocked and paused for a moment.
"Are you sick?"
"I don't want you to know," Vivian continued slowly. "Because I know if you did, you wouldn't let me go."
Well's heart was beating fast.
"So you chose to… push me away?"
Vivian nodded slowly.
"That's the easiest way to protect you."
Well chuckled, but this time it was full of emotion.
"Protect me?"
He shook his head.
"Or do you actually not trust me at all?"
Vivian didn't answer.
And the silence was enough to answer.
Well took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
All this time he had thought he was to blame. He thought he wasn't good enough.
But it turned out… there was something bigger hidden from him.
"Now?" Well spoke softly. "Are you still in pain?"
Vivian paused for a moment before answering,
"I'm okay."
Her answer was simple.
But it was enough to make Well feel relieved and angry at the same time.
Angry that he was never given the chance to know.
Angry that he was never given the chance to choose.
"Okay…"
Vivian called him softly.
This time, her voice was no longer cold.
"Sorry."
The words finally came out.
Well looked at him for a long time.
For the first time… he saw something in Vivian's eyes.
Not ego, coldness but regret.
And maybe also love that hasn't gone away.
Well sighed softly.
"You really make my life difficult."
Vivian was a little surprised.
But before she could say anything
Well continued in a softer tone,
"But I never stopped worrying about you. I always think about you".
The atmosphere became quiet but this time the silence wasn't painful.
Between them, there was still something unfinished.
And maybe there was still a chance to fix everything. Will Well be able to rebuild their relationship like before?