Chapter 6: A stranger's reunion

"Beep, beep, beep," I looked up at my reflection. I could see the sadness laced in my movements. "Hello," I heard a voice, and I smiled happily. "Hello, this is Mei Xing," I said. "I was calling to book an appointment at the Lin firm, but I changed my mind. But you kept calling. I promise there is no issue," the person said hurriedly and ended the call. I stared at my blank cell phone. I just wasted my time. It wasn't even the stranger. He probably doesn't want to marry me. Why would he marry me? What am I, Cinderella? Fall in love, be a princess, and live happily ever after? Defeated, I went back to my room. This was not what I pictured. I pictured a perfect ending, one with me and the stranger. That was so stupid. I sounded right earlier, but now the stupidity of my plan glared at me. I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling. It was so white and so out of reach. I couldn't even lead a normal life, and the one thing I wanted, I couldn't get it. Life just hated me. I never did anything. I grabbed a book and flipped through the pages, thinking if I wanted my fairytale, I couldn't stay home and drown. I have to find a husband, another stranger, a willing stranger. To get to the ball, I have to try to get there first, don't I?

Maybe comparing my life to a fairytale was stupid, but it was my only motivation. The next morning, I got dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a white knitted short-sleeved cardigan. I wore white sneakers and walked out of my room. I didn't plan out what I was going to tell my parents, but standing, staring at Dad, my head was blank, and I couldn't think of any lie. "What do you want?" Dad asked. "I am going out," I said, prepared to use my sickness as an excuse. He opened his mouth to speak, but I was faster. "I will die soon, so I should be…" he interrupted me. "Shouldn't you hear my answer first?" He asked me, and I nodded shyly. "You may go. You have an hour, and you will be with the driver," he said and dismissed me. I smiled and walked to my car. "Where to, miss?" He asked me. "Where we went last time, I want to see the spot again. It was beautiful," I lied. "You didn't go inside the restaurants or see the pretty flowers. What part was pretty, miss?" he asked me. "Freedom is," I said, and he nodded.

We arrived at the spot where the stranger was fired the last time I met him. He should be here. I met him here before, I should meet him again. I was going to try the restaurant, but he was fired from there just yesterday. He couldn't be there. "I want to have breakfast," I said to my driver and walked into the restaurant. I walked to an empty chair and sat down quietly to observe my environment. "What can I get you, ma'am?" a waiter said. I was scared. When did he get here? "Hello," I greeted and thought of what to eat. "Anything you would suggest from your breakfast menu," I said with a smile. He nodded and left. He returned a few minutes later with a plate of pancake maple syrup. "Can I get coffee too?" I asked, and he nodded. He returned shortly with a cup of coffee, and I smiled. "Before you leave, can I ask a question?" I asked the waiter, and he nodded. "Someone was fired from this restaurant yesterday. Do you know him?" I asked. I hope he didn't suspect that I was up to something. Sweat broke out on my forehead as I waited patiently for his reply. "I don't really know him, but when I arrived yesterday, I was informed that I was replacing someone called Min Jun. That's all I know," he said. "Can I get his number?" I asked awkwardly. "I can ask the manager," the waiter suggested, but I shook my head. He nodded and left.

I grabbed my fork and was about to start eating when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up to see the waiter talking to someone, and they were both looking at me. I dropped my fork and searched my bag for cash. I placed some cash on the table and dashed out. I bumped into someone on the way out and fell on my butt. "Ouch!" I squirmed. "Watch where you are going?" he said and groaned at me. "I am so sorry," I said. He looked at me and was about to walk away, but there was no way I was letting him go after meeting my stranger. "Min Jun," I called out. He turned to look at me, and...