002

"Very well then,' Vaughn replied with a firm

tone.

Moments later, they had both arrived at the

Bamboo Cafe. A cafe that was extremely

popular among the youth or young couples

looking to celebrate birthdays or the like.

The atmosphere at the cafe was quite

serene, shaded by a multitude of

well-maintained small bamboo trees.

The many fish ponds further enhanced the

tranquil ambiance, making it a favorite spot

for young couples and families to dine,

particularly those of the middle to lower

economic strata.

Finding a suitable place by the edge of a

clear fish pond, complete with a small

fountain, Vaughn and Skylar promptly sat down in a quaint, beautiful gazebo.

Some time passed without either of them attempting to initiate conversation. The

awkward silence between them was palpable.

Not wanting to prolong the silence, Skylar 

was the first to take the initiative.

"Let's order some food," said Skylar, breaking the deadlock. She glanced at a cafe waiter approaching them from a distance.

Unexpectedly, Vaughn vented the frustrations of his life to Skylar unbidden.

"Go ahead and order. I'm such a useless

man. I've never held money or had any of

my own. My work at my wife's family home

is utterly unappreciated."

"Day in, day out, I cook, clean, shop for

groceries, among other chores."

"I hardly have any time to earn my own

money,' he said while wiping away what

looked like thin streams of tears from his

eyes.

"Are you crying, Vaughn?" Skylar asked,

perplexed.

"No, it's just sweat" Vaughn answered offhandedly.

Their conversation halted when the waiter

arrived with the cafe's menu of food and drinks.

After they placed their orders, the awkward

silence returned, with no one eager to take

the lead in conversation. But then suddenly.

"Don't worry. I'l treat you today. Don't feel

inferior because of it' said Skylar, piercing

the silence.

"I'm here to listen to whatever you want to

share today. Come on! Unload all your

burdens on me."

"Ugh!" Vaughn sighed heavily, then continued:

"For over a year, I've been like a servant to

them. I had no choice but to endure it,

following the directive of their grandfather,

who saved me when I was close to death,

poisoned by a gang hired by a wealthy

family in Everstead."

"After I recovered, three months later I was

married off to his granddaughter. According to the grandfather, I'm not as simple as I appear."

"He insisted on the marriage after seeing

this necklace I wear, said Vaughn, showing the necklace that had been around his neck all along.

For a moment, Skylar just observed the

necklace from a distance, with no intention

of touching it.

She could clearly see that there was a

significant mystery to it. But what was it?

"So why haven't you tried to find work

outside?" Skylar asked, not understanding

Vaughn's situation.

"'I've applied for jobs everywhere. But

mostly, I'm only offered janitor or cleaning

service positions at large companies."

"It's like none of them believe in my abilities, or perhaps there's someone influential in Everstead pressuring these companies not to hire me. But that's just an assumption."

" I even applied at the Main Velmore Group but was bluntly rejected.!"

"The managers are arrogant, looking down

on someone from the lower class like me.'

"'So for over a year, I've persevered working for Noelle's family."

"But that won't last much longer. The family, aside from Grandpa Harrington, despises me,especially Noelle's mother, her brother,and her cousin."

"Day in, day out, they clamor for me to

divorce Noelle. l've grown deaf to their

demands.!"

"Honestly, I can't stand their treatment of

me anymore. But to fulfill the grandfather's

last wish, I've continued to withstand their

insults and maltreatment."

"The hostility is intensifying. They've

escalated from verbal attacks to physical

assaults."

"And the last straw was seeing my wife

being intimate with another man."

"'She insulted me in front of him, slapped,

pushed, and spat on me."

"As a man, I'm not naive. I realize that if this continues, my life will be suppressed. My dignity is gone, like an animal's.!"

"Love made me blind. Love also made me

weak"

"I hoped by serving her, love would grow in

Noelle's heart. But I was wrong."

"They've exploited my love to oppress me.

For a year, they've gotten all household

chores done for free by me.

"But now, my mind is made up. I will agree

to their demands to divorce Noelle."

"After all, she has rejected me in front of

others, and I've fulfilled Grandpa Harrington's mandate.!"

"So please, help me, Skylar' Vaughn implored.

"How can I help you, Vaughn? I have no

authority over you. Especially not against

Miss Noelle."

"Just pray for me and give me courage so I

don't sink any lower."

"Vaughn! You're a tough man, the bravest I've ever known. You don't easily give up. That's what I know about you."

"Come on! Don't drown in your marital woes. If you truly want to leave Miss Noelle, be resolved. No more hesitation."

"I believe you can," Skylar said calmly.

"Thank you, Skylar. You're my best friend. If life grants me a respite, you'll be the first I turn to" Vaughn thought to himself.

Not long after he said this, the food they'd

ordered arrived. They ate heartily.

Having finished their meal after a while,

Vaughn and Skylar left the cafe, settling their bill.

Skylar decided to continue visiting several

companies, hoping to find new employment opportunities.

***

Meanwhile, Vaughn headed straight for his

wife's family home.

Upon arriving, he was shocked. The entire

extended family, including the family

matriarch, Grandma Harrington, sat with tense expressions, as if they had just been arguing about something of great importance.

"There's that loser" hollered Noelle's 

cousin Nick loudly.

"How dare you come back here after what

you did to Mr. Vincent' Noelle accused

viciously.

"You're utter rubbish! Because of you, the

deal we had with the Velmore Group is

ruined, her mother, Stella, joined in.

"Mr. Vincent has used his influence to

terminate the contract with our company,

Harington & Co, all because of you!" Nick 

added harshly.

"And to top it off, Mr. Vincent intends to take legal action against you for assaulting him," another of Noelle's cousins interjected.

"But Grandmother has deferred it, provided you're willing to sign the divorce papers with Noelle' Leah, Noelle's sister, mentioned nonchalantly.

"You're like an animal. Are you deaf, Vaughn?

Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Everyone be quiet! I am the one who

decides what will be done with this useless

son-in-law!"

"From now on, you are not allowed to stay in my family home. You are cast out, no longer needed here!"

"Now sign these divorce papers with my

granddaughter Noelle. If you still refuse,

I'll have you thrown in jail,' Grandma Harrington threatened.

After her ultimatum, the room fell silent, no

one dared to speak.

They all awaited what Vaughn, the useless

son-in-law, would say.