I found a new job at a nearby retail store.

My work would be easy, consisting of organising shelves and guiding customers. Whatever it was, I wanted to stop relying on Kai and finally see my account balance go a little higher. It would be a temporary job before I graduated and worked with my degree.

“I didn’t think you were this serious when you first mentioned it,” Kai commented once I delivered the news. His forehead was lined with creases. “But I’ll repeat—you don’t need to.”

My thumb reached up to massage out the wrinkles on his forehead. “Relax. I want to, Kai. I can’t depend on you or anyone forever. I don’t have stocks and investments to feed me forever either.”

His fists clenched harder with a frown, and the creases returned. “You’re my girlfriend, so it’s my job not to let you need anything. Let me be.”

I smiled. “That would be a husband’s job,” I emphasised. “And even then, I’d like to make my own money with my degree.”

“I’d marry you.”

I blinked and took a little more space away from him on the sofa. “What?”

He sighed and looked away. “Look, I don’t like you working. Please, don’t.”

I stood up, infuriated by his rush. “You look, I made my decision already, and I’m merely telling you. This is my life, my decisions, Kai. And don’t rush yourself into choices you’re not sure of yet. That was immature of you.”

His jaw clenched, and his hand ran through his hair. “Well, you don’t wanna negotiate. You just wanna tell.” He got up. “Your call, Melanie,” he finalised and walked away.

“Kai—”

Give him time, Mel. That’s all he needs.

He barely talked to me for the rest of the day. He gave me his back when we slept, didn’t flirt with me, tell me I looked good in an outfit, or even eat much at home. I was held back by the sudden change of mood in our place. That was his reaction to me merely saying I got a job. How about if I ever mentioned I might want my separate place someday?

Was it my fault? Did I do anything wrong? Did I not have the right to make decisions independently? The questions stayed in my head and bugged me wherever I went. I couldn’t focus on classes, nor on what Massie was blabbing about in the cafeteria at lunchtime.

“I’m thinking of making my twenty-first birthday more special this year,” Massie chirped with an excited smile.

I hummed.

“I’d like to spend time with my friends somewhere with a nice villa, a pool, and a place outside to discover. Maybe we could go hiking again.”

I hummed again.

“Maybe we could bring Queen Elizabeth with us, too.”

“Yeah.”

She clapped her hands together to snap me back to reality. “Mel, seriously? Do you even know what I’m talking about?”

I rubbed my forehead. “Sorry… I’m just… My mind is occupied.”

She curled her eyebrows, waiting for me to elaborate. Massie was practically my only female friend, but I wasn’t sure whether she wanted to hear about my relationship issues. I went ahead and told her the summarised situation. Perhaps telling someone and hearing opinions could help.

“I… got a new job at a retail store, but Kai doesn’t want me to work. It’s not fair, right? He doesn’t get to make decisions on my behalf, right?”

She nodded, but I sensed her doubt. “He can worry but can’t stop you from doing it. As a couple, you two should talk and discuss such decisions together, too, to keep a healthy relationship.”

Discuss? He snapped at me right when I mentioned it. I was starting to worry whether Kai wasn’t the type who had decent negotiation skills. That would make our relationship hard to maintain.

I slumped back in my seat, frowning. “This is our first serious quarrel. I’m worried. We were going smoothly before, and I’m afraid I ruined it.”

She held my hand across the table. “Hey, don’t worry. He’ll grow to accept it eventually. Kai is a very caring guy, so I suppose he is just afraid of letting you get hurt in any viable way.”

I sulked. “What could be so hurtful about working? I only want to make money.”

She shook her head sideways. “It’s not the job itself; it’s the whole possibility.”

I nodded, pretending I understood what she meant, although I didn’t. Massie proceeded to explain her birthday plans to me, but I wasn’t focusing much until she mentioned a particular name.

“Do you think I should invite Kim?”

“Ummm… Massie, this is your vacation, your invitees. Do it if you want to.”

“You don’t get it… I just don’t wanna put you and Kai in an uncomfortable space, and I feel as if our friendship is weak after her absence.”

I shook my head. She was their friend, even if she had anything against me. “Don’t worry. Kai promised me he’d talk to her for closure.”

Back home, I was slapped back with reality.

Kai looked at me with blazing eyes, a look I haven’t received from him before. “You didn’t listen to me, so why should I listen to you?” he spat.

I was already fatigued and stressed after my first introductory night shift at the store, yet Kai wasn’t going easy on me with the topic. I gave him a questioning look. “Babe, are you serious?”

His facial expression hardened. “Don’t babe me. You claimed you could make decisions alone, and I suppose so can I.”

My lips opened and closed, but no words came out. I felt a lump form in my throat and silent tears threatening to roll down my cheeks. What was happening to my guy? I almost didn’t recognise him.

“Are you legitimately comparing these two matters together? My work is a personal decision, but giving Kim closure is for both our goods, Kai! It’s for the sake of our relationship!” I raised my tone to knock some sense in his head.

I stared into his silver eyes in search of a logical agreement. They told me even if he agreed with me, he wouldn’t give up his manly ego.

“It’s not about you only as you think. I don’t like the sound of Kai Kingston’s girl working, Melanie. Please.”

His words pierced my feelings like daggers. So, it was about the image? Was he… embarrassed of me? Why? What was wrong with being a regular university girl working to fund herself? I didn’t like to depend on him. Ever since Mum passed away, and I was fired from my previous job, the idea was on my mind. I just didn’t have the mind space for it, but when I finally did, the first thing I expected from my boyfriend was encouragement, and the last was rejection. It left a bitter feeling in my dry mouth.

When he saw my reaction, he quickly tried to patch up his words, “I mean… Mel…”

I held a fist against my chest. “Don’t. You said what you said.”

Kai would take me for granted if I listened to him in everything as he expected. He needed a reality check that I was my own person, not Kai Kingston’s girlfriend only. If he feared to smear his image, mine wasn’t any better; I was looked at as a gold digger while relying on him.

I entered our room and got a backpack. I stuffed in it a pair of pyjamas, my textbooks, and a toothbrush. I didn’t have many belongings, I realised. I was more dependent than I thought.

He followed me. “Where are you going?” he asked, standing at the door with veins popping from his forearm.

“Why do you care? You haven’t talked to me decently or looked at me in bed for two days now. It hurts; I can’t take it anymore, but it won’t make a difference for you.” I zipped up the bag. “Might as well give you time to rethink your words.”

“Melanie, where are you staying?”

I ceased whatever I was doing and stared into nothing. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.”

I stormed out of the room, pushing him out of my way. He called my name a few more times and tried to hold my forearm, but I rejected him. Perhaps I was dramatic, but I was truly hurt.

Kai didn’t follow me anymore. My decision was impulsive, but I wasn’t regretful even when I had no idea where to go. It made me laugh at myself and my calls for independence. I took my chance to text Ryan. He told me I could go to him whenever I needed, right?

‘Hey.’

‘Hey. 😊’

‘Where are you?’

‘Home. Need anything?’

‘I fought with Kai… I left the place for the night.’

‘Are you okay?’

‘Somewhat. I need a place to stay for the night. Any cheap place around?’

‘No, come over, Angel. My parents are already asleep. What happened, tho?’

Staying at Ryan’s… Did I want to? No. Was I curious about the place that could’ve been my home? Yes, yes, yes.

‘I’ll tell you when I arrive. Thank you loads.’

. . .

THANK YOU FOR 1K READS! 💘

Thoughts and rates of the chapter? Do you think Melanie's decision was rushed?

Do you think Kai was harsh?

Expectations?

How do you think Massie’s vacation will go?

Excited to reveal the drama!

Vote, comment and share ❤😀