Trapped by Lies

Recently, a new female colleague, Janessa Russell, joined our company. She was enthusiastic and outgoing, and she quickly became my close friend at work.

One day, I was having lunch with my boyfriend, David Patel, at a restaurant, chatting about recent happenings at the office.

David received a phone call, leaving me momentarily bored, so I glanced around the room.

That was when I spotted Janessa, who had just walked in.

"Skye?"

she exclaimed upon seeing me, though she seemed unsurprised to find me there.

I greeted her with a smile, and she walked over to us.

Although David had finished his call, his brow was furrowed with concern.

I introduced them, "This is my colleague, Janessa. I've mentioned her to you before. Isn't she beautiful?"

Janessa smiled politely, but I failed to notice David's peculiar expression.

I asked, "Why are you dining alone?"

Janessa shrugged, "What can I do? You know I'm still single, eating and shopping alone are all my habits."

I chuckled, "You will meet your destined one someday. Don't be upset."

I took David's arm playfully and leaned in, "Since Janessa is alone. How about we join her?"

Janessa's eyes dimmed slightly, though I couldn't notice it. She watched me as I playfully teased David.

However, David's frown deepened, and his demeanor grew more serious.

"What's wrong? Anything wrong?" I inquired.

Hearing my question, David seemed to relax a bit.

He reassured me, "No, it's just that I can't have lunch with you today. Duty calls."

I frowned, "Are you leaving now?"

He nodded and left without delay, giving me a gentle kiss on the forehead before departing.

I watched David leave, so did Janessa.

Her face darkened for a moment as he left, but she quickly turned back to me with a smile, "You two have such a great relationship."

I glanced in the direction David had gone, "Well, he's a busy man. Let's enjoy our meal together today. It's on him!"

The food arrived quickly, and during our casual conversation, Janessa suddenly asked, "How long have you two been together?"

I paused for a moment before answering, "Four or five years. Give or take. We're getting engaged at the end of this year. Look!"

I showed her the ring I had carefully chosen on my phone, which I adored.

Even in the photo, the diamond sparkled brilliantly.

"It's beautiful," Janessa remarked, her expression somewhat dazed.

"Since you've been together for this long, you got together the year you graduated from university?"

I nodded, "Yes, Society is totally different from the campus. Everything is far from what I imagined. Luckily, I had him."

"So, how did you two meet?" she asked as I took a bite of food.

"Through friends," I replied.

David and I met through mutual friends who intended to set us up.

With some friends, we went on a road trip to Alaska to see the aurora.

At the time, both David and I were aware of the matchmaking attempt of our friends, but neither of us was particularly enthusiastic.

As a result, nothing romantic happened during the trip.

When we reached Alaska, I underestimated the cold of the northernmost region.

Although it was summer, the temperature was as low as winter in the south.

My clothes were inadequate for the cold.

I shivered in the tent, trying not to delay the others' plans, so I urged my friends to enjoy themselves, no need to worry about me.

The next morning, I woke to find a thick layer of clothes covering me.

Everyone else was gone from the campsite, except for David's tent, which was still lit.

"Awake? You can wear these clothes for now,"

he said, handing me some warm, thick clothes.

At that moment, I felt a flutter in my heart.

After that, David stayed back to take care of me instead of joining the others.

We chatted under the shimmering aurora.

"It's so beautiful!"I exclaimed, gazing at the stunning lights above, only to find David fixing his gaze on me.

The rest of our story unfolded naturally. Neither of us pursued the other; we just ended up together like it should be.

If we had to pinpoint who made the first move, it would be David.

On the day we confirmed our relationship, David came to see me at home.

It was winter, and I had caught a cold due to the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors.

He rushed over straight from a business trip just to make me a pot of hot oatmeal.

He ladled it into a bowl and fed it to me spoon by spoon.

"It's my first time making this, so it might not taste great," he admitted.

I nodded with a smile. "It's not bad, but could use a little work."

He scratched his head awkwardly but then declared with determination, "I'll make better meal for you in the future."

And so, in that cold yet warm winter, we became a couple.

After hearing my story with David, Janessa seemed lost in thought for a moment before offering a faint smile, "That's so sweet."

I noticed her wistful expression and asked, "Are you thinking about someone special?"

Janessa nodded.