Chapter 3

The next afternoon, Noel came rushing back, travel-worn and clearly frayed.

Tired and baffled, he demanded an answer.

"Bella, I was away on business. You want to break up just because I didn't come home for your birthday? Can you not be so childish about this?"

Reading the coldness on my face, he softened his tone.

"Haven't you always wanted wedding photos? I already found a designer and had a handmade gown made for you. The moment it's air-shipped from Milan, we'll go shoot them right away, okay?"

"Take a look at the sketches first. Do you like them?"

I glanced at them and let out a cold little laugh.

"No."

Seeing the disgust on my face, Noel forced his temper down.

"That's fine. Buy whatever you like. As long as you're happy."

"Work was too crazy this time. I couldn't be there for you. Missing your birthday was my fault, and I apologize."

"But you can't keep throwing around a word like breakup just to spite me. You know I don't respond to threats."

Right then, someone knocked at the door.

I opened it, and Cristina was standing outside.

She had a look of deep concern all over her face.

"Bella, I heard you want to break up with Noel. Why?"

"You two have been together so many years, and he treats you so well. You'll regret it if you let him go."

Cristina and I had known each other for over sixteen years. She and Noel had known each other only five.

Yet every single time, she took Noel's side.

And Noel was always praising Cristina in front of me.

Only now did I understand where all that easy rapport between them had come from.

I gave a mocking little smile.

"Funny. I only just noticed how close you and Noel have gotten at some point, jumping to defend him before you even know the facts."

Before Cristina could say anything, Noel's brows drew together and his voice went cold.

"Bella, Cristina's only looking out for you. Do you have to be so snide?"

"Since when did you get so ungrateful?"

He went out of his way to bring Cristina slippers and pour her something to drink.

What he brewed was his own coffee, the kind with a tiny annual yield and a hefty price tag.

Once, I'd asked if I could try that prized coffee of his.

Noel had shot me down flat.

"You don't even like coffee, and you can't tell good from bad anyway. I'll get you some boba tea."

I'd always respected his wishes, so I never brought it up again after that.

Now here he was, scooping out two whole jars of the coffee he'd hoarded so carefully to give to Cristina.

Telling her to take it home and enjoy it slowly.

Cristina was drinking the coffee when she carelessly spilled more than half of it.

She spoke up, apologetic.

"Noel, I'm so sorry. I accidentally spilled coffee on your couch."

But at that, Noel only stepped closer, his voice full of concern.

"Take your jacket off, quick, it's all wet."

"Did you burn your hand? Does it hurt?"

As he spoke, he pulled a few tissues off the table and started wiping the coffee off Cristina's hand.

Cristina practically cooed.

"How are you this nice? You're just so good to me."

I watched him.

That couch was another of Noel's absolute favorites.

He required that I shower and change into clean clothes every single time before I sat on it.

If there was ever a time I came in from outside and sat down on it directly,

Noel would pick a fight with me without fail.

Complaining that I'd dirtied his precious couch.

I'd always assumed he was simply a neat freak.

Only now did I realize it was me he found unclean.

When Cristina took off her jacket,

I saw that the shirt underneath was a perfect couple's match with Noel's.

I thought of the matching couple's water bottles and toothbrushes I'd once bought, wanting Noel to use them with me.

He'd thrown them straight out.

Said the things I bought were too childish, that he didn't like them.

My voice came out cold.

"Why are the two of you wearing matching couple's outfits?"

Noel frowned, looking at me with open displeasure.

"Bella, why on earth would I be wearing a couple's outfit with Cristina? This is nothing but a coincidence."

"I'm in L.A., she's out of town. How could we possibly arrange to dress alike? Can you not spend every waking moment being paranoid and suspicious?"

Cristina rushed to explain too.

"Bella, I came straight to your place the second I got off the plane. I don't see Noel more than once a year normally. This outfit really is just a coincidence, don't misunderstand. If it bothers you, I can go change right now."

Right. A coincidence. Funny how there were always so many coincidences.

I got together with Noel back in college.

I felt I absolutely had to introduce my boyfriend to my best friend.

So I set up a meeting between Noel and Cristina.

After that, Cristina was always coming to me for favors.

I was busy with work, and Noel couldn't bear to see me stretched thin.

So he'd volunteer to go help Cristina in my place.

Back then it actually moved me. I thought Noel simply loved me enough to be good to my friend for my sake.

Later the two of them grew closer and closer.

They'd often turn up in outfits that matched beautifully.

Noel in a black suit, and Cristina would be in a white dress.

Noel in a blue jacket, and Cristina would wear a red shirt.

Back then, when the three of us went out to eat, even the waiters would mistake them for a couple.

Noel's face would go dark with displeasure.

He'd take my hand and say, with all seriousness,

"This is my girlfriend. She's the only one I love."

Cristina would scold the waiter too.

"Excuse me, what's wrong with your eyes? The two of them look this perfect together, obviously they're the couple."

Then she'd round on Noel, fierce.

"If you ever treat Bella badly, I won't let you get away with it."

Back then all I felt was how lucky I was, the man I loved and my best friend both right there by my side, and I never sensed anything off about it.

Noel used to say what he loved most about me was how generous and understanding I was.

He said I wasn't like other girls, paranoid and suspicious every day, throwing tantrums and making scenes.

And I did play that role, all along.

I never checked Noel's phone or where he'd been.

I was forever understanding about his constant business trips.

Even when he was openly spending time alone with Cristina and casually said it was only because of work that their paths crossed at all,

I believed that too.

But what did the two of them make of my trust?

Was it more thrilling precisely because I was right there?