Episode 2

"Very well then," Dion 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, Dion and Emily promptly sat down in a quaint, beautiful gazebo.

Some time passed without either attempting to initiate conversation. The awkward silence between them was palpable.

Not wanting to prolong the silence, Emily was the first to take the initiative.

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

Unexpectedly, Dion vented the frustrations of his life to Emily 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, Dion?" Emily asked, perplexed.

"No, it's just sweat," Dion 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'll treat you today. Don't feel inferior because of it," said Emily, piercing the silence.

"I'm here to listen to whatever you want to share today. Come on! Unload all your burdens on me."

"Ugh!" Dion 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 city B."

"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 Dion, showing the necklace that had been around his neck all along.

For a moment, Emily 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?" Emily asked, not understanding Dion'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 city B pressuring these companies not to hire me. But that's just an assumption."

"I even applied at the giant Birawa 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 Jasmine's family."

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

"Day in, day out, they clamor for me to divorce Jasmine. I'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 Jasmine'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 Jasmine."

"After all, she has rejected me in front of others, and I've fulfilled Grandfather Wolf's mandate."

"So please, help me, Emily," Dion implored.

"How can I help you, Dion? I have no authority over you. Especially not against Miss Jasmine."

"Just pray for me and give me courage so I don't sink any lower."

"Dion! 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 Jasmine, be resolved. No more hesitation."

"I believe you can," Emily said calmly.

"Thank you, Emily. You're my best friend. If life grants me a respite, you'll be the first I turn to," Dion 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, Dion and Emily left the cafe, settling their bill.

Emily decided to continue visiting several companies, hoping to find new employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Dion headed straight for his wife's family home.

***

Upon arriving, he was shocked. The entire extended family, including the family matriarch, Grandmother Wolf, sat with tense expressions, as if they had just been arguing about something of great importance.

"There's that loser," hollered Jasmine's cousin Vincent loudly.

"How dare you come back here after what you did to Mr. Brian," Jasmine accused viciously.

"You're utter rubbish! Because of you, the deal we had with the Birawa Group is ruined," her mother, Everly, joined in.

"Mr. Brian has used his influence to terminate the contract with our company, Wolf & Co, all because of you!" Vincent added harshly.

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

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

"You're like an animal. Are you deaf, Dion? 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 Jasmine. If you still refuse, I'll have you thrown in jail," Grandmother Wolf threatened.

After her ultimatum, the room fell silent, no one daring to speak.

They all awaited what Dion, the useless son-in-law, would say.

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