A Streak of Bad Luck (1)

When I went back to my old place, it was already 2 p.m. I paid the taxi driver and then headed to the building. I wasn't in a hurry, since it was no big deal to be late on weekends. Yet I was concerned about the money. I could by no means get 652 dollars.

When I got to the building I used to live in, I was dumbfounded. Then I felt outraged. My luggage was in the corridor. Some luggage was even drenched by the rain. A pair of black leather shoes Jane bought me years ago got wet as well.

I dropped my umbrella and dashed upstairs with the key in my hand.

I kicked the door open as soon as I unlocked it. Standing in the living room, I yelled, "You bitch, get your butt off the room!"

No one replied. I stormed into Emilie's bedroom and found that she wasn't there.

The tidy room reminded me of my wet luggage. I was even angrier. So, I threw her mattress over. All her pillows and blankets fell onto the floor.

...

After venting my anger, I lit a cigarette. Standing in the middle of Emilie's place, I tried to calm down.

Emilie showed up at the door before I even noticed. She had a plastic bag in her hand. There were groceries in the bag, and I thus assumed that she had just got back from the supermarket.

Emilie stared at me. I grabbed her collar and pulled her into the room. Emilie dropped the bag and the mop in her hand. My anger turned Emilie's dustless room into a mess.

I dragged Emilie to the window. I forced her to look down at my luggage in the rain. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you drop my luggage in the rain?"

Emilie broke free and said coldly, "You didn't show up on time, so I helped you move out. Is there a problem?"

"I was caught in the middle of something. I am just a few minutes late!"

"Come on. It's decided. No bargaining." Emilie wouldn't compromise. She seemed determined.

"You are so fucking unreasonable!" I was even angrier. I raised my hand and even wanted to slap her.

I thought Emilie would dodge. Yet she didn't. Instead, Emilie was still staring at me coldly. She didn't even blink.

I put my hand down and said, "Get my stuff back and I'll pretend that nothing has ever happened."

"No," said Emilie firmly. I saw tears in her eyes.

"No? You won't go, right?"

Then I threw her quilt and blanket out of the window. I felt the pleasure of revenge.

The quilt and blanket fell on the ground. I said with slight guilt to Emilie, "Now we're even."

Then I saw tears dropping down Emilie's face. Emilie stared at me, biting her lips.

Looking at the mess in the room, I was overwhelmed by a sense of guilt. Yet still, I said to Emilie with a stare, "I know you are offended. I know you look down upon me. Indeed, I'm broke. I'm poor. But these are not excuses for you to disrespect me and my luggage. You are a woman and I decided to be a gentleman today. I only threw away your quilt and blanket. Next time, it will be you!"

Then I took out her card and put it on the table. "I used 652 dollars from it. I can't pay you back now. But I'll give you your money back as soon as possible."

Emilie's eyes were filled with tears. "You bastard, all of you are bastards who don't know how to keep a promise..."

I looked at her, mixed feelings welling up in me. After a while, I said, "I'm leaving now. I'll pay you back. Though it may be somewhat late, I do keep promises."

Emilie responded to me with eyes full of hatred.

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