Lucas Miller treated me and his roommates to a meal at a lousy restaurant near the campus when he got a promotion.
By the time I arrived at the restaurant, only some side dishes were left on the table.
Not a pice of meat could be found on those dishes.
Lucas cast me an indifferent glance. "Didn't think you’d show up. We're all done eating."
His roommates tried to defuse the situation by calling the waiter over for some new dishes.
However, Lucas was rude. "No. Don't spoil her. Just give her a plate of spaghetti."
What an astonishment his speech was!
Why didn't I perceive before this meal that Lucas was so mean?
The reason for my lateness was that I'd received an offer from Harvard.
It had cost me half an hour to share the good news with my family and thank my professors, and that was why I had been late for the meal.
Lucas was ignorant of my good news.
I wanted to tell him personally and then hold a celebration party in a lavish hotel with a group of friends.
Considering the double happiness, I decided not to argue with Lucas today.
Of course, the leftovers were unacceptable for me.
Then, I politely refused Lucas.
"I am not hungry yet. Let's go grab a feast later."
Instantly, Lucas's roommates perked up their ears while rubbing their hands excitedly. "Bonnie, where are we going?"
I beamed at them. "How about the best one in town?"
Lucas deeply knitted his eyebrows at my suggestion. "Bonnie Grant, are you mad? Can you afford to dine there? Do you have any idea about the cost of a meal there?"
Out of agitation, He sprang to his feet and yelled at me, "I just got a pay raise, but you already think of how to spend my salary. You're so vain."
I dined in my own hotel, so did it have anything to do with vanity?
This was the worst accusation in my life.
While I was ready to give a retort, Lucas's roommate tried to calm things down. "Bonnie, we cannot afford to dine there, so forget it."
If I continued the argument, it would embarrass Lucas himself.
Therefore, my mouth was tightly shut, and my fists were clenched.
Lucas ordered a few more beers,
Drinking, he bragged, "It's rare that one can get the annual salary of over 300,000 dollars in two years of work."
His arrogance was conspicuous when it came to his salary. "Bonnie, you'll get a few thousand dollars as your monthly salary at most. In other words, you will have to rely on men."
How irony! I had fought tooth and nail to convince my father for Lucas' pay raise.
I demanded my friends to keep my efforts from Lucas for the sake of his pride.
How dare he ridicule me with his pay raise?
Forget the family background, I wasn't inferior to him in competence.
I casually asked, "How much can a postgraduate from Harvard earn?"
Lucas tilted his head back and showed me his nostrils. "What do you mean?"
I replied with a faint smile. "I got admitted to a postgraduate program of Harvard."
Before Lucas reacted to my answer, his roommates became excited.
"Holy shit! Harvard! You're so awesome!"
"Plus, you major in computing. Surely you'll get around one million dollars as your annual salary after graduation."
"Lucas must be under pressure now."
Lucas stared at me, completely dumbfounded.
A few minutes later, he abruptly dismissed his roommates.
"You guys may leave now, I want a word with Bonnie."
What would it be about?
However, he must be happy for me, right?
Our relationship had lasted for one year, and it was steady.
He got a pay raise, and I would continue my study.
Two pieces of good news.
Lucas must be excited now.
He ordered a share of salads after his roommates left.
"Bonnie, you didn't eat much yet. Come and enjoy yourself."
He pushed the bowl of the green vegetable to me.
"Did you really get into Harvard?"
I nodded my head with a smile in my eyes. "Yes."
Lucas remained silent for a while and then slowly said, "Don't go."
I stared at him with astonishment, thinking that I had misheard him.
However, his expression was serious.
I was appalled, but my curiosity beat my anger.
Therefore, I asked him, "Harvard is a great university. Why shouldn't I go there?"
He arrogantly replied with his legs crossed. "You're already 22 years old, and it's time to get married and raise a family."
Before I mentioned my offer from Harvard, he had no talks about marriage with me.
What was in his mind?
My silence displeased him, so he began his negotiation with a long face. "How about this? I will give you 1000 dollars as the monthly living expense if you stay at home and take care of our children. Generous, am I not?"
His audacity made me laugh.
My skin wouldn't be so sensitive if he shared his audacity with me.
I did laugh out loud.
He slammed onto the table."What? Do you want more? Bonnie, let me tell you, the daughter of my boss considers me her crush. If you insist on your further study, don't blame me for walking away from you."
Nonsenses!
Wasn't I the daughter of his boss?
To walk away from me?
I picked up my bag and glared at him. "I will go to Harvard for sure."
Lucas's face turned livid. "Don't beg for my forgiveness with your tears!"
