Fated Bonds

Chapter 6: "The Ghost of a Past Love"

The following days passed in a blur for Zhan, caught in the whirlwind of wedding preparations and the lingering weight of his emotions. He had hoped to feel a sense of excitement about the upcoming union with Yibo, but instead, he found himself battling feelings of sadness and uncertainty. The tension in the air was palpable, especially with his parents eagerly discussing every detail of the wedding, while he silently worried about his relationship with Chen.

Zhan glanced at his phone again, the screen glowing in the dim light of his bedroom. No new messages. It had been almost a week since Chen had abruptly left after their supposed date night, and all he had received from him was a short, cold text: “I have some work, so I need to leave.”

It felt so unlike Chen, who had always been attentive and caring. Zhan had convinced himself that they would have a romantic evening together, but it turned into a disappointment when Chen had vanished without explanation. He replayed their last moments in his mind—how they had laughed and shared dreams of the future, how Chen had promised to always be there for him. Now, those words felt like hollow echoes.

Zhan couldn’t shake the sinking feeling in his chest. Was it really over? Did Chen truly care, or was he just another face in the crowd, using Zhan for his wealth and status? Zhan shook his head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts. He had to focus on the impending marriage with Yibo, no matter how uncomfortable the thought made him.

As he prepared for bed that night, Zhan resolved to give Chen some space. He would wait for a few more days before reaching out, hoping for an explanation. But deep down, he was afraid of what that explanation might be.

The next morning, Zhan’s parents were already bustling about the house, discussing the catering and the guest list. His mother had taken it upon herself to create a grand invitation that would impress everyone in their social circle. Zhan joined them at the breakfast table, forcing a smile despite the nagging sadness.

“Good morning, sweetheart!” his mother chirped, handing him a glass of juice. “I’ve been thinking we should send out the invitations by the end of the week. It’ll give everyone enough time to adjust their schedules.”

“Sure,” Zhan replied absently, taking a sip. His mind was still tangled in thoughts of Chen, leaving little room for wedding logistics.

“Zhan, is everything okay?” his father, Huang, asked, concern creeping into his voice. “You’ve seemed a bit distracted lately.”

Zhan hesitated. “I’m fine, Dad. Just… thinking about the wedding.”

His father nodded but didn’t seem entirely convinced. “You know, marrying Yibo is a big step, but you’re going to do great. I know this is a lot to take in.”

“Thanks,” Zhan murmured, forcing another smile.

Once breakfast was over, Zhan decided to take a walk around the neighborhood to clear his head. He stepped outside, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. As he walked, he tried to focus on the beauty around him—the vibrant flowers blooming in the gardens, the sound of laughter from children playing, the soothing rustle of leaves in the breeze. Yet, despite the picturesque scenery, his heart felt heavy.

After a while, Zhan found himself outside a small café he often visited with Chen. Memories flooded back: the laughter they shared over coffee, the sweet treats they indulged in, and the dreams they discussed for the future. The thought of all that happiness turned to ash in his mouth.

“Are you okay, Zhan?” a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.

Startled, Zhan turned to see Yubin approaching. “Yeah, just taking a walk,” he said, forcing a smile. “How about you?”

“Just got off work and figured I’d grab some coffee,” Yubin replied. “Wanna join?”

Zhan hesitated. Part of him wanted to wallow in his feelings, but another part craved the distraction. “Sure,” he said, nodding.

As they settled at a small table outside the café, Yubin looked at Zhan with concern. “You’ve been quiet lately. Is it about Chen?”

Zhan sighed, feeling a weight lift slightly at the mention of his friend’s name. “Yeah. He just… disappeared after our last date. I don’t understand what happened.”

Yubin frowned. “I’m sorry. That sounds rough. Have you tried reaching out?”

“I thought about it, but I’m not sure I want to put myself through that,” Zhan admitted. “What if he doesn’t respond? What if he’s moved on?”

“Then at least you’ll know,” Yubin said, his tone supportive. “You can’t stay stuck in this limbo forever. It’s not fair to you.”

Zhan nodded, appreciating Yubin’s perspective. “You’re right. I guess I just need to find the right moment.”

As they chatted, Zhan felt a sense of camaraderie returning. Yubin always had a way of grounding him when he felt lost. But the conversation soon turned back to the wedding plans, and Zhan felt a pang of anxiety settle back in.

“What do you think about Yibo?” Yubin asked, leaning back in his chair. “Have you two talked more since the initial meeting?”

“Not really,” Zhan replied. “We’ve discussed a few wedding details, but it feels more like business than anything else. I don’t know much about him.”

Yubin nodded thoughtfully. “It might help to talk to him outside of the wedding context. Maybe share a hobby or interest? It could ease some of the tension.”

“Like what?” Zhan asked, genuinely curious.

“I don’t know. Maybe invite him to hang out or grab coffee? Just something casual,” Yubin suggested. “It doesn’t have to be about the wedding.”

Zhan mulled it over. “That could work. But what if he declines? I don’t want to force him into something he’s not comfortable with.”

“You won’t know unless you ask,” Yubin countered. “And who knows? Maybe he’s just as unsure about this whole thing as you are.”

As they continued talking, Zhan felt a flicker of hope. Maybe reaching out to Yibo could be a way to break the ice. He could learn more about him, and perhaps the looming marriage wouldn’t feel so intimidating.

Later that evening, as Zhan lay in bed, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he needed to do. He picked up his phone, staring at Yibo’s contact. His fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating. What if this was the start of something new?

With a determined exhale, Zhan finally sent a message. “Hey, Yibo. I was wondering if you’d like to grab coffee this weekend? Just to chat.”

Zhan pressed send, his heart racing. He felt a sense of vulnerability but also empowerment. He was no longer going to let his emotions dictate his actions. He would take control of his life and relationships, even if it meant facing uncertainty.

As he closed his eyes that night, Zhan felt a mixture of anxiety and anticipation for the response that might come. In a world filled with unknowns, he was ready to take a step forward, no matter how small.