Secret Love Nest

Lesson in Jealousy pt 2

He is Qing's ex.

Qing's ex...

An ex...

I didn't react instantly. This is another misconception about me. Some people think that I am slow or a bit dim or too careful or too calculating when I don't react fast to something they say or do.

Those things are not entirely true. I am not a genius, yes, but I am far from stupid. But I think it's true when people say that I am calculating.

But that's me being me. Dayu being Dayu. I just need moments to process...

Like in this situation. I am facing an ex of my lover. How should I react? Angry? Hurt? Jealous?

But why should I feel those things? Zhi Ming already said it. He is an ex. Meaning what they had was over a long time ago. And when they had that relationship, I am in no way part of it so I don't know anything about their time together, why should I have an issue with it?

They're over. History. He was in Qing's past while I am his present and probably his future too. Past is past. Everyone has a past. Heck I had a past. I had relationships before, with girls. In that sense, Qing and I were just the same, we both had past relationships.

With those thoughts in mind, that everything is in the past and there are no issues to ponder with, I smiled at Zhi Ming.

Me: (smiling) Hello, nice to meet you.

Wang Qing and Zhi Ming gave me a look that if I interpreted right might mean like this: "Is this guy for real? He's in front of his lover's ex yet he can smile and even say that it's nice to meet the other man? Is he FOR REAL?!"

Yeah, I get those a lot. Looks that says they can't believe a guy like me existed (someone who can smile back to my lover's ex). I am that someone that don't react based on their expectations of me. What can I say, I am full of surprises...

Zhi Ming: (again with the amused look) (giving me the once over, head to toe and back again) And it's my pleasure to meet you too Dayu. (Looking at Qing) I'll say Qing, your choice in lovers took a significant change.

There's something on his tone that warn me that I should take offense but I am not sure so I let it go. Qing on the other hand don't let much get pass by him.

Qing: (nodding) Yes, my tastes got so much better, right? Must be because I am maturing as I age and I now know the difference between a diamond and a useless piece of glass. I now go for diamonds.

Wang Qing everyone...he'll be here all night so you can expect more of that later.

Zhi Ming face is a picture after hearing those words while I just avoided looking at him so I won't see how pale his handsome face had become.

Zhi Ming: (laughing humorlessly) Oh Qing, your tastes might have changed but the sharpness of your tongue is still the same. I see that cutting people down is still easy for you.

Qing: I just spoke the truth.

They look at each other. Like taking measure on how much they can push their luck until the other one snapped.

When Qing didn't back down, Zhi Ming turn on me.

Zhi Ming: (smiles at me) I hope you are taking care of our Qing, Dayu. I know how hard it is to please him, he was so demanding when we were still together. I hope you do satisfy him.

The way he phrase the word "satisy" left me without a doubt about what aspect of our relationship he is talking about.

Me: (shrugging) I don't worry about Qing's satisfaction. MY satisfaction has always been the number one priority in our relationship.

I also wanna say that Qing is not "our" Qing. He is "my" Qing! But I stopped myself cause staking an ownership is not my style (that's Qing's)

Zhi Ming's smile falter at my answer. He turned back at Qing, raise his hand and wipe some imaginary dirt on Qing's shoulder.

Zhi Ming: (in a silky tone) It's nice to meet you Dayu. (Looks at Qing) I'll see you around.

Then he left. I resisted the urge to follow him with my eyes. Instead I look up at Qing who's face still retain that annoyed look.

Me: Your ex is something...

Qing: (giving me a glare) Nice meeting you? Did you really just said that to my ex? Are you really happy to meet him?

Me: (surprised) Why, should I be angry at meeting him? Qing ah, I am aware that I am not your first lover. I know you had past relationships, but they are in the past now...

Qing: (frowning at me) You are not even slightly jealous, are you?

Me: (shrugging) Why should I be jealous? Is there something to be jealous about? He's in the past.

Qing: Even if he touched me. You are not slightly jealous at that? At all?

Me: No! Don't be ridiculous, it's just a touch. It's not like you kiss or even hug in front of me. I don't get jealous on petty things Qing, I'm not like you.

Okay, now that I think about it. I shouldn't probably have said that, right? I think I am not the jealous type, sure, but I can be stupid at times. Like that kind of stupid...

Qing nodded, like I just confirm something he knew all along. He didn't say anything again and I didn't think about that conversation again. Big mistake on my part.

Because after that, the real game had begun...