A Bustling Emptiness

MY LIFE STORY

Being a successful, wealthy twenty-two years old woman has become a major headache. My mother is constantly forcing me to go on blind dates. I have absolutely no interest in them. The worst part is that she knows I am only waiting for him, but she simply cannot stop being a protective mother.

She even arranged a date for me without my knowledge. She asked me to pick up some supplies from her relatives, who were stopping near the train station for just a day. I agreed, since I also needed to shop for my academy, and drove over in my car.

Driving your own car gives you a thrill and a sense of independence that nothing else can replicate. When I reached the motel, I met my date. He handed me his phone; my mother was on the line, informing me that she had arranged this meeting. She insisted that I stay and chat for just a few minutes since I was already there.

He was objectively good-looking and had a great physique, but I felt zero emotional connection. When he asked for my contact information, I declined. We simply finished my favorite hot coffee, and I walked out to do my shopping. On my way back, I crossed the bridge. The view from the bridge was beautiful, and the sound of the rushing water below actually let me clear my head for a minute. The cool air coming off the trees completely reset my mood after such a chaotic afternoon.

When I arrived home, my mother was waiting for me with a bag full of questions about the date. Seeing her like that, I couldn't help but dodge her questions and head straight to my bedroom. My room is the one place where I can truly be myself.

Nobody judges me here. It is where I spend most of my time thinking about him. I do not paint very much anymore, but amidst my small collection, his timid, cute portrait is the most beautiful piece.

I also have another portrait that reimagines his present personality. I like to imagine him as bold, confident, and fearless. He reminds me of a man I saw on my way back today, who was raising his voice to advocate for the cleanliness of the river beneath the bridge. I couldn't see his face, but he looked like a successful man. The fact that he was dedicating his time to the river was highly admirable.

My mother isn't usually someone who nags about her child's life. However, she worries when she sees me following the same rigid daily routine: going to the academy, coming back late, and sitting in my comfy chair to admire the night sky while waiting for him to return.

Sometimes, I just fall asleep right there. It is not that I actively want to live this isolated life, but moving on is impossible without him. He has been stuck in my thoughts since the exact day he went away. I simply do not know how to force myself forward into a normal life.

It is not as if I haven't tried to move on. I remember a day when my friend Charlotte tried everything to make me fall for the guys she introduced me to. After failing repeatedly, she grew frustrated and asked me to play a word-association game, naming the very first thing that popped into my head.

Charlotte asked, "Happiness?"

I replied, "Seeing the moon."

Charlotte asked, "Friendship?"

I replied, "Holding hands, sitting on a tree branch, and eating snacks."

Charlotte asked, "The thing you are waiting for the most?"

I replied, "Him coming back."

Her questions went on and on. By the end of the game, she was so frustrated that she never asked me about my love life again. That was the first time I truly realized how deeply in love with him I still am. My entire existence surrounds the memory of him and his habits.

It's funny because we were complete opposites back then. But somehow, over the years, I've slowly adopted all his old habits. I guess that's just what happens when you can't let someone go.

THE UNWANTED TURN

Because being a Taekwondo instructor alone cannot sustain the lifestyle my family needs, I began investing in the stock market. I have earned a significant amount, but managing both the academy and the companies I direct has become incredibly hectic.

I initially started investing after my father got into a severe car accident. While he wasn't injured, the other party was badly hurt.The medical bills were in the millions, and my dad's savings couldn't even scratch the surface. My Taekwondo classes barely brought in any cash because I couldn't bring myself to charge those kids a lot of money. Fortunately, months after I entered the market, things began to run smoothly.

Now, I connect with various small businesses, directing them on how to improve their performance and maximize profits. Though I never intended to become a corporate director, it has now become a major part of my life.

Sometimes, I wonder what Celio is doing right now. This youthful chapter of my life is entirely consumed by taking care of my parents, teaching my students, and managing corporate projects. Wherever you are, Celio, I hope you are enjoying doing what you truly love.

Lately, I have been trying to secure international supply chains and foreign support for my academy and companies. It has felt almost impossible; International partners kept turning me down, saying I had too much on my plate to give their merchandise the attention it needed. But I'm not giving up. Sooner or later, they'll see what our local businesses are capable of and want to partner with us.

Honestly, my companies don't lack potential; we just need a great investor. I need a partner who wants to manage our projects and split the profits together. The people in this city are incredibly capable and experienced; they just need a little push.

I truly wish I could find someone to help me give back to this city, which provided us with a safe haven during our most difficult times. I never wanted to leave my hometown, but my parents were forced out by our own relatives. Honestly, getting out of there was the best thing that ever happened to us. Leaving that toxic house behind was the only way my parents were ever going to find some real peace.