Chapter 1: One Sided Love

"Asher Parker, you look so radiant today. I noticed that you are also smiling broadly. What's the happy news?" Julian, Asher's best friend, started mocking Asher. They were sitting in a restaurant enjoying lunch.

Asher couldn't hide his smile as he looked at his girlfriend's picture on his mobile phone. Today is the anniversary day for Asher and his lover. Although they are separated by distance and time, Asher feels close to his girlfriend. He always sends messages, video calls, and gifts to strengthen their bond.

"Yeah, mate. Today is a special day for me and my girlfriend. We've been in a relationship for the past few years. You don't know what it's like to have the perfect girlfriend," Asher replied as he showed Julian a picture of his girlfriend.

"Ah, yes. I know you have a great girlfriend. But you guys are in a long-distance relationship. How do you manage to stay together when you're apart? It's tough for me to maintain a close relationship," Julian asked with curiosity and envy.

Asher smiled and looked at Julian with an affectionate gaze. "Mate, our secret is just one: trust and support each other. We never doubt or get jealous of each other. We always try to understand and respect each other. We never forget to love and please each other," Asher explained passionately.

Julian was silent for a moment, mesmerised by Asher's words. The man felt ashamed of himself. Julian realised that he had not been a good partner for his girlfriend. The man sighed and nodded.

"Wow, you're really great. I salute you. I hope your relationship with your girlfriend lasts," Julian congratulated Asher.

"Thanks, mate. I hope so, too," Asher thanked Julian.

They continued eating their lunch while joking and laughing together. Asher felt grateful to have a best friend like Julian, who always supported him. Asher also felt lucky to have a boyfriend like his girlfriend, who always loved him. Asher promised himself that he would continue to keep their relationship harmonious and happy.

"I'm a loyal person, after all," Asher said sincerely.

"I know, but what about your girlfriend?" Julian tried to tease Asher.

Asher was annoyed by Julian's question, but he knew that Julian was a good friend.

Asher answered steadily, "Of course, this girl is loyal to me."

Asher saw Julian's slightly doubtful expression. The man began to look at Asher's body from top to bottom. Julian remembered that a few years earlier, Asher still had a healthy and fresh body. But after Asher had a lover, he always ate fast food, which was not good for his health.

"Well, at least you have met each other and accepted each other's strengths and weaknesses." Asher looked nervous when he heard this statement from Julian.

"Actually, we've never met each other," Asher decided to speak the truth.

"Huh? Wait, how come? Have you ever tried calling or video calling with her?" Asher, who saw Julian who had wanted to feel calm, was suddenly worried.

"I've never contacted my girlfriend like that." Asher shook his head again.

Asher felt fear in his heart as he answered Julian's questions. But Asher still believed in his girlfriend. Asher was sure that his girlfriend was a good and loyal person.

"Then, how do you communicate with your girlfriend?" Julian asked again.

"Actually, we only send messages on the X app," Asher said embarrassedly.

"Mate, you've never met in person, not even Facetime. I think that shows that your relationship has no clear foundation. I'm afraid this girl is just playing with your feelings," Julian explained, trying to get Asher to wake up.

"Ah, you're being too negative. As long as I'm in a relationship with this girl, I've given her whatever she asked for," Asher evaded and tried to defend himself.

"Huh? What have you given this girl?" Asher saw Julian's astonished expression.

"I always send most of my monthly salary to my girlfriend," Asher innocently answered.

"Gosh, why are you so stupid in matters of romance?" Asher felt very wrong when he saw Julian's expression.

Julian could not understand Asher's behaviour that did not use his rational mind. Julian almost fainted at Asher's confession. They both work as car mechanics in a company.

This garage company only gives a monthly salary below the standard provisions set by the government, and moreover, the workers have to pursue sales targets just to get additional bonuses.

So, the salary Asher received was also uncertain. If he hits his targets, his salary is around $1500; if he doesn't hit his targets, it's around $700. Not to mention, Asher sends at least $490 to $1050 to his girlfriend.

"I think you should give your earnings to help your family's economy instead of maintaining this unhealthy relationship," Julian suggested reasonably.

"But my girlfriend says this money is to fulfil her need to look like an angel for me," Asher said innocently.

"Oh my God! Asher, you are really blinded by this fake love," Asher saw Julian reprimanding him in a slightly raised tone.

Shortly after that came the sound of a phone call. The name on the screen made Asher and Julian hurry to leave.

"Hey, you two get back to work quickly. Don't relax; there is a lot of work coming in; hurry up and do it," the boss of the workshop owner called the two.

Instantly, Asher and Julian returned to the workshop and continued their work shift.

Now, Asher is a little upset while working on servicing customer vehicles. He thought to himself, "What if what Julian said is true?"

After Asher finished high school and took a year-long particular programme at a community college, he and a few of his friends got an internship for a while at a garage company in Nevada. The fresh graduates obviously felt good about the job offer.

Asher and his friends were also tempted by the high salary, free housing and meals paid for by the company. But all of that was beyond Asher's expectations and wishful thinking. The man came from a lower class; Asher's father was just a contractor worker earning $10-20 a day.

The journey from the workshop to Asher's village was long enough that to travel from one point to another, Asher needed to spend at least $150.

Asher remembers the moment when he first arrived. Asher was given a makeshift place to stay, and there were several people in each small room.

The workshop company didn't even provide a stipend, and he had to be prepared to cover his own living expenses. It made Asher and his friends very disappointed.

In the first month, Asher and his friends were only paid around $500 on a per diem basis. It was only enough to cover food, not to mention that there would be deductions if there were holidays.

When facing such a complex reality, Asher's friends slowly became unhappy and chose to resign or not renew their contracts. Now, only Asher and Julian are left.

Although many employees often resign from the company, there are still many young mechanics who come from various schools; after all, Asher and Julian no longer think about resigning. Their salaries had gone up and were a little better.

Right now, there were far more essential things for Asher to do. He was upset and immediately contacted his girlfriend. Asher's girlfriend was named Britney, a girl Asher knew through the twt app without meeting in person.