my return will be your downfall

THE BAG SHE DESPERATELY WANTED 2

The question struck him harder than she realised.

Adrian opened his mouth, but the words did not come immediately.

He worked six days a week as a personal driver for a wealthy businessman. His salary was modest, and after paying rent, buying food, covering transportation expenses, and taking care of their other needs, there was rarely much left.

Still, he had never stopped trying.

He had taken extra driving assignments whenever they were available. He had skipped meals on some occasions so that Vanessa could have enough money for the things she needed. He had even postponed buying himself new shoes because the old ones, although worn out, could still carry him to work.

He had done all these things without complaining.

Yet, standing before the woman he loved, he suddenly felt as though none of his efforts meant anything.

“I work every day,” he finally said. “I leave this house early in the morning, sometimes before you wake up. I return late at night. I take every extra job I can find. I'm trying, Vanessa. I promise you, I'm trying.”

She folded her arms.

“Trying is not enough.”

“I know.”

“No, you don't know! If you knew, you wouldn't keep giving me the same excuses.”

“It's not an excuse.”

“Then where is the money?”

Adrian lowered his eyes for a moment.

That was the question he hated most because he had no answer that could satisfy her.

He wished he could walk into an expensive shop, point at the bag she wanted, and pay for it without checking his bank balance. He wished he could take her to beautiful restaurants, buy her everything she admired, and give her a life without financial worries.

But wishing did not create money.

“I don't have enough money for that bag right now,” he admitted. “But I will work harder. I'll take more assignments and save whatever I can. I promise I'll get it for you.”

Vanessa stared at him.

“When?”

“Soon.”

“What does soon mean, Adrian? Next week? Next month? Next year?”

“I can't give you an exact date, but I will do everything I can.”

She shook her head in disgust.

“You know what? I'm tired of hearing promises.”

“Vanessa—”

“No! Let me finish.”

She walked toward the bedroom, and Adrian followed her.

Inside, their small room looked as ordinary as the rest of the apartment. A wooden wardrobe stood against the wall, a few clothes hung behind the door, and a standing fan made a faint rattling sound as it turned from side to side.

Vanessa approached the wardrobe and pulled out a handbag.

It was the bag she had carried for almost two years. Although it was still usable, its colour had faded in places, and the handle showed signs of wear.

She held it up.

“Look at this thing!”

Adrian stared at the bag.

“It's still fine, Vanessa.”

“Fine?” She turned to him. “You call this fine? Do you know how embarrassed I feel when I go out with my friends carrying this?”

“Has anyone ever insulted you because of it?”

“That's not the point!”

“Then what is the point?”

“The point is that I deserve better!”

“You do,” Adrian replied. “You deserve better, and I want to give you better. But I need time.”

“Time, time, time!” she exclaimed. “That's all you ever ask for!”

She threw the handbag onto the bed.

“Do you know what Patricia's boyfriend bought her last weekend? A brand-new car!”

Adrian's eyebrows rose.

“A car?”

“Yes! A car! And her boyfriend is not even as old as you. Yet he can afford to buy her whatever she wants.”

“That's good for Patricia.”

Vanessa stared at him in disbelief.

“That's your response?”

“What do you want me to say? Her boyfriend has money. Good for them.”

“I want you to ask yourself why you cannot do the same!”

Adrian looked away.

He knew where the conversation was going, but he had no idea how to stop it.

Vanessa walked closer to him.

“Adrian, be honest with me. Do you really see a future for us?”

The question caught him off guard.

“Of course I do.”

“What kind of future?”

“A good one. A peaceful one. A future where we don't have to worry about money every day.”

“When will that future come?”

“I don't know exactly when, but I believe it will.”

She gave a humourless laugh.

“You believe.”

“Yes, I believe.”

“Well, I cannot build my life on your beliefs!”

Adrian felt a knot tighten in his chest.

“Vanessa, we've been together for three years. You know where I started. You know I have never pretended to be a rich man. When we met, I was already working as a driver. I told you I wasn't wealthy, but I also told you I had dreams.”

“And I believed you!”

“And I'm still working toward those dreams!”

“But I'm tired of waiting for them to happen!”

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Adrian wanted to remind her of all the times he had stood beside her, all the sacrifices he had made, and all the nights they had spent discussing the future they hoped to build together.