The celebration banquet for the successful bid came belatedly—held not until a month after the project officially launched, when the company finally staged the grand event in a luxurious banquet hall downtown. Perhaps the delay was meant to let the joy of victory ferment amid daily routines, or maybe the executives had been tied up with contract negotiations. Whatever the reason, by the time Mike pushed open the doors, the air inside was already charged with a long-overdue festivity.

The chandeliers glittered, cascading like waterfalls of crystal, flooding light across buffet tables stacked with delicate hors d’oeuvres, seafood platters, and a tower of champagne glasses. Upbeat jazz floated through the hall, mingling with the hum of conversation and bursts of laughter. Waiters in crisp uniforms glided between tables, silver trays flashing under the lights.

Mike straightened his tie, forcing a smile. Walking in beside Randy, the two of them instantly drew attention. Randy, ever flamboyant, grinned broadly and slapped Mike’s shoulder. “Buddy, look at this! We’re the heroes tonight!” Mike nodded, though his thoughts strayed elsewhere. In his mind still lingered the image of Lea’s retreating figure—this triumph carried a taste that was never wholly sweet.

Soon, General Manager Andy stepped onto a makeshift stage, the spotlight pinning him in place. Clearing his throat, he spoke into the microphone:

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we gather to celebrate a hard-won victory! Special thanks to Deputy General Manager Mia’s team, and to two key contributors—Randy and Mike! Their wisdom and dedication allowed us to shine amid fierce competition!”

Applause thundered. Randy waved exuberantly; Mike, blushing faintly, bowed his head. He hadn’t expected such recognition. The attention made him uneasy, yet deep down he couldn’t deny a flicker of pride.

Andy’s smile broadened. “As a reward, the company has prepared a one-week seaside vacation for Randy and Mike! First-class flights, five-star hotels, all expenses covered. Bring your families, and let your loved ones share in your success!”

Cheers and whistles broke out across the hall. Randy laughed, leaning toward Mike with a wink. “Hawaii or Bali, my friend?” Mike forced a grin, but in his mind Amanda’s face appeared—Bring family? The thought sank heavily in his chest. What should have been a gift only deepened his unease.

________________________________________

As the banquet wound down, Mike’s phone rang.

“Why’s it so noisy where you are?” Lotus’s voice carried curiosity.

“The company’s hosting a celebration banquet,” Mike said.

“For the project you won the bid on?”

“Yeah.”

“So, what’s the reward?”

“A one-week luxury trip. I can bring family.”

There was a pause. Lotus’s voice first leapt with excitement: “That’s wonderful!” But in the next breath, her tone faltered. “You’re… taking Amanda, right?”

Mike hesitated, his mind flashing to Amanda’s cold remarks: Are you exercising? Hurry up! and Why are you so quick? He whispered instead, “Let’s go together.”

“Then… when do you plan to go?” she pressed.

“Better not during holidays. Too conspicuous,” he suggested.

“Alright, I’ll get ready.” She hesitated, then added, “Oh, by the way—my brother’s loan came through. The principal and interest are already transferred to your account. Check if it’s there.”

Mike’s chest tightened. That clear boundary unsettled him—yet the discomfort quickly dulled, like a pricked fingertip sealed with a bandage: still sore, but easy to ignore if one chose not to look.

________________________________________

A few days later, Mike and Lotus boarded a flight to Bali. The spacious seats and attentive service of first class made the journey feel effortless. They leaned into each other like honeymooners. Lotus, with headphones on and lips curved in quiet contentment, gazed now and then at the azure sea outside, her eyes sparkling with childlike excitement.

When they landed, tropical humidity wrapped around them, tinged with salt and flowers. A private car drove them to the Four Seasons in Ubud, its entrance tucked among lush greenery, jasmine thick in the air. Lotus’s eyes lit up as she clutched Mike’s arm, whispering, “It’s so beautiful—like a dream.” Her intimacy was shy yet natural, warming Mike even as guilt tugged at him.

In their villa, Lotus wasted no time leaping into the pool, water spraying in bright arcs. She surfaced, hair slicked against her cheeks, laughing. “Mike, come in! The water’s amazing!”

Mike hesitated, then shed his shirt and dove in. He slipped an arm around her waist, murmuring, “Careful not to choke.” His voice was gentle, though shaded with restraint. Lotus pressed closer, eyes soft. “Thank you for bringing me here. This… it feels like our own world.”

That afternoon, they strolled through the Tegalalang rice terraces, green waves cascading in layered steps. Lotus, under a wide-brimmed hat, snapped photo after photo, her movements light, her voice filled with wonder. “Look—stairs leading to heaven!” Mike chuckled and nodded, though inside he reminded himself: her joy was real, but their bond carried limits she would never erase.

Suddenly, Lotus’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, then shot Mike a quick gesture for silence before turning away. “Hello? I’m at training… Yes, the company-organized session… Just leave a message if it’s urgent. I’ll get it after class. Okay, class is starting, talk later.” She hung up with practiced ease, her tone almost impatient.

Mike studied her quietly. “Lotus, do you regret this—coming here with me?”

She froze for a moment, then shook her head. Her gaze was steady, tinged with shyness. “No regrets. As long as I’m with you, that’s enough.”

That evening, they dined on their private terrace by candlelight. Red wine glowed against Lotus’s smile; the murmur of the valley river accompanied her toast. “To our vacation!” she said brightly.

Mike touched his glass to hers, his brow faintly furrowed. “Cheers,” he murmured.

Later, under a star-strewn sky, Lotus nestled in his arms, drifting into sleep with a faint smile. Mike stared upward, his heart churning. This romance was stolen—sweet, yet fragile as glass. Amanda’s shadow lingered; Lotus’s boundaries still stood. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, as though intimacy might hide the hollowness inside, even as he realized more clearly than ever: the impossible triangle still held him fast.