“That’s your best? God, I can’t even imagine what the rest of your rags look like.”

I stood there, eyes filling with tears, but he kept going.

“Why did you even message me? You really think men like me go out with women like you? Let me be clear — I’m not paying for you. Seeing you in person was enough to make me regret everything already.”

He spoke loudly, his voice sharp and venomous, making sure everyone could hear. His words hit harder than slaps.

I couldn’t believe it — was this really the same man I’d spent so many nights talking to? The one who wrote about romance, dreams, who said he liked me? Standing before me was someone cruel and vile.

“‘Oh darling, I miss you, I want to see you…’” he mocked me in a nasty, high-pitched tone.
“So that’s why you wanted to meet me? So I could look at your pathetic face? Just sitting next to you disgusts me!”

In that instant, something in me snapped. My tears turned into rage. I refused to be his victim anymore. And suddenly, I did something I’ll never regret.

A waiter walked by carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of red, spicy tom yum soup. I grabbed it without thinking — and before he realized what was happening, I dumped the entire thing over his head.

He screamed, jumping up and clutching his face as the smell of hot spices filled the air. The whole restaurant froze, then someone burst out laughing.

I straightened up, gathering every ounce of my pride. Looking down at him, I said coolly, “The gentleman will take care of the bill.”

Then I lifted my head and walked out of the restaurant slowly, confidently — leaving him standing there in his soaked suit, surrounded by laughter and stunned faces.