Adrian feels some tightness in his heart and a lump in his throat when he sees the engagement ring on Melissa's finger. She notices his grimace.

"Is there a problem, Adrian?"

He pretends he doesn't know: "Beautiful ring on your hand."

Melissa smiles, blows on her tea, and takes a sip. "Isn't it? Josias bought it for me. We're getting married."

Adrian breathes so deeply that he seems to have sucked in all the air in the world. "Why are you doing this, Melissa?"

"Wow, that's what people do when they love each other, they get engaged and get married after a few months. I think that next year we'll...