We munched, kissed, and talked until the wee hours of the morning, asking each other questions ranging from playful (If you could live in any time period, what would it be?) to serious (me inquiring about college life, her wanting to know about my past jobs and how Rent for Your ’Rents worked behind the scenes). She was uber-adorable when shyly asking whether I’d had to kiss any clients on jobs, and when I told her I’d only kissed one client, willingly, and not for the job, the relief and joy on her face made my heart soar.

“Most parents, especially Asian parents who necessitate a rental, don’t have a huge desire to see their daughter kissing someone, even if it’s a person they approve of,” I pointed out as she laughed, probably remembering when she fell off my back just because her father had appeared. “In fact, a kiss on the head is more endearing anyway, and I’m comfortable doing that when needed.” She didn’t react as positively to that, which made me feel guilty, but she moved on swiftly. Our conversation shifted to sharing funny, sad, and embarrassing personal stories.

When she asked whether I regretted picking art over my parents, I surprised myself by answering, “No. I wasn’t picking it over them. They were the ones who didn’t pick me. While it used to make me sad, and at the beginning I considered begging them, changing my path, whatever, to fix it, I’m now just really disappointed in them. And maybe still a little angry.”

Then I found myself pouring out so many emotions I’d bottled up in the past. I thought I’d set them out to sea, but apparently they were floating back. “Parents are supposed to believe in us—or at least that’s what society claims. So when they didn’t think I could do it, when they decided to stop loving me…” I trailed off. There weren’t words to describe what it was like.

“I get it,” Chloe said quietly. “I… may not have told you all the details with the whole Hongbo thing.” She paused. “The real reason I panicked and turned to Rent for Your ’Rents is because when I refused the proposal… when I tried to explain to my mom why I didn’t want to be with Hongbo… her response was…” She swallowed. “She told me I wouldn’t be able to find someone else. That I was too flat-chested, my face too ordinary, and my personality too anxious to attract anyone.” Her voice changed to eerily resemble her mother’s: “ ‘Who will want you?’ ” she mimicked. “Which was also the reason she was fine with Hongbo using me as a cover-up.” Her face and tone shifted again. “ ‘Why else would Hongbo—would the Kuos—want you?’ ”

“Shit, Chloe.” How could her own mother not see how much she shines, both inside and out?