spends all his time with her. He doesn’t have time for fooling around.”
I changed the subject. “The bruise on his arm, do you know how he got it?”
Chris frowned, thinking. “Oh, that.” His tone was casual. “He spent a few days delivering food a while back. He had three cars tailing him for security, but he still got into a little accident.”
I thought I’d misheard. It took me a moment to process. I searched my mental dictionary for any other meaning of “delivering food,”
2008
“Don’t people in your circle laugh at him?”
“Pift, who would dare?” Chris sneered, squinting as he tapped the ash from his cigar. “You know what he’s like. He always tests the waters himself before making a move. The second he started delivering food, a bunch of CEOs got spooked. They started inviting him to dinner, trying to figure out if our family was planning to enter the food delivery market. And you know what? He’s probably right. It’s a huge market with a lot of potential”
I nodded but didn’t say anything.
He stubbed out his cigar and asked, “Are you still planning to quit? Jobs out there aren’t necessarily easier than this one.”
“It’s fine. Thanks to you, my social media career is taking off.”
“?” He stood up straight. “What do you mean?”
“Ive been making videos. ‘A Day in the Life of a Corporate Executive’s Lackey. I’ve gained a lot of followers by spilling company
gossip.”
I
Clara, even if you are my sister–in–law, I will still curse you out.”
“Be my guest. You can’t fire me anymore anyway.” I checked my watch. “It’s quitting time for me. You have a good evening. Mr.
Blackwood”
Many things were coming to an end. My desk was now completely bare. And my relationship with Adrian needed a final, decisive
resolution.
I went home and made dinner. As usual, I packed a portion and took it to Evan’s. He was scheduled to get his cast off in three days.
“You always look so miserable when you come here. It’s not your fault, you know,” he said, opening the thermos and pouring me
cup of tea.
I tried to find the right words. We’d been seeing each other for a while now. We should have been talking about marriage. Rejecting
him now felt like I’d wasted his time.
Evan spoke first.
“I know,” he said. “Don’t worry about it. We’re not a good match,”
I rubbed my forehead. I’m sorry.”
He smiled. “Your… ex came to see me.”
I looked up sharply.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “He just told me a little about your past. If it weren’t for you, I never would have met Mr. Blackwood. I made a
lot of money off his stock tips.”
He sipped his soup, teasing me. “Clara, you’re talented, beautiful, and financially stable. Your only ‘flaw is that you’ve had a child. But then again… your ex is Adrian Blackwood. That changes things. I’ve been married once. I know my own limits. I’m not confident I could ever replace him in your heart, especially since you have a child together. Ending this now is the best choice for both of us.”
I felt a wave of relief. I was grateful he’d saved me from having to say the words myself.
“If you ever need anything, you can call me. I’ll do my best to help.”
“Thank you,” he said. “But Mr. Blackwood has already made a very generous offer.”
Evan walked me to the end of the hallway. His figure grew smaller as I walked away. I turned on some music and drove home.
The head office inspection ended. My resignation process was officially complete. The job market was grim. With my social media account as a safety net, I decided not to look for a new job for the time being.
While the memories were still fresh, I turned all the bizarre office anecdotes into content. I spent two months at home, filming and editing, and finally created a whole series of “office life” videos.
Adrian started coming over often. He’d bring Chloe and bags of toys. He’d walk in without a word, play with her in a corner of my workspace, stay in the quest room for a few days, and then leave just as quietly.
realized it had been ten days since I’d last seen him. Winter was setting in. While cleaning. I stepped on a rubber duck. It was Chl-
be’s. I sat on the floor, squeezing it in my hand for a long time.
couldn’t help it. I called Adrion.
‘Been busy?”
He didn’t answer right away. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, “Do you want to see me?”
The chi-“I started.
