Chapter 2 The Annual Company Party
A month wasn’t so bad. By then, I’d forget everything–and that would be the moment I’d leave. Forever.
Pamela, ever the peacemaker, was busy sweet–talking Aiden, assuring him that everything was settled. He stood, then headed upstairs without another word.
After I showered, exhaustion washed over me like a wave. The day had been so draining, so full of heartbreak and confusion, I couldn’t quite process it all.
Half–awake, a sudden chill crept over me, like someone was touching my shoulder.
I snapped my eyes open and froze. Aiden’s messy hair was pressed against my chest.
A sharp breath caught in my throat as panic surged through me. I shoved him away.
“You’re crazy!” I hissed.
“Are you angry?” he asked, voice calm but cautious.
We spoke at the same time, but I said nothing. He patiently explained, “I didn’t know anything about the trending ru- mors. That was all the PR team was doing. The moment I saw it, I made sure they took it down.
“And Pamela yelling at you just now? I couldn’t step in–it would’ve only made things worse.
“As for saying you’d work without pay–that was just to fool her. If I helped you out of nowhere, that’d raise suspi- cion.”
Every word he said sounded airtight. Help me? What a joke. After everything he’d done, now he wanted to play hero.
If I hadn’t overheard their conversation that afternoon, I might have believed him. Perhaps I’d even be grateful, naïve- ly thinking he actually cared.
When I stayed silent, he tried to pick up where he left off, but I dodged him every way I could.
Finally, he sighed. “Forget it. You’ve been through enough today. Get some rest, and don’t be late tomorrow.”
After he left, I didn’t sleep a wink.
The next morning, I came downstairs to find him eating breakfast.
“Esme, you should take the bus yourself today. Things are tense right now. It’s better to keep a low profile.”
“Yeah, Aiden, you don’t need to worry about her. She’s grown up now. It’s time she learned to be independent.”
They traded words like practiced actors. I stirred my bowl of oatmeal, but even with honey, it didn’t taste enjoyable.
I rushed out the door ahead of him and dove into the early subway rush. The train was packed.
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Chapter 2 The Annual Company Party
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Bundled up against the cold, I scanned my pass to exit–and from a distance, spotted Aiden’s car parked nearby, a woman sitting in the passenger seat.
Of course. He was picking up his favorite secretary, Selene Moreau.
I looked away, pretending I hadn’t seen them. But she wasn’t about to let me off that easily.
“Good morning, Ms. Morgan!” she called, breezing up beside me with a bright smile. “The subway’s brutal at this hour, huh? Sorry, you had to deal with that.
“If it weren’t for my long commute, Aiden wouldn’t have to drive me every day. Hope you’re not mad.”
I gave her a blank stare–no intention of responding.
But she grabbed my arm and started chatting like we were old friends, casually throwing in suggestions about the company’s annual party.
“Ms. Morgan, how about going skiing? I’m from a place where we don’t get snow, so I’ve never actually seen it be- fore.
“Or maybe the beach?” she continued, not missing a beat. “The weather’s perfect for camping right now.
“Aiden asked me to book something, but I just can’t decide. What do you think?”
We barely even spoke at work. I wasn’t about to sit there listening to her brag about her special relationship with Aiden–especially since booking the party venue wasn’t even part of her job.
“Whatever,” I said, pulling my arm free and stepping into the elevator.
In the end, she got her way. We were heading to an indoor ski resort up north.
Small groups formed naturally as we got off the bus, everyone chatting and laughing. I stayed at the very back of the line, pretending I didn’t exist.
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