Chapter 1
At the company's annual party, my boyfriend, Dale Gregory, had promised to announce our engagement.
But a new intern, Gwen Clark, suddenly snatched the microphone and said smugly, "Mr. Gregory, confessing your love to me in front of so many people? Isn't that a bit much?"
Not only did Dale fail to explain, but he even arranged a trip for just the two of them, under the guise of encouraging Gwen.
All our colleagues cheered and whistled, praising what a perfect couple they made.
Seeing me stand frozen, a coworker whispered, "What are you waiting for? Why not offer a toast and say something nice?"
I smiled and tossed the couple rings, prepared long ago, at Dale's feet.
I said, "Is a trip even enough? Consider this ring a wedding gift for you. Don't forget to invite me to your wedding."
*****
The dazzling lights at the company's annual party made my eyes sting.
I stood in the crowd, clutching the velvet box in my hand, my palm slick with sweat.
On stage, Dale was giving his annual report, every move exuding the confidence of a leader. I couldn't take my eyes off him.
Dale said, "Finally, I have some important news to announce."
Dale glanced in my direction, the corners of his mouth lifting in a subtle smile.
My heart raced.
We had been keeping our office romance under wraps for five years, and today, we were finally going to go public.
I felt the pair of rings worth six figures in my pocket, imagining how he'd slide one onto my finger.
Just then, Gwen, the intern who had only joined three months ago, suddenly dashed onto the stage and grabbed the microphone.
She said, "Mr. Gregory, confessing your love to me in front of so many people? Isn't that a bit much?"
She grinned brightly, revealing her two canine teeth, then suddenly changed the subject. "But I like it."
The whole room went dead silent for a couple of seconds, then erupted in laughter and whistles.
I stood frozen, the edge of the box digging painfully into my fingers.
Dale looked genuinely stunned for a moment, but then, to my shock, he actually smiled.
"Gwen really is a promising new hire," he said, giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder.
He continued, "To reward your outstanding performance lately, I've decided to arrange a trip for just the two of us. Consider it a special training session."
Gwen threw a hand dramatically over her heart, playing up the moment.
She said, "Mr. Gregory, is this your way of asking me out?"
The crowd burst into another round of whistles and teasing shouts.
One of my old colleagues elbowed me.
He said, "Alyssa, why are you just standing there? Aren't you going to raise a glass and say something nice?"
I turned to him automatically, and he shot me a sly wink.
He added, "Mr. Gregory is clearly into Gwen. As her supervisor, shouldn't you say a few words?"
I looked down at the ring box in my hand; my mind was a total blank.
I thought if he had feelings for Gwen, what would that make me?
What did five years of our relationship count for then?
Watching them joke and laugh together on stage, I stood there, stunned for a while, then suddenly laughed.
"You're right. I should go up there and offer my congratulations," I said.
With that, I stood up and strode toward the stage.
When Dale saw me coming, his gaze flickered.
Gwen, meanwhile, tilted her chin up with a smug, triumphant look.
"A trip for two? That's hardly enough." I opened the velvet box, pulled out the freshly bought rings, and flung them carelessly at Dale's feet.
I continued, "Think of these as my wedding gift for your big day. Be sure to invite me when you finally tie the knot."
The rings bounced twice and rolled right to Dale's feet.
His face instantly drained of color.
He said, "Alyssa, you..."
But nobody in the crowd noticed anything strange.
Everyone just thought I was joking and started clapping.
"Alyssa, you're so generous," someone said.
"Those rings look pricey. Alyssa really spared no expense," another echoed.
"Mr. Gregory and Gwen make such a great couple. What a perfect gift," a third chimed in.
I flashed a smile at the crowd, then turned and walked away.
Behind me, I could hear Dale's hurried footsteps closing in.
He shouted, "Alyssa, wait!"
But I didn't look back. I kept walking straight out of the banquet hall.
In the empty, quiet hallway, I could finally breathe freely again.
As the elevator doors closed, I spotted Dale rushing out after me. But he was too late.
As the elevator descended, my phone buzzed.
It was a message from Dale: [It's not what you think. I can explain.]
I didn't reply. I switched my phone to silent.
Over the past five years, I had heard these so-called "explanations" more times than I could count.
He had said, "Gwen's just an intern. I need to be careful with her feelings.
"The company's got a ton of projects lately. We'll go out some other time.
"She's young and clueless. Don't bother with her."
Every time, I had chosen to understand and back down.