Chapter 2
According to the comments, last night at the Grant mansion, Alex and Sophie had that classic scene. He tried to explain, and she was heartbroken and tried to run. He wouldn't let her go, and in the end, they ended up embracing in the rain.
Today, Alex would be glued to Sophie's side, taking care of her all day long.
As for me, I called in sick, too. But it wasn't because I was actually sick. It was for a job interview.
The HR manager across from me was reviewing my resume, nodding in approval. "Ms. Summers, your track record at Grant Holdings is outstanding. May I ask why you're considering a move?"
I smiled. Why was I leaving?
Because my boss, blinded by love, had hunted for a kidney donor right among his employees.
With a boss like that, this company was doomed sooner or later.
And when Alex was chasing after me, he didn't try to keep it low-key. Now, some people at work thought I only got promoted because I slept my way to the top.
But I was the sales champion who landed those big deals.
Alex never bothered to clear things up for me. In fact, he seemed to be fanning the flames of those rumors on purpose.
That was petty and low.
Of course, I couldn't say that out loud.
"It's for my growth," I said. "Grant Holdings is a great place, but I want to try something new."
After the interview, I grabbed coffee with that younger guy I'd met a few days ago, did some shopping, and treated myself to a brand new phone.
By the time it was completely dark, I finally started heading home at my own pace.
As I turned into the entrance of my apartment complex, I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
Alex's car was idling outside my building.
I hid, grabbed a tissue, and wiped off my lip gloss.
Then I used my compact to cover up my rosy cheeks, and with my fingertip, dabbed some brown eyeshadow under my lower eyelids.
It was perfect. I looked like I was really under the weather.
I slowed my steps, dragging my feet so I'd look completely wiped out.
The moment Alex spotted me, he hurried over.
He stopped right in front of me, his tone full of reproach. "Why have you been ignoring me?
"Why didn't you reply to any of my messages? Something urgent came up at work yesterday. If you're going to be my girlfriend, you need to be ready for me to get called away at any time."
But the second he got a good look at my face, he froze.
I looked at him and let out a couple of soft coughs.
"What's wrong?" He reached out to feel my forehead, but I pulled away.
I coughed again, my voice raspy. "After you left last night, I didn't want your gesture to go to waste, so I finished the meal alone at the restaurant.
"Then it started raining. I couldn't get a cab, so I walked to the bus stop and got soaked. I probably caught a cold. You'd better keep your distance. I wouldn't want you to catch it."
I played it off like it was nothing, acting like I didn't want him to worry.
"Why didn't you call me?" He started to say something, then stopped.
He knew he wasn't free last night.
"My phone got wrecked in the rain, so I bought a new one," I said.
He looked a little guilty. "Let me reimburse you."
Now that was music to my ears. Self-love really did bring in the cash.
Alex grabbed my wrist. "I'll walk you up."
I flashed him a sweet, teasing smile and pouted. "Wow, honey, you finally have time for me, huh?"
[Mia looks so miserable. Sophie's in way better shape than her.]
[Sophie doesn't believe Alex really loves her. Why are there still people in the comments feeling sorry for Mia?]
[Serves her right. She insisted on eating so much.]
[Yeah, she's got no one to blame but herself.]
[I'm dropping this. The people sending bullet comments are all being so unreasonable.]
[Her smile was so radiant now.]
The comment section blew up with arguments about Sophie and me.
As Alex was about to walk me upstairs, his phone rang again.
He instinctively reached for it, but after a quick glance at me, he stopped himself.
I nestled into his arms, my voice soft and a little coy. "You're not going to pick up? What if it's something important?"
He paused for a moment but declined the call. "It's nothing. Making sure you get home safe is more important."
[Oh my god, Alex actually hung up on Sophie.]
[Sophie must be freaking out right now.]
[Can't Mia go home by herself? She's already downstairs, but still wants Alex to walk her up. She is so dramatic.]
I scoffed to myself. Dramatic? No one called Sophie dramatic when she was faking her illness.
Yeah, I was already at my building, and he insisted on walking me up. Who was the real drama one here?
When the elevator doors opened, I made a point of entering the password right in front of Alex. I'd already changed it to his birthday.
"Do you want to come in for a bit?" I glanced back at him, my voice tinged with anticipation.
When he saw the password, I caught a flicker of emotion in his eyes. He was clearly moved, but hesitated.
[Don't go in. Sophie's waiting for you.]
[Alex, hurry up and go. Did you forget you promised to spend the day with Sophie?]
Alex's phone rang again.
As soon as he unlocked his phone, Sophie's tearful voice popped up. "Alex, I feel so miserable. Can you come be with me?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet hallway, it was especially clear.
Alex clearly hadn't expected Sophie to send a voice message from the housekeeper's number. His expression shifted instantly.
I watched him, my smile faded away. "Who is it?"
He didn't answer right away.
I lowered my eyes and said softly, "Go ahead. She sounds like she really needs you."
"Mia," he murmured.
"Really, I'm okay." I looked up and gave him a gentle smile. "It's a cold. I'll be fine after some sleep. Go on."
Alex looked at me, something complicated flickering in his eyes.
He reached out and gave my head a gentle touch. "Tomorrow, I swear, I'll make it up to you."
He'd said that once already.
I nodded and watched him turn and step into the elevator, the doors sliding shut slowly.
Then I closed my door, and the smile on my face vanished in an instant.
[Mia is so considerate. I actually feel a little bad for her.]
[Why feel bad? She's acting all selfless to get what she wants.]
[Exactly, she's pretending to be the bigger person. Bet she's cursing Sophie out in her head.]
[Wait, how did Mia find out about Sophie so early? Is she going to go mess with Sophie now?]
I walked over to the window and watched Alex's car speed off downstairs.
Acting all selfless to get what I wanted?
Honestly, I was wiped out from shopping today and didn't bother to act. I wanted him to leave already.
Sure enough, Alex didn't show up the next day.
He didn't show up on the third day, either.
On the fourth day, I ran into Sophie at the office. She was dropping off lunch for Alex.
She was standing outside Alex's office, dressed in a white dress.
When she saw me, her eyes flickered for a moment, then she gave me a gentle smile. "You must be Mia, right? Alex talks about you all the time."
[Sophie must be feeling so bad right now.]
[Mia, move along. Don't mess up their alone time.]
[Seriously, some of these comments are dumb. Mia hasn't done a single thing wrong. I'm actually starting to feel bad for her.]
[Totally. Let Mia flip the table already.]
I looked at the lunchbox Sophie had so carefully prepared.
"Alex has been taking care of me a lot lately. He likes something light for lunch, so I made his favorite foods to thank him," Sophie said.
I smiled, "Thanks for doing that for Alex. Hope you both enjoy it."
With that, I turned and walked away.
[Mia isn't mad? That's so weird.]
[She's definitely up to something. Wait and see.]
[Sophie, better be careful. Mia is definitely a troublemaker.]
*****
That afternoon, Alex texted me: [I heard you bumped into Sophie at lunch. Don't worry about it. She's been staying with my family since she was little. We're friends. Plus, she's always loved cooking.]
I didn't reply.
He tried to trick me out of a kidney and already couldn't keep it together. What an amateur.
He sent another text. [Are you free tonight? Let me take you out to dinner and make it up to you.]
I stared at his message for a few seconds.
Then I replied: [Sure.]