Chapter 3
Charles took off his suit jacket and tossed it casually onto the bed.
I glanced over.
There was a long strand of blonde hair on it. It was Emily's signature color.
Charles lit a cigarette and absentmindedly smoked it halfway before finally speaking.
He finally spoke. "I messed up today. I shouldn't have ignored you and Lily because Emily was a guest.
"Olivia, I'm sorry."
Under the light, I could see the sincerity on Charles's face.
My heart suddenly ached.
I thought he didn't even realize how much Lily and I were hurting.
Seeing my eyes turn red, Charles pulled me into his arms, his heart aching for me.
"Olivia, don't cry. I hate seeing you like this," he said softly.
He explained, "You know how it is. I always make the meat dishes first, then the veggies. I got into the groove, and by the time I remembered, the gas was already cut off."
Charles patiently explained a lot to me.
He said Emily was an outsider.
He couldn't let her and her son go hungry at someone else's house.
He said the time wasn't enough to make two veggies.
He said Lily and I had sensitive stomachs, and he was worried we'd get sick.
That's why he suggested we eat out.
I forced myself to accept it.
I was about to talk to Charles about not wanting Emily to come over for dinner anymore.
But then I heard him say something else. "Olivia, Emily wants me to help her find a job. She's bored staying at home all day."
I stiffened, slowly pushing him away and meeting his gaze.
"So, you agreed?" I asked.
Charles nodded. "She doesn't have any work experience. If she goes somewhere else, she'll cause trouble.
"I want her to work at the company as my assistant. The job's simple, and I can help her out."
At that moment, all those gentle words from earlier suddenly felt fake.
I couldn't help but wonder.
Is he only being patient with me and trying so hard to make me feel better because of Emily?
I sat up straight and shook my head firmly.
"No, Charles, I don't agree," I said.