Chapter 2
The next morning, I decided to go to work anyway.
My coworkers pitied me, but I stayed at my desk, pretending all was fine.
Iris placed a bowl of Spicy Sour Noodle Soup in front of me as I sat down.
"I'm sorry for taking what was yours. This is my apology," she said.
I glanced at it, remembering the doctor told me to avoid spicy food.
"Thanks, I'm not mad, but I can't eat spicy food now. Can you take it back?" I replied.
But she kept pushing the noodles to me, so I pushed them back.
Iris thought I was picky, so she slammed the bowl down, staining the contract with chili.
"I even opened it for you. Why won't you accept my apology?" she continued.
I met her gaze with resignation.
"I'm not blaming you," I said.
Something about that look gave her the wrong idea, and her eyes instantly welled up.
"So you really do look down on me, huh? Otherwise, why won't you just eat this?"
She held up the bowl as if to feed me.
I didn't notice, and the scalding soup burned my injured right leg.
I stumbled, lost balance, and hit the cabinet.
Just then, Julian walked in.
"What's going on here?" he asked.
Julian's eyes darted between us, resting on a confused Iris.
Iris shouted, "I knew it! You rich always think you're better. I tried to feed you myself, and it's still not enough. Is that what it takes to forgive me? Should I get on my knees?"
Julian's eyes softened briefly, then turned cold at me.
"Apologize," he said.
I was trembling with rage.
"I told you, I can't eat this," I said.
Julian's face darkened as he stared at me.
"Do you want to keep your job?" he asked.
He threatened to fire me just over Iris.
I bit my lip, tasted blood, saw Julian was serious, and sank to my knees, dragging my injured leg.
"I'm sorry," I said, my voice trembling.
But Iris remained unsatisfied. At Julian's signal, I hit my forehead on the floor, shouting, "I'm sorry!" louder.
"Please forgive me!" I begged, desperate.
Only then did Iris snort coldly, finally pleased.
"Just because I'm poor doesn't mean you can bully me!" she snapped.
Julian seized the moment, pulling her close and soothing her.
I stood up, limping, and took the ninety-eighth love letter from my bag to burn.
As the love letter burned, I remembered Julian writing it.
His eyes sparkled and his cheeks burned red when he gave me the letter.
"Nova, I really like you. Will you go out with me?" Julian asked softly.
"What are you burning?" he demanded suddenly.
I never expected Julian to explode like that.
I stomped out the flames, grabbed the burnt pieces, and shoved them into my pocket, mumbling, "It's nothing."
Julian glanced at my leg and asked, "What happened?"
I looked at my leg, my throat tightening.
"It's nothing. I just wasn't paying attention," I mumbled.
I didn't want to say more, and he didn't push it.
He nodded, told me to watch my diet and rest.
Then he said, "Since you're struggling to get around, bring Iris to the mastermind meeting this afternoon; she can help."
I was shocked to learn the "mastermind meetings" were just his casual hangouts with friends.
Social events have never interested me.
Iris appeared right behind me.
"If Ms. Raines won't, fine. I'm not your rich folks' slave!" she replied.
Julian gently pulled her back to calm her.
"If I say she's in, she is. Want to meet the top players? Come with us," Julian said.
"Fine, but I'm just tagging along to learn," Iris replied.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he chimed in.