Chapter 2

Inside the private room, Samantha had her hair down over her shoulders with perfect makeup.

As soon as she saw us walk in, she stood up immediately.

"Mr. Patterson, Stella, I went ahead and ordered some dishes since I thought you might get bored waiting. Let me know if you like what I ordered," Samantha said.

I glanced over at Johnny, but he just slid into the seat beside Samantha, shot me a grin, and said, "Samantha was worried you might still be mad, so she came to apologize. See how considerate she is?"

Samantha eagerly poured me a glass of wine and then lifted hers for a toast.

"Stella, this is all my fault. I messed things up with the data, and now you're getting gossiped about because of me. Never mind. I'll drink as my apology," she said.

She drained the glass in one gulp. Her cheeks flushed, making her look even more adorable.

Johnny shot Samantha an approving look and then casually asked, "People are talking about Stella now? So what are they saying?"

Samantha smiled coyly. "Mr. Patterson, you might want to ask Stella yourself. I'm not really the right person to say."

Johnny turned towards me, his gaze intensely curious.

I met his eyes, my voice calm. "Samantha started calling me the old hag."

Johnny didn't even bat an eye. He just laughed aloud. "Samantha was only teasing, trying to be friendly. You took it so seriously?"

Then he looked at me seriously and then jeered, "You know what? It really suits you."

I looked at the man I'd lived with for eight years, and suddenly, he felt like a total stranger to me. "Johnny, do you really think this is funny?

"So, hearing them call me the old hag is supposed to be funny to you?"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

Samantha started to get up, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Mr. Patterson, am I just getting in the way here? I'll get out of your way so you two can talk," she said.

"Samantha, sit down," Ethan said, grabbing her wrist. Then he shot me an impatient look.

"Stella, Samantha already apologized. Why are you still going after her? It's just a nickname. Are you really gonna get worked up over something like that?" Ethan said.

Hearing that, I felt my heart being pierced.

I looked at Ethan's hand, which clung to Samantha's wrist, and suddenly, the whole scene felt laughable.

Eight years of trust and love crumbled in a second at this moment.

"Fine. Great!" I let out a sharp laugh.

I picked up the wine Samantha had poured for me. "Sorry, I can't accept this apology."

Not bothering to glance at their awkward faces, I just walked out quickly.

*****

The next day, I needed the latest sales data for my report to the big boss.

I sent out the work email, but I got no response.

So I went to ask people in person, and every single one gave me the same answer.

"Sorry, Samantha said Mr. Patterson needed the data urgently, so we had to send it to him first."

"Samantha told us Mr. Patterson hasn't looked over the data yet, so we're not allowed to give it to you right now."

"You should check with Samantha. Whatever she says goes for us."

As soon as I turned around, the sneers behind me started right back up.

"It doesn't matter how much the old hag struts around. She still has to depend on us," one of them said.

"Honestly, she thinks she's all that, but she's not worth a damn," another added.

I dialed Johnny instantly, but he didn't pick up.

He was ghosting me on purpose. It felt like public humiliation.

*****

I went straight to Johnny's office.

But when I walked in, I saw Samantha all wrapped up in Johnny's embrace. The two of them looked way too intimate.

Seeing me, Johnny said with irritation, "Don't you know any manners? Why didn't you knock before coming in?"

I stared him down and said in an icy voice, "Mr. Patterson, I need the latest sales data for my report."

His frown deepened. "Didn't I already say I need the data first? Why the rush?"

He paused for a beat and then added, "Samantha's being extra careful, making sure everything's perfect. She wouldn't want you to flip out over some tiny error again."

"A tiny error?" I nearly let out a bitter laugh. "Johnny, she screwed up the critical numbers that directly affect decisions worth millions."

I forced myself to calm down and said again, "So this is your idea of being careful? Handing the vital data off to someone who can't even keep a spreadsheet straight?"

Tears filled Samantha's eyes right away. With great frustration, she said, "Stella, I know I'm not as sharp as you, but I swear I'm doing my best."

"Samantha, this isn't your fault," Johnny said gently, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Then he glared back at me, his look full of disgust. "Stella, seriously, when are you going to drop this? It's just a tiny issue. Do you have to blow everything up? You're really starting to act like the grumpy old hag."

When he spat out those words right to my face, I just froze, completely thrown off by how openly he insulted me.

He didn't even care that I was hurt. His voice kept rising. "You can't get your work right, and you make drama over everything. Calling you the old hag is being generous!

"Just look at Samantha. She's so modest. I'm only saying this because I want what's best for you."

Samantha leaned against Johnny's shoulder with a smug smile on her face.

"Alright, Mr. Patterson, I get it. I'll handle the data on my own," I replied.

As I turned away, Johnny's deliberately gentle voice floated behind me.

"Don't cry, Samantha. Just ignore her. She's only jealous of you, all twisted up inside," he coaxed.