Chapter 2
Antony was not only ridiculously handsome, but he was also decisive and sharp in his work, with an uncanny ability to see things others couldn't. How could she not fall for him, always by his side?
The gap between their statuses was too wide. She kept her feelings locked away, never daring to show even a hint of them.
That was until one time when she was drunk, unknowingly fed spiked alcohol by a client. She locked herself in a room, struggling with her emotions, when he suddenly appeared and kissed her lips.
It was her first time.
The next morning, she woke up, feeling conflicted. She even thought about resigning, but before she could make any moves, he wrapped his arms around her from behind.
A heated kiss brushed across her back, and his raspy voice whispered in her ear.
"Renee, be my woman."
That was how they got together, and in the blink of an eye, five years had passed.
Though these five years weren't a grand romance for the world to see, Antony had never hidden his affection for her.
Meanwhile, she did everything she could to keep up with him, working seamlessly alongside him, terrified of slowing him down.
She'd always thought that marriage was just a matter of time — she was simply waiting for him to bring it up.
But recently, with the pressure from her family mounting, she couldn't help but ask him about it.
It turned out, he had never even considered marrying her.
There was a world of difference between being a wife and a girlfriend — a small distinction, yet it changed everything.
While she had been quietly dreaming about their future together, he had proposed ninety-nine times to another woman, and now, he was finally getting what he wanted.
Her phone on the desk vibrated, interrupting her jumbled thoughts. She answered, hearing her mother's soft, concerned voice.
"Renee, have you talked to your boyfriend? When will you bring him home to meet us?"
Renee almost bit her lip until it bled. She took a deep breath.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I lied to you and Dad. I don't have a boyfriend.
"You and Father said I'd either come home for arranged marriage or bring my boyfriend back, right? I've decided to come back, so please arrange the matchmaking for me."
From then on, she returned to the life she had before, and Antony went on to marry his true love.
And they would never meet again.
Her parents were shocked by her words, but when they heard she was willing to go back for matchmaking, they were overjoyed.
"Really? You're really coming back? No more working out of town? And you're willing to go along with the matchmaking? What kind of person are you looking for?"
"Just arrange it however you think best. It'll take me about a month to wrap up my resignation. Once everything's settled, I'll come back right away."
Renee had a brief conversation on the phone before hanging up.
She stared at the computer screen for a moment, then slowly opened a blank document. With trembling hands, she typed two simple words: Resignation Letter.
The letter was quickly written and submitted. However, less than a minute later, the HR manager sent it right back.
In a private message, the HR manager helplessly typed:
[Renee, you're Mr. Greer's person. Without his approval, there's no way we can process your resignation. Please don't make this difficult for me.]
Renee looked up at Antony's office. She gathered the documents that needed his signature, along with her resignation letter, and walked into his office.
He was completely immersed in his work, his expression cold and focused.
Even after five years, he still handled work with meticulous care, reviewing each document carefully before signing.
When he flipped open the resignation letter, Renee's heart clenched.
She was still hesitating on how to explain when Antony's phone, lying on the desk, suddenly rang.
She glanced at the screen and saw "Kara" displayed. A pang of discomfort shot through her chest.
Antony's expression lit up, and he quickly answered the call.
Whatever was said on the other end made him lose his usual composure. He stood up, clearly delighted.
"What? You're already back? I'll be right there! Of course, it's a surprise!"
With that, he rushed toward the door.
Renee opened her mouth to speak. "Antony, there's one more thing…"
But in his rush to meet the woman he truly cared about, Antony didn't even glance at the remaining papers. He signed them quickly, tossed the pen toward her, and left without another word.
He walked out so fast that the gust of air he left behind brushed her face. The familiar scent of him made her heart ache.
She watched him walk away, and just before he reached the door, she couldn't hold back any longer. "Antony, what… are we?"
Antony paused for a moment, turning to glance at her. His face showed an impatient flicker.
As though he found her question strange, he didn't bother to answer. He simply opened the door and walked out.
Renee let out a bitter smile, her gaze falling to the bold signature on the resignation letter. She slowly clenched the paper in her hand.
No matter what their relationship had been, he clearly wanted no connection between them going forward.
And she, ever the understanding one, knew her place.
With the woman he loved back, it was time for her — the one he'd kept around to kill time — to quietly fade into the background.