Chapter 3

3

The friends were trying to figure out who my mysterious "ex" was, forcing me to drink.

I couldn't take it anymore and used the bathroom as an excuse to escape.

I tried to text Raymond: "I'm leaving first."

A red exclamation mark appeared on the screen.

The alcohol fog in my brain cleared instantly.

I realized with a jolt―I had been blocked for real.

I walked back toward the room, feeling dizzy.

When I opened the door, the atmosphere turned icy.

Our friends were looking at me with shifty eyes, as if something had happened.

Raymond sat in the middle, looking like he was enjoying a show.

Gia waved her phone at me triumphantly, like she'd found a dirty secret.

"Chloe, that 'Lapdog'... it really was you."

I froze, staring at her in shock.

Gia raised her voice, sounding even more excited.

"I just unblocked that account and checked the social feed."

"Guess what? It's full of pictures of you."

"So you wouldn't date anyone else because you were busy throwing yourself at Ray?"

Gia spoke with a brightness and confidence I never dared to show around Raymond.

"If I were you, I'd be too embarrassed to even show my face here."

Raymond sat nearby, watching her with a smirk that screamed adoration.

We had known each other for years and seen each other at our worst.

But right now, I felt like I was being stripped bare in front of everyone.

The silence was unbearable until Jace tried to break the tension by offering more drinks.

Raymond finally spoke up, sounding bored as he signaled for them to stop.

"Alright, that's enough. Chloe is just my assistant. I gave her that nickname because she's annoying."

"There isn't much difference between an employee and a simp anyway."

Gia wouldn't let it go. "Does an assistant text her boss to make sure he's eaten every day?"

Raymond didn't answer her. He just asked a question back.

"If she leaves, are you going to be my assistant?"

"Why not? I'm a student at Hudson University. I can do anything."

"I just don't want to waste your talent. Being an assistant is beneath you."

I stood there silently, watching them flirt. I didn't say a word.

Suddenly noticing me again, Gia pointed at a bottle of beer on the table.

"Assistant Chloe, since you love chasing your boss so much, finish this whole bottle."

She smiled at me, her eyes cold.

"Or I'll leak all those desperate messages you sent to Ray."

Before Raymond could speak, I grabbed the bottle and finished it in one go.

My stomach churned, but I forced myself to look at Gia.

"Miss Belle, regarding my account..."

"Please help Mr. Vance clear the messages and then delete me."

As I hurried out of the room, I heard Gia's final insult.

"Ray, I know you want me to keep studying. I'm preparing for my Master's applications."

"I'll come work for you after I graduate. You should hire people with real degrees."

"Not assistants who only know how to sleep their way to the top."

"It's bad luck to have someone so low-class in the office."

Low-class assistant.

I laughed bitterly to myself.

Seven years by his side, three years as his secret lover, and this was my reward.

My stomach was in knots, and I felt like my organs were shifting.

I stumbled out of the lounge, my legs giving way in the hallway.

Just before I blacked out, I fell into a pair of warm, steady arms.

A deep, caring voice echoed above me.

"Are you okay?"