Chapter 2

2

Summer finally pulled me away, into a quiet corner. Her hand squeezed mine, a pleading tone in her voice.

"Babe, you jealous? Don't get the wrong idea. Chad's just my assistant."

I scoffed. "Assistant? An assistant that gets paid more than a manager? An assistant who's sporting head-to-toe designer brands and drives a sports car, all within three months of being hired?"

"I know his story, Summer, okay? He's just some college kid from the sticks who got lucky landing a job with you."

"I told you before, I can't stand even a grain of sand in my eye. You can stop loving me, but don't betray me."

Summer went pale, her voice trembling.

"There's really nothing going on, I swear. He's just very proactive and hardworking, so I reward him. And yes, I pay him more to encourage him, nothing more."

I stared into her dark eyes, trying to find some truth in her words.

Summer had always been exceptional, the kind of person who always kept people at arm's length. She'd said to me once that I was her first and would always be her only. In those days, we were inseparable, the envy of everyone around us.

But things change.

She was different now, making exceptions for certain people.

My mind was a mess.

"This ring is one of a pair, yours. You sure he's not just trying to provoke me? Rub my nose in it?"

"If he likes it, then he can keep it. I don't want your hand-me-downs."

Summer gripped my hand tighter.

"Babe, do we have to do this? You know I've always done everything for you."

I met her defiant gaze. "Alright, then how about you transfer Chad to another position? How about that?"

Her face immediately fell, voice rising a notch.

"I'm a person, not your pet! Do I have to report every little thing I do to make you happy?"

Summer had always been sweet and soft-spoken with me. This was the first time I'd seen her like this.

I shut my eyes, too exhausted to argue.

"Got it. You're free to do what you want. I won't interfere. I told you before, I can't stand sand in my eyes. If you don't love me, just tell me ahead of time."

As I turned to go back to the reception, Summer's anxiety got the better of her, and she quickly went after me, trying to grab my arm.

"I run a business, not a sorority, you know? You want me to replace all the guys with women?"

I stopped and turned. "Why not have a woman as your assistant? Isn't that a start?"

She scoffed, "Some things are better handled by a guy."

I laughed. "Am I not a guy? Can't I do the things your assistant does? And do you see me with an assistant, or causing drama? Do you ever see me in a scandal?"

Summer went silent, speechless, and then mumbled, "You just want to control my life."

I sighed, shaking my head. Then I gently pulled my arm away from her.

Summer didn't follow me, but sent a text.

"Tonight, I'll do whatever you want, just don't ask me to fire Chad."

I stared at the screen, my mind running in circles.

So, he was really that important.

In the past, Summer's poise had never allowed her to be this impulsive. But for Chad, she'd made an exception.

I locked my phone and focused on the happy couple exchanging rings on stage.

When the time came to toss the bouquet, it landed right in Chad's hands. The MC, eager to pump up the party, handed him the microphone.

"Now, sir, is there anyone here you'd like to give this to?"

Chad didn't seem to notice I was there. Bouquet in hand, he walked right up to Summer and dropped to one knee.

"I want to give this to Summer."

Someone in the crowd noticed the rings on their hands and immediately started chanting. "Looks like she's taken, kiss her!"

The crowd was buzzing, everyone hoping to see them start some real romance.

Chad gave me a taunting glance, then said in a pathetic little voice, "I'm just Summer's assistant, I don't have the right to express my love."

Summer, who seemed to have forgotten I was even there, took the bouquet, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Don't belittle yourself. You're a good person, sweet and charming."

The audience went wild, clapping and cheering.

I stood there, frozen.

When she realized I was watching, Summer went into damage control. She hurriedly came to my side, realizing she was still holding the bouquet, and dropped it on a nearby table.

"Babe, you're not mad, right? We were just messing around."

Chad joined us, playing it all "apologetic."

"Yeah, Mr. Walker, we were just kidding. You're not going to overreact on us, are you?"

That was it.

"Take off the ring. Now! If you can't do it yourself, I'm sure my security team can help you."

Chad just stood there, not moving an inch. He shot Summer a look of sheer panic.

I nodded to my two security guards, and they stepped up.

But just as they moved towards him, he grabbed Summer's hand, his face filled with fear.

"Summer, they're going to hurt me!"