Chapter 2
610 Words
Dylan was the one who had barred me from those elite investment banks. He insisted that a girl should not grind herself to the bone because he would take care of me instead.
Thanks to his uncle's pull, he had swooped into a branch as the CEO and vowed to slot me in later. He claimed he could not bear the thought of us living in different cities.
But here was the punchline. Before I could even set foot in the office, Vivian slithered in first.
She latched onto Dylan's arm and melted into his side like caramel on a hot spoon.
"Cheers, Mr. Grant," she trilled while raising her glass. "Your favorite assistant-to-be hopes for your very hands-on mentorship."
"And do treasure Nia," she added with a flutter of her lashes. "College sweethearts who survive graduation are rarer than unicorns. It is just like those CEO romance novels where the hero hires his down-on-his-luck girlfriend as his twenty-four-seven secretary. All-day cuddles and desk-side kisses make everyone swoon."
Dylan rolled his eyes. "Lay off that brain-melting trash."
She pouted and yanked his sleeve like a spoiled kitten. "You pinky-swore me a reward if I clinched the Southside deal."
I stood there with my cheeks scorching as if branded by their laughter.
Vivian had ignited this cold war, too.
Three months back, Dylan had taken her along to woo a client.
I texted him asking when his flight was for my graduation.
The reply took forever. When it finally came, my blood ran cold. It was a photo of Dylan sprawled across a hotel bed with his shirt half open and his face flushed.
I video-called him instantly. The sound of a buzz filled the line, and then Vivian's face filled the screen. She was in her pajamas and looking smug, and my handmade luck bracelet was twisted into her hair like a stolen crown jewel.
"Nia," she simpered. "Dylan is a bit indisposed here. What is up?"
My knuckles cracked under the pressure, and the phone creaked in my fist. "Your room. Where is it?"
She bit her lip, and her eyes glistened. "It is not what you think."
"Dylan," she whined while tilting the screen. "Nia is freaking out. Explain why we are together."
The camera lurched and revealed Dylan's booze-flushed grin.
"Chill out, Nia. Vivian was wasted. I only walked her up and stayed for a drink. You have no idea how Vivi crushed it today. Just a few words, and she had that stubborn client eating out of her hand. I owe her big time."
Vivian leaned in and flashed a sugary smile at the camera. "Oh, stop it, Dylan. It is nothing. You know I would do anything for my favorite mentor."
Her words sent Dylan over the moon. His eyes turned to liquid warmth as he chuckled. "You and your sweet talk. Seriously, you are amazing. How about becoming my permanent assistant? Is it a deal?"
Vivian gasped and flew her hands to her mouth in mock surprise. "Really? You are the best."
"Would I lie to you?"
"You had better not go back on your word."
They chatted away while laughing and flirting like I was invisible.
After what felt like ages, Dylan finally glanced at the screen. "Oh right. What did you need?"
I clutched the plane tickets I had bought and murmured, "Dylan, I booked a flight for tomorrow. I am coming to your..."
"Dylan, look," Vivian cut me off and shoved an elegantly wrapped gift box into view.
He ripped open the wrapping and revealed the latest Longines watch, the same one he had been raving about to me for months.
- Writer
