Chapter 7: two enemies
875 Words
"Amelia, you go ahead and look around; I've got other things to handle," Evelyn said cheerfully. Not bad, she definitely has the potential to be a friend of mine.
"Thanks, Evelyn." Amelia's eyes twinkled behind her large glasses, and a small smile played on her lips, clearly in a good mood.
Evelyn is really nice, and she’s pretty too.
"No problem." Evelyn walked away, waving nonchalantly without looking back, leaving a poised impression behind her.
"Brittany," Evelyn attempted to catch Brittany leaning against the wall, but with a quick sidestep, Brittany dodged, causing Evelyn to stumble.
"Childish," Brittany uttered coolly.
"Brittany, don’t be so standoffish," Evelyn tried again, continuing her playful pursuit.
"Pointless," Brittany dodged once more.
"Are we playing tag now?" Suddenly, Steven appeared, observing their playful chase, unable to keep from commenting.
"I’ll leave her to you," Brittany quickly positioned herself behind Steven, shoved him forward to intercept Evelyn, and then darted away.
A swift roundhouse kick followed, and ‘thud’—something heavy fell.
"Narcissist, are you looking for trouble? Blocking my way?" Evelyn glared at Steven, who she had knocked to the ground, and then glanced at the now-absent Brittany, venting her frustration at Steven on the floor.
"Violent woman, are you blind? Didn't you see that Brittany pushed me? And stop calling me a narcissist and attacking me, or I’ll retaliate," Steven quickly got up, patting the area he was kicked, his expression stormy.
Violent woman, if it weren’t for you being a woman, I’d have laid you out already. How dare you repeatedly wreak havoc on me and saddle me with such a crass nickname—it’s awful.
"If you weren’t so narcissistic, why would you always be going on about 'handsome this, handsome that'?" Evelyn challenged him.
"And you’re no better, always prattling about 'miss this, miss that'," Steven shot back.
Don’t think I’m easy to push around. The tiger doesn’t show his power, do you think I’m a sick cat?
"Narcissistic man."
"Conceited woman."
"Narcissistic man."
"Conceited woman."
"Narcissist, you're utterly self-absorbed. With that attitude, it’s no wonder you can't get a girlfriend, and you rightly deserve to be single," Evelyn said dismissively as she turned to leave.
I’m too tired to argue with you.
"Violent woman, you're utterly arrogant. With your temperament, don't even think about being someone’s girlfriend, you’d have to pay someone to take you," Steven yelled after her, unconcerned about his appearance.
Violent woman, you’ve completely destroyed my gentlemanly image, it’s all your fault.
Regret filled Steven; he knew he should have stayed far away from that violent woman, as every encounter with her destroyed his genteel facade.
"So many books," Amelia exclaimed as she surveyed the densely packed shelves. No wonder the position of a CEO's secretary is so demanding—and well-compensated! But can it all be done in just three days? She looked visibly stressed by the thought.
"Amelia, darling, don't doubt yourself—you're the kids' wonderful, albeit clumsy, mommy," she reassured herself quietly.
At Lingying Academy, during the lunch break, the triplets gathered in their spacious classroom.
"Bro, will Mommy be picking us up later?" Vivian inquired.
"Yes, she will," Sammy assured her.
"And who will pick up Mommy?" Cathy chimed in.
"I’ve arranged with the driver; he’ll handle Mommy’s commutes," Sammy explained.
"Did you tell Mommy about it?"
"I’m about to now." He immediately pulled out his phone and dialed her number.
"Sammy dear," came Amelia’s voice over the phone.
"Mommy, how’s work?" There was a slight worry in Sammy’s voice.
"It’s going great," Amelia responded, sounding upbeat, although she looked tense as she multitasked between the phone and her documents.
"Really?" Sammy's voice carried a hint of disbelief. Could Richard really be that considerate?
"Really." Amelia felt a pang of guilt for lying to her son.
"Just don’t work too hard," he cautioned her maturely.
"Okay," she replied confidently.
"And if you ever feel mistreated, you must tell me," Sammy thought, ready to defend his mother.
"Okay," Amelia’s voice was filled with emotion over the phone.
"Mommy, I’ve arranged for someone to drive you to and from work. Make sure you come to pick us up," Sammy spoke with a sweet, persuasive tone.
"Okay."
"Bye for now," Sammy’s voice lingered with reluctance.
"Bye. A kiss, ‘muah’," Amelia blew a kiss into the phone before slowly hanging up. She stared at the mountain of documents before her, a shadow of weariness crossing her face. Yet, when her eyes fell back on her phone, her expression hardened with resolve.
"I’m doing this to get off work earlier. I won’t let my little treasures wait."
"Nicely done," Brittany, observing from a corner, watched Amelia determinedly tackle the documents. She’s truly commendable, just like the boss’s mom should be. This motivated Brittany to strive harder herself.
In the Warner Group’s Design Director’s Office.
"Violent woman, conceited woman," Steven muttered as he pressed the numbers on his phone.
"Boss, I can’t stand working in the same building as that violent woman," Steven complained as soon as the call connected.
"Request denied," came the stern reply from a calm, youthful voice. "I object."
Determined to preserve his image, Steven knew he had to endure. Victory would surely be his.
"Objection overruled."
- Writer
