He Denied Our Engagement At Work

Chapter 2

After work, I had just walked out of the company building when Zayven came running after me.

"Lena!"

He stepped in front of me, glanced down the hallway, and pulled the door shut behind him.

"Why didn't you tell me in advance that you were joining the company?"

"I told you last week."

He froze and reached for his phone. I didn't need to look to know that he had forgotten.

Last Wednesday, I told him that all my hiring paperwork was complete and that I would be starting on Monday.

Five hours later, he replied with a single word: Okay.

Then he asked whether I wanted white roses or lisianthus for our engagement party.

Zayven turned off his phone screen.

"I've been so busy lately that I completely forgot."

He grabbed my wrist. "For now, don't mention that we know each other at work, and don't say anything about our families."

"Why?"

"Tiffany is sensitive. I don't want to upset her. Once this round of projects is over, I'll find a chance to explain everything to her. Just play along for now."

I laughed in disbelief. "Explain what? That I'm your girlfriend, that we've been talking about getting married, and that you're still acting like this with Tiffany?"

His brows immediately drew together. "Don't make it sound so bad."

He reached for my hand, but I pulled it behind my back.

"This morning, you said you didn't know me. I didn't call you out in front of everyone, and now you won't even tell the truth when we're alone?"

He finally began to panic. "We're just close. Our coworkers started teasing us, and the rumors spread until everyone started believing it."

"What about the photos from her birthday? Were those just rumors, too?"

His knuckles turned white. "You've had everything since you were a child. It's just one birthday. She's different."

"Zayven." I looked him straight in the eye. "Do you think that just because our families have agreed on our marriage, I'll keep waiting for you no matter what?"

His expression softened for a moment, but he soon lowered his voice. "Don't use our engagement to throw a tantrum. You just started working here. If you make a scene, how are you going to keep working at this company?"

Suddenly, someone called from outside the door.

"Zayven?"

Tiffany stood outside the glass window at the door.

She looked at me, then at his hand braced against the door. The smile disappeared from her face.

"Didn't you say you were going home?"

Zayven immediately let go of me.

Tiffany walked in, took his hand, and laced her fingers tightly through his. "Lena, if you need anything, you can ask Ms. Harris. Zayven promised to take me home."

I stepped aside and walked out. He didn't follow me.

That evening, I sent Zayven a breakup message first, then called my mother.

After hearing everything, she remained silent for a few seconds.

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes."

"Then tell the Ruelle family you're not obligated to marry into their family."

I opened the group chat shared by both our families.

There were six members: my parents, Zayven's parents, Zayven, and me.

The latest message was from Zayven's mother, Mrs. Ruelle. She had sent a photo of a banquet hall and said:

Mrs. Ruelle: The ceiling in this hall can hold hanging lights. Lena would love it.

I typed out the message canceling the engagement, pressed send, and left the group chat.

Mrs. Ruelle called almost immediately. "Lena, what happened? Did Zayven do something to upset you?"

I looked at the office building in front of me. I didn't need to join this company. I had chosen to come here myself because I wanted to be closer to him.

"Mrs. Ruelle, you should ask Zayven yourself."