chapter 20
My best friend and I were shopping for suitcases when we bumped into Cyrus‘ secretary.
She was browsing rings and smirked when she saw us.
“Ms. Key, hope you didn’t fight with the CEO after our last encounter,” she said with faux concern.
“Men have their careers, and we women should know our place. Wouldn’t want to be replaced by someone younger and prettier, right?”
Her thinly veiled insults and hints about her relationship with Cyrus were infuriating.”
Such provocation was intolerable.\
Before my hot–headed friend could react, I stepped in and slapped the secretary hard.
“Pretty bold for a homewrecker,” I snapped.
“What makes you think you can flaunt yourself in front of the wife?“}
I noticed the secretary’s affected manner and fleeting glances, sensing something was amiss.
Sure enough, footsteps approached from behind.”
Just then, Cyrus appeared.
He checked his secretary’s face and glared at me.”
“Simon’s spoiled you rotten,” he growled.
My friend tried to explain, but Cyrus cut her off.”
“Still defending her? I know what I saw.“}
“What’s gotten into you two?”
His condescending tone made my blood boil.
If I could have taken him in a fight, I would have slapped him too.”
My friend, even angrier, gripped my hand tightly.”
“You don’t get it, Cyrus!” she yelled.”
“You used to notice my every mood. Now you’re CEO, and you’re blind to how I’m being treated!“}
“Watch it,” Cyrus warned.”
My friend took a deep breath.
“Fine. Fire her, and I’ll behave. Or don’t – I know you’ve got plenty of secretaries.“}
Cyrus slapped her hand away hard.
“Enough with the jealousy,” he snapped.<
The blow left her hand swollen.
Cyrus seemed to regret it for a moment but said nothing.”
“Keep this up, and we’re getting divorced,” he threatened before leaving with his secretary.
As they walked away, my friend collapsed into my arms, sobbing.
“He wasn’t always like this,” she choked out between tears.
