- 7.
Ethan left, defeated. Alex gave me a thumbs-
- up. “That’s how you deal with a cheating
freeloader.”
<
“Your food was delicious, Alex,” I said
politely. “Thank you for everything. I’ll treat
you to dinner when I get out of here.” It was a
clear dismissal.
But Alex didn’t seem to notice. He grinned.
“No problem at all!” He was easy to talk to,
and we chatted for a while, until he finally
excused himself.
I was discharged a few days later. The first
thing I did was hire movers to take my
belongings from Ethan’s apartment back to
my place. I had his things delivered to his
office.
The second thing I did was inform my father
about Ethan and Chloe. He immediately
withdrew his investment from Ethan’s
company, creating a ripple effect that sent
く
About two weeks later, Alex and I were
walking home after dinner when I ran into
Ethan. He looked disheveled, a shadow of his
former confident self. He deserved everything
that was happening to him.
Tears welled up in his eyes. “Ash, I know I
messed up. I broke up with Chloe. Please
forgive me.”
His pleas were almost laughable. “The
company’s failing, so now you want me
back?” Ethan wasn’t a particularly skilled
businessman. Without my family’s resources,
his company was doomed. He was only trying
to reconcile to save his business.
Alex stepped in front of me, his usual cheerful
demeanor replaced with a scowl. “Ethan,
you’re pathetic. A cheating freeloader
L
pretending to be heartbroken. It’s disgusting.”
I’d never seen Alex so angry.
Ethan’s face flushed. “Who are you? What
business is it of yours?”
I pulled Alex aside and faced Ethan, my voice
devoid of emotion. “Ethan, how many times.
do I have to tell you? It’s over. My family is
not investing in your company again.”
Ethan finally seemed to realize I was serious.
He stood there, stunned. I took Alex’s hand
and started to walk away. Ethan ran after us,
blocking our path, grabbing my hand. “Ash,
please, for old times‘ sake, just this once,
help me save the company.”
I yanked my hand away, wiping it with a
tissue. I looked him in the eye, my voice cold.
く
“No.” I called security and had him escorted
off the property.
Alex, watching Ethan being led away, said
thoughtfully, “You can use me as an excuse if
he bothers you again.”
“What do you mean?”
“If he comes around again, tell him I’m
pursuing you, that you’re considering me, or
that we’re dating.”
I looked at him, a small smile playing on my
lips. He was sweet. “That cheating jerk,” Alex
continued, his anger returning, “don’t you
dare forgive him.”
“I won’t,” I assured him. Alex visibly relaxed.
