Chapter 2

The sky turned sad with every step I took toward home. The love story that I thought was forever beautiful turned horrible in an instant. I was dumped because I wasn't rich!

I wiped my hand on my nose. Damn, Xavier Clarke! If he knew I wasn't rich, why did he agree to my invitation for a date? He should have picked a richer girl from the start.

"Fuck you!" I swore as I ruffled my hair until the knot came loose. I looked down. That hairband I always wore, was a gift from my ex. Now, it was as broken as our relationship.

I took another step. A French restaurant at the crossroads beckoned with its long queue. I stood on the other side waiting for the crosswalk light. Before I knew it, I was home. Tired of walking for 3 km doesn't feel when your heart is hurting.

After the light turned, I stepped quickly towards the restaurant to the side. My house is on the second floor. The restaurant belongs to my mother, Laure Agreste, a talented chef.

I opened the door and was immediately greeted by Adrien, a Bombay cat. His meowing eased the slight tightness in my chest.

I took off my shoes in a hurry, then put my bag on the shelf. I lifted the cat into my arms.

"Adrien, today I said goodbye to that trash. My heart is broken, but there's no point in mourning him. You agree, right?"

He meowed once.

I flopped onto the sofa. I ran my hand over his shiny black fur. For a conversation partner, Adrien was all I had. I adopted him during a visit to France. Until now, he's been my best friend.

"Rich standards vary. Having feelings is wealth. I think he's looking for another kind of rich."

My hand scratched his back, then continued to his tail. The thing I loved about him was that remained silent while his body was being touched.

Adrien meowed a few times. His hand reached for my arm.

"Thank you for comforting me," I said warmly. I hugged him and kissed him on his face.

I put a small space between us. My eyes gazed into his brilliant amber eyes. "Adrien, I said I wouldn't cry for him, but I'll take revenge. He mocked me for not being rich, which means I'm not worthy. I'll make him regret it!"

He meowed loudly, giving his full support.

***

I went to open the refrigerator. There was nothing but raw ingredients. I stood and then scratched my head.

Next to the cabinet, Adrien was enjoying dinner. It looked delicious. I sigh, then close the refrigerator. There's no food and I can't cook.

My body collapsed onto the sofa. I lay on my stomach. The television was advertising my company's food products. I reached for the remote to change the channel. It was a show about billionaires in Las Vegas. Mostly old men with shifty faces.

I was about to turn off the television, but suddenly an interesting man appeared. He was handsome in his cold face. His black suit reminded me of the man in the café. It's a small world, but billionaires don't spend their money in small pastry shops.

The off button was pressed. The hunger pangs faded after remembering I was broken up. I hit the sofa many times. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I smashed my face into the sofa to cry out loud.

"How rich is he to insult me?" I muttered hoarsely.

I faced sideways. It was seven o'clock, too early to sleep. I sat up. I grabbed my phone. I was going to play a game. Unfortunately, the message from Rin, my workmate, couldn't be ignored.

Rin: New news! Very hot.

Me: Is this about your handsome young master getting married?

Rin: I'll get to that later. There's something more important. Only the core committee knows.

Me: You aren't one of them.

Rin: I know. Listen, the hot news is our CEO' is corrupt. Now the company is chasing him to Macau.

Me: Is there going to be a CEO change?

Rin: No, Avy. It would be good to talk on the phone. Shall we?

Me: Okay.

No sooner had I replied to the message than my phone rang. One second after I picked it up, the Japanese girl spoke at length, "That asshole took some of the company's money. The project your boyfriend is working on is in danger. Also, it's confirmed that there'll be no hiring of permanent employees this year."

"What the heck?!"

My blood rushed. There would be no hiring of permanent employees this year, which meant I couldn't become a permanent employee. The end of that would be that I didn't keep my promise to Mom and I'd be dragged to cooking class!

"Tell me more!" I asked impatiently.

There was a long intake of breath before Rin went back to what our division's core committee had discussed that afternoon. "If the company's money isn't returned soon, we'll be fired."

Rin's fast way of speaking didn't make it difficult to understand her. I pulled my hair while my left hand tightly gripped my phone. "This is a terrible disaster!"

"I know!"

I bit my lip. "Shit, two awful things happened at once," I grumbled.

"Two? What do you mean?" asked Rin. Before I could answer, she interrupted, "Xavier left you. I saw him and Grace at my aunt's boutique."

"Yes, they're getting married."

"How crazy is your boyfriend, I mean your ex. I think Grace seduced him with money."

I tilted my head left and right. I imagined the rich girl's annoying face when she announced herself at the office.

At the time, I was printing on the photocopier. Behind the glass, Xavier walked by. I smiled at him and was about to greet him. Suddenly, a girl in a swan feather dress appeared. Her chin held high was enough to tell me how arrogant she was.

I stay where I was while they entered the division room. She stood by Xavier's side. The small smile she wore mesmerized the other employees. Her round eyes looked at all the employees, then stopped at Xavier. For a few seconds, the girl looked at Xavier with interest.

"Avy? You okay?"

I pulled myself out of my reverie. I replied, "I'm well."

"By the way, I'm on the plane. The plane will be leaving soon."

"Where're you going?"

"You know, my brother, he dragged me back to Japan after finding out the news. So, we won't be able to meet at this time. But, Avy, don't be down. I'll be texting you often."

My hand covered my mouth. I had just lost my boyfriend and now I was away from my friend. Rin was the only person who knew me well. Her cheerful and caring nature will be missed. I said, "Take care."

"Thanks." There was a sigh from the other side. Rin took a five-second pause, then continued, "I still remember your promise. I'm sure you don't wanna go to a cooking class. So... I suggest enrolling in another company right now."

There was happiness in me. Rin didn't easily forget that part of me. I was very fond of her. I nodded. "Yes."

"By the way again, there's an opening at Ace Company. You might be able to fill that position... Hey! Patience, I'm on the phone with my darling!"

There was a faint male voice speaking in Japanese. He must be Rin's older brother. 

Suddenly, Rin spoke quickly. She didn't even breathe until the call was disconnected.

"Your new boss may be a bit crazy, but hang in there! For your dreams!"

I turned off the phone but held onto it. My dream at 24 was to live independently, free from my mother's strict supervision. To reach my dream, I made an appointment after my graduation day. 

It was a tense debate. That day, I wanted to work in an office. Mother refused it. She only forgives me for secretly majoring in office administration instead of catering. Then, I made a spontaneous promise that I would work as an intern for one year. If there are no results, I would take cooking classes to continue the restaurant business.

I tapped my phone on my chin. "Crazy boss? How crazy... is he?"