Going Off-Script

The ever chatty System went quiet for once.

It then stammered to explain, “W-What do you mean? Your assigned target is the male lead, so you’ll have a happy ending with Patrick Suede.”

I let out a mocking smile.

For five years since I arrived at the Suede household, the System had only ever given me empty promises.

According to the System, Patrick’s snub and my suffering were just part of the trials of true love.

Patrick and I were bound to have our happily-ever-after.

It was a pity that it wasn’t the ending I was looking for.

Paying the System no mind, I rose to my feet and opened the door.

Patrick’s annoyed face stared back at me.

He glanced at me indifferently.

“Even if I forgot our appointment, you didn’t have to go this far and use Arabella to make me come to you. Skye, I had never known you to be so manipulative.”

I was taken aback.

To get him to celebrate this birthday with me, I had gone practically without sleep for three months.

At last, I made a breakthrough in Suede Corporation’s chip research and development.

Ecstatic, Patrick asked about what I wanted as a reward.

I cautiously asked if he could set aside some time for me.

The moment he readily said yes, I was overjoyed.

Here I thought we were getting closer.

To my dismay, it was all for nothing.

He dismissed me just by saying that he forgot.

The clicking of heels approached from behind.

Out of breath, Arabella climbed up to the sixth floor with a huge cake box in hand.

She pulled a funny look while standing between Patrick and me.

“So you didn’t stand her up to spend the day with me. You just didn’t remember Skye’s birthday?”

Furrowing his brows, Patrick answered matter-of-factly, “Why should I remember her birthday anyway?”

Arabella turned to me, her expression a mix of emotions.

An awkward silence hung heavily in the air.

Patrick loomed over me and acted like he was throwing me a bone.

“Since you’ve been committed to the company, go ahead and name your wish.”

I met his gaze.

“Can I ask for anything at all?”

Patrick paused for a bit before rubbing his nose. He shied away from my gaze.

“Of course.”

The System started shrieking in my mind.

“Aahh! Did you see that’ He’s shy. Hurry up and tell him that you want nothing more than to spend a day with him. You can go to the amusement park. Think about the fireworks! His love meter is going to go up like crazy.”

I quietly stared at Patrick for a couple of seconds and took a deep breath.

“Just pay me.”

Patrick’s smile went stiff. “What?”

I looked up callously. “Give me some money. My rent is due.”

With a grimace, Patrick hissed through his clenched teeth, “Your true colors are finally showing. Yet, you said it was never about the money.

Patrick scoffed, his knuckles cracking.

“Too late, Skye. Didn’t you want to be Mrs. Suede? Well, you can be at peace with working your bottom off for Suede Corporation for the rest of your life.”

Patrick stormed off.

Looking conflicted, Arabella handed me the cake.

“Uh… Happy birthday.”

I squeezed a smile. “I know you’re only here for the drama, but thank you.”

Once the door slid shut, the System started howling like mad.

“Jesus. What did you do? He was already feeling bad about forgetting your birthday. Why did you have to ruin the moment by saying that?”

I looked down at the rent reminder from my landlady.

“What else was I supposed to do? I still need to survive, you know.”

As Patrick couldn’t stand me over the years, I was paid less than the cleaning lady in the building, as the chief engineer at Suede Corporation.

The System froze.

“But that’s just the male lead being difficult. He doesn’t realize his feelings for you yet. Once you tie the knot with him, everything of his will belong to you.”

The doorbell rang, and the delivery guy popped his head in while holding a cake box. “This is from Mr. Suede.”

The System turned smug. “I told you that he cares about you. Look, he got you a cake, but you pushed him away. Get in touch with him right now and get him back.’

I stared silently at the chunks of mango spread across the top of the cake.

Out of nowhere, I turned to the System.

“Do you recall the day I arrived five years ago?”