Chapter 2

I jumped in fright and looked outside through the gap in the break room's blinds. I realized that a large section of the floor-to-ceiling window had shattered, letting the howling wind in.

Something came flying through the broken window and slammed into the break room door. Frightened, I moved the couch to block the door.

My mind went blank. When I came to my senses, I had already called Tommy. The phone rang for almost half a minute before he finally answered.

Before I could even say a word, Tommy said anxiously, "Hold on, Stella. I'm a little busy right now…"

I fought back my fear and said, "Tommy, I'm at the office. The glass window outside just shattered. I'm scared…"

After a long time, he finally asked, "Which glass window? Is it the one in the living room? Then just stay in your room.

"Everything will be fine. I'll have someone fix it tomorrow…"

I could faintly hear the sound effects of a video game from the other end of the line.

The next moment, Ariel cheered loudly. "Oh, yeah! I won again!"

Tommy said helplessly but affectionately, "I get it. I lost. A bet's a bet. I'll treat you to dinner next time."

"Next time? I want you to treat me tomorrow!"

"Okay, okay…"

All the words I wanted to say suddenly caught in my throat.

At that moment, I finally realized that my seven-year relationship with Tommy had lost to Ariel, a female colleague he had only known for three years.

Three years ago, when Tommy first brought Ariel up to me, he sounded utterly helpless. She had joined the company on the same day as him, and the manager had assigned them to the same team.

Tommy said that Ariel had messed up the data, so he had to work overtime for two nights just to fix everything. He also said that she had accidentally spilled coffee on herself, ruining her favorite jacket.

For a long time, whenever he brought her up, he could only sigh.

Later, he brought me along to their department's team dinner, and that was the first time I met Ariel. She was a year younger than us, with a round face and slightly chubby cheeks.

Tommy introduced me, saying, "This is Stella Grimm."

Ariel said obediently, "Hello, Stella."

That day, the way Tommy looked at Ariel made me feel a little uncomfortable. Now I understood why. It was a look of affection.

Later, I wanted Tommy to come with me to an art exhibition over the weekend, but he said that Ariel's laptop had broken down and that he had to help her fix it. Seeing me fall silent, he explained that their group's documents were on her laptop.

One day, I told him there was a great thriller playing in theaters and asked if he'd like to watch it with me. He paused for a moment before saying that he had already gone to see it with Ariel.

The company had given out tickets, and the entire department had gone together. But later, I learned that the two of them had chosen seats in the far corner, away from everyone else in the department.

Later, Tommy started driving Ariel home on rainy days. He kept track of her period cycle so he could buy her favorite hot drinks for her. He knew she didn't like scallions or garlic and would tell the staff in advance.

Seeing all this, I asked him, "Tommy, do you have feelings for Ariel?"

He froze for a moment before letting out a chuckle, asking, "How could I possibly like that little dummy? As her colleague, I'm just helping her however I can."

Little dummy? What an affectionate nickname.

And everything Tommy had done for Ariel had already gone far beyond what was within his capacity as her colleague.

I had no idea when I drifted off, but I felt like I just had a long, exhausting dream.

When I woke up, it was already morning. The rain had already stopped, and people's voices filled the streets again.

Fortunately, that dream was finally over.

I went home to shower and get changed. As I stepped out of the bathroom, Tommy happened to walk in.

When he saw me, he sighed in relief and asked worriedly, "Was everything okay last night? The glass window…"

Tommy looked at the glass window in the living room and froze. It was perfectly intact.

I said flatly, "I had a nightmare."

Tommy nodded. Seeing that I was about to leave, he suddenly called out to me. He seemed hesitant, but he still spoke.

"Stella, can we postpone the dinner with your parents that's scheduled for next Wednesday…"

I glanced at him expressionlessly. "Why?"

Tommy tenderly explained, "Next Wednesday is the anniversary of Ariel's mother's death. Her father is overseas and can't come back. I feel bad for her having to go alone."

I dug my fingernails into my palms, forcing myself to stay calm.

"This is the fourth time you're canceling on them. In fact, my parents already bought their flight tickets—"

Tommy interrupted me, his voice tinged with reproach. "So you want me to just stand by and do nothing? Ariel and I are colleagues."

But Tommy and I were lovers. Still, I didn't say that out loud.

I didn't sleep well last night, so my temples began to throb. I rubbed them, saying flatly, "Mmm. Go ahead then."

Tommy's face lit up. "I knew you'd see where I was coming from. Don't worry. Next time, I'll pay your parents a visit at their home."

A familiar ringtone rang out. Tommy quickly took the call and walked toward the bedroom.

"Stella said yes. I'll go with you next Wednesday…"

Meanwhile, I sent Mom a text.

"Mom, you said you've never really thought much of Tommy, and you always wanted to introduce me to your friend's son. You said he was a fine young man. I'm up to meet him next Wednesday."