004

The day had been long and exhausting, but we were finally closed and I was heading back home. My heels clicked against the pavement as I clutched my bag tightly, ready to collapse on my bed and forget about everything that had happened for a while.

The streets were quieter than usual.

Out of nowhere, a car came speeding through a puddle on the road. Before I could react, dirty water splashed all over me. The cold, filthy water soaked my clothes and dripped down my face. I froze, my mouth hanging open in shock.

“What the—” I started, spinning around to see who the culprit was.

My heart dropped when I saw who it was. Elias. My ex-fiancé. And right there in the passenger seat, laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world, was Sylvia. My so-called best friend.

They had done this on purpose.

The car screeched to a halt, and Elias stepped out first, his smug smile making my stomach churn. Sylvia followed, flipping her hair and smirking at me like she owned the world.

“Well, look who it is,” Elias said mockingly. “Tracy Bennett, looking as stunning as ever. Although…” He gestured to my wet clothes. “You could use a little drying off.”

I bit my bottom lips whilst my whole body trembled with anger. “What do you want, Elias?” I snapped, trying to keep my voice cool.

Sylvia looped her arm through his and leaned against him like a prize. “Oh, we don’t want anything,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet. “We were just passing by and couldn’t resist saying hello.”

“Or splashing me with dirty water?” I shot back, glaring at them both as I rubbed furiously at my clothes.

Elias chuckled, his laugh was cold and condescending. “Come on, Tee, don’t take it so personally. You always overreact to small things.”

Overreact? My blood boiled. “You’re shameless,” I said. “Both of you. What kind of people do this? Is this your way of humiliating me after all you've done to me?” I grabbed the edge of my sleeve, wringing it out, but the dampness only spread further. The water had left dark, muddy stains on my blouse and skirt.

Sylvia’s smirk grew wider. “C’mon, don’t be so dramatic,” she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “You always were a little too flirty. Maybe that’s why Elias got bored of you.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt the sting of tears threatening to fall, but I refused to let them see me cry. My wet hair stuck to the side of my face, and I wiped it away angrily, feeling hurt by their amused stares.

Elias stepped closer, with his hands in his pockets and that infuriating smile still on his face. “You know, Tee, you really should move on. I mean, look at us.” He gestured between himself and Sylvia. “We’re happy. You should try to find some happiness too. Maybe then you wouldn’t be so bitter.”

I took a deep breath. “This isn't about bitterness. You cheated on me, Elias. With her,” I said, pointing at Sylvia. “And now you’re standing here, trying to rub it in my face like it’s some kind of game.”

Sylvia let out a mocking laugh. “Don’t act like you were some perfect little angel yourself. Maybe if you’d been faithful, Elias wouldn’t have needed to look elsewhere.”

I felt something inside me snap. “You’re pathetic, both of you,” I said. “You think I'm like you? I’m not. This just shows how inferior and cheap you are.”

Sylvia’s smile vanished, replaced by a scowl. She stepped closer. “You’ve got some nerve talking to me like that,” she said, her voice low and dangerous.

“And what are you going to do about it?” I shot back, refusing to be intimidated by her.

Elias crossed his arms, watching the exchange with amusement, but Sylvia was livid. Before I knew it, she raised her hand, her palm aimed straight at my face.

I flinched, bracing myself for the impact. But it never came.

A hand shot out, grabbing Sylvia’s wrist in mid-air.

“Not so fast,” a deep voice said.

I turned, my heart skipping a beat.

It was Nick, our new CEO.

His grip on Sylvia’s wrist was firm, but his expression was calm and composed. He looked at her with a cold vigor that made her shrink back.

“Who the hell are you?” Sylvia demanded, trying to pull her hand away.

Nick let go of her wrist but his eyes never left hers. “Someone who doesn’t tolerate bullies,” he said simply.

Elias stepped forward, puffing out his chest like a peacock to defend his girl. “And what business is this of yours?”

Nick turned to him. “I don’t like seeing people being treated like garbage,” he said. “Especially not by someone as miserable as you two.”

“How dare you?” Elias’s face turned red with anger. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, buddy.”

Nick took a step closer to him, towering over him effortlessly. “And you’ve got a lot of arrogance for someone who doesn’t even know what respect looks like.”

Sylvia grabbed Elias’s arm, clearly uncomfortable with how things were going. “Let’s go, Elias. He’s not worth it.”

But Elias didn’t move. He glared at Nick, then at me, his jaw tight. “You’ve got some new friends now, huh, Tee? So this is the guy you've been cheating on me with.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “She doesn’t need anything from you man. She’s already better off without you.”

Elias opened his mouth to retort, but Sylvia tugged on his arm again. “Come on, Elias. Let’s just go.”

Finally, he relented, turning on his heel and heading back to the car. Sylvia shot me one last glare before following him.

They drove away, splashing more water in their wake.

I let out a breath that I have been holding.

“Are you alright?” Nick asked, his voice softer now.

“Yeah,” I shook my head at the same time. “How long have you been following me?”

Nick gave me a small smile. “I was just passing by and saw what happened. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing while some random individuals harass one of my employees.”

I didn’t know what to say to him. His presence, his words, and everything about him made me feel safe and nervous at the same time.

Then he made me an offer that I couldn't resist. “Let me drive you to my apartment to get you cleaned up.”