I wanted to shout at her, but instead, I let out a ridiculous burp.

Theodore and her friends burst out laughing. Isabella blushed, pointing at me and telling me to leave before I embarrassed her.

Disappointed, I turned around just in time to see Owen storming out of the elevator.

I quickly ran over to hand him the document.

"How long? How long did it take you?! You can't even deliver one document on time? If you don't want this job, just quit!" Owen barked at me.

He yelled at me in front of everyone in the lobby, then turned and stomped back into the elevator.

I could feel everyone's eyes piercing into my back like arrows, but I didn't look back.

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened, so I quietly walked out of the hotel.

I didn't hear any footsteps following me, but strangely, I felt relieved.

There's no way Isabella would come after me to comfort me.

Her world has always been so far above mine, and I've never been able to keep up with her.

Every time I tried to be part of her life, I got pushed away for some reason or another. But this time, I didn't feel defeated at all.

After I got home, I quickly freshened up and lay down.

My phone pinged with a message.

[I know it was just a coincidence. Focus on your work. Don't be so childish. Theodore and I are just friends, nothing more.]

I could sense Isabella's superior attitude through the screen.

Annoyed, I replied anyway.

[Am I the only one who doesn't belong in your group? I saw Theodore kiss you, and you didn't even pull away! Is that what 'just friends' means now? You slapped me hard for him!]

With every word, I felt the voice in my head roaring.

I held my phone, quietly waiting for her response. Maybe I just wanted her to fight with me.

I didn't know how long I waited, but I fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, it was already dark.

Staring at the blank phone screen, the last bit of warmth in my heart faded into the empty room.

Even though I'd slept, I didn't feel refreshed at all. In fact, I felt even more exhausted.

Lying in bed with my eyes closed, I tried to calm down. Before long, I heard Isabella open the door and come in.

I was too emotionally drained to waste any energy on her now.

The sound of her heels stopped by the bed, but she didn't move for a long time. I could feel her staring at me.

Maybe she was tired too.

With my eyes closed, all I wanted in that moment was a bit of peace.