Chapter Two #2
They believe that my job at Huxley & Webber makes me a disaster.
In their worldview, unless I’m making millions a year, I’m losing at life.
They did their best to make me move into the condo Katt bought so I could be less of a loser, but I know the real motive.
A rival model bought a house for her younger brother, and my parents thought Katt should do something similar to boost her image.
Katt didn’t really want to give me the condo, so it’s under her name—I was just supposed to live there, rent-free, even though it’s way too far from the office.
They acted like I told them I snort coke on weekends when I declined.
Even if it’s rent-free, I can’t drive three hours each way on commute.
That’d be six hours of my life, poof, gone every day.
No more updates from Chad. Guess he’s already on his way to Charlotte if he isn’t there already. My phone buzzes again.
–Mom: Katt got a callback from the movie Ted Lasker’s producing!
–Me: Wow. That’s huge!
It is huge. Ted Lasker is one of the most successful movie producers of all time. He’s turned countless newbies into major stars. I’m happy for Katt for getting the opportunity.
–Mom: We’re going to Peking Town for dinner tonight. You should come and celebrate Katt’s big milestone.
–Me: Peking Town?
–Mom: Yes. Can’t you make it?
I sigh with a slight resignation because Mom’s probably genuinely confused. I push down the feeling. It won’t do any good to be upset.
–Me: Seafood allergy.
–Mom: But Peking Town is Katt’s favorite. And it’s just one meal. Don’t make things difficult. Besides, not eating much won’t hurt. Might even help. Free immunotherapy, you know?
The words sting. Mom’s never hidden her disappointment that I’m nothing like Katt.
She believes if I were more like my twin, I’d be doing so much better at life, making significant monetary contributions to the family, so everyone could enjoy greater abundance.
After all, it was Katt who single-handedly saved us from financial ruin when she was discovered by a modeling agency.
Mom told me if I were just thinner and taller, I could’ve been a successful model like Katt because we’re twins.
We could’ve helped each other’s careers, too, by sharing opportunities and pulling each other to the top.
Katt had to struggle alone—and harder—because of my shortcomings.
The muscle under my right eye starts twitching.
–Mom: It’s at seven. Don’t be late. Bring a gift for Katt.
–Me: Okay.
–Mom: Wear something pretty. A cute dress maybe, but nothing too slutty.
I try not to sigh too loudly.
–Me: I’ll head over right after work.
–Mom: Good. Say hello to Josh for me. Can’t wait to welcome him into the family.
She can share that sentiment with him directly. I’m not going to bother him with messages about how my family can’t wait for him to become my brother-in-law. Just too cringey.
I put down my phone and close my eyes for a moment. Purposely, I imagine some beautiful scenery. A crystal-blue ocean. The rhythmic sound of waves. Briny air. The image is everything I need to settle my emotions. I exhale, releasing negativity with the breath. Within a few moments, I’m much calmer.
“It is what it is,” I tell myself. “Know your place, Ailee.” Then I put on a smile, turn to my laptop and continue with my day. I have a great boss who values me and a fiancé who loves me. What more could I want?
Barry, an associate from Georgia who looks like he could’ve had a more successful career as a bouncer than a lawyer, comes over to grab Josh for lunch. “Wanna join us?” he says with a wink.
I shake my head. “Thanks, but I brought a sandwich.”
“What? Beaten by a sandwich? You just broke my heart.” He puts a hand over his chest dramatically.
Snorting, Josh smacks his back. “Let’s go.” He turns to me. “Don’t take this idiot seriously.”
“I won’t.” I smile. Barry got married recently, but rumor has it he’s still a player.
He even organized Ares’s bachelor party, which was a bit ridiculous because the party took place after the wedding.
Apparently, the timing wasn’t important.
What mattered was that Barry got to party with strippers.
Wonder if his wife knows…or cares? Despite his player rep, Barry’s one of the most capable lawyers at the firm, so maybe his wife married him for his career prospects and money.
Hard to say, since I’ve never met her. But Katt might be wiser than Barry’s wife because she’s willing to wait until Josh’s done playing around.
Pushing away thoughts of my sister and Josh’s future together, I nibble on my PB&J and browse a couple of clothing sites.
I need to schedule a trip to meet Chad’s parents—hopefully his father recovers soon—and can’t decide if I should buy something new or pick something out of my closet.
I want to make a good impression on his family, even though they live in North Carolina.
I’m hoping we could spend warm, loving Thanksgiving and Christmas together.
I’ve always longed for holidays where I fit in and not get judged because I want to have another helping of stuffing—
“Still at your desk?”
I jerk my head up at Barry’s voice. He’s standing at my desk with my boss. “You’re back already?” I glance at the clock. “Wow. Already one fifteen.”
Josh hands me a box bearing the Bobbi’s Sweet Things logo. “Here. I just happened to walk by on the way back to the office.”
“On the way? We took a detour that—”
Josh buries an elbow deep into Barry’s side, which produces a thin, choking sound. “Don’t you have a meeting at one thirty? Better get going.”
“Fine,” Barry wheezes, and blows me a kiss before disappearing.
Josh turns to me. “They didn’t have the nama-cream cupcake flavor I wanted, so I picked up the last strawberry.” He scratches the tip of his nose.
I beam. “Strawberry’s my favorite.”
“I know.”
Sweetness spreads through me. “Thanks, boss.”
“My pleasure.” He starts to smile, then his eyes fall on my ring and his eyebrows pull together. “When’s the wedding, by the way?”
“I’m not sure yet. Chad and I haven’t set a date, since… Well, there’s just a lot to consider. His family’s in North Carolina, mine’s here, stuff like that.” I shrug.
He purses his lips. “You should take plenty of time to rethink your decision.”
“Rethink?” I frown. Josh isn’t the type to pick the wrong word.
“Better safe than sorry. Marriage is a serious matter. The kind that requires a lawyer beforehand and maybe after.”
Oh… I smile. “Appreciate you watching out for me, but I’m not important enough to need a lawyer for my marriage.”
The grooves between his eyebrows deepen. “Like I said. Take your time and really think it through. Chad isn’t going anywhere.”
“Thanks, boss.” I widen my smile. “But Chad’s perfect for me.”