2. Be（LIE）ve
VERENA
2
As the day was winding down, fate had its own dramatic twist lined up, courtesy of the ever-chaotic Luminous. Just as I was gearing up for a low-key birthday dinner, Jae burst through like a hurricane. “We have a meeting tonight with a potential partner.”
I paused, the sting of disappointment sharp. “But my birthday dinner with Mom, Luke, and Laura…” I started, my voice heavy with letdown. “And I told you, we need to talk.”
“No time, Verena,” he insisted, practically already out the door. “Jennifer will understand, and as for Luke, you know I’ve never liked him. I don’t understand why you continue to entertain a friendship with that man child.”
I grumbled to myself. Why Jae had such an issue with Luke was beyond my pay grade. I stopped trying to understand it years ago.
But, fuck, what about my birthday dinner?
As we made a mad dash from the office, I dialed my mom, the guilt tightening in my stomach. “Mom, hey. I…I can’t make it tonight,” I stumbled over the words, dreading her response.
“Again, Verena?” Her tone was a mix of disappointment and dry wit. “What’s it this time? Another last-minute rescue mission for Sir Demands-a-Lot?”
“Yeah, Mom, I’m really sorry. A meeting just came up, and Jae is adamant.”
“Seriously? I stood in line for your favorite Tres Leches Cake at the corner bakery!” she huffed, her voice carrying the familiar edge of exasperation that came from years of dealing with hospital emergencies and family dramas.
I winced, preparing for the inevitable mom lecture. “I know, Mom, and I’m so sorry. It’s just?—”
“Just what? On Christmas, you ran out on dinner. Thanksgiving, you jetted off to London. And now, your birthday? Honey, I love Jae, but you’re not running a charity for overworked bosses. He needs to learn that you have a life, too.”
I could almost see her rolling her eyes, one hand probably on her hip, the other likely gesturing animatedly as she spoke.
“Mom, it’s complicated…”
“Complicated? Sweetie, life is complicated, but you can’t keep letting him walk all over you. Friends don’t use friends as their all-access help pass,” she said, her voice softening but still carrying that no-nonsense edge that only a retired nurse from New Jersey could master.
She had a point. But he wasn’t my friend. Not anymore. He was…
“He’s my boss, Mom. We’ll really talk about this soon, just not tonight,” I managed.
As I walked to the car, her words echoed in my mind. She wasn’t going to let this go easily, and she was right. I needed to stand up for myself.
“You need to stand up for yourself,” she reiterated, almost reading my thoughts. “Also, I got your calendar invite to lunch with Binna. Is he going to spend time with her while she visits, or does he expect us to keep her entertained?”
“You love Auntie Binna.”
“I do. But that boy needs to spend time with his family, too,” she replied, a hint of a smile creeping into her voice. “He needs to realize the world doesn’t revolve around him.”
I chuckled, feeling a bit of the tension ease. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Maybe a spa day this weekend?”
“Now you’re talking,” she said, her tone brightening. “And tell Jae he owes me a dinner. I’ll give him a piece of my mind about stealing my daughter on her birthday.”
“I will,” I laughed. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, honey. And remember, take care of yourself,” she finished, her voice a comforting blend of strength and nurturing.
Her words lingered as I hung up, a small comfort amidst the whirlwind that was my life with Jae. As I reached the car and climbed in, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this would be the last time I let him derail my plans so easily.
Jae’s personal driver sped off, and the air was electric with all the things we weren’t saying.
“About your birthday…” Jae began, his voice softer, almost apologetic.
“It’s fine,” I cut in, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice as I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past.
“Maybe tomorrow we can hit up The Carb Apothecary? Your favorite, right?”
I sighed. “That was the plan for tonight. But now? Doesn’t seem worth it.”
He didn’t give up. “Okay, what about that movie you wanted to see this weekend?”
I couldn’t contain a short, humorless laugh, flipping open my iPad. “Really, Jae? Let’s see. You’ve got the charity gala on Saturday night, your infamous networking brunch early Sunday,” I started, my fingers swiping through his calendar with practiced ease.
He tried to interject, “Well, the gala’s?—”
I cut him off. “And then there’s the strategy meeting with the design team, lunch with the board members, that interview with Tech Today, the conference call with Berlin, reviewing the quarterly financials, the product development debrief, not to mention your personal training session, and oh, let’s not forget the live Q&A you promised on social media.”
He opened his mouth, perhaps to argue or make excuses, but nothing came out.
“See?” I pressed on, the list of commitments hanging between us like a verdict. “You’re too busy for me. For anything that’s not work.”
Jae’s silence was heavy, loaded with unspoken truths we both knew but had never dared to acknowledge. The car ride continued, the distance of the journey mirroring the gap that had formed between us—not just in plans, but in what we had become to each other.
“By the way,” I added, “I reached out to Catherine Giles to be your date for the gala. You liked her last time, right?”
“Why don’t you go with me?” His suggestion caught me off guard.
“I have plans,” I said flatly. “And she’s a better fit.” I didn’t dare say that I needed a break from him, and the idea of a calm Saturday night seemed like heaven.
“I really am sorry about your birthday. Things have been busy lately,” he offered, sincerity in his voice.
“It’s no problem, Jae. I know how busy you are. I manage your schedule, remember?” My response was light, but it carried the significance of our changed dynamic. “Let’s just meet with the potential partner, hmm?” I proposed, steering us back to professional waters.
“Thank you, Verena. I can always count on you.”
Pretty soon he’d have to lean on someone else.
The sleek black leather seats and the soft purr of the engine contrasted sharply with the upheaval in my mind. Jae’s focus was already shifting, his mind whirring with the next item on his endless to-do list. The brief moment of attempted camaraderie evaporated as quickly as it had come. The city sped by, a blur of neon lights and honking horns, as we plunged back into the uncompromising grind of our lives at Luminous Industries.
“Tonight, we need to talk,” I stated firmly.
“Why can’t we talk now?” Jae countered, confusion and a hint of concern lacing his question.
I glanced at my iPad, pulling up his meticulously managed schedule. “As you requested, I penciled in a formal meeting on your schedule for after our dinner with the client and before your driver takes you home. We can do it then.”
“We can still talk now. It’s not that rigid of an appointment, Verena. Since when do you schedule simple conversations with me?”
“I’ve been doing it for a while,” I admitted, tapping on the screen to highlight our meetings in purple. “See?” I showed him the calendar. He leaned over to look, his expression shifting from confusion to a frown. He could see the little minutes of our friendship clear as day.
Remind Jae that Auntie is visiting this week.
Talk to Jae about the house plants in his office.
Tell Jae that his date for the gala is confirmed.
“I’ve been scheduling us since last year. It was more efficient that way,” I explained.
“Oh.” He paused, absorbing the information. “Well, tell me now. We still have some time until we get to the restaurant.”
“Let’s just wait,” I insisted, feeling that the gravity of what I had to say deserved its own space, not a hurried conversation in his town car. Plus, I didn’t want the awkwardness of a long dinner to follow after it.
He sighed, a sound of resignation. “Fine, we’ll wait. But, Verena, you know you can talk to me about anything, anytime, right?”
I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “Sure. We’ll talk tonight.”
The car sped through the bustling streets of New York, the city lights casting fleeting shadows across our faces. The ride continued in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts, the impending conversation hanging over us like a cloud.
As we neared the restaurant, the atmosphere in the car grew heavier. Jae’s gaze was fixed on the window, his mind likely already shifting to the upcoming meeting, while I grappled with the words I needed to say.
When we finally pulled up to the elegant facade of the restaurant, Jae turned to me, his expression unreadable. “I need the quarterly reports after dinner. It might be a late night.”
I stared at him.
“I know it’s your birthday,” he added, almost as an afterthought, “but after the meeting, we might have to go to my house to get it all done.”
I nodded. “I’ll have everything ready.”
He softened slightly, offering a small concession. “I’ll order your favorite dessert and maybe we can get some beer. An all-nighter like we used to do.”
The attempt at nostalgia did little to lighten the load. As we walked toward the entrance, his steps quickened, leaving me trailing behind.
Tonight would change everything between us.
As I followed him inside, a sense of resolve settled over me. Tonight, I would finally say what needed to be said, no matter the outcome.
As we entered the restaurant, I knew that this was the beginning of the end.