I used to make sure she ate on time, carrying
her medication and snacks with me
everywhere.
But in the end, I lost out to the guy who took
her on the rollercoaster at Six Flags.
Sarah masked whatever she was feeling,
giving me a complicated look.
“You don’t hate me?”
I shook my head. “That’s water under the
bridge. It’s not like we have anything to get
over.
L
“Like they say in business, even if the deal
falls through, we can still be civil.”
Sarah chuckled, and the atmosphere
lightened up a little.
She teased, “Look at you, so philosophical.”
I smiled back. “We weren’t meant to be
lovers, but maybe we can be friends?”
Honestly, after Sarah broke off the
engagement, things went south between our
families, too. We’d been at each other’s
throats for the past three years.
We went from future in–laws to business
rivals.
Г
Now, everyone was buzzing about how fast I’d
risen to the top. In just three years, I’d tripled
the value of our company.
Some of the big shots were warning their kids
to either buddy up with me or stay out of my
way.
Since I’d come back, everyone and their
mother was calling me up.
One more acquaintance won’t kill me.
And honestly, there’s no reason for our
families to be at each other’s throats.
I figured Sarah coming to my party was a sign
her folks wanted to make amends.
<
Her family might have deep roots, but they
were in decline, they shouldn’t be making any
enemies.
Seeing my point, Sarah visibly relaxed.
She stepped up beside me, and we leaned
against the railing, just chatting about what
we’d been up to.
It was all very friendly and normal.
- 3.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a light-
colored shirt disappear around the corner.
I couldn’t help but grin.
Things were about to get interesting.
く
After we talked that night, Sarah started
hitting me up more.
She asked for the diet plan I’d made for her
back in the day, and I walked her through it
step–by–step.
I made sure to tell her the do’s and don’ts,
making sure she took care of herself.
Sarah pretended to think I was being a nag,
but I could tell she appreciated it.
Lately, all eyes in the business world had
been on me.
Every financial outlet was reporting on my
investment strategies, analyzing my business
smarts.
<
Even my social media presence was news.
Sarah was always the first to like and
comment on my posts.
She’d give me a playful jab.
[Heard you bought another tech company.
You really are a business genius.]
[You’re the most eligible bachelor in town
right now. When are you gonna settle down?]
[Who knew the nerdy kid from high school
would turn out like this?]
:
I’d reply to the harmless stuff, and ignore
anything that seemed too flirty.
<
There was this whole “ick” phenomenon going
around online, and people were debating
about relationships.
I posted a long–winded take on it on my
social media.
A few minutes later, Sarah called, ranting
about it.
She said the guy on the reality show was an
idiot and didn’t know how to treat a woman.
I just listened to her vent, throwing in an
“yeah, totally” every so often.
We talked for over an hour.
Then I heard Chad’s voice in the background.
く
“Sarah? Still working late?”
Sarah paused, then said, in a pretty cold tone,
“What are you doing here?”
Chad raised his voice, almost accusingly.
“You were talking to him again, weren’t you?”
I hung up.
It wasn’t my business to get in between them.
I started humming, glancing at the clock.
I tapped my fingers on the desk.
Three minutes later, Sarah called back.
She sounded exhausted.
く
you into it.”
y anʊul lal, DIANT. I UIUNT LITIGAN
lu ulay
I said softly, “It’s okay. I get where Chad’s
coming from. He’s just worried. Spend some
time with him. Let him know you care.”
I added, “It’s a little awkward between us, so
maybe we should cool it for a while.”
- 4.
Sarah went quiet for a second. She tried to
hide it, but I could hear the annoyance in her
voice.
“I’m so good to him. He’s never satisfied.
Ungrateful.”
I laughed to myself.
L
I’d been overseas, but I knew everything that
was going on back home.
After Sarah called off the engagement, she
spent a week on her knees at home, starving
herself to force her parents to accept Chad.
Chad stood outside her house every day,
looking like a mess, begging to see her.
Rich girl and poor boy, defying the odds.
The family caved.
This real–life story about the boy who lived to
be dominated sparked a lot of chatter in
upper class circles.
Every time, people would act like they were
so touched.
L
“Real love is real!”
“Guys, watch your back, or someone else will
get married before you!”
