“What exactly did he work hard on? Was it the all-nighters we pulled together, or stealing someone else’s work with a straight face?”
“Ethan! Don’t talk like that!”
Her voice was full of accusation.
“So what if I asked you to print some materials? Was that enough to justify you posting that on social media and embarrassing us?”
“What will Jason think when he sees that? Why do you have to make a scene and ruin the mood?”
I stayed silent, listening to her quickening breath on the other end.
A few seconds later, her tone softened, almost coaxing.
“Okay, okay, it’s not a big deal. Look, once I’m done, I’ll go to a movie with you — just the two of us, alright? Don’t be mad...”
“Got it.”
I spat out the words coldly and hung up first.
Talking to her any longer made me sick.
The day before the promotion review, everyone in the office was tense — except me.
“Hey, man.”
A falsely familiar voice called out.
Jason’s face carried an exaggerated look of concern, though his eyes glimmered with barely hidden glee.
“Ethan, are you ready for tomorrow? Your new proposal... do you want me and Claire to take a look?”
“Even though we’re busy, we can make time to help.”
Claire chimed in: