She pulled her hair and planted her body onto the couch. “Babe, what should I do now? He will be the end of me.” Amelia was startled to see Tiffany behaving like this. This was not her normal self at all. “Hey, what’s the matter? Tell me everything, then I’ll see how I can help.” Tiffany sprang from the couch, ran over to Amelia, and sat down next to her. “Babe, do you remember the annoying boss I told you about last time?” “Uh-huh. Mr. Hisson?” Tiffany nodded. Amelia’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. “Don’t tell me you fell for him,” she blurted out, “That big fat ugly man?
That’s your type?” From Amelia’s recollection, Tiffany had told her that that man looked horrible—he had crooked teeth and the flabby flesh on his face made him look like a bulldog. Tiffany even said that he was short and stout. Amelia was not sure if her description was true or not, but because Tiffany had repeated it a few times, Amelia had had a highly revolting image of Derrick in her mind. That was why Amelia was completely taken by surprise when Tiffany said it was him. She finally understood that beauty really lay in the eyes of the beholder. An awkward smile carved on Tiffany’s face. “Well, Babe, he’s not as bad as you imagined him to be.” “So?” Amelia looked at her curiously.
“What if I tell you he gives me butterflies in my stomach?” Tiffany felt like she was digging her own grave. “Are you sure that’s how you feel toward him?” Amelia tried to confirm. In her mind, there was no way she could picture Tiffany’s boss and her together. That would be too cringy. Tiffany was an extremely beautiful woman. Amelia could not imagine her together with a middle-aged man. It would literally be beauty and the beast. Amelia was not a lookist, but still, she would not want her best friend to get together with someone too ugly for her. “Babe, I can tell from your expression that you don’t like the idea of it,” Tiffany noted. Amelia snatched away the pillow in Tiffany’s arms and questioned her.
“Honestly, you’re really full of surprises—bad surprises. You’ll need to bear all the consequences if my baby gets a shock and comes out right now.” “Do you really dislike the idea of me liking my boss so much?” Tiffany asked weakly. Amelia nodded with determination. “But he’s rich and handsome. There are always women around him waiting to get him. To be honest, it’s not about whether I like him or not. It’s more like whether he thinks I’m good enough for him.” “I thought you said he’s super ugly?” Amelia doubted. “Did… Did I say that?” Tiffany choked. Amelia nodded and mimicked Tiffany’s tone and actions back then when she told her about that man.
“’Not only does he have a big head, but he also has a flat nose and small eyes. He’s so fat he looks like a pig. The woman who gets together with him is doomed.’ That was what you told me,” Amelia recalled. Tiffany was at a loss for words. Indeed, that was really what she said back then. “That’s a misunderstanding,” she corrected. “So you lied to me?” Amelia questioned. “That’s not a lie. I was just exaggerating. I didn’t know you really believed everything I said.” “So what happened between the two of you. What made you fall for him so suddenly? Did he do anything to you?” Amelia bombarded her with a litany of questions. Tiffany stuck out an approving thumb at Amelia.
“Babe, I really think you’re modern-day Sherlock Holmes. All your questions are spot-on. You’re so smart you make me feel insecure.” “Cut the shit out and answer me.” Tiffany let out a long sigh like a deflated balloon as she lay back down on the couch. “Elizabeth approached him and coerced him to break the contract with me, so I charged into the office all fired up to fight for my rights. But everything was useless. I couldn’t even look at him in the eyes and talk normally. I had an adrenaline rush and I was so disconcerted that I fled in the end.” “Mrs. Yard reached out to your boss?” Amelia got the main point. Tiffany nodded. “Then, are you still working for your company?”
Tiffany waved her hand dismissively in confidence. “Babe, what do you take me for? I won’t let them discharge me unduly. I’ve worked with them for two to three years. I came from a nobody to a best-selling author, and the company has benefited tremendously because of me. Do you think they will lay me off so easily?” Amelia did not say a word. Given the Yard family’s ability, they could easily uproot not just one, but ten popular authors if they wanted to. Companies would always care for their own survival and profits. Any company would readily side with the family and let a small author like Tiffany off without a second thought.
After all, what they wanted was money. “Come on, Babe, don’t look so gloomy. Give me a smile. You’re pregnant. You need to stay in a good mood,” Tiffany coaxed. “Tiff, did the company end your contract? Don’t lie to me,” Amelia asked seriously. “Of course not, Babe. You have to trust my capability even if you don’t trust the company,” Tiffany replied with a smile on her face. “Huh. I don’t see any charm in you though,” Amelia ridiculed her. Tiffany pulled a face and glowered at her. “Babe, how could you say that about me? Would you be my friend if I weren’t charming at all?” Amelia broke out laughing. “Tiff, I’m really craving something sour. I remember there’s a mom-and-pop shop in your neighborhood that sells pickles.
Could you go get me some?” Tiffany looked at her, bewildered, but she stood up nonetheless. “Do you want anything else other than pickles? You’re already seven months into your pregnancy, pickles aren’t good for you. I can go get some pasta for you if you want.” “But Sweetheart wants some pickles. You can’t just deny a hungry baby,” Amelia implored. Tiffany heaved a sigh and relented. “Do you want anything else besides pickles?” she asked. “Just get whatever you feel like getting. You know what I like,” Amelia replied. Tiffany nodded and grabbed her money before going out. Once she left, Amelia took out her phone and made a call. “Ms. Shannon?” she greeted once the call got through.
“Speaking. Is this Amelia?” a voice came from the other side. “Yes, it’s me. It’s been a long time. I’m glad you still remember me.” A relief smile sat on Amelia’s face. “How can forget you? You’re Tiffany’s best friend. I still remember you from our last meeting at the cafe together with Tiffany. You left a really good impression. What’s the matter, by the way?” “Are you free? I hope I’m not disturbing your work,” Amelia said. “Nope, just fire away.” “Well, this is the thing. I heard from Tiff that the company is terminating her contract. Is this true? You know I’ve been friends with her for many years. I really don’t want anything to happen to her, so I’d like to know if her contract has really ended?”
Amelia went straight to the point. There was a brief silence on the other end. “It’s true. But the board has yet to make a decision, and I haven’t received any updates yet,” Shannon answered frankly, “I brought Tiff to the CEO’s office to talk things over today, but she left abruptly and I didn’t even get to ask her anything, so I really have no idea what came out of their discussion.” “I don’t mean to overstep, but is it okay if I get the CEO’s number?” Another short silence followed. “It’s totally fine if you don’t feel comfortable giving me his number, Ms. Shannon,” Amelia quickly added politely, “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“I’m sorry as I can’t be of help. I hope you understand. It’s not that I don’t want to give you his number, it’s just that I’m just a mere editor, and the CEO is my superior. I don’t even have his number, to begin with,” Shannon replied. “It’s okay. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’m just too worried about Tiff. Thanks anyway. I hope I didn’t disturb you.” “No worries. I’ll get back to work then. I’ll see you around. As for Tiffany, you should spend more time with her. I’ll let you know once I get any updates from the company,” Shannon assured.
“Alright, see you.” Amelia’s brows furrowed as she hung up the call. Just as she was thinking about other means of reaching the CEO, Tiffany’s phone rang. Amelia reached for her phone and saw the name “Mr. Hisson” on her screen. She remembered Tiffany saying her boss’ last name was Hisson and she picked up the call without a second thought. “Tiff?” A masculine and low voice rang through before Amelia could say anything. She was completely caught off guard. Judging from the man’s raspy and sexy voice, it was impossible that he was a middle-aged man. “Tiff went to get food. I suppose you’re her superior, Mr. Hisson?” “Yes, I am. And you are?” “I’m her best friend, Amelia Winters. Is there anything I do to help?”
she asked courteously. “Nothing much, actually. I just wanted to know if she got home. I’ll call back again at night since she’s not available,” Derrick replied. But Amelia was not letting him go. “Just a second, Mr. Hisson. I have something to ask you. I wonder if you’re down to meet up?” She instantly realized how misleading she sounded. “Please don’t misunderstand me, Mr. Hisson. I heard from Tiff that you are terminating her contract, but I hope that’s not the case.
My husband is Oscar Clinton. I believe you know him. I hope you can at least give me a chance and hear me out. Tiff might sound really forthright, but she’s actually a very sensitive person. I don’t want anything to happen to her. I hope I made myself clear, Mr. Hisson.” A long pause came from the other end. Just as Amelia thought he had already hung up, Derrick spoke again. “The truth is I liked her ever since I first saw her at the company.
I bet you know how long she takes to warm up to others. I won’t cancel her contract, but I hope you can help me with one thing. What about we meet up at six in the evening? I’ll treat both of you to dinner, and we’ll talk after we meet. You can choose a place and send the address to me. I’ll see y’all there.”
