Chapter 10 Overthinking
640 Words
After hanging up the phone, Emily blurted out, "Ben, take me to William's office, right now!"
Once they were in the car, Benjamin threw her a glance. "Emily, what happened to Auntie?"
Emily's eyes dimmed for a second. She didn't want Ben to know that she had to rely on William to pay her mom's medical bills. Her pride got the better of her, so she lied, "It's nothing serious. Just need to talk to him about something."
Benjamin's brow knitted ever so slightly.
He was three years older than she was, and ever since they were little, she had treated him like a real big brother—big or small, she used to talk to him about everything.
But since she'd come back to the country, everything was different.
She smiled less, didn't act cute anymore, and never opened up like she used to.
All because of another guy.
Benjamin gripped the steering wheel tighter. When they arrived at Carter Enterprise, he wasn't sure if he was pissed at that man or blaming himself for being gone the past three years.
After dropping her off, he didn't even say goodbye—just drove away without a word.
Emily was too preoccupied with her mom to notice Ben's mood.
She hopped out and headed straight for William's office.
But he was in a meeting. No matter how anxious she was, she had no choice but to wait inside his office.
"You better wrap it up quick. The sooner the meeting ends, the sooner you get some soup. Just warning you, my cooking's not the best, so don't turn your nose up…"
Luna's voice was playful as she spoke into the phone, one hand holding a soup container.
Emily felt a twinge in her chest, like a dull knife twisting slowly in a numb spot.
She used to think being able to walk freely into William's office meant he cared about her—maybe even saw her as someone special.
But Luna's sweet, couple-y phone call had shattered that delusion in seconds.
As Luna ended the call, she turned to Emily with a cold look. "Wow, I step out for five minutes, and you're already here tattling?"
Snapping out of it, Emily let go of the clenched fist she hadn't even noticed, her palm clammy with sweat. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm here for something else."
"Fake much." Luna scoffed and sat down beside her.
They had been friends since they were kids, thanks to their families' ties.
But in every aspect—without exception—Emily had always come out on top.
Same childhood friend, but Benjamin only cared about Emily. Same ballet training, yet it was Emily who got into Lily's class.
Back in school, Emily always looked like she didn't care about winning or losing, and yet everyone adored her.
Stuff like this happened all the time.
Why was it that no matter how hard Luna tried, she always ended up second best?
They sat there in rare silence.
Luna didn't bother talking, and Emily wasn't in the mood to argue.
Even if Luna's presence made her deeply uncomfortable, she had more pressing matters—like her mom and William.
Suddenly, Emily caught a strong scent wafting through the room.
Luna lifted the soup container, smiling faintly. "Still nice and hot."
Emily eyed her warily, instinctively leaning back.
Luna rolled her eyes. "Relax. This isn't for you."
Before Emily could breathe a sigh of relief, something completely bonkers happened—Luna dumped the steaming hot soup all over her own legs.
"Are you nuts?!" Emily reached out to grab Luna's arm, trying to pull her up and away from the scalding liquid.
The bowl crashed to the floor with a sharp clatter, Luna's scream echoing through the room.
"Ah!"
Bang—the office door flew open in an instant.
- Writer
