Chapter 33: Pretend

She didn't know how to keep pretending, like all the problems happened because of her. That evening Pierre returned to his apartment after cooking lunch. He didn't come back again until evening. Meanwhile she didn't know what to do.

This morning was the same, she stood still in front of Bryan's office door. Too scared to go in after being sure Bryan had arrived before her. She had been absent for six days and now she came later than expected.

She swallowed several times until her throat hurt. However, she couldn't possibly stay here because if Bryan saw her, that man would definitely be very angry.

"Oh my God, why does it feel like I often face tense situations like this?" She thought while sighing. She felt like this would be a little worse than she thought. Of course, because she know Bryan, who was grumpy and impatient, a bad trait for a boss.

"No no, I've been used to fighting with him since I was a child and I always win. Even this time, if he ask me to fight like a man, I'll definitely win."

"Why are you mumbling like that?"

Lucia gasped in surprise when she heard Bryan's voice behind her. She immediately turned her head and showed a stupid look.

"Y-y-you're not here yet?" She asked stutteringly because previously she thought Bryan had come to his room first.

"You idiot! Get out of the way, you're blocking my way!" He said sarcastically as he pushed through and opened the door.

Because she was too shocked, her heart almost jumped out. From the expression on Bryan's face, it was very clear that he was angry, so angry that he could let out all the arrogance that was inside him.

"What are you doing? Come in!" Bryan exclaimed, who was already in his office. Lucia walked unsteadily, she didn't know why she was this afraid of Bryan, who she used to consider a loser. The difference in wealth, social status and position makes her feel helpless.

"B-Bryan, I-"

"Bryan? You called me Bryan?"

"I-I mean Mr. Walter, I'm sorry for-"

"No need to explain, I don't want to know what you do with that bastard for days. It's none of my business!" He said calmly as if he really didn't care.

Strangely, it made Lucia feel a little relieved because she didn't have to bother explaining to Bryan why she couldn't return to London at the agreed time.

"O-okay, I-"

"I hate liars!" Suddenly Bryan cut herself off. It was as if his emotions changed so quickly. He, who a few seconds ago looked calm, in a short time showed his true emotions.

"I-"

"You asked for my permission to visit your father, but it turns out you were just looking for an opportunity to have fun with your beloved friend. You really are a liar, aren't you?"

"Having fun? I didn't plan on having fun with Leo at all, it happened unexpectedly because-"

"Are you involved in the trouble he created?"

"It's not like that, I-"

"Tch, damn it! Why are you so easily attracted to that bastard? What do you really see in him?"

"Let me explain, Sir! I accidentally met Leo while visiting my dad, he was being chased by several assassins and I was forced to take shelter temporarily in his mansion. That's all, it wasn't something planned!"

"Oh yeah? It's precisely because it wasn't something that was planned that it's interesting, isn't it? You've always liked something challenging, right? Did he show you how rich he is now? He has a casino, he has a big business, a luxurious mansion and hundreds of subordinates . He really wants to compete with me in a dirty way! It seems like his poverty made his mind so dirty that he earned money in a dirty way which made me-

Slapp...

Unable to stand Bryan's insults towards Leo, Lucia subconsciously used her hand to slap Bryan hard. She felt very angry and she didn't know why. It made her remember Leo and her feelings for him.

Receiving an unexpected slap from Lucia made Bryan speechless. At a glance, memories of the past resurfaced in his mind. This had happened before and he didn't expect that it would happen again a second time.

"Why did you hit me?"

"You damn thing! What are you saying? Why does your foul mouth always say things like that about your friends?"

"He is very poor, so what should I do? They call me stupid for being friends with him!"

"If you're angry because you're called stupid, you'd better just leave! I don't want to see you again! Play with your rich friends, don't play with us anymore!"

His body trembled, remembering how painful his body and soul were at that time. Lucia beat him, pushed him to the ground until his knees injured just because he said something bad about Leo.

And today, the incident happened again. Even when he was in power, he still couldn't escape Lucia's anger.

"You slapped me for that bastard?"

"Why do you always look down on other people like that?"

"Do you have the right to slap me like this?"

"I'll slap you again if you don't apologize right now!"

"Why should I apologize when I'm the one who was wronged here?"

Bryan became increasingly emotional, some time ago, his hatred for Leo had faded after they spent time together again. He thought that maybe the relationship between the five of them could still be improved, especially the relationship between him and Leo.

"I will write my resignation letter. I'm really sorry because it seems like I'm not worthy enough to-"

"You want to stop?"

"I-"

"I ask one more time, do you want to stop working with me?"

Bryan intimidated her more and more, making Lucia even more hesitant to take a stand. She is desperate to keep her position, she is not fit for this job because in the end they both cannot be professionals. Bryan was too tuned in to his mood and feelings for Lucia. Meanwhile, Lucia is constantly overcome by guilt.

"I'm sorry, Bryan! I should have just apologized to you from the start-"

"Because you know I will definitely forgive you, right?"