Chapter 37

Angela POV

As I climbed the stairs to the office, I saw a familiar figure standing at the top of the landing.

Christina was there, holding a lunchbox with both hands, her face lit up with a proud smile.

"Looks like someone's delivering lunch again," I muttered under my breath, eyeing the lunchbox she was holding.

"Angela!"

She quickly approached, and I braced myself for what was coming.

"I made ham and mushroom soup for Sean today. Want to try some?"

I raised an eyebrow and glanced at the lunchbox she was offering me, as if it were some sort of offering.

"The ham is something a friend of mine had airlifted from Spain just for this," she added, almost bragging.

I couldn't hide my disinterest and replied bluntly, "Aren't you tired of doing all this?"

I meant it as a comment on her exhausting need to play the dutiful girlfriend in front of Sean-wasn't it tiring, acting like this all the time?

But Christina just beamed, completely missing the sarcasm.

"Cooking for someone you like and watching them enjoy it is so rewarding. How could I ever get tired of it?" she said, sounding genuinely happy.

I didn't respond immediately, just forced a tight smile as I tried to move past her, hoping to escape the conversation.

"Angela," she continued, her voice softening with what seemed like pity. "When you find your true love, you'll understand how I feel."

I stopped in my tracks and stared at her for a moment. She had the nerve to say it so kindly, so confidently. I gave a forced smile.

"Oh? Really?" I said. "Well, I hope you enjoy cooking every day," I added, trying to edge around her.

But just as I thought I could get away, Sean's assistant, Michael, appeared in the hallway.

Christina practically beamed at the sight of him, standing up straighter as she greeted him with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"Michael! Did Sean send you to find me?" Christina asked, "Tell him I'll be there soon."

But it was Michael's next move that surprised me.

He looked at the lunchbox in Christina's hands, then at me. "Angela," he said with a grin, "Christina's cooking is amazing. The other day, Sean gave out some cookies she baked, and everyone loved them. Won't you try some?"

I shook my head. "No, I've already eaten."

"Angela doesn't want it," Michael said, turning to Christina with a playful grin. "So, can I have it?"

Christina's smile faltered for a moment as she glanced at the lunchbox, then back at him, clearly confused.

"This is for Sean, not for you guys," she said, but Michael wasn't done.

"It seems like Sean doesn't really care about it. He always shares it with us. How about this," he continued, "We won't make you do it for free-just name your price."

I watched as Christina's face darkened, her grip tightening on the lunchbox as her shoulders tensed.

"Michael, what's your attitude? Do you think I'm a chef or a maid?"

Michael threw his hands up, feigning innocence. "You misunderstood! I just think your cooking is really good!"

The conversation quickly spiraled as Christina struggled to keep her polite smile, but eventually, she gave up, muttering something under her breath before storming off.

I watched her go, wondering if she'd be complaining to Sean in the next office, but Michael's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Who'd want to eat her food anyway?" he said with a laugh, rolling his eyes. "It's all store-bought. How dare she act like she made it herself?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "So you were just messing with her, huh?"

Michael leaned against the doorframe, still smirking. "I was standing up for you. You're spoiling her, Angela."

His words were an unexpected comfort. Michael and I rarely spoke outside of work, but somehow, I felt like he understood me more than most. It was strange, but oddly reassuring.

"Angela," he added, his tone turning serious, "Don't worry. No matter what anyone says, I've got your back. Don't disappoint me."

I didn't know how to respond. His words left me feeling uncertain, especially since I was starting to worry that I might disappoint him.

"Don't go against Christina anymore," I said.

Michael raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback.

"Angela," he said, his voice softer now, "Don't worry about me. If Sean wants to fire me over that woman, then this company isn't worth working for."

A strange feeling stirred inside me. I respected him for saying that, but it also raised a question I couldn't shake.

What would Sean really do for Christina?

Would he sacrifice his employees just to keep her happy?

I couldn't help but wonder if Christina was already in Sean's office, telling him her side of the story.

As expected, my phone rang a moment later-Sean.

"Come to my office," he said before hanging up abruptly.

"I can't believe Sean would cause trouble for you because of that woman!" Michael said, his face angry, though mostly disappointed. "I'm going to talk to him now!"

"No need," I said, stopping him.

I was planning to quit anyway, but Michael still needed the job.