Chapter 11 Just My Boss

Calvin seemed to have walked further away while holding his phone. Then, he growled, "I can do whatever I want. I don't need you telling me what to do." "I'm not." I had no desire to argue with him on this. From the moment he'd first brought another woman home, I should've figured it all out. I didn't know why I'd been so dramatic back then and felt heartbroken every day. But I was always afraid he'd be devastated and suffer. Now I understood. He would never be sad over someone like me, so there was no need to explain anymore. I wasn't sure which of my words had set him off again, but he suddenly erupted. "What are you hinting at, Summer? What right do you have to control me? Let me tell you, I'm paying for everything at home. You have no authority here. "And stop threatening Emily. I'm telling you, she's different. Don't mess with her! You'd better come back to the office, or I won't give you a single dime from now on!" I thought he'd hang up, but he didn't. He stubbornly waited for me to reply. After several seconds, I slowly responded, "Alright, but you'll have to pay me overtime." "Damn it, fine!" Just before he hung up, I heard Emily's sweet voice calling him by the name "Cal". What used to be my term of affection for him was now someone else's. I realized he wasn't just fooling around with Emily. He openly spent with her in the office, and the two of them were inseparable. She had no qualms about posting their moments on social media and even taunting me. But the moment I saw the ten thousand dollars transferred for overtime pay, any lingering sadness vanished. I guessed thinking of him as just my boss seemed like a good idea. When he saw that I'd accepted the money instantly, he sent a long string of voice messages. I turned off my phone and ignored it. I didn't need to listen to know what he had to say—it was the same spiel I'd heard a thousand times over the years. I was sick of it. To him, I was just a gold digger who loved money. So what if I took the money? … The day I was discharged, Queenie had to go on a business trip and couldn't take me home. She kept insisting on having one of her family members pick me up. I lied and told her that a colleague would be taking me home, even going as far as taking a fake selfie with the cab driver to put her at ease. When I got home, I heard Duffy whimpering. Phyllis quickly opened the door. "You're back! That's good. How's your recovery?" She wiped her tears and gently held my hand. "You've lost some weight." "Isn't that in the trend now? Saves me the trouble of dieting." I patted her hand lightly and felt warmth from her touch. My heart warmed as well. Duffy circled me excitedly. Phyllis kept telling him that I was still weak and that he shouldn't jump on me, so he just circled around. I crouched down, and his tail wagged so hard that it seemed like a propeller. Hugging his head, I finally smiled sincerely. "Cal, it's such a big dog. It's terrifying." Emily's shriek startled both me and Duffy. I looked in the direction of the sound. Calvin and Emily were both pushing matching suitcases and wearing matching couple outfits like a married couple. Calvin frowned as he looked at me. "Why did you lose so much weight?" "None of your business." I patted Duffy gently on the head and signaled for him not to bark. Emily seemed utterly frightened. She trembled as she clung to Calvin. "Cal, didn't you say you'd get rid of the dog? Why is it still here? I just recovered from my dog fur allergy. Can't we get rid of it? Or send it to an animal shetler—" "What the hell did you just say?" I shielded Duffy behind me and glared furiously at Emily. As if stealing my man wasn't enough, now she wanted to send my dog away? Sensing her hostility and my anger, Duffy barked incessantly at the two of them. Calvin pulled Emily into his arms. His eyes were cold as he stared at me. "What are you doing? Since when did you start cursing like a shrew?" "Curse? When did I curse? I wasn't even swearing at anyone!" Then, looking at Emily, I said, "If you dare lay a finger on my dog, you'd better make sure you have what it takes! I dare you to say that again!" My chest heaved with anger, and I felt like I'd torn my wound. My breath trembled. Calvin stepped forward, but Emily held him back tightly. "Cal, she's terrifying. Her dog's terrifying too. Aren't pets not allowed in this apartment? Shouldn't we call the police? Aren't aggressive dogs supposed to be sent away?" She claimed to be afraid, but the provocative look in her eyes made it clear she was challenging me. I finally understood. Her so-called dog fur allergy and fear of dogs were all just excuses. She knew how much Duffy meant to me and wanted to hurt me. But unfortunately for her, I wouldn't feel sad. I'd go crazy instead. I handed Duffy's leash to Phyllis and summoned all my strength to yank Emily toward me to give her two slaps across the face. I used every ounce of strength I had to deliver those two slaps, and her face immediately swelled up. Just as she was about to retaliate, Calvin rushed forward and shoved me aside. "Summer! You—ah!" With a growl, Duffy broke free and bit hard on Calvin's arm—the same one he'd used to push me.