Chapter 3: She Dared to Hide From Him!

Angela’s POV:

When I woke, the bed beside me was empty, as usual. He’s gone.

While washing up, I caught sight of myself in the mirror in the bathroom,. The necklace gleamed under the light, delicate but striking, accentuating the curve of my neck.

It was beautiful, too stunning to me owning. I had to find a way to return it. 

The office buzzed with gossip at work. The intern Kyle had berated yesterday was gone, his desk cleared out.

I logged into my computer and typed two words: Resignation Letter.

As I started drafting it, I overheard a familiar sneer.

“Look at Angela. So pretty. Angela’s face, Devil’s curve.”

“What, you jealous? Think you can seduce our boss too? She’s just a gold-digger. Makes me sick working with her.”

I finished typing, stood abruptly, and faced them.

“What’s your problem?” I snapped. “If you can’t stand working with me, leave. Nobody’s forcing you to stay. Or is all you know how to do running your mouth behind people’s backs? Pathetic.”

I’d had enough. That coworker had been trash-talking me for weeks, and I had ignored it—for the sake of keeping the peace.

Not anymore.

I wasn’t the same fiery kid I’d been growing up, the one who’d call out every injustice. My grandmom had always told me to stay quiet, stay low profile.

But now? I was done. I was leaving anyway. What was there to lose?

I walked into Kyle’s office, resignation letter in hand.

Behind me, the same coworker muttered to another, “See? She’s untouchable. Doesn’t even care about hiding it. Must be running to the boss to complain. Too bad for her—he’s not even here today.”

Kyle wasn’t in. Perfect. I placed the letter on his desk, right where he’d see it. Then I walked out without looking back.

I was working late at the office again. I wasn’t cut out for secretarial work—never had been. This job wasn’t even in my field, but I put in the effort. Harder than anyone else. I couldn’t stand the thought of being the weak link.

Kyle’s head secretary James walked into the room. The place was empty except for me.

“Angela, this file needs Kyle’s signature ASAP. I’ve got my hands full. Can you handle it?”

I didn’t want to see Kyle, not tonight, but I nodded anyway. “Sure.”

James texted me the address. I frowned. It was the private club Kyle liked to hang out at, the one he went to with his friends. He hadn’t been in the office all afternoon. He hadn’t even seen me resignation letter yet.

I grabbed a cab and headed over.

The club was dimly lit, the kind of place where power and money oozed out of the walls. I found the private room easily.

I hesitated at the door, then knocked. 

No answer. 

The low hum of voices carried through the door. I pushed it open just enough to peer inside.

Kyle sat in the center of the room, legs crossed, an effortless air of authority about him. Even here, surrounded by his friends, he was the center of gravity.

I didn’t step inside. I didn’t even announce myself. Something stopped me—the conversation.

“Kyle, you’ve been knocking them back tonight,” a man joked. It was Kyle’s friend, Felix. 

“What’s up with you? Something bugging you?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, we’ve known each other forever. It’s about Angela, isn’t it?”

“Her?” Kyle’s voice was cold, detached. “Why would I fight with her? She’s nothing but a plaything, that’s all. Someone I can toss aside anytime I want. You think she matters?”

My hand tightened on the doorframe. It felt like someone had stabbed me straight through the chest. So this was what he really thought. I’d always known, hadn’t I? That my feelings were one-sided, that I didn’t mean anything to him. I was just fooling myself. To him, I was less than a pet. Something disposable.

Felix went quiet, like even he wasn’t sure how to respond.

“I heard your mom’s trying to set you up with a girl,” Felix finally said. “That girl from the Amanda family. She wants you engaged. What happens to Angela if that goes through?”

Kyle swirled his drink, something dark clouding his expression. “What about her? I’ll throw some money her way and be done with it.”

Felix gave a low whistle. “Kyle, aren’t you worried she’ll hear you say all this?”

Kyle smirked, his eyes cold. “Even if she did, I’d say the same thing.”

I let the door click shut behind me. I didn’t hear what else they said. I didn’t care to. My lips twisted into a bitter smile. I’d known all along. But hearing it come straight from Kyle’s mouth? That cut deeper than I’d expected.

My mistake had been falling for him at all.

I pulled out my phone and called James. “I’m not feeling well, James.” I said. “Can someone else take the file to Boss?”

James didn’t ask questions but he found someone else.

Kyle’s POV:

I glanced at the file and signed it without much thought. “Why didn’t Angela deliver this?” I asked, almost offhandedly.

Julie, the other secretary replied, “James said she wasn’t feeling well.”

“Not feeling well?”

I drained my glass in one go and stood. “I’m done here,” I muttered, striding toward the door.

Felix called after me. “What? You’re leaving already?”

I didn’t answer. I pulled out my phone and called Angela.

No answer.

Frustrated, I went straight to her apartment. But she wasn’t there.

This fucking woman, I thought, grinding his teeth. She’s hiding from me.