BITTERSWEET

Yuki's pov

I practically kicked the front door open, nearly tripping over Suzu in my excitement. The little rascal yelped and scrambled back before barking at me like I’d committed the ultimate betrayal.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, Suzu! I freaking did it!” I scooped him up, spinning us both around in a dizzying twirl. “I got the job! Can you believe it? Me! I freaking did it!”

Suzu licked my cheek, completely oblivious to the life-changing moment we were celebrating. I grinned and let him down before turning to my grandfather, who was fast asleep on the sofa, mouth slightly open, chest rising and falling in peaceful slumber.

My heart clenched a little.

I crouched beside him, carefully tucking the blanket around his frail body. “Grandpa,” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. “Things are starting to look up for us, okay? Just hold on a little longer.”

He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. I took that as my cue to leave and bounded up the stairs to my room.

The moment I shut the door, I tore the wig off, tossing it onto the bed like it personally offended me. I unbuttoned the stiff white shirt, slipping out of the skirt, before heading to the mirror to clean off the makeup.

A swipe. Another. Slowly, my real face emerged, my very dark hair now messily framing it.

I sighed in relief. “Much better.”

Just as I reached for a comfortable shirt, my phone rang.

Eric.

I frowned at the screen, then answered. “Oh, look who finally remembered I exist.”

“Sugar plum berry pie,” he cooed in that smooth, teasing voice of his. “Don’t be like that, baby. You know I was busy.”

I scoffed. “Busy? You went on a trip, Eric. And you didn’t even think I was important enough to call?”

“Oh, come on. We talked before I left.”

“Yeah, and that was three weeks ago.”

“You should’ve saved up and come with me,” he said casually, like it was my fault. “We could’ve been sipping cocktails on the beach together right now.”

My irritation flared instantly. “Eric, you knew I was financially down. You knew I couldn’t afford a damn vacation, and you still left without me.”

“Babe, don’t be so dramatic.”

“You’re an ass, you know that?”

Instead of responding, he only chuckled. And then I saw it—another hand rubbing his shoulder in the video call. My eyes narrowed. “Who’s that?”

Eric shifted slightly, blocking my view. “No one.”

“Eric—”

“I gotta go, sugar plum. We’ll talk later.”

And just like that, he hung up.

I stared at the phone, my blood practically boiling. “Unbelievable.”

The door to my room swung open. “Is dickhead Eric?”

I turned to see Lily, standing there with her arms crossed and a knowing smirk.

“Oh yeah,” I muttered, tossing my phone onto the bed.

She sighed dramatically. “What did he do now?”

“The usual. Being an inconsiderate, self-absorbed—ugh! Forget it.”

“Gladly.” She plopped onto my bed, crossing her legs. “Now, more importantly, how did the interview go?”

I grinned, throwing my arms up. “I GOT THE JOB!”

She let out a squeal, launching herself at me in an excited hug. “Oh my God! No one recognized you?”

“Of course not. I was flawless.”

She flicked my forehead. “You’re lucky.”

“I’m talented,” I corrected, rubbing my head.

“Yeah, yeah.” She leaned back against the pillows. “So, how was the company? Boring corporate suits everywhere?”

“Oh, speaking of suits,” I groaned, flopping onto the bed beside her. “The CEO? Creed Malcolm? Insanely handsome. But also the most arrogant, self-important jerk I’ve ever met.”

Lily gasped dramatically. “Tell me everything.”

I waved my hand. “Too good-looking. Too rich. Too full of himself. And he literally looked at me like I was some cheap, stray dog that wandered into his billion-dollar empire.”

“Oof. Sounds like a real winner.”

“He spilled coffee on me, by the way.”

She blinked. “Wait. What?”

“I mean, technically, I ran into him, but still.”

Lily shook her head. “Yuki, please tell me you didn’t cuss him out on your first day.”

“I didn’t!” I said, then hesitated. “Well… not exactly. I told him off, but in a classy way.”

She groaned. “You’re going to get yourself fired.”

“Never. I’m too good at my job. Which, by the way, I start on Monday.”

As if on cue, my phone rang again.

Unknown number.

I sat up instantly. “Who the hell—?”

I answered. “You’ve reached Yuki.”

A pause. Then—

“Yuyu?”

My blood turned to ice. “Uh—who’s asking?”

“It’s Olive, the manager from CreedX Technologies. Do I have the right number?”

Panic shot through me like a lightning bolt. My voice immediately changed into the softer, polished tone I’d practiced. “Yes, ma’am! Sorry, I was, um…” I glanced at Lily desperately. She was already dying of laughter.

“Anyway,” Olive continued, “I just wanted to remind you to bring an ID card with you on Monday. I need it to finalize your application.”

My stomach dropped.

An ID card?

Crap.

“Oh! Yes, of course! I’ll, um… I’ll bring it.”

“Good. See you Monday.”

The call ended.

I turned to Lily, my face drained of color.

“I’m fucked.”

Lily snorted in pure laughter, her whole body shaking. “This bitch—I can’t believe you.”

She wiped at her eyes, still laughing. “How do you forget something as important as an ID? That’s literally the first thing they ask for, and yet—hahaha!”

Her mocking tone only made me roll my eyes. “Well, Miss Mockingbird, bad news for you—I have a guy who makes fake IDs, so I’m covered. Just need to reach him.”

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my contacts.

Lily raised a brow. “Doesn’t Joe have outstanding beef with you?”

“Well, yes,” I admitted, “but who doesn’t love a diva?”

“Whatever, Yuki,” she said with a sigh, standing up. “I’m going to check on Roman and then head out. I have a date tonight.”

I paused mid-scroll, staring up at her retreating form. “Lily, you fox. How dare you not tell me?” Then I smirked. “And FYI, no one tongue-fucks on the first date.”

She snorted, waving me off as she left the room.

The phone rang, and I leaned back against my bed, waiting.

When the call picked up, I put on my sweetest voice. “Hey, Joe. I need a tiny, teensy favor…”