Chapter 2
Through the door, I could hear Archer’s voice—that damn voice I’d been listening to for over a decade.
Now it was dripping with fake disappointment and condescending judgment.
“Daphne, you really let me down today. Do you have any idea how heartbroken Celeste was when I found her crying on the stairway?”
I leaned against the cold door, listening in silence.
“You’re going to give tonight’s reservation to Celeste. She’s been through enough, and this can be your way of apologizing.”
“She’s had it rough her whole life, never experienced anything nice. Think of it as broadening her horizons, just cut her some slack.”
“Tomorrow I’ll have you over to my place—my mom will cook you dinner personally. Consider it making it up to you, okay?”
That “okay” was so condescending, like he was trying to placate a misbehaving dog.
My hands clenched into fists.
Who gave him the confidence to think he could freely dispose of things that belong to me?
To make decisions for me?!
Who the hell did this piece of shit think he was?!
But…He probably figured I’d already paid the fifty grand for Crystal Lounge, right?
After all, I always liked to pay for things upfront—he knew that about me.
Well, surprise, asshole.
Today I’d only made the reservation. I hadn’t paid a single cent yet.
I took a deep breath, forced down my anger, and pounded on the door.
“Archer! You better open this door right now, or you know what’s coming!”
After a moment of silence, Celeste’s soft, delicate crying could be heard from inside.
“Archer, you’re good to me… but won’t Daphne hate you for this? I don’t want to ruin your lifelong friendship because of me—I’d feel guilty forever!”
“Even though… even though she always says I’m poor, says I’m a country bumpkin, I really wasn’t angry and never cared about it…”
What a pure and innocent little saint! Give me a fucking break.
Sure enough, her little speech made Archer’s resolve absolutely rock-solid.
“Don’t worry about it, Celeste. I grew up with her—I know exactly what she’s like. She’ll throw a tantrum and get over it. She can’t actually do anything to me.”
He paused, his voice turning sweet enough to give you diabetes.
“But what about you? It’s your birthday too tonight. Did you get in touch with your friends?”
Celeste’s crying magically vanished—what a miraculous recovery!
“I did! I already told them to meet us at Crystal Lounge! They’re all so excited—they said they’ve never been anywhere that fancy!”
Fucking idiots…
I was too lazy to waste any more words with them outside. I calmed down and reached into my bag for my phone.
However, the bag was completely empty!
Archer’s ice-cold voice cut through the door timely, each word like a poisoned blade aimed straight at my heart.
“Daphne, I already swiped your phone when I went by your desk. Stay in there and think about what you did wrong.”
“I’ll drop your phone off at your house tomorrow.”
With that, their footsteps faded away down the hall.
I slid down the door and sat on the floor, so furious I could barely breathe.
Perfect.
Just fucking perfect.
Go ahead, you two brilliant masterminds!
I couldn’t wait to see how a broke-ass scholarship student and some trust fund baby who lived off my dad’s company dividends were going to handle a fifty-thousand-dollar minimum tab!
This is going to be absolutely delicious.
