Chapter 4: So I Turned Out to Be the Unlucky One, Liked by Aiden?

Later that day, the head of my department called me into his office. “Claire, we want you to speak on TV on behalf of the company,” he announced.

My heart soared. Finally, recognition for my hard work. But as I left the office, I overheard a conversation that brought me crashing back down to earth.

“She’s not that good,” one of the leaders said. “Aiden’s too busy. That’s why I settled on the next best candidate. It would have been nice if Aiden could do this…”

Anger and humiliation burned in my chest. Even this opportunity was just a hand-me-down from Aiden. As I walked back to my desk, I saw another woman confessing her feelings to him, only to be rejected without mercy. My jealousy flared again.

Who could be so unlucky to be liked by such a man? Aiden was unforgiving, relentless, and infuriatingly charismatic. As I prepared for the TV interview, my resentment grew. I hoped that whoever Aiden confessed to in the future would reject him just as harshly. It was only fair.

This unreasonable thought stayed with me as I packed my things and headed home.

Once I was behind my computer, my dissatisfaction drove me. Each word I typed was filled with a determination I hadn’t felt in a long time. This interview wasn’t just another task; it was my chance to step out of Aiden’s shadow.

As the minutes turned into hours, my script took shape. I wrote about our company’s vision, achievements, and future goals with a fervor that even surprised me. I imagined Aiden watching the interview, recognizing my dedication and talent.

The thought kept me going, and by the time I finished, I felt both exhausted and satisfied.

Perhaps it was the deep satisfaction of having finally edited a piece of work that I could truly be proud of, or maybe it was the schadenfreude of wishing that my long-time nemesis would go through a rough patch in their love life. When I got up the next day, I felt refreshed.

Either way, I felt an unusual sense of lightness and contentment, so much so that I could temporarily push aside the unsettling memories of that fateful outing. I had made a promise to Aiden that I would help him find the mysterious woman who had been with him in the tent on that precious camp night, but for now, that mission could wait. Today, I was focused on one thing: delivering such an outstanding interview that the directors who had initially chosen me as a second choice would be left second-guessing their decision. I was confident that nothing could distract me from this goal.

As I finally entered the office, I was brimming with energy. The usual hustle and bustle of the morning routine seemed to invigorate me even more. My colleagues greeted me with friendly nods and smiles, which I returned with genuine warmth. There was a strong sense of camaraderie in the air, and I felt buoyed by it. Today was going to be productive, I was certain of it. With a sense of purpose, I made my way to my desk, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over me as I sat down. I took a deep breath and began revising my script for the TV interview, meticulously going over every detail to ensure that I would deliver nothing short of excellence.

The office was a hive of activity, with the incessant ringing of phones, the rapid clatter of keyboards, and the murmur of conversations creating a symphony of bustling productivity. Amidst this whirlwind, I found a certain solace in the familiarity of my work. The repetitive tasks and the focus they required let me build a mental fortress, shutting out the chaos that surrounded me. My concentration was so deep, so unwavering, that I didn't notice the approach of someone until a voice sliced through my immersion.

"Ms. Madden?"

I jolted, my heart leaping into my throat as I nearly spilled my coffee. Startled, I looked up to see Aiden Katz standing beside my desk, holding a file. Aiden Katz—his name alone was enough to stir a mix of emotions. He had always possessed a commanding presence, a natural aura that set him apart even in the crowded halls of our school days. Whether he was in a secluded corner or the midst of a crowd, he drew attention effortlessly, as if surrounded by an invisible halo.

Today, however, something seemed amiss. His usually confident demeanor appeared strained, almost as if he were here against his will. Was I imagining things, or was there truly a shadow of reluctance in his eyes?

"You left this in my office," he said, extending the file toward me. His voice, though steady, carried an undertone that I couldn't quite decipher.

"Oh, t-t-thank you," I stammered, taking the file from him. My fingers brushed against his, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through me.

It was a strange sensation, one that I wasn't used to. In all the years I had known Aiden Katz, our physical interactions had been few and far between. I could count on one hand the number of times we'd touched, not because he was someone of great importance in my life, but because each contact always left me unnervingly aware of him. Despite my one-sided dislike, which I had nurtured throughout the years, his touch never failed to have an effect on me. I preferred to live in denial rather than admit the power he had over my senses.

Lately, though, something had changed. There was an inexplicable nervousness that crept into my demeanor whenever he was around. It wasn't just the physical proximity; it was the very thought of him that set my nerves on edge. Perhaps it was the realization that we had shared more intimate moments than I cared to acknowledge. The closeness, though never physical, was enough to leave me jittery, and I didn't like it one bit.

He nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips, and walked away. I watched him go in mild confusion. Did I just see a smile? My heart raced wildly at the thought. Now that I thought of it, could it be that Daisy was right? Aiden Katz really did seem a bit nicer to me lately. Could he actually like me a little?

No, no, no. We can't start thinking these thoughts.

When I opened the file, a pink, flowery envelope fluttered out and landed on my desk. Curious, I picked it up and was met with the rather bold words written on the envelope: "Sealed with a kiss." It even had a kissy face drawn at the end.

This was unmistakably a love letter!

My mind raced, trying to process the words on the page. Was this really from Aiden? It seemed impossible—he was always so composed, so professional. But there it was, a flowery pink, rose-scented envelope, the suggestive choice of words written in baby pink, and the kissy mouths littered all across the envelope as decoration. If this didn't contain a heartfelt confession of feelings, then what else could it possibly be? An important business letter? The thought was absurd. My heart, which had just calmed down, raced even wilder.

Had I jinxed myself yesterday or what?

My mind was in complete chaos, a swirling storm of thoughts and emotions that left me feeling utterly disoriented. Aiden's face, the very visage I had disliked so intensely, now loomed large in my mind's eye, taking on an almost surreal prominence. I struggled to reconcile the stern-looking Aiden Katz with the contents of the rather meaty love letter clutched in my hand.

Should I accept it? Or should I reject him, considering all my old and new grudges? But he’s so handsome, with a figure that could make anyone swoon, and he excels in every way—except for the way he snatched opportunities away from me. But that really wasn’t his fault, was it? He’s just that good. Or should I take a leap of faith and try to go out with him?

It seemed that although I had often wished for Aiden to be coldly rejected when he confessed his love, now faced with that very scenario, I couldn’t bring myself to outrightly reject him. So, I turned out to be the unlucky one liked by Aiden?

The irony of it all.

After what felt like an eternity of confusion, I finally opened the love letter.

Love Letter

My Little Baby,

Seeing you walk around in those tight pants makes me want to bend you over on the nearest surface and make love to you till you forget your own. Little devil, do you like me that much? Wearing those clothes just to seduce me. You must want it just as bad.

Hoping to spend every night deep inside you in the future.

Your Daddy

Aiden

My face went black as I read the explicit confessions contained within. Could this be called a love letter? No, this was more akin to sexual harassment.

Despite how badly I had condemned him in the past, I had always believed that Aiden was a decent man. But now, it turned out he was truly a pervert at heart. Just thinking about how we had already slept together made me want to puke. I can't believe I had considered...

So much for wanting to let go.

No, I won't dwell on this anymore. I’ll reveal his hypocritical face to everyone on TV when I have the interview in a while!

I crumpled the letter in my hand, feeling a potent mixture of anger and betrayal surge through my veins. How could he write something like this? The words on the page were vile, dripping with perversion and crudeness. This was the same Aiden who had always seemed so composed, so in control. He was the epitome of professionalism, the one who always knew exactly what to say and how to act. The revelation was jarring, like a slap in the face, and I felt my world tilting on its axis. I didn't know what to do, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

But one thing was clear: I couldn’t let this slide. Aiden needed to be exposed for the hypocrite he was. For years, he had overshadowed my achievements, always basking in the limelight as the golden boy of the office. He was the one everyone admired, the one who could do no wrong. It was infuriating, and now, with this letter in my hand, I had the ammunition to bring him down. It was time for the world to see his true colors, to know the man behind the polished facade.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. My anger fueled me, igniting a newfound determination. I poured all my energy into preparing for the TV interview, the perfect platform to reveal the truth. I rehearsed my lines meticulously, making sure each word was sharp and precise. I scrutinized my appearance, ensuring that every detail was perfect, from my hair to my outfit. I needed to look composed and credible, the antithesis of the man I was about to expose.

Mentally, I prepared myself for what I was about to do. I knew it would be a bombshell, a revelation that would shake the very foundation of our office dynamics.

But I was ready. For too long, Aiden had held the power, manipulating everyone with his charm and deceit.

It was time to turn the tables, to reclaim my dignity and show everyone the truth.