CHAPTER 5
I answered the call and heard the commanding voice of one of Griffin’s friends. “Tessa! Griffin’s drunk. Bring some hangover medicine to Nightshade Lounge, private room 5.”
Before I could respond, he hung up, clearly assuming I’d come running.
I didn’t want to go, but I remembered some belongings still stored in the apartment’s storage room. I needed the key from Griffin to retrieve them and complete my cleanout.
After a moment’s consideration, I dragged my tired body out the door.
The moment I pushed open the door to the private room, I heard Griffin’s friends laughing mockingly.
“See? I told you she’d show up! Of course she came our boy Griffin’s here, and she can’t bear to stay away.”
riffin lounged in the main seat, taking a lazy sip of his drink. He pointed at
meone on the couch and smiled. “I win this round. Pay up for the drinks tonight. no bets against a sure thing? You never learn.”
rom Griffin’s words, I immediately understood.
Griffin wasn’t drunk at all. They’d called me over with hangover medicine as an excuse because they’d made me the subject of their bet–wagering whether I’d
come or not.
This wasn’t the first time. These “friends” had played this game several times before.
The last time, they’d claimed Griffin had been in a car accident. I’d rushed over in a panic only to find Griffin perfectly fine, standing there while his so–called friends laughed at my distress.
Since then, they’d made a habit of using me for their betting games.
They must not have expected me to fall for it again after being tricked so many times. Yet here I was.
The man who’d lost the bet was sprawled on the couch, bitterly complaining about
me:
“What’s wrong with you? Coming whenever you’re called like it’s midnight! You’re so pathetic, following him around like that. Are you some kind of dog? Doing whatever you’re told without a shred of self–respect!”
“Hey, that’s crossing a line!” another man interjected. “How can you talk about a woman like that? We all know how much Tessa loves our Griffin. She’s been trailing after him for over a decade. ‘Dog‘ is a bit harsh.”
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His tone suddenly shifted as he grinned maliciously: “Though ‘lovesick puppy‘ fits perfectly.”
The group erupted in laughter, their eyes filled with contempt and mockery. Griffin sat silently watching this spectacle without intervening.
He’d prepared comforting words for when I inevitably became upset and started trembling with anger like usual. Instead, I took a deep breath and looked directly at Griffin.
“I can’t find the storage room key. If you have it, I’d appreciate getting it from you.” Griffin frowned, making no move to retrieve the key.
Instead, he approached me, trying to change the subject. “Are you angry? Your face is so cold.”
After a pause, he continued, “Ryan and the guys are just joking around. Don’t take it personally–they don’t mean any harm. I’ll have them apologize if that makes you feel better. It’s not a big deal.”
I responded with a simple “Oh,” showing little reaction.
Griffin seemed taken aback.
Unusually, Griffin gestured to his friends.
“You see? Tessa’s upset. Come apologize right now.”
The group sauntered over, snickering. “Sorry, Tess. Forgive us, won’t you?” Their apologies dripped with insincerity and dismissiveness.
My expression remained unchanged as I looked at Griffin. “The key?”
Griffin was perplexed by my unusual calmness. I seemed like a different person. But he reasoned that someone who’d loved him for twelve years couldn’t have changed that much.
Dismissing his concerns, Griffin pulled the storage room key from his pocket and handed it to me.
I took it and turned to leave immediately.
As I walked out, I overheard one of his friends say to Griffin: “Why’d you make us apologize to that lovesick puppy?”
“You don’t get it,” another replied. “Tessa’s been trailing after Griffin for so long. If
he’s always cold to her, it might crush her confidence. You need to mix the stick with the carrot to keep her devoted. Isn’t that right, Griffin?”
“Yes…”
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