Page 68 of My Ruthless Neighbor

A brown woman dressed in a pantsuit who was seated at the table beside Meagan’s suddenly stands. “Get your hands off her, lady.”

Hallie tenses. “I need to talk to my employee in private. Please don’t let us bother you.”

When she tries to pull me again, the woman interrupts. “Employee or not, you can’t manhandle her.” She frowns. And I feel sad. The kind woman fell for my act.

Hallie reluctantly eases her grip.

“Thank you.” My lower lip trembles. It’s all an act. Though I don’t particularly feel good deceiving her, I have no choice. I have started this, I’ll have to carry on until the end.

“No problem.” She says then her eyes flick to Meagan. “Instead of calling the manager, you could simply leave and solve this matter outside.”

Meagan holds her palm up. “You stay out of this.”

“Since you insist on making a fool out of yourself, I am not going to stop you. Please continue.” With that, she sits back down. Everyone chuckles.

I cover my mouth to hide my smile. Damn, I guess Meagan is going to remember this day forever.

“You!” Meagan says when she catches me smiling. “Apologize to me right this second.”

“Apologize for telling the truth? For protecting what’s mine?” I touch my stomach.

“You fucking bitch—”

“If calling me names satisfies you then go ahead.” I take a stuttering breath. “Just leave us alone. That’s the only thing I am asking of you. Stop blackmailing him into dating you. He is not interested—”

Cold liquid hits my face a second before it registers what she has done.

Indignation burns in Meagan’s eyes as her chest rises and falls. Her fingers tightly wrapped around the stem of the now empty wine glass.

Silence ensues.

I stand there with a soaked shirt and stare at the woman in front of me.

Without any word, she snatches up her designer bag and stalks away in the direction of the exit.

Taking a deep breath, I paste a smile on my face. “Well, at least the wine was delicious.” I joke, licking my lips and some of the customers chuckle softly. I give them a sad smile. “I am sorry for the disturbance. It wasn’t intentional. Please enjoy your evening.”

With that, I turn on my heel and escape. My heart is pounding in my ears as I reach the kitchen.

Hot tears sting my eyes as I wipe my face with my palm. I don’t even have a napkin.

It’s okay, Summer, I tell myself as I stop at the changing room door.

You’ve gone through humiliation like these many times. It’s okay.

I am about to enter when Hallie catches up to me.

“Summer.”

I face her and find her rigid posture. I predict it even before she speaks. “You are fired.”

Chapter Fifteen

Iused to believe that patience is my strong suit. Turns out I was wrong. I resent being proven wrong.

I begin to pace the length of the employees’ only exit of the restaurant. The very same exit Summer directed me to when she persuaded me to leave.

My attempts to prevent myself from going inside are slowly falling weaker and weaker.

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