Page 73 of Hating the Boss

“I don’t know about that…”

“Please, Brad. I’ve learned my lesson. Please, take me back.” A tear fell down her cheek, leaving a trail of smudged makeup in its wake.

“Angela…” I said exasperatedly. This was taking too long. I needed to find Sarah.

“I can make you happy,” she said, nodding eagerly. “You can even keep your little side chick in the champagne gown…”

My mind zoned in on that last sentence.

How did she know what Sarah was wearing tonight?

My stomach pooled with dread.

“Oh, yes, Brad. I met your little plaything Sarah tonight. She’s pretty, but she’s not cut out for this world, even though you tried to disguise her in a pretty gown.”

“What did you do?” I asked, growing frantic as I scanned the crowd for Sarah.

“She’s not here.”

“Angela…”

“I told her we were getting back together.”

“Fuck!” I practically yelled, gaining attention of other partygoers as they side-eyed me in hushed whispers.

I quickly strode toward the main doors and found a security guard, bringing him back to where Angela stood, sipping champagne proudly. Her mouth dropped when she saw security with me.

“This woman needs to be escorted out. She is not a guest here. She is a criminal,” I said, crossing my arms and glaring at her.

The security guard took her champagne glass and placed it on a nearby table before gripping her arm and leading her toward the doors.

“Let go of me!” cried Angela in a shrill voice, as everyone looked on with piqued curiosity. When her protests faded away down the hall, I walked the entire ballroom in search of Sarah, but she was nowhere to be found. If Angela really did tell her that, she had most likely left. I didn’t blame her.

I made my way toward the same doors Angela had been escorted out of, planning to go after Sarah and explain everything.

“Brad!” my father’s booming voice called after me, stopping me.

“Dad, not now. Please,” I said exasperatedly.

“What the hell is going on?” he demanded.

“I did what you said. Angela is gone.”

“But why was she here in the first place? I thought she was out of your life.”

“She is!” I exclaimed, my impatience growing.

As if not hearing me, my father continued. “That’s why I was so supportive of you and that Sarah woman…”

“I’m still with Sarah,” I said. At least, I hoped I was.

My father narrowed his gaze. “After tonight’s stunt, it’s highly doubtful Howard Knight will ever want to do business with us. You are to blame for that.”

“I can’t help if my ex-fiancée comes to an event and decides to act crazy!” I snapped, throwing my hands up in the air. “I also can’t help that Howard Knight has unrealistic expectations for what the world should look like in his old-fashioned brain!”

“Keep your voice down,” said my father, looking around.

I sighed frustratedly.