Chapter 29
After a hearty meal, Susan plopped back at her desk, feeling stuffed. Just as she was about to burp, Carter popped up in front of her, making her swallow it down.
"Mr. Anderson reviewed your reflection and said it wasn't thorough enough. He wants you to rewrite it." Carter dropped the paper on her desk.
"Rewrite?" Susan fumed. She had poured her heart into that reflection. 'Why wasn't it good enough? Seb's just messing with me!' she thought.
Seeing her frustration, Carter patted her shoulder. "Just do it again. You don't want Mr. Anderson to think poorly of you."
"Fine," Susan sighed, nodding reluctantly.
As Susan struggled to come up with new ideas for her reflection, Carter made an announcement to the office.
"Hey everyone, this weekend the company is treating us to a trip to Moon Bay Resort, all expenses paid! We're leaving Friday afternoon!" Carter grinned.
The office erupted in cheers.
Moon Bay Resort was in the suburbs of Maple Valley, known for its stunning scenery and pricey hot springs. Who wouldn't want a free trip?
"Carter, does 'all employees' include Mr. Anderson?" a young female employee asked shyly.
"Yeah, is Mr. Anderson going too?"
Several young women perked up, eyes wide with excitement. This could be their chance to get close to Mr. Anderson.
Susan shook her head at their girlish fantasies. What was so great about Seb? These women were so shallow, only seeing his money and looks.
"I don't know," Carter shrugged and went back to his office.
"Mr. Anderson should go, right? Didn't he say all employees?"
"Mr. Anderson is the boss, not an employee."
As everyone debated, someone suggested betting a thousand dollars on whether Seb would go to the resort.
The guys bet he wouldn't, saying the boss wouldn't join such a low-key event and probably had plans with some beauty for the weekend. The women, seeing the logic, mostly bet he wouldn't go either.
Susan wasn't interested in such a silly bet, but Isabella pulled her aside and whispered, "Do you think Seb will go?"
"How would I know?" Susan whispered back.
"You're his wife, you should have some idea. Just place a bet, and I'll follow your lead," Isabella urged.
"I really don't know," Susan frowned.
"Just bet on something," Isabella insisted.
Susan looked at the bets. The money on the side betting he wouldn't go was way more than the side betting he would. If she wanted to win, she'd have to bet on the underdog. With a sigh, Susan threw her and Isabella's two thousand dollars on the side betting he would go.
After placing the bet, Isabella pulled Susan aside and whispered, "You have to make sure he goes, okay? A thousand dollars is my living expenses for a month. I really need the money to cover my mom's medical bills!"
Hearing this, Susan was a bit taken aback. "Isn't this just for fun? Winning and losing is part of the game."
"I don't care. Just make sure he goes. Otherwise, you're covering my food expenses this month," Isabella said, raising an eyebrow.
"Seriously? Fine, I'll figure it out, but you have to write my reflection," Susan said, handing over the paper and pen.
Isabella grinned. "I'm not great at reflections, but I'll get it done."
Susan shook her head. At least she didn't have to worry about the reflection anymore, but how was she supposed to make sure Seb went to the resort?
Thursday night, Susan tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
She thought she'd have a chance to see Seb over the past couple of days and could subtly ask if he was going to the resort. But Seb hadn't shown up, which worried her.
She and Isabella had pooled two thousand dollars, enough for their living expenses for a month. 'What should I do?' Susan wondered.
Reluctantly, Susan picked up her phone and sent Seb a text.
Susan: [Been busy lately?]
She couldn't think of anything else to say, so she pretended to be concerned.
After several minutes with no reply, Susan tossed her phone aside, thinking, 'It's late. Seb's either asleep or out having fun. CEO's nightlife must be wild.'
Just as she was about to give up and turn off the light, her phone beeped. She quickly grabbed it and saw a message from Seb: [Just finished work. Why aren't you asleep yet? It's not good for the baby.]
Seeing that Seb had been working late, Susan felt a twinge of pity. His concern for her brought a bit of warmth, but his last sentence reminded her he was only worried about the baby:[Get some rest. You have work tomorrow.]
As Susan hesitated, Seb sent another message.
She knew this was her last chance, so she quickly typed and sent a message:[Are you coming to the resort with us tomorrow?]
This time, instead of a message, her phone rang.
Seeing Seb's name on the screen, Susan felt a bit flustered but answered immediately.
"Hello?" In the quiet of the night, she could hear her own heartbeat.
"Do you want me to go to the resort with you?" Seb's deep voice came through.
Susan felt nervous, unsure whether to say yes or no. If she said yes, would it seem like she was expressing her feelings? But if she said no and Seb didn't go, she and Isabella would lose their two thousand dollars.
After a quick mental debate, Susan said, "You've been working so hard. You should take the weekend to relax. Health is the most important thing."
Susan felt her face flush. These words felt so insincere, but luckily, Seb couldn't see her.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Seb's voice softened. "I understand. Get some rest."
Before Susan could say anything, Seb hung up.
'Seb, just tell me, are you going or not?' Susan felt like crying but had no tears.
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