I’m high maintenance. Everyone says so. But I landed a boyfriend who is mature, steady, and infinitely tolerant. His friends couldn't stand it and told me to be nicer to him. So, at dinner, I peeled a shrimp for him. That night, he posted a rage-filled status update visible only to his "boys": [Which one of you idiots ruined my bratty girlfriend?! I want her bad attitude back!] 1 It wasn't a holiday or an anniversary, but Adrian Sterling suddenly transferred two million dollars into my account. I texted him a question mark: [?] He replied instantly: [Babe, we just hit the 2,000,000th minute of being in love.] [Don't you think that's incredibly meaningful?] I raised an eyebrow. Honestly, I never kept track of time like that. Especially not such... obsessive milestones. I only remember we've been dating for about three years. But money is money. I accepted it calmly and Venmo’d him back $200 with a note: [Here’s to the next 2 million minutes~] A moment later, I saw Adrian’s new Instagram story. It was a screenshot of my $200 transfer. Caption: [❤️ My daily allowance. Feeling like a kept man today. Bliss. ?] Even though I’d seen similar posts many times, I still struggled to connect the mature, stoic Adrian Sterling I knew in real life with this love-struck teenager online. The contrast was too extreme! In person, Adrian was serious, rigorous, and unsmiling. His attitude toward work was harsh, bordering on tyrannical. I heard his employees called him "The Ice Reaper." Yet, this "Ice Reaper" posted lovey-dovey content almost daily. How good I was to him. How much I loved him. Even if I just sent a random emoji, he’d screenshot it: [Spoiled by my girlfriend again. (Spinning)] Even I found it a bit much, let alone his bros. One of them once pulled me aside and said tactfully: "Zoe, I know couples have their own dynamic, but do you have to force Adrian to post that stuff every day?" I was confused. "What stuff?" "The PDA." He showed me his phone. "Adrian’s feed isn't just for us. It’s for his business partners, investors, and industry elders. Do you know what people are saying about him?" I was shocked by Adrian’s feed on his phone. It was full of pink bubbles and sickeningly sweet captions I had never seen before! His friend said seriously: "Can you stop forcing him?" I opened my mouth to explain but didn't know where to start. So I called Adrian. Later, his friends learned that Adrian posted those voluntarily. He even hid them from me just so he could post more. I didn't understand his obsession with social media validation. Just like I didn't understand what was worth showing off. I sent him $200, and he flaunted it. He sent me $2 million, and he didn't say a word. I tied his tie on a whim, and he posted it. He served me hand and foot every day, yet never mentioned it. Sometimes I felt he was intentionally putting me on a pedestal. Now that even his business partners knew he had a girlfriend who "adored" him, did I dare not love him? Luckily, I did love him. Adrian was handsome, wealthy, and obedient. He spent money on me, listened to me, and tolerated my bad temper infinitely. I couldn't find a more perfect boyfriend. Just as he came home from work, I jumped into his arms. He caught me easily with one arm. I whispered loudly in his ear: "Adrian, I want to go to work!" 2 The arm holding me stiffened visibly. But Adrian didn't say much, just asked curiously: "Why the sudden urge to work?" It wasn't sudden, I thought. I graduated a year ago. I had worked for a total of three months. Those three months were a nightmare of office politics, micromanagement, and a boss who got too handsy. My first job out of the ivory tower was a disaster. I didn't dare look for another, so I nestled in Adrian's villa for over six months. Until two days ago. A college classmate sent me a screenshot of a group chat: [By the way, what is Zoe doing after graduation?] [What else? Being a canary in a gilded cage.] [Must be nice to be pretty. When will a rich guy keep me?] [Aren't they dating? I remember they started in sophomore year.] [It sounds nice to call it dating. In reality, it's just... that.] [True. The gap between her and her boyfriend is huge. Will they even marry? Rich guys just play around.] [Honestly, even if they don't marry, I'm jealous. I can't find a job, and she's financially free.] [Jealous of what? Would you let someone control you?] [Haha, I wouldn't. I can't handle a guy who's so much more powerful.] [Her boyfriend probably stopped caring about her long ago.] [So, the suffering Zoe endures, you might not be able to handle. (Smirk)] I didn't know what suffering they were talking about. Adrian was a few years older, but a five-year gap was normal. And Adrian didn't "stop caring." On the contrary, he cared too much. I was the one who couldn't handle it. He woke up early for work, while I slept in. Yet at night, he was energetic, and I was exhausted... Weird. I ignored the chat log, even when my classmate urged me to clarify. There was nothing to say. My boyfriend was handsome, rich, and capable. Let them be sour. I just simply felt after reading it: Maybe I should find something to do. I wrapped my arms around Adrian’s neck. "Jax offered me a job at his company." Jax was Adrian’s best friend. And the one who hated me the most. Sometimes he looked at me like I was a succubus destroying a kingdom. He couldn't understand what spell I cast to change his brother so completely. He tried to break us up. But Adrian defended us strictly. Jax had no choice but to try separating us physically. He offered me a job with a high salary. The only condition was that I stop clinging to Adrian 24/7 so he could have time with his boys. I accepted happily. Adrian buried his face in my neck, whining: "Babe, if you want to work, why not come to my company?" I teased: "Then we'd be together 24 hours a day. What if you get sick of me?" He looked serious. "Impossible!" "What if I get sick of you?" He thought for a moment and sighed. "Fine." 3 Jax ran a gaming company. He had a hand in all the popular MMOs and made a fortune. He didn't assign me a department, just said to pick a role. So I chose the Game Design department, which interested me most. The atmosphere was relaxed, unlike my last job. Colleagues were young and dressed casually. My mentor, Cole, was friendly: "Have you played games before? Doesn't have to be ours." I admitted shyly: "Just Candy Crush." He wasn't surprised, just smiled. "Perfect. I need a blank slate. Try playing our latest MMO for a week and submit a 'newbie experience report'." I had never heard such a gentle command. I buried myself in playing. I recorded my feelings on the plot and the difficulties I faced. Adrian felt neglected and protested frequently: [Babe, you haven't kissed me in ages.] I coaxed him: [Working. Be good.] A week later. I submitted my report and joined the welcome party for new hires. It was at a Karaoke bar. The equipment wasn't great, and there was howling from the hallway, but I felt unprecedentedly happy. The party ended at 11 PM. Adrian picked me up, sulking at my drunken state. I cupped his face and kissed him loudly. "Aww, don't be mad, boyfriend." He turned his head. "You smell like alcohol." I kissed him again. "Let's stink together." Whatever emotions remained were resolved in bed. I was dizzy, only remembering Adrian’s intense thrusts and cold face. Waking up the next day, I was still groggy. Adrian rarely skipped work, but he brought me warm water. "Headache? Will you drink that much next time?" I drank the water slowly and shook my head. Suddenly remembering I hadn't asked for leave, I grabbed my phone. Before I could text my boss, I saw a new email notification. It said I had been transferred to the CEO's Office. I looked up at Adrian in shock. "What's wrong?" Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, pinching my cheek. "I was transferred." Adrian took the phone and read the notice. Silence filled the room. I wanted to ask: Did you do this? But I felt bad suspecting him. I was busy last week and ignored him. He was unhappy. But surely he wouldn't... "Probably a personnel shuffle." Adrian held my cold hand. "Did you like the old department? I'll tell Jax to move you back?" I tried to read his face. "Wait, I'll call him." Adrian said. He called Jax. "Why move Zoe to the CEO's office?" "We're short on people, bro!" Jax yelled. "Three assistants are on maternity leave. I haven't hired replacements yet. I want Zoe to fill in. Are you going to micromanage this too?" Adrian defended me: "But if Zoe likes her old—" I stopped him, signaling him to stop. Jax was still yelling: "Adrian, you freak! Zoe isn't a child. If you can't let go, just lock her at home and stop unleashing her on me!" Adrian hung up. I spoke first: "I can go to the CEO's office." "Will you be unhappy, babe?" I shook my head. As long as it was normal work and not Adrian meddling, it was fine. He chuckled low, resting his forehead against mine. "Did you misunderstand me just now?" I blushed. "A little." He pouted. "Babe, you don't trust me." "No, no." I explained quickly, "You complained about me not spending time with you, and last night you were so... fierce. I thought you were unsatisfied with my job..." Adrian laughed darkly. He buried his head in my shoulder, his voice aggrieved: "But I'm really sad. You suspected me so easily. You don't trust me at all." I kissed his ear. "Don't be sad, okay?" He was like a giant cat, lying on top of me. "I need comfort." Helpless, I gave him the comfort he needed. Until the sky went dark again. I thought hazily, Is he trying to make up for the whole week? 4 Three days later, I officially started at the CEO's office. Jax was my direct boss. But he didn't give me work. He just told me to read the company bylaws and recent projects. He threw a pile of files at me and left. His lazy attitude didn't look like he was short on people. I didn't count on him. I asked other colleagues. A new male colleague, Sam, saw I was bored and kindly shared some filing work. For convenience, I moved a chair next to him. When I had questions, I whispered to him. He was patient, explaining details and sharing tips. I laughed at his jokes and thanked him earnestly. Who knew this scene would be seen by Adrian, who came to visit. He abandoned Jax and beelined for me. "Why are you sitting here?" I looked up innocently, files on my lap. "Working." "And this is—" He looked at Sam and extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Zoe's boyfriend." Sam shook it, flattered. "Mr. Sterling! Hello, I've heard so much about you. I'm Sam." Jax walked over, arm on Adrian’s shoulder, looking at me. "Didn't I tell you not to do this?" "Reading files is boring," I complained. "If you moved me here just to read rules, I'd rather play games downstairs." Jax was speechless. Adrian tried to soothe me. "Babe, you stay busy. I'll talk to him." When they left, the office went quiet. But Sam's attitude changed. Polite, respectful, ingratiating, but distant. He took back half the files. "Maybe I shouldn't bother you. I thought about it, this is my job. It's not right to ask for help." I didn't know what to say. True, I wasn't here to make friends. But I hated this sudden alienation. It reminded me of my last job. I had a work bestie there. Even when the boss harassed me, I stayed because of her. Then suddenly, she ignored me. No reason. She stopped asking me to lunch, stopped sharing snacks, and joked with everyone but me. Cold violence was the last straw. I quit soon after. Six months later, returning to the workforce, it was happening again. Was I just not cut out for work? I stopped trying. I did whatever Jax said, even if he gave me busywork. I had no energy. I went home dejected. Adrian hugged me. "What's wrong? You look like a wilted flower." "It's your fault!" I pinched his cheek. "Now everyone in the office knows I'm your girlfriend and treats me like glass!" "I'm sorry." Adrian lowered his head apologetically. "I made it hard for you. I shouldn't have said that." His look made me unable to blame him. He was my boyfriend. It wasn't wrong to say it. "Forget it." I sighed. "I'll stick it out. If I get tired of working, I'll come back here and be a bum." He kissed my cheek. "Or be my wife." After dinner, Adrian worked in the study. I scrolled Instagram on the sofa. I accepted new friend requests from the office. I liked their posts. My finger paused. I saw a post from Lisa, the only colleague from my old job I kept in touch with. She posted a photo of Maya—my old work bestie—shopping for luxury bags. Caption: [The simple life of a rich lady.] Maya couldn't afford those bags before. I didn't know she struck gold. I liked the post. Lisa messaged me: [Did you see? Maya got rich!] I replied: [Yeah, congrats to her.] Lisa: [But it seems to have something to do with you.] [?] [What do you mean?] Lisa: [Shortly after you quit, she quit too. We met by chance today. She said her luxury goods were thanks to your rich boyfriend.] My brain exploded.
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