Married to a good friend’s brother
After quitting my job and moving back to my
hometown to embrace the quiet life, I married
my best friend’s older brother. Only problem?
He seemed to hate me.
Whatever. I figured it was like marrying my
bestie anyway. So, after the wedding, I
practically lived at her place. Then, one day, he
cornered me.
“Honey, are you really going to make me live
like a monk forever?”
“Huh?”
- 1.
The minute I decided to quit my job and move
back home, Sarah, my best friend, flew out to
get me. I hadn’t even finished handing over my
work when I was whisked away on her private
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jet. Talk about a spoiled rich girl and her
struggling millennial friend.
“You should’ve come back ages ago! You have
no idea how bored I’ve been stuck here without
you,” Sarah chirped, practically strangling me in
a hug. The whole flight she regaled me with
tales of her lonely princess life while I toiled
away in the big city.
“Let go of my hand, let me finish sending this
job application,” I said, pretending to glare. She
pouted but released me.
The “quiet life” back home was really
just…struggling in a different zip code. Job
hunting was still a necessity.
After I hit send, Sarah peered over my shoulder.
“Wait, isn’t that my brother’s company? What
position are you applying for? I’ll put in a good
word.”
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This is what it’s like having the daughter of the
town’s richest man as your best friend. I silently
wept–why didn’t she tell me sooner? I could
have skipped the whole application process!
Just like that, I landed a job at Sarah’s brother’s company. Presumably thanks to Sarah, my workload was light, allowing me to clock out on time every day and hang out with her. She took me everywhere, treating me to all sorts of local delicacies, often cooked by a private chef. These were things I could only dream of during my ramen–fueled days in the city.
“Lisa, these past two years without you have been torture. I just don’t click with those other rich girls. It’s so much better having you around, someone who actually enjoys street food.” She handed me the only skewers from the plate that weren’t drenched in hot sauce. “Here’s your
く
non–spicy.”
“Thanks, milady.”
“Oh, stop it. By the way, if you see my brother at work, avoid him. We had a fight.”
“Oh?” Truth be told, I hadn’t even seen Sarah’s brother in the almost month I’d been working there.
“He got mad because I agreed with Mom that he needs to bring a girl home. He even froze a bunch of my credit cards! What a jerk. No wonder he can’t get a girlfriend.” She
continued, “And with that temper, if he does find someone, and she has the same temper, I’m going to lose it.”
“I haven’t met your brother. He probably doesn’t even know who I am, right?” I gulped, suddenly worried he might take his anger out on me at work. I was terrified of workplace drama, but I
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needed this job. If it weren’t for the soul-
crushing commute and endless overtime in the city, I wouldn’t have come back home.
“You’ll meet him eventually. Just steer clear for
now. He’s way more serious about work than life.”
I nodded obediently, vowing to stay out of his way. Of course, the very next day, I ran into him while clocking in. It was all Sarah’s fault, dragging me out for drinks. A few too many
cocktails later, I was out cold. The next
morning, I threw on the first clothes I could find and rushed to work.
I pressed my exhausted face against the time
clock, punching in with seconds to spare. Relief washed over me as I realized I’d saved my
perfect attendance record.
“Cutting it close, and looking like you just rolled
out of bed. What department are you in?” A
cold male voice startled me. It wasn’t my
supervisor. I turned stiffly to see a devastatingly handsome…and scowling…stranger.
“Administration…”
“Administration, and you show up looking like
this? Didn’t you read the employee handbook?”
“I’m sorry, I’ll go fix myself up.”
“Name.”
I froze, Sarah’s words from last night echoing in my mind. Could this be her terrifying brother?
“Lisa Miller.”
“New?”
“Just started a month ago.”
“Noted.”
Noted what? I watched him disappear toward the executive offices, completely bewildered.
Crap. It was definitely Sarah’s brother. Double
crap. He probably knew I was Sarah’s friend
and got the job because of her.
I wanted to cry.
After my encounter with Ethan, I spent the
entire day on edge, watching the clock until it
was time to leave. The second the clock struck
five, I bolted, desperate to avoid another run–in.
As soon as I stepped out of the building, I saw
Sarah waiting in the lobby.
“Lisa, babe! My housekeeper is making
Cantonese food tonight, your favorite! Come
on, let’s go! Her steamed sea bass is to die
for!” She linked her arm through mine, but I
hesitated.
