Chapter 8

Calista knew the call was from Patricia. She was curious about what Patricia said on the phone that made Noah rush out like that. Calista hadn't planned on digging deeper. But when she went downstairs to take out the trash, she just so happened to spot Noah with his arm around Patricia. They were sitting together at the cafe across the street. Inside the cafe, Patricia was crying as she said, "I ran into Calista at the bridal shop today. She picked the exact same wedding dress as me, and her wedding date is the same as mine. "You don't have to tell me that you and Calista grew up together because I already know. I also know that your relationship isn't normal. I just want to ask you one thing. Are you marrying me or her?" Noah's chest tightened at the sight of her tears. He gently pulled her into his arms. Even though Patricia struggled and hit him with her fists, he didn't let go. Then, he explained softly, "Calista may have grown up with me, but she's obsessed with me. She has a crazy one-sided crush on me. "You're the only one I want to marry. Tricia, I'm sorry. I didn't expect you to misunderstand. It's my fault for not explaining things to you sooner." Noah wore a troubled expression as he continued, "Calista's delusional. Just because she can't have me, she keeps imagining herself as my fiancee. But Tricia, I love you and only you." Noah's heartfelt confession and explanation quickly brought a smile back to Patricia's face. They then embraced and kissed passionately, completely ignoring the fact that they were still in public. Upon hearing those words, Calista felt even more now that someone like Noah wasn't worth her love. Unfortunately, it had taken her 12 years to see him for who he really was. Still, it wasn't too late. … Back at the apartment, Calista found several new messages from Patricia on her phone. They were full of threats, dripping with hostility. "Noah told me everything. If I catch you clinging to him again, I'll expose you to the company and ruin your reputation! You shameless bitch! You're trying to steal someone else's man. Karma will come for you! "We're doing great and about to get married. He wouldn't be caught dead with someone like you in public. No matter how much you grovel at his feet, you won't get him. Got it?" Calista looked at the messages expressionlessly, then put her phone down without replying. Noah, on the other hand, came home visibly anxious. He immediately asked, "Calista, you didn't get any weird messages, did you?" "No." He let out a breath of relief at her answer. Then, he reminded her, "Don't forget to finish that bid proposal. Don't drag it out too long." Too bad. Calista was bound to disappoint him. Noah followed up almost every day, urging Calista about the bid proposal. But Calista just kept putting it off. In the end, she dragged it all the way to the day before her 30th birthday. Since Calista hadn't been in the office lately, Noah had a new assistant, Karen Franklin. However, Karen kept making mistakes, and the office was constantly filled with the sound of Noah's angry yelling. "What the hell are you doing? If you can't handle it, then get out!" "Calista used to take care of all this," she replied. "I'm still new. I don't really get it yet." Noah threw down the files and rubbed his temples irritably. "When is Calista coming back?" "Didn't Calista—" Resign? Before Karen could finish speaking, a woman in a floral dress threw herself into Noah's arms. "Noah, tomorrow's our wedding day! I want to do something special. Let's go to the courthouse tomorrow and get our marriage certificate first, okay?" At the sight of Patricia, Noah forced himself to suppress the frustration that had just been building up from work. As usual, he affectionately tapped the tip of her nose. "Okay, we can do whatever you want as long as you're happy." Patricia beamed and kissed him on the cheek. "You're the best."