Chapter 4
12:06 PM c
<
When I arrived, I immediately spotted Lowell, Kaitlynn stood behind him, trembling with fear.
Around them, a few middle–aged men with beer bellies were persistently trying to get them to drink.
“Mr. Henderson, what’s the harm in letting this young lady have a drink with us to liven things up?”
“Yeah, she’s just your secretary. Why protect her so much?”
“As long as she drinks with us, we’ll sign the deal. Isn’t that enough?”
At that, Lowell’s face darkened immediately. He slammed his glass down on the floor and sneered,
“What? Do you really think I need a woman to sacrifice for my business?!”
The words hit me like a slap in the face.
The painful memories flooded back.
company, to quickly gain market traction, I had accompanied Lowell to countless business banquets.
In the early days
ys of the co
For his career, I’d forced a smile and drank with others, even though it made me sick.
But he never stopped the drinks that were pushed in front of me.
Iremembered one particular night.
I cried, begging him to take me home. Those men were disgusting, and I didn’t want to drink anymore.
But to my surprise, Lowell had gotten angry.
“What are you talking about? It’s a privilege to drink with Mr. Ortiz
He grabbed my hand tightly and dragged me out.
“Stop making a fuss! Just drink and keep quiet. They’re waiting for us!”
Thinking back, I couldn’t help but shiver with the memory.
Now, facing the same situation, Lowell stood in front of Kaitlynn, shielding her from the men.
es full of concern.
He gently patted her head, his eyes
“Kaitlynn, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you to this place.
“This deal? I don’t care about it. I’m not going to let you drink with those old men.”
Tears sprang to my eyes.
I thought, “So he cares enough to stop his beloved woman from drinking with other men.
if Kaitlynn can’t drink, then what about m
me?
All the drinks I had swallowed for him…what did they mean?”
My chest clenched with pain. My eyes blurred. I quickly wiped my tears off, wanting to escape this scene.
Just then, Felix spotted me and waved frantically. “Bessie, over here!”
At his shout, every eye in the room turned toward me.
Lowell saw mir, too,
