36. Jealousy On the Top

One Month Later. Arleena was all smiles after being recognized as an exemplary employee. One of the company's big projects that lasted for four months had been completed. They all managed to achieve high targets-even more than they had planned. "Congratulations, Arleena. You've worked hard. We'll give you a bonus for your achievement," said Danielle, the CEO of the company where Arleena worked. Arleena gave a sweet smile and bowed again. In front of her were her coworkers from the same and different divisions. "Woah, Arleena, she always works so hard that she gets bonuses over and over again," said Denny, Arleena's male coworker from the finance division. "That's right. I can't imagine how tired you were when you took part in a product collaboration project with a foreign company," Wiliam, who came from the same division as Arleena, also replied. He looked admiringly at Arleena. Arleena didn't really take them all seriously. Her chuckle sounded and made her dimples appear. Her heart was really pounding at that moment. The euphoria of success like this always caused an adrenaline reaction. Arleena replied, "Thank you everyone. Gosh, I don't know what to say." On the other side, Arleena saw Gabriel and Sassy from another division taking pictures of her. They were very enthusiastic about Arleena's success. Gabriel even made a few small jumps. "I'm proud of you," Gabriel said quietly from his spot to Arleena. Arleena's sweet smile curved in response to Gabriel's beckoning words. Arleena turned her attention to Danielle, and one last time gave a formal nod. "Thank you for your dedication to the company over the years," Danielle said. "You've worked for three years and participated in projects. All the projects you worked on exceeded their targets." Arleena actually felt uncomfortable being complimented like that. So, bowing her head again in respect, Arleena chuckled. "Mr. Danielle, the successful projects were also thanks to the other employees." Arleena tried to avoid feeling awkward. After a few moments on the wide podium talking about the success of the product, Arleena came down. She immediately approached Gabriel and Sassy who were waiting for her with enthusiasm. While Sassy looked calmer and folded her arms across her chest, Gabriel pranced around in delight. Gabriel hugged Arleena so suddenly that Arleena pushed away the award bouquet to avoid damaging it. "Oh my, Gabriel. Why are you overreacting like this?" asked Arleena, although annoyed at being surprised, she still returned Gabriel's hug. Gabriel lightly tapped the back of Arleena's right shoulder. "Hey, what did you say? Overreacting?" he asked, then broke the hug and looked at Arleena in exasperation. "Of course I have to exaggerate. You just got a big bonus from the company. So, after this, you should treat us both." Sassy nodded in agreement with Gabriel's words. "That's right, you should treat us to something quite expensive." Hearing that made Arleena immediately put on an unexpected expression. Arleena was surprised by Gabriel and Sassy who suddenly made that request. Arleena immediately gaped, showing a dramatized surprised reaction. "If I knew that you guys had a desire behind giving me praise, I wouldn't be as happy as I was," replied Arleena who looked at Gabriel and Sassy with a disappointed look. Gabriel and Sassy looked at each other and smiled ignorantly. They both enjoyed seeing Arleena's upset reaction. "Come on, Arleena. We've both been supporting you during the project, even before you got involved in the project," Gabriel replied, deliberately putting on a pitiable expression. Sassy snapped her fingers. "That's right. You should be thanking us." Suddenly, Arleena frowned at Gabriel and Sassy. For a moment, she looked at Gabriel and Sassy in turn. "Ah, so you guys aren't sincerely supporting me?" Arleena pretended to feel as if she was very disappointed with her two best friends. Gabriel and Sassy were still pleading. Arleena almost laughed at Sassy's pleading face. Actually, her friend was not suitable for begging like now. Arleena shook her head. "Oh my, look at these two humans in front of me. You're asking me to thank you for supporting me..." As Arleena paused the sentence, Gabriel and Sassy became even more pleading to her. The two friends were really acting like children begging for a piece of candy. Meanwhile, Arleena gradually felt unbearable to the two of them. As usual, there was no refusal. "Alright, I'll treat you both," Arleena replied. "Without you having to ask, I also intend to treat you to a meal. We should have fun together, right?" "That's right. You can't leave your friends behind," said Gabriel who was already looking happy. Sassy was already smiling serenely. Her face looked better than when she was pleading. Before Arleena could say anything to Gabriel and Sassy, someone's voice called out to her. It was from the side and very familiar. "Arleena!" It wasn't just Arleena who was distracted. But also Gabriel and Sassy. The three of them were immediately dumbfounded to see who was coming. Justin, carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers in his arms and smiling broadly, walked up to Arleena. I don't know when Justin had come here, to the company's employee award ceremony. "Justin?" Arleena muttered, as her whole body froze in place. Justin threw Arleena a smile. Until Justin stopped walking near Arleena, holding out the bouquet of flowers he was holding. "Again?!" Gabriel exclaimed in surprise. "Hey, you really want to annoy Arleena on purpose, huh?" Sassy hardened her jaw and almost took a step forward. She wanted to give Justin an affirmation. Arleena immediately extended one hand to restrain Gabriel and Sassy's movement. She gestured with a shake of her head for Gabriel and Sassy not to do anything. Gabriel and Sassy were forced to obey, but their eyes remained sharp. Warning Justin not to say anything to Arleena. "I don't know why you came," Arleena said, looking Justin up and down. Then her gaze stopped on the bouquet of flowers Justin had brought. "What are they for?" "For you," Justin replied. He didn't feel at all embarrassed or guilty for coming. "Oh, I didn't come to meet your two friends. So, can they just get out of the way?" Hearing Justin's question made Arleena widen her eyes in surprise. Just as Gabriel and Sassy wanted to give an answer, Arleena stopped them again. "Them? Out of the way?" asked Arleena. She took a step forward with her chin up. "Shouldn't you get out of the way, Justin? You're still coming." Justin's smile faded slightly as his hand holding the bouquet of flowers slowly lowered. For a few seconds Justin looked at Arleena in disbelief, his lopsided laughter audible. "I can't believe you kicked me out again, Arleena," Justin said. "I've come-" "That's what I mean, why did you come?" cut in Arleena. Justin, who was stunned to have his words cut off, became silent. "No one asked you to come, Justin. And how did you know there was an awards ceremony at the company I work for?" Arleena looked at Justin suspiciously. "Hey, are you stalking?" guessed Gabriel, responding with contrived panic. Justin laughed sarcastically and looked away briefly. When he looked back at Gabriel, the look on his face had turned annoyed. "I have nothing to do with you, why do you keep interrupting?" Justin scowled at Gabriel. Gabriel immediately frowned sharply, not accepting Justin's attitude. "Of course you have business with me, because you have business with Arleena," Gabriel replied firmly. He was no less cynical than Justin. "He should know that his words don't belong in the middle of our conversation," Justin replied to Arleena while pointing at Gabriel. "We need to get out of here so we can talk alone." Justin was about to take Arleena's hand to ask her to leave, causing Gabriel and Sassy to immediately panic. But Justin's move was canceled when someone's hand went to his wrist. Keeping him from taking Arleena anywhere. Justin, Arleena, Gabriel, and Sassy's gazes moved slowly towards the owner of the hand. Arleena was even more surprised to see the arrival of Hugo wearing a black collared sweater. There was a larger bouquet of flowers in his left hand. While Hugo's right hand held Justin's hand, Hugo looked at Justin sharply. It was a piercing gaze that was aimed right at Justin's beady eyes. There was a stern warning there even though he hadn't said anything yet. Justin fell silent in shock. Especially Arleena, who was instantly taken aback by Hugo's handsome appearance. A long body, white glasses, neatly combed hair, fragrant men's perfume, and an all-black style that is formal but still gives a relaxed impression. Arleena barely blinked at Hugo's appearance. "What are you doing?" Hugo asked Justin. While Justin was still dumbfounded, Hugo threw his hand away from Arleena. Arleena's hand moved between Hugo's grasp. "Apparently getting a warning once wasn't enough for you, huh?" Hugo spoke calmly amidst his piercing eyes on Justin. When he returned to consciousness, Justin grinned at Hugo. "Ah, this jerk again..." "Jerk?" Hugo felt offended by Justin's words. "You're always interrupting my time with Arleena. Get out of my way, let me talk to her." Justin looked at Hugo no less sharply. Hugo grinned. "Why would I let my wife out of my grasp to go with her asshole ex-lover?"