The 99th Rejection Chapter 1

On the day I planned to propose, my girlfriend, Evelyn Johnson, stood me up for the 99th time to hang out with Andrew Langley, her newly hired assistant.

I didn't make a scene. I just wanted an explanation when I found her.

But I accidentally overheard their conversation.

"Ms. Johnson, aren't you worried Christopher might get jealous and leave you since we've been spending so much time together?"

Evelyn sneered, "Christopher Clark? That loser has no money and no family connections! Even his job came from me. He couldn't survive without me. Like I told you, he's just a plaything. You didn't actually think I was going to marry him, did you?"

I smiled coolly, tossed the engagement ring I'd prepared into the trash, and posted on Instagram: [Feeling down. Does anyone want to hang out? Limited time offer.]

Everyone thought I was just acting jealous and sulking.

Little did they know that after being rejected 99 times, I could finally go back to being the carefree heir to my family fortune.

When Evelyn called, I was lounging in a luxury suite at the high-end spa, the steam rising so thick I could barely keep my eyes open.

I answered lazily, "What's up?"

"What's the deal with that Instagram post you made this afternoon?"

Through the phone, Evelyn's voice was icy, maintaining her usual air of superiority.

It was her typical tone when dealing with me.

I always thought Evelyn was just that kind of person, serious and cold as an iceberg. So I acted like a lowly servant, carefully replying to her messages and taking care not to upset her.

But then Andrew joined the company as Evelyn's assistant, and every time he handed her documents, her eyes would soften, and she'd break into the warmest smile.

That was when I realized that Evelyn wasn't incapable of smiling. She just didn't smile at me.

Just then, I heard the sweet voice of the staff member, "Good afternoon, sir."

I answered with a smile, "Let's begin. Don't hold back, I can take it."

Evelyn noticed something off about the background noise and paused before saying disapprovingly, "Christopher, you never used to go to places like this."

My life used to revolve around three places—my home, the office, and Evelyn.

Not only did I handle all the housework, but I also took care of Evelyn's every need.

Evelyn said she loved my cooking, so I'd whip up something different for her every night after work.

She raved about the pastries from that bakery downtown, so I'd wake up at the crack of dawn and drive three hours round trip so that she could have them before work.

One evening, after Evelyn came home from a work dinner, I excitedly presented her with a steaming bowl of oatmeal. "Have some. It'll be good for your stomach," I said.

But she just scoffed. "You're such a loser! Can you stop fussing around the kitchen all day? It's embarrassing! And for God's sake, get a life! Stop hovering around me like a fly. It's annoying!"

Remembering this, I let out a small laugh and said casually, "Work's been tiring, thought I'd treat myself. What's it to you?"

Evelyn seemed taken aback by my response. She paused, then let out a snort.

"You slack off at work all day. What's so tiring about that?"

She seemed to have forgotten that when the company was just starting, it was me who hustled at every social event, securing deals, even to the point of passing out at the table and ending up in the hospital.

Back then, lying in the hospital bed, Evelyn held my hand and comforted me. "I'll remember all the hard work you've put in," she said. "Once the company takes off, I'll give you a cushy job. You can kick back and do whatever you want!"

And now, after just one day of me not showing up at work, she couldn't stand it.

Evelyn continued her lecture, "Christopher, you're really out of line! Not only did you skip work for no reason, but you actually went to a hot spring during work hours! Why can't you learn a thing or two from Andrew? He may be new to the company, but he's eager to learn and make progress. He just recently closed a major deal that brought the company a five million dollar profit!"

I scoffed, "Are you sure that it was Andrew who closed that deal?"

The deal Evelyn was referring to was the one I had worked tirelessly on, formulating plans and pulling three all-nighters in a row to satisfy the investors.

Just when we were about to sign the contract, Evelyn suddenly approached me. "Christopher, Andrew is new to the company and needs to establish himself. Do you think you could let him participate in this project and mentor him a bit?"

I agreed.

But then, Evelyn turned around and gave Andrew all the credit.

Feeling indignant, I went to her, demanding an explanation.

Evelyn was surprisingly righteous. "Andrew is new and needs this deal to gain a foothold while you are a veteran employee. You need to understand the spirit of sacrifice and dedication."

I was speechless.

The difference between being loved and not being loved couldn't be more obvious.

Thinking of this, I chuckled, "Since you think Andrew is doing such a great job, then from now on, let him handle all the work."

"Christopher, what do you mean by that?"

Even though we were on the phone, I could picture Evelyn's icy expression.

But now, I didn't care anymore.

"I mean, I quit." After calmly stating that, I hung up the phone.

I was tired. I didn't want to play this game anymore.

After a moment of hesitation, I hesitantly pressed the number that had been gathering dust for three years.

The call quickly connected.

"You punk, I thought you were going to ghost me for the rest of your life."

My eyes welled up when I heard the familiar voice. "Dad."

Three years ago, I nearly broke ties with Thomas just to be with Evelyn. I refused the arranged marriage my family had set up for me.

Thomas warned me back then. He said Evelyn had a cold, detached look about her, that she wasn't reliable. But I was convinced she was my true love. I even made a bet with Thomas. "If Evelyn rejects me 99 times, I'll agree to the arranged marriage."

Back then, I was so sure of myself. Who could reject me 99 times?

Looking back now, I was such a clown.

"Dad, I agree to the arranged marriage."