When I didn’t immediately respond, Claire’s tone turned urgent.
“Ethan? Did you hear me? It’s just a small thing — don’t tell me you’re going to refuse again? We’re colleagues, we should help each other out, right? Jason really can’t get away right now...”
My fingers felt icy around the phone.
I could faintly hear Jason’s voice in the background before Claire replied to him sweetly, “I’ll be right there.”
“Oh, and make sure the cover is printed on premium cardstock so it looks professional. Don’t use regular paper. Pay first — we’ll settle up later.”
Her instructions were meticulous, like she was talking to her assistant.
“Thanks! Once I’m done, I’ll take you out for something nice to eat and make it up to you. Gotta go!”
She hung up without waiting for an answer.
Almost immediately, my phone lit up again — Jason’s latest social media post.
No caption. Just two movie ticket stubs and a red heart emoji.
Location: Downtown Luxury Cinema.
Seconds later, Claire’s like and comment appeared beneath it:
“So nice to take a break from work together. Feeling so happy!”
My finger hovered over the screen for a moment.
Too busy? Couldn’t spare a moment?
So this was what they were busy with — going to the movies together, posting heart emojis, while expecting me, the one they stole from, to clean up after them?
I stared at the post, then typed my comment:
“So your ‘too busy to breathe’ schedule is just snuggling in a movie theater? Impressive.”
Moments later, my phone buzzed violently — another call from Claire.
Her panicked voice burst through the speaker. “Ethan! What is that supposed to mean? Why did you comment like that?”
“What did I comment?” I asked flatly.
“I only stated what I saw. Didn’t you tell me yourself you didn’t even have time to print materials?”
“You—!”
Claire faltered, then snapped back, more unreasonable than before.
“Ethan, why are you being so petty?”
“Jason worked so hard for this project — he’s exhausted, under so much pressure. I just went to see a movie with him to help him relax. What’s wrong with that? Do you have to be so passive-aggressive?”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
“Claire, say that again — with a clear conscience.”
“What exactly did he work hard on? Was it the all-nighters we pulled together, or stealing someone else’s work with a straight face?”
“Ethan! Don’t talk like that!”
Her voice was full of accusation.