Give me a break.

You're nothing.

I wanted to blow up, but I bit my tongue.

Had to hold back—for now. The truth would hit way harder later.

I took a slow breath. "Really. Don't worry about me. I've got it handled."

Yvette, thinking I was finally caving, sounded all pleased. "Glad you came around. Stop being so dramatic. Focus on your next interview. I'm gonna check on Kevin—he's been feeling so guilty, he hasn't even eaten."

"Got it." I hung up, cool and clean. Didn't want another word from her.

Then came the new offer from Gauthier Corp.

Not an intern this time—a full-time employee.

Right after I turned in my onboarding paperwork, Yvette pinged me:

[Sending out résumés? Any other interviews lined up?]

I hit back: [No.]

She stalled—probably scrambling for her next move. Then, right on cue:

[Job hunting takes time. Dylan, Kevin felt SO bad about what happened. He wants to take you out, say thanks properly.]

Yeah, I could already see their phony smiles through the screen.

Dinner? Sure. More like "trap part two."

Before I could shut it down, she tossed in:

[By the way, can I ask you for a favor?]

Of course.

I just stared at the screen, deadpan.

[Kevin's starting at Gauthier Corp. Training's rough, and he's stressed. Mind sending him the prep stuff you found? You won't need it now anyway.]

My hand curled into a fist.

I'd busted my ass for that offer—late nights in the library, eyes burning, buried in prep.

Back then? Yvette only texted to whine that I was taking too long. Calling me? Nah. That would've cut into her gaming.

She never gave a damn about the effort.

Instead, she and Kevin tag-teamed to boot me out.

And now she wanted me to just hand it all over... to the guy who replaced me?

The audacity made me sick. Just thinking about her turned my stomach.

When I didn't bite, she doubled down:

[You've got free time anyway, right? Might as well help Kevin out so he can pass probation.]

[Gauthier Corp's a great company. You might learn something. It won't hurt.]

I took a slow breath, forcing the heat down.

Say no now, and I lose the long game.

If we're putting on a show, I'm going full method.

I typed back, every word icy and exact:

[Sure. No problem. Leave it to me.]

Yvette lit up. And of course, couldn't resist flexing:

[Don't worry. Once Kevin settles in, I'll put in a good word for you with the higher-ups.]

[Maybe we can even recommend you to a subsidiary of the company.]

A subsidiary?

The whole damn company is my family's.

And she thought she could get me in?

I nearly laughed. Intern queen really thought she was tossing me a bone.

Perfect. Let's see how far you snakes crawl with this.

Totally clueless, she shot off one last message:

[Alright, can't talk now. Kevin's calling me. Send the materials over ASAP.]

After chucking my phone, I bolted to the bathroom and dry heaved.

I was officially done with Yvette and Kevin. Just... gross.

I ghosted all their messages after that.

Instead, I hit up the CEO's office at Gauthier Corp and asked for the real onboarding details—what my role actually came with.

Next day? Kevin went full cringe in our class group chat.

Posted a smug selfie at his intern desk, captioned:

[New environment, new challenges. Grateful for someone quietly supporting and guiding me.]

And yeah—he tagged Yvette.

The chat blew up.

Everyone clueless started hyping him up and joking about couple goals and free meals.

Yvette dropped a hugging emoji like she wasn't the worst.

They really played the part of a cutesy power couple.

I watched their little show and let out a dry laugh.

Honestly? I hoped those two clowns stayed together forever. They deserved each other.

The day before I started, I timed my exit just right.

Boom—ran into the dynamic duo heading in from the other side.

Kevin was all puffed up in some shiny new designer suit, arm hooked with Yvette, who looked like she walked off a makeup ad. Both beaming like they were prom royalty.

Yvette had that sugar-sweet girlfriend look—until she spotted me.

Her eyes turned icy. Scanned my plain dress shirt and cheap slacks like I was some washed-up nobody.

I didn't blink. "Move."

Yvette cleared her throat and went full fake-boss mode. "Dylan, how's the material coming? I'm dropping Kevin off today—thought I'd save you the trip."

Yeah, right. She wasn't here for the files. She came to gloat.

She eyed me up and down. "Got an interview or something? You working now? Where at?"

Kevin peeled himself off her and reached out like we were bros or whatever.

I stepped aside. Didn't say a word.

His hand froze midair.

For a second, he looked awkward—then slapped on that fake-worried face. "Dylan, don't be mad at Yvette. She only did it for me... How's the job hunt? Want me to ask around? If you find something nearby, we could even split rent."

"No need. I haven't been job hunting."

Kevin's eyes lit up like he just won a prize. "Still nothing? Oof. Most entry-level spots are drying up fast."

Yvette rolled her eyes. "Dylan, seriously? I told you to send out résumés! You still haven't found anything? What, you think Kevin and I are gonna carry you?"

I watched her rant and just laughed.

Kevin leaned in and whispered something to her, throwing on that fake pout before turning to me with those wide, innocent eyes he thought sold the act.

"Dylan, if you're really stuck, I know someone hiring for outsourced admin stuff. It's tough, but you'd pick up a lot. Feels like a good fit for you."

Outsourced admin?

Suits me?

Nice way to say I'm only good for grunt work.

Yvette jumped in, preaching like she was doing me a favor. "Kevin's right. You need a reality check. Stop chasing pipe dreams. Gauthier Corp isn't for everyone. You only got that offer because of dumb luck."

I looked at them—both so smug, like they'd already won.

To them, I was the loser they left in the dust.

"I already found a new job," I said.

Yvette and Kevin traded a look. Yeah—they weren't buying it.

Yvette scoffed. "Oh yeah? What no-name company? Come on, tell us—we'll help you vet it."

Kevin piled on with that fake-boy-next-door tone. "Just watch your back, man. Lots of sketchy places out there preying on grads like you."

Their act was almost funny.

I smirked. "You'll find out what my job is tomorrow."