The One With The Hate [QUARREL CITY SERIES #2]

Kabanata 27

"This can't be true," I told Zoe. He looked at me while he was sipping a Burger King soda. Tumango siya habang pinapakita sa akin ang picture ni Primo at ang kumpanya niya.

Why did I miss this? My investigator said it was small businesses. Small. What the fuck? This is definitely a small business!

I clenched my jaw, nails digging into my arms. Of all people, it had to be Primo. It had to be his company. Of course it was.

I needed to call my manager. I needed out.

My manager immediately picked up the call. It's probably early morning in Paris.

"You called. How's everything?" bungad niya sa akin.

I gritted my teeth. "I need out of this contract. Tell me there's a way."

There’s a pause on the other end, and I can already hear the answer before she even says it.

Zoe looked at me. He looks like he is about to laugh. Umiling iling siya sa akin na para bang wala na akong magagawa at tanggapin ko nalang.

"Quinn, what happened? This is a huge deal—eight figures, paid in full."

"I don’t care how much they paid. The director kept pushing, and then—" I hesitate, but the anger surges back, drowning out logic. "—I just can’t do this."

"Quinn," My manager’s voice softens, but I don’t need sympathy. I need an escape. "Backing out isn’t an option. The money’s already been transferred. If you leave, you’ll be in breach of contract."

"I don't care about the money. We can return it, right?"

"It's not that simple. Your shoot is done. Legally, they can sue."

"So, I'm stuck?"

I sighed and almost sank in my sofa. Zoe could read everything in my reaction. He tapped my shoulders and pouted. Umirap ako.

"For now, yes. Look, I know this isn’t ideal, but let’s be smart about this. You finish the job, keep your head down, and we make sure this doesn’t happen again."

"Ugh," I leaned at Zoe. "Fine."

The realization slowly hit me.

I had no other choice but to deal with Primo's existence. I hated that it meant constantly running into him, that every project tied to this company would force our paths to cross.

But if there was one thing I refused to give him, it was the satisfaction of thinking he had an effect on me.

He wasn’t special. He wasn’t important.

And if I wanted him to believe that, I had to prove it.

That’s when the idea struck me.

I looked at Zoe with the idea in my hands. "Did you know that I was great in throwing parties?"

Zoe raised his eyebrow. "You? Seriously?"

I smiled widely. "What do you think about my welcome party?"

A welcome party.

If he thought I was bothered by his presence, I had to do the opposite. I had to own the situation. Show him that I was unshaken, that Paris had taught me how to stand tall in a room full of powerful men like him. I’d throw a party, invite people I know, and make sure it screamed one thing—I belong here, and I don’t need you.

He paused. "You're doing what?"

"A welcome party," I repeated. "For myself. You know, to celebrate being back. Reconnect with my friends. And guess what? I'm inviting him."