"Handle the video clip issue yourself and make sure it doesn't impact your work here," her boss emphasized. "Additionally, our factory in your hometown is nearing completion, and I remembered you mentioning wanting to take care of your grandparents. Would you be interested in transferring there?"
"I'm definitely interested!" Lydia replied without hesitation. She was eager to return to care for her grandparents, who were like parents to her.
"Great. I'll add your name to the list. I'll let you know when a transfer is possible," her boss said.
"Thank you so much!" Lydia said, bowing gratefully before leaving the office with a smile. The good news about the transfer made her momentarily forget about the video. As she walked back to her desk, she was eager to share the news with Parker, wishing he could be the first to hear it. But before she could make the call, a concerned coworker approached her.
"Did boss call you in for a reprimand? she shouldn't be meddling in personal matters like this," a coworker remarked, their tone laced with sympathy.
Lydia hesitated, unsure how to explain. "Well..."
"I'm really sorry to hear that," Olivia interjected, stepping closer with a look of genuine concern. "Or rather, I should be more sympathetic to Joe. He's the one caught in this mess, juggling two lives because of you. I tried to warn you-being involved with more than one person can only lead to trouble." Olivia's voice, though caring, was loud enough for the entire department to overhear.
Lydia took a deep breath, determined to avoid any further conflict with Olivia. Yet, her former friend seemed intent on continuing to stir the pot. Lydia's gaze lingered on Olivia, memories of the intimate scenes between her and Joe in Joe's apartment surfacing in her mind.
Suddenly, it hit her: that day Joe had texted her, claiming he was sick with a fever. She had brought him medicine and congee, and the door had been unlocked, allowing her easy access. Everything seemed to conspire to bring her to that moment, to witness what she had seen.
Just like the video clip that had surfaced, someone must have informed Joe that she and Parker had gone for shabu near the factory. That's how Joe had managed to confront her, and... who had filmed the clip?
"It was you, wasn't it, Olivia?" Lydia's eyes were steely as she fixed her gaze on her former friend. Kaew's expression remained artfully innocent, but Lydia's patience was wearing thin.
"You're the one who filmed the clip, leaked it, and caused everyone to misunderstand," Lydia said calmly, her voice steady despite the rising anger within. "Why go to such lengths? Do you really hate me that much?"
Olivia's face tightened, and she bit her lip in frustration. Lydia's boldness was unprecedented; she had always been the type to avoid confrontation, but now she was clearly standing her ground.
"Don't accuse me of things that aren't true," Olivia snapped, raising her voice. The eyes of everyone in the department turned towards them. "I didn't do any of that. Lydia, don't make false accusations like this."
"Who's really the one making false accusations here?" A deep voice cut through the tension, making everyone in the room turn. Lydia gasped when she saw Parker stride into the office.
"Parker! How did you get in here?" Lydia asked, her surprise evident.
"When you got out of the car, I realized I forgot to give you the snacks I bought, so I turned around and checked in with security. They let me in since I was here yesterday," Parker explained, rubbing the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed. He held up a paper bag filled with treats. "But more importantly, after I dropped you off last night, I went back to the barbecue place. I saw him with a woman. I believe it's the same one who's been meddling with your-well, your ex-boyfriend."
Parker didn't just stop at words. He pulled out his phone and played a video clip for Lydia. It showed Olivia and Joe standing close, talking, before Joe wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace. Moments later, they got into a taxi together and drove off.
All eyes turned to Olivia, her face drained of color, caught between shame and fury.
"You!" she shrieked, stomping her foot and pointing a trembling finger at Lydia.
Parker stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "I'd think carefully before you say another word. I'm fully prepared to press charges for defamation and violations of the Computer Crime Act, and-"
"Ahhh!" Olivia screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice piercing the air.
Lydia instinctively covered her ears, wincing at the shrill noise. The commotion drew the attention of their boss, who stepped out of the office, taking in the scene with a disapproving shake of her head.
"I really didn't want to get involved, but causing a scene like this leaves me no choice, Olivia. Consider this a formal warning!" The boss's voice was stern as she stepped forward, having witnessed the entire spectacle from her office.
Olivia stomped her foot in frustration before bolting from the room, leaving an awkward silence in her wake. The tension dissipated as colleagues, now aware of the truth, approached Lydia with supportive pats on the shoulder, expressing their disbelief that someone she once called a friend could betray her so cruelly.
"I'll walk Uncle Parker out and be right back to work," Lydia said, taking the bag of snacks from him and setting it on her desk. She then gently tugged his arm, guiding him outside.
"Did you know about this all along?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Parker chuckled. "I'm not exactly a mind reader, you know. Just lucky, I guess. Maybe being a good person has its perks-like having the god help me capture that clip of those two. Never thought I'd actually need it, though."
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
"Don't mention it," he replied with a shrug. "Now, get back to work. I won't keep you any longer," he added, preparing to leave.
"Parker," Lydia called out just as he was about to leave.
He turned around, his expression softening. "Yes?"
"In the future, you don't have to come to Bangkok to see me anymore," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Parker's face stiffened for a moment. Had he overstepped? Maybe this was what Anan had warned him about-moving too fast, and now she was pulling away, retreating because she wasn't ready for his advances.
"Parker," Lydia said, reaching out to take his hand, laughing softly at the worried look on his face. "Where did your mind go? I was just trying to tell you that I'll be moving to the factory near our hometown soon. My boss told me just a little while ago."
"What? Are you serious?"
His initial shock quickly shifted to pure joy. Grinning from ear to ear, he couldn't hold back his excitement. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, twirling her in the air as if she weighed nothing at all.
"Parker! Put me down!" Lydia exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"But I'm just so happy!" He gently set her back on her feet, his grin wide and carefree.
"I haven't agreed to be your girlfriend yet," she teased, crossing her arms. "All I said was that I'm moving back home."
"Well, if we're living closer, that gives me the perfect chance to woo you," he said, his eyes gleaming with determination.
His unwavering gaze filled Lydia's heart with warmth. This man, once the boy next door and now the strong, dependable figure in her life, was always there when she needed him most. Memories of their days at the family farm came flooding back.
This is where true love begins, Lydia thought with a smile.