Sweet Hatred
Chapter 33: Rainbow in my storm filled life...

Chapter 33: Rainbow in my storm filled life...

Aria

The sun had dipped low, casting golden streaks across the busy streets. People bustled past—some heading home, others off to somewhere that wasn’t work. I walked against the tide, making my way toward the diner, our second-favorite place to meet during the week.

Sarah and I had been coming here since college, back when I was broke and surviving on nothing but instant noodles and my hopes for a better life. She was the one buying most of our meals.

She never made me feel bad about it, never acted like it was charity. But sometimes, the difference between us was too clear, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was dragging her down. She never complained, though, and I never resented her for having what I didn’t.

She was the rainbow in my storm-filled life, and I loved her for that.

The bell above the door chimed as I stepped inside. The air smelled of coffee, grilled food, and something else—something heavier, sitting low in my chest. I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Sarah was already at our usual corner booth, her legs crossed, gaze fixed on the window like she was lost in thought. The soft glow of the diner lights framed her face, and for a second, she didn’t look real—more like a painting, something untouched by the world’s ugliness.

Her head snapped toward me the moment I stepped in, her blue eyes brightening instantly. A warmth spread in my chest at the sight.

I barely took two steps before she was up, meeting me halfway and pulling me into a tight hug.

"I was starting to think you stood me up," she teased, squeezing me.

"Sorry, I had to make sure Mom was doing fine before leaving and then stopped home to change." I exhaled sharply and dropped onto the seat beside her.

Her expression softened. "How is she?"

"Stable," I murmured.

Her brows furrowed in quiet concern. "I’m sorry. I didn’t hear sooner—I would’ve come to the hospital."

"It’s okay, I forgot to mention it." I shrugged, keeping my voice light. "Besides, Olivia’s crying ass was there with me."

It was a lie.

I hadn’t forgotten to tell her—I had chosen not to. Because if I had, she would have shown up, like she always did. And lately, I felt like nothing but a storm cloud in her perfect little life, weighing her down with bad news and burdens I couldn’t carry alone.

I hated it.

I hated lying to her.

But I hated feeling pathetic even more.

"So, what’s up with you?" she said, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her eyes narrowed playfully. "You look like shit."

I huffed out a small laugh.

"And," she added, voice dipping lower, "I barely see you anymore. Ever since Mr. Kael announced at the office that you were his new executive assistant." Her blue eyes gleamed with curiosity as she grabbed my arm, squeezing it.

"So will you start spilling or am I gonna have to make you vomit the details?"

A slow, involuntary smile tugged at my lips as she shifted closer, our sides pressing together through the layers of fabric.

I paused for a second, letting my thoughts settle. The mere mention of Kael sent a ripple through me, stirring up things I thought I had tucked away.

I had almost forgotten—Kael would inevitably be a topic tonight.

A part of me ached to tell Sarah everything. But another part? Another part wanted to bury it deep, lock it away, especially that part—where I agreed to be Kael’s second fuck-body after Mia.

Shame washed over me. Not just because of the arrangement itself, but because the memory of that night flickered in my mind like a cruel, taunting flame.

Kael, his fingers buried inside me, his voice deep and mocking.

Me, falling apart beneath him, soaking the sheets as he laughed.

I clenched my jaw.

Why the fuck was I thinking about that now?

"Aria."

Sarah’s voice snapped me back.

"What’s wrong? You went silent."

I barely had time to recover before she gasped, her brows shooting up.

"Oh my God, you’re beet red. What the hell happened girl?"

"Whaaat? No, you’re imagining things." I turned my face away so she wouldn’t see how flustered I was. That bastard. He was going to pay for this. For making me blush when I didn’t want to. For making me lie to my best friend.

"So tell meeeeee." She tugged at my hand, all teasing and persistence.

I sighed dramatically, rolling my eyes before finally giving in. "Okay, okay, fine."

Sarah’s eyes widened with delight. "What happened between you two?" she pressed, voice lowering in that I-know-you-have-something-to-confess way. "I felt something weird the last time I saw you guys together. Either you two have already fucked or you’re about to."

"Sarah!"

"What?" She grinned. "I’m just saying what my spiritual nose picked up. And you’re going to tell me the truth, right? Like... how exactly did you get your job back? And a promotion at that?"

I swallowed, forcing my face into something neutral.

"Well..." I hesitated, sifting through the lie I had rehearsed in my head before coming here. "After Mr. Phillips gave me my letter, I went to Kae—Mr. Kael," I corrected quickly, but she didn’t miss the slip.

Her eyes gleamed. She loved this.

"I told him it was a mistake," I continued, keeping my voice even. Sarah nodded slightly, listening in a rare moment of silence. Her gaze never wavered.

It was almost too much—her steady eyes, the weight of my guilt pressing down on me—so I turned slightly, pretending to watch a couple in the corner of the diner. They were talking in hushed voices, lost in their own world.

"I told him I hadn’t crawled my way up for seven years just by luck. That I deserved my position, and I was willing to prove it." I paused, praying she would buy it. "And... he agreed. But only on a trial basis."

Sarah’s brow lifted. "A trial period?"

"Yeah. As his executive assistant. So I’m walking a tightrope right now."

Another lie.

And yet, as the words left my mouth, they settled like a weight in my stomach, sinking deep, pressing into the guilt I already carried.

Sarah remained silent, her expression unreadable.

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until my lungs started to ache.

Please buy it, I almost muttered.