Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Bruised Ego

Ivy, who was already reeled up, also took a deep breath. “That night at the club, he did some annoying things that really got on my nerves…..”

“Like what?” Emma interrupted, her curiosity getting the best of her.

“He approached me with that stupid confidence of his, assuming I needed his company, so I told him off. Then we ran into each other again at the mall when I went grocery shopping on Saturday. I didn’t recognize him at first because, honestly, I didn’t take a good look at him the first time at the club. I was too irritated.”

Emma relaxed back on the bed, ready to hear more. “Go on, I’m listening.”

“Well, I was trying to grab my favorite chocolate—there was only one pack left—and as I reached for it, he got to it first. I begged him for it, but he refused. Eventually, he offered it to me, but by then, I was so irritated I declined. That’s not even the worst part! This morning, while I was excited about finally getting a chef, that dude had to kill all my excitement by showing up at my office as the candidate!” Ivy finished, and even though Emma found the whole situation amusing, she refrained from laughing.

“Wait, I don’t quite understand. Tell me exactly what you both said to each other at the club, at the mall, and your office. I need to understand this from both your perspectives,” Emma said, and Ivy sighed before going on to tell Emma everything in detail.

“Don’t you think you were really rude to him at the club? I mean, if you didn’t want his company, there was a way you could’ve talked him about it nicely,” Emma said, and Ivy sighed.

After Hunter left, she also thought about everything, and even though a part of her told her she had been rude to Hunter first, there was no way she was going to admit that. Not to Hunter.

“I was irritated, and he just had to come flirt with me at that time,” Ivy said, and Emma nodded.

“I understand, but that doesn’t mean you weren’t wrong. What happened that day, though? You’re one of the most reasonable people I know…..”

“That goes to tell you he isn’t a reasonable person. If he was, why would he barge into my office just to challenge me into giving him the job?” Ivy cut in, glad that Emma was taking her side.

“You said he begged…..”

“That was after he challenged me!” Ivy said, and Emma sighed.

“Still, he begged. What exactly are you upset with him for? At the club, you were the rude one, and that was why he just had to talk to you like that at the mall. Maybe if you had apologized, who knows, he would’ve offered you the pack of chocolate with a smile,” Emma said, and Ivy rolled her eyes.

“I didn’t recognize him. If he was a reasonable person, he should’ve known I didn’t recognize him. There’s always a better way to remind me of what I did than to make me look like a fool,” Ivy said, and Emma nodded.

“I totally agree, which justifies your anger about him not giving you the chocolate,” Emma said with a grin, anticipating Ivy’s reaction.

“It’s not about the chocolate, Emma!” Ivy retorted, exasperated. “It’s about his arrogance and the fact that he’s the most annoying person I’ve ever met. Can you believe this guy?”

“Okay, okay,” Emma said, laughing softly. “What do you plan to do now? He’s practically begged you for the job, and you said he’s a good chef.”

“I don’t know,” Ivy admitted. “What do you think I should do?”

Emma thought for a moment before answering, “If it were up to me, I’d say let your ego down and just hire him.”

“What pride are you talking about?” Ivy asked, her tone defensive.

Emma chuckled. “Is that how you normally react to people? I mean, the way you reacted to him?”

“No,” Ivy said firmly. “It’s just his attitude. He’s arrogant, and I can’t stand it. You wouldn’t, too, if you were in my shoes.”

Emma smirked. “Maybe he’s arrogant, but I also think you’re angry because your pride was bruised when he refused to give you the chocolate at first. That’s why you won’t forgive him and don’t want to give him a chance.”

Ivy sighed. “I told you it’s not about the chocolate, Em. And honestly, how can I work with someone so annoying?”

“Just give him a chance,” Emma insisted. “If he doesn’t do well, you can let him go. But if he turns out to be good at the job, you might regret letting your feelings get in the way. Besides, you won’t be working closely with him, so why is there hesitation? You need him, too.”

Ivy hesitated. “I don’t know… It just…..”

Emma teased, “Unless, of course, you’re interested in him, like he implied.”

“What?! Interested?” Ivy exclaimed, clearly flustered. “Never! Fine, I’ll just hire him and be done with it. Enough about me—what’s this about the date you were excited about a moment ago?” she asked, wanting to take the attention away from herself.

Emma’s face lit up. “I did what you suggested. I apologized, and we talked things out. I even asked Alex to dinner, and he agreed.”

“That’s great, Em! Make sure you dress nicely and, oh, get him a little something to show your appreciation for everything he’s done for you,” Ivy advised.

Emma nodded, smiling. “You’re right. I’ll do that. Thanks for the advice, Ivy,” she said, her mind already racing with various options of what she could get him.

“Anytime, Em. Enjoy your date and call me later to tell me how it goes.”

“I will. Talk to you later,” Emma said before ending the call.

She sat on the bed, a smile lingering on her face. Everything seemed to be falling into place, and she was determined to make the most of the evening.

What was he going to say when she gave him a gift? Thinking about it, her mind flashed to what he said about her being the first woman to spend her money on him, and she frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly.

What did he mean by that? Didn’t his late fiancee ever take him on dates she sponsored or even buy him something? Should she ask him about it during their date?

She mused, wondering exactly what that story was since, from Alex’s story, she could tell they had loved each other. Or was there more to it?