"If you really didn''t want any misunderstandings between us, you wouldn''t have met him today, especially behind my back," Brandon said coldly.


    Seeing the anger in his eyes, Vrie nodded. "I admit I should''ve told you. But he invited me to dinner to thank me for covering his mother''s medical bills. He even suggested I bring you along, but you were out of town for work, so I didn''t mention it."


    Brandon let out a sharpugh. "Was it because I was away, or did you never n to tell me in the first ce?"


    Vrie frowned. "Do you have to twist my words like that? You were on a business trip. If I told you, you''d just overthink it. That''s why I kept quiet."


    "So I should be grateful you were looking out for me, is that it?" Brandon shot back.


    "If you''re going to keep talking to me like this, there''s no point in continuing this conversation. Ron, stop at the next intersection. I''ll take a cab home," Vrie said.


    Ron Gibson, the driver, hesitated and nced at Brandon. "Mr. Sumner..."


    Brandon''s expression was icy. "Keep driving. Don''t worry about it."


    "Brandon, I said I want to get out. Did you not hear me?" Vrie snapped.


    "Do you even realize what time it is?"


    Vrie''s face darkened. "What difference does that make? I don''t want to be in the same space as you right now."


    She just wanted him gone. Seeing him only made her angrier.


    Brandon remained unfazed. "Rx. We''ll be at your ce in ten minutes. You can get out then."


    "I don''t want to stay in this car for another minute," Vrie huffed.


    Brandon said nothing and simply turned to stare out the window, making it clear he had no interest in arguing further.


    The air in the car grew heavier, the tension thick and suffocating.


    Ten minutester, they pulled up in front of Vrie''s home.


    She turned to Ron. "Thanks for driving me home."


    Without so much as a nce at Brandon, she stepped out and mmed the door shut.


    Ron sneaked a cautious look at his employer. "Mr. Sumner..."


    "Let''s go," Brandon said tly.


    "Yes, sir," Ron answered quickly.


    As Vrie reached her front door, she heard the car pulling away.. Turning back, she caught only glimpse of its taillights disappearing


    around the corner.


    Back in her bedroom, she tossed her bag onto the couch, pulled out her phone, and dialed N.


    "N, what are you up to?"


    "Just about to go to bed. What''s up?"


    Vrie sighed andunched into the details of her argument with Brandon.


    By the end, she huffed. "I already


    exined everything. What more et does he want? I didn''t do amor


    wrong, so why is he acting like I


    betrayed him?


    N was silent for a moment before saying, "Honestly, I get why he''s upset. He already doesn''t like Stefan, and you met him without telling him.


    "Now, imagine if the roles were reversed. If Brandon secretly met up with Michelle, wouldn''t you be mad?"


    "That''s different!" Vrie eximed.


    "How?" N challenged.


    "He''s lied to me about Michelle multiple times. And Michelle clearly has feelings for him!"


    N chuckled. "And you think Stefan doesn''t have feelings for you? You saw him all the time when you and Brandon broke up.


    "Come on, Vrie, it''s normal to feel protective in a rtionship. If you want to make things right, just apologize sincerely and make it up tohim. He get over it."