The Queen's Back

Ever since Ava and Bud said she had given up on Bud, it wasn't just words-it was concrete action.

After returning from her trip abroad, Ava even had a boyfriend. Now that Chelly and Bud have broken up, to say that Ava had anything to do with it would be completely wrong. "It's because of you that he broke up with me!" Chelly sobbed, glancing at the crowd gathered near the entrance.

She then took out her cell phone and played the recording of her conversation with Bud from the night before.

As the phone connected, Chelly spoke first, "Bud, why are you calling me so late today?"

Everyone around could hear that it was Chelly's voice, slightly quavering.

After that, there was a long pause without anyone speaking.

No one knew how long it took, but finally, Bud's voice came through. "Chelly, let's break up. I'm sorry."

Again, there was a long silence, until Bud added, "It's my fault. I'll make it up to you materially. I'm hanging up now."

As Bud prepared to end the call, Chelly cried out, "But can you tell me why? Did I do something wrong? Didn't you say you would be responsible for me?"

Bud sighed on the other end and then said, "It's not your fault. You're fine. It's my problem. I love someone else."

"Is it Ava?" Chelly asked.

Bud responded with a soft "yeah" before hanging up.

When the recording ended, Chelly pointed at Ava and said, "You said it wasn't because you that I broke up with my boyfriend. Then what was that just played? We were both going to get married! If you hadn't given Bud any hints, he would not have resolutely broken up with me! Everyone judge for yourselves-does this have anything to do with Ava? Is it okay for me to confront her?"

Once Chelly's words hung in the air, combined with the earlier recording and Bud's last response, it was clear that most people sided with Chelly.

A few gossip-loving coworkers whispered among themselves, "Can you believe it? The new coworker is a homewrecker!"

demeanor. She seems like the kind who can seduce

Her boyfriend

her boyfriend is also not

*****

According to it, Bud had broken up with Chelly because of her. Knowing that Bud loved her

like the plague, and now that she

like a big

didn't give Bud any hints. Get

why her emotions were so calm. It was as if

you won't be with him even if he comes to you? If you swear like

usually quiet and gentle, her words had a surprising weight that made people feel a

just take an oath. It's not like you have anything to lose," said a coworker who

Ava, if it's got nothing to do with

met Chelly's eyes, and held out her fingers. "I, Ava, swear that

she could finish, Bud rushed over, yanked her away, and pulled her behind him. "Ava,

come specifically to talk to Ava, and as soon as he arrived, he heard the chatter here and walked over Unexpectedly,

you..." Chelly exclaimed, pointing at

around them whispered accusations, throwing

Bud had broken up with

with you, Chelly, and Ava doesn't know about it. If you have any anger, take it out on me. Why did you come to her?" Bud said, locking eyes with

all the compensation she needed, and since she had accepted it, it

to find out what's so special about her that made you ditch me, the one you were

streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.

of my business. I

the company, not