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!"

She seems like

poor Chelly. Her boyfriend

her boyfriend is

*****

had broken up with Chelly because of her. Knowing that Bud loved her made her feel a little funny

plague, and now that she had given up, he

felt like a big

Bud any hints. Get out of my

know why her emotions were so calm. It was as if Chelly's words

didn't give Bud any hints. Do you dare to swear that you won't be with him even if he comes to you?

looked usually quiet and gentle, her words had a surprising weight that

to do with Bud, just take an oath. It's not like you

Ava, if it's got nothing to do with you, just take an oath," someone else chimed

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

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

specifically to talk to Ava, and as soon as he arrived, he heard the chatter here and

Chelly exclaimed, pointing

as Bud approached, the people around them whispered accusations, throwing insults

Bud had broken up with Chelly

it. If you have any anger, take it out on me. Why did you

and since she had accepted it, it made no sense for her to

what's so

streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. Her eyes

two broke up over is none of my business. I

of the company, not even glancing back