Chapter 3
I didn’t touch a single thing. Just found a spot and sat down.
Less than half an hour later, the screen lit up again.
Tessa was draped over Callum, looking smug as hell.
She pouted at the camera:
“Looks like Maisie’s been living the princess life too long. She doesn’t want to lift a finger.”
“Callum, look–she’s just sitting there. Seriously waiting for you to cave?”
Callum glanced at the screen and his face darkened:
“You think I’m joking, Maisie? Keep this up and you’re the one who’s gonna suffer.”
I didn’t react. Tessa’s eyes glinted.
She leaned in and whispered something in Callum’s ear. Then he nodded. “Do it.”
Tessa grinned. “Well, Maisie, since you’re not listening, guess I’ll have to teach you a lesson–Callum’s orders.”
Suddenly every AC vent in the building kicked on.
Freezing air blasted from all directions.
I looked up–the temperature was set to 64°F.
I was wearing a thin sundress. The cold hit me like a slap. I shivered hard and wrapped my arms around myself.
“Don’t be mad, Maisie. I’m just helping you stay motivated, that’s all.”
“Get to work. You’ll warm up once you do.”
I hugged myself tighter, glaring at the screen:
“You’re seriously doing this, Callum?”
He just scoffed. “Don’t want to freeze? Then work.”
The way he brushed me off like I was nothing–that was it. I was done.
“Not happening.”
I got up and tried turning off the AC. But the controls didn’t respond.
Tessa laughed. “It’s useless, Maisie. Everything’s on remote now. Those switches won’t do a thing.”
I gave up and headed to the break room to boil water.
But the outlets were dead. The kettle was useless.
Tessa waved a remote at the camera:
“I cut power to every outlet in the building. No hot water for you.”
Furious, I threw the kettle and started searching for somewhere–anywhere–warmer.
Every floor. Even the stairwells had vents blasting cold air.
17:06
He Left Me a Mop and Took His Secretary to Paris?! Watch Me Clean House and Clean Him Out!
25.0%
Chapter 3
Not a single blanket anywhere.
“Stop wasting your energy, Maisie. I planned this perfectly. Every corner of this building is freezing. And the only fabric you’ll find? Cleaning rags.”
“If you really don’t want to clean, well, guess you could use those to keep warm. Good luck with that.”
I ignored her and stormed up to the screen:
“Turn off the AC right now, Callum. Or you’re gonna regret this.”
I sneezed.
“Then start cleaning. Otherwise, enjoy the cold.”
I was freezing. Goosebumps everywhere. Every step felt like my body was falling apart. Frost started forming on the windows.
Meanwhile on screen, Callum lounged on sofa eating ice cream, not a care in the world.
Just then, I heard something outside.
My necklace’s red gemstone began blinking.
Dad was here!
I shot one last cold look at the screen, grabbed a chair, and hurled it straight at the display.
(6)
