Take Your Male Best Friend and Get Out

I went with my girlfriend to a class reunion, and midway through, I stepped out to use the restroom.

When I returned, I saw her "first love" practically hanging on her, while she looked all shy and flustered.

When he saw me come in, he smiled apologetically. "We always joke around like this, don't mind us."

"Oh, no worries. Go ahead."

...

Last week, I got a promotion and wanted to celebrate with Isabella over the weekend.

But Isabella said she already had plans with her friends.

I offered to tag along, but she told me it was just a girls' night, and I wouldn't have anything in common with them.

Besides, she said I didn't care about my career enough and that I was always trailing behind her like a puppy.

Once again, I was left alone at home when suddenly, my manager, Owen Garcia, called and asked me to deliver an urgent document.

As soon as I stepped into the hotel lobby, I heard a familiar voice. After looking around for a bit, I saw Isabella playing cards with a group of people at the hotel's bar.

I hesitated for a long while, debating whether or not to go up and say hi.

As soon as I approached, I saw Theodore kiss her on the cheek, and Isabella didn't do a thing. She just calmly kept playing cards.

Enraged, I stormed up and grabbed Theodore by the collar.

"What are you doing, Levi?! Let him go! Smack!"

The entire lobby fell silent, and my face stung from the slap.

That slap completely stunned me.

"I just want to confirm that he kissed you just now. Did you even notice?" I angrily demanded from Isabella.

"We were playing cards, and I lost. It was just a harmless little punishment. Are you serious?

"And are you seriously stalking me?"

When I heard her say that, my mind went blank. I never imagined this whole 'male best friend' drama would happen to me.

"I..." I tried to say something but was cut off.

"We've been friends for years. This is just how we joke around. Don't take it to heart. Come join us!" Theodore said, pretending to be some mature guy, which made me sick.

The way he tried to act all mature and smooth made me want to vomit.

Guys know exactly what's up with other guys.

Before I could say a word, Isabella snapped.

"Don't you have your own life? Why do you keep hovering around me all the time? When are you going to grow up?"

I stared at Isabella's face, feeling a knot of anger tightening in my chest that I just couldn't release.

I wanted to shout at her, but instead, I let out a ridiculous burp.

Theodore and her friends burst out laughing. Isabella blushed, pointing at me and telling me to leave before I embarrassed her.

Disappointed, I turned around just in time to see Owen storming out of the elevator.

I quickly ran over to hand him the document.

"How long? How long did it take you?! You can't even deliver one document on time? If you don't want this job, just quit!" Owen barked at me.

He yelled at me in front of everyone in the lobby, then turned and stomped back into the elevator.

I could feel everyone's eyes piercing into my back like arrows, but I didn't look back.

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened, so I quietly walked out of the hotel.

I didn't hear any footsteps following me, but strangely, I felt relieved.

There's no way Isabella would come after me to comfort me.

Her world has always been so far above mine, and I've never been able to keep up with her.

Every time I tried to be part of her life, I got pushed away for some reason or another. But this time, I didn't feel defeated at all.