The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 230

"Yeah," Steven mumbled. Lately, his mind had been a mess. Everyone around him kept insisting that he had feelings for Jessica.

Since that was the case, he decided to accept their claims as truth.

"I will," he said firmly.

Even though he was trying to get along with Jessica, he still felt uneasy. It was stifling, like nothing was quite right.

Only then did Cody seem at ease.

...

When I arrived at the office, I barely had time to open my computer before Sasha barged in. She stormed up to my desk. "Do you remember the Joanna I told you about last time?"

"Of course," I said. "She's the one who got those roses from the guy, Cheap Charlie, right?"

"Exactly!" Sasha said, jumping in with an update. "Now Cheap Charlie wants Joanna to help him pay off the debt he owes his ex-girlfriend, but she's not having it."

"Even though Joanna earns a decent salary, 200 thousand dollars is still a significant amount of money she saved through hard work," Sasha continued, rolling her eyes. "Does he really think he can just ask for it? Dream on!"

"Unbelievable," I said, nodding in agreement.

Sasha scoffed in disgust. "When Joanna refused, he actually suggested they break up."

I was dumbfounded. "Is he seriously that shameless?"

"Oh, it gets even more ridiculous," Sasha said, visibly annoyed. "That bouquet of flowers? I told you—he first tried to give it to his ex-girlfriend, but she didn't want it. Then, he offered it to me, and I turned it down too. Finally, he gave it to Joanna, and she accepted."

She continued, "Now, he's demanding that Joanna pay him back for the flowers! When she refused, he started spreading rumors, calling her a gold digger. In the end, she had no choice but to transfer him the money just to keep the peace."

Sasha nearly rolled her eyes as she continued, "After he got the money, he actually came to me and said that since I'd seen the flowers, I should pay for them, too. I was so furious that I almost slapped him a few times. I just can't stand people like him!"