Cheater Exposed

On the company outing bus, a video message from my rival unexpectedly blared through the speakers.

Dakari, our no-nonsense boss, snapped, "Turn around. I'm a boxing champ."

Santiago from the legal team chimed in, "Prenups are my specialty."

Alondra, our financial guru, eagerly added, "No one can beat me in a financial duel."

Kamryn from PR took out her streaming gear, "Sweethearts, we'll trash their reputation right here."

Even Noa, our receptionist, was eager, "Sis, bring me along! I'm the hype master. The moment they speak, I'll drown them out!"

---

At the end of the year, our company planned a team-building retreat. As the event planner, I got up early to organize everything. Just as I was about to leave, Alan Carlson, smelling of alcohol, stumbled into me as I opened the door.

"Hon, where are you off to with that luggage?" he mumbled, confused.

I replied sharply, "I've told you a dozen times, my company retreat is happening now!"

Upon hearing this, Alan's expression softened. "Oh, that small-time company of yours... I've told you many times, just quit and let me take care of you, but you never listen."

I held back my frustration. "We agreed before getting married not to interfere in each other's careers."

He chuckled, "Go on with your little job, if it makes you happy."

Noticing my displeasure, Alan staggered over and draped an arm around me. "Darling, you see, I network all night for our future. When will you give me a big, bouncing son so our life will have more meaning?"

I pushed him away. "Alan, about having kids, we agreed before marriage..."

"Fine, fine. Just don't be sorry if someone else gives me a kid," he replied smugly.

I grew cold. "Someone else?"

He hesitated, then put on a goofy smile. "We've been together for so many years, who else could there be but you?"

Indeed, Alan and I were childhood sweethearts. Even when he had the opportunity to attend a top-notch university, he chose to stay in the same city for me. After college, we started a business together. During our toughest times, we rented a dingy basement studio.

That winter, the basement's heating system burst, nearly drowning us in our sleep. Luckily, I'm a light sleeper and dragged him out just in time.

That close call left him shaking as he hugged me, promising that one day he'd make sure we'd live in a spacious high-rise. That year, we got married. To save money, we didn't even have a wedding ceremony.

Later, we started a company with some like-minded partners. After a few years of hard work, the company began to show promise. To avoid conflicts, I voluntarily chose to leave during an internal dispute and began a new venture.