An open relationship

Christina leaned against the elevator wall, letting out a sigh of relief as the doors slid shut. Fortunately, no one else entered on the next floor, providing her with a moment of privacy to process the shock. Had she acquired some supernatural ability overnight? Or was there a wish fairy taking heed of her words?

"I mean, how in the world did it come true?" She grumbled, recalling last night's joke which had now become her reality. No, a living nightmare!

A wry smile tugged her lips recalling her response to his offer. Lifting her eyes heavenward, she clasped her hands and silently pleaded, "Please, don't let our paths cross again. At least not for the next two months." Her contract was set to end in March, and she was desperate to leave the company that had now become a haven for all the men she wished she'd never met.

As she exited the elevator, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. This week had started with a series of shocks, and she dreaded what the remaining five and a half days might have in store for her.

Albert's gruff voice cut through her thoughts as she entered her workstation. "There you are, slacking off again! Who takes an hour for a bathroom break?" He grumbled, watching as she settled into her chair.

"Review the presentation, incorporate the morning meeting's suggestions, and get me a revised version. In an hour!" He ordered. Christina bit back her retort, nodding instead and opening the presentation on her computer. She wasn't in the right mind to fight with anyone. 

Jessica, sitting beside her looked over with concern. "Are you okay?" She asked, noting Christina's prolonged absence. Christina managed a small smile and a nod, before turning her attention back to her screen. She needed to distract herself, to stop her mind from replaying the earlier incident.

---

[A few hours later]

Exhausted, Christina collapsed onto her couch as soon as she stepped into her flat. The long hours at work had kept her mind occupied, but now, in the silence of her home, her thoughts began to consume her.

"Ahh, I should have signed it!" Christina grumbled, her hands covering her face in despair. The memory of her date with her boss replayed in her mind like a horror movie, leaving her cringing at her bold rejection and the ridiculous lie she had told. "I must have been crazy!" She wailed, kicking her legs in the air.

Her gaze drifted to the frames adorning the TV wall, the memories, once vibrant and full of life, now seemed to be painted in shades of sorrow and regret. Derek's absence at work that day was a small mercy, yet his image haunted her thoughts.

"Did I hit him that hard?" she wondered, thinking about Derek's absence. She had no idea how strong her punch had been, but he had deserved it for his trashy behavior. "I hope he doesn't start picking on me," she murmured, a hint of worry creeping into her voice. She knew he was ruthless with those he disliked, and she could only hope he would leave her for all the years they had spent together.

Suddenly, a loud knock on the door jolted Christina. "Open the door, dammit!" And think of the devil, he was here banging on the door.

Christina sat up, running her hand through her hair as the banging intensified, to the point of breaking the door. She cursed herself for thinking about him, as it really seemed like a wish fairy was turning her thoughts into reality.

"Please open the door, Ms. Brown." Another voice, unfamiliar and calm, echoed through the door. Two more voices followed it, which seemed to pacify Derek.

Christina quickly went to her door viewer and frowned at the sight of three men accompanying Derek. Two of them looked like police officers. She hastily rushed to the door and opened it, wary of the new problem Derek might cause.

Derek's bandaged nose greeted her, and she bit her lip to suppress a laugh. He looked just like she had imagined - a clown!

"We are here to investigate a complaint," One of the officers began, his tone professional. "We received a report of a domestic disturbance involving Mr. Derek here."

"A domestic disturbance?" Christina frowned, her gaze shifting from the officers to Derek. His face was full of smug, something that stressed her heart.

"Yes, ma'am," The second officer confirmed. "Mr. Derek complained that you are forcefully claiming his house after your breakup as compensation. Considering how you are not letting him, this could be considered as an illegal eviction."

"But this is my house!" Christina protested, her brows knitted in worry.

"That may be, ma'am," Another man who seemed like a lawyer, took out a paper and continued, "But my client is the sole owner under the law. We will charge you accordingly if you attempt to obstruct or interfere with the exercise of his legal rights."

Christina's heart pounded in her chest as she looked at the property papers, and then back at Derek. "This is ridiculous!" She said turning to the lawyer, her voice shaking slightly. "We bought this house together! It's mine as much as his!"

The lawyer raised an eyebrow at her words. "Do you have any documents to support your claim, Ms. Brown?" He asked with a subtle smirk.

Christina's heart sank to her stomach, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. No, she didn't!

A lump formed in her throat as Derek's words replayed in her mind, "Let me handle the paperwork, princess. It doesn't matter whose name is on it, right? It's our house." She had been so foolish, so blindly in love, that she had agreed to register their house under his name without a second thought. And now, she was being slapped for such naivety.

The tears spilled over, trailing down her cheeks as she looked at the house owner certificate in the lawyer's hand. She had poured her savings into this house, believing Derek's promise that it was for their future, for her sick mother's treatment. He had convinced her that this city had the best doctors, and they could move her here quickly. But now, everything was slipping away from her, both her dreams and her mother's future.

After a few minutes of silence, the lawyer declared, "If you don't have any proof, then your claim seems baseless, Ms. Brown. However, if you believe there has been a mistake, you can take this matter to court. But as of now, my client has every right to stay in this house and ask you to leave."

Christina scoffed out loud and glared at Derek. It felt like he had smartly trapped her again, and she was not ready to take any more of his shit. Wiping away her tears, she slowly walked into her room to pack her stuff.

A thought struck her as she pulled out the suitcase, and after much contemplation, she took her phone out of her pocket and dialed a number. But when it didn't connect after three trials, she left a message behind.

---

A few minutes later, Christina dragged out her suitcase, and a backpack hung loosely on her shoulder. Derek's smirk hadn't faded, but she was very sure it would soon. 

"Think again, princess. Let's not break up over such a petty fight." Derek suggested, offering her one last chance not to lose a treasure like him. "We can try an open relationship!"

His words not only made Christina sneer but even the officers were surprised. However, Christina's next statement caught them off guard even more.

"No, thank you! I have already moved on with someone else," She declared.

"What?" Derek frowned before chuckling out loud. "Don't lie, princess. Who could even date you?"

"Who wouldn't date such a pretty woman?" A familiar voice came through the entrance, and as Derek faced him, his mouth hung wide in shock.

Why was their CEO here?!