"Here's some money, enough to last you a few days. Stay out of my sight." She pulled Chad's hand and walked away in triumph.
I was so angry I couldn't speak. I wanted to chase after them and curse them out, but when I checked the time, I realized my wife's plane was about to land.
I used to always be late picking her up, which made her look at me with such disappointment. Today, I had been working out when I suddenly remembered to pick her up, so I rushed over, still panting, without even changing clothes.
Maybe it was because I was sweating all over and dressed in workout gear that Patricia thought I had come back to beg for a second chance.
I let out a long breath, gathered myself and walked into the terminal. I had a wife who loved me, why should I let two mad dogs ruin my mood?
But as soon as I entered the VIP lounge, I frowned. The usually clean and quiet lounge was noisy and chaotic today. Many people were talking loudly and puffing away on cigarettes, turning the whole lounge into a smoky mess.
Patricia stood at the center, surrounded like a queen by her courtiers, everyone fawning over her.
"Miss Walter is truly a woman among men, her business keeps growing stronger. She's even better than us guys."
"This time, Miss Walter's collaboration with the Alley Group is bound to succeed. She's sure to soar even higher."
"Miss Walter, once you land that Alley order, we hope you'll let us share a sip of the fortune too!"
Patricia was beaming with pride, smiling smugly. Standing beside her, Chad struck a pose like a corporate CEO husband, basking in the flattery.
I started coughing from the secondhand smoke.
A chubby man with big ears walked over and grumbled, "Hey, you're in the wrong place. This is the VIP lounge, not a resting spot for nobodies. Out!"
Unhappy, I pulled out my VIP card. "I'm not in the wrong place. I paid for this."
The man was about to say more, but Patricia came over. She said coldly, "Nolan, are you bleeding yourself dry just to beg money from me? You even shelled out for a VIP lounge?"
Before I could respond, she shoved a few bills into my hand and snapped my VIP card in half, "The money's refunded. You're no longer eligible to be here. So, can you leave now?"
I was so angry I nearly cursed. I called over a lounge staff member.
The staff looked me over and said coldly, "If you don't accept Miss Walter's refund, by regulation, you're allowed to remain in the VIP lounge."
I pointed at the no smoking sign on the wall, "Can you ask them to put out their cigarettes?"
The staff's tone turned even colder, "These bosses have paid the fine. For the next hour, they can smoke as they please. If you can't stand it, you're free to leave. Frankly, some places just aren't meant for ordinary folks."
I took a deep breath in anger, "I'm going to file a complaint."
The staff sneered, "Sir, the VIP lounge is for VIPs. Your status means even if you complain, your influence won't weigh much. To sum it up, I don't care, do as you please."
Patricia looked at me with utter contempt, "Nolan, it's only been three years and you've become such a pathetic joke?"
Chad chimed in with false concern, "Nolan, you should really leave. Staying here will only make you a laughingstock."
A nearby businessman asked Patricia curiously, "Miss Walter, you know this guy?"
The smile on Patricia's face faltered a bit. "Back when I was young and naive, I got involved with the wrong person."
The surrounding businessmen all nodded in agreement, "Totally normal, totally normal. Guys like that just love clinging to the rich.”
