Hold My Tear, I’m Getting My Wife Back!

Joy could never quite figure out how to handle Austin, her boss. It was like walking on eggshells - or more accurately, like trying to grill the perfect hamburger for a man who only ever criticizes your cooking. One occasion, right in front of everyone, he demanded, "Grill me a couple of beef patties, will ya?"

Joy, in a subtle act of rebellion, deliberately overcooked his burger until it was more char than beef. Austin took one bite, discarded the rest, and without missing a beat, swiped the perfectly grilled patty off her plate.

Then there were the times he'd summon her to his office for a 'chat' that felt more like being put in the stocks in the town square.

Joy seethed with anger but kept her mouth shut.

Her only solace was in privately conducting little 'hexing ceremonies' behind his back.

Once, the team leader stumbled upon her mid-curse and gently suggested, "Isn't cursing the boss a bit... harsh?"

Joy defended herself, "It's not like it's going to come true. If there were any justice in this world, I'd be rich by now and wouldn't have to put up with his nonsense."

The team leader, perplexed, asked, "Then why bother?"

"You don't get it," Joy retorted, "It's my way to blow off steam after being run ragged. Can't I have that?"

The team leader saw her point but hastily declined when Joy jokingly invited him to join her 'cult.'

This one-sided 'worship' finally caught up with her on a clear, sunny morning.

After pulling an all-nighter only for her project to get rejected, Joy brewed herself a strong coffee in the break room. Inhaling the aroma, she clasped her hands and whispered a sarcastic prayer, "Oh, may I dine on four square meals a day, with a balanced diet of meat and veggies. And let Austin find himself alone, without love or, heaven forbid, a sex life, for this and all his future lives. Amen."

Just then, Austin and a client happened to pass by, catching every word.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

The client chuckled, "Your employee sure has some pretty unique beliefs."

Austin forced a smile, quickly steering the client away, "Let me walk you out."

Once the coast was clear, Joy, feeling like a ghost returning to her desk, realized she'd have to be on her best behavior from now on.

When Austin returned, he paused

her desk. Joy typed away, pretending not to notice his

presence until he finally spel.net

his

gaze drifting over her frantic typing.

"Is that how you churn out those nonsensical reports?"

Staring at her screen full of gibberish, Joy wished she could curse out loud but remained silent.

Austin left without another word on the matter.

Joy was left fretting, wondering if this was the calm before the storm. With the end of the year approaching, she feared the worst. Would he use some petty excuse to fire her? Or worse, would this affect her bonus?

But Joy knew when to stand her ground and when to play it smart. She decided to make peace, bringing coffee and pastries to Austin's office as a peace offering.

"Just leave it there," Austin said, accepting her gesture as if it were his due, without so much as a glance her way. "You'll accompany me to a gala tonight." Joy paused, "Okay... wait, what?"

Finally looking up from his

paperwork, Austin explained,

"Thanks to you, my love life's been a

disaster. No luck with dates, no one

to bring

to these events. You'll have

to do."

Joy couldn't believe her ears. From cursed enemy to gala date, just like that.