Chapter 128: Observing Him
Hayley’s POV:
Benjamin said, “Just send me the specific time. Also, I’ll need you to act as a translator that day. If there are no issues, then it’s settled.” I glanced at the date; it happened to be Saturday, so I agreed. After all, it would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to make money. I replied with a quick “Okay” and closed my laptop.
I pulled out Christopher’s sheet music. I had revised the first section of the piece while in the car, and now I took my pen and made further adjustments.
The next day, I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed after procrastinating for half the morning. I had stayed up late revising the piece, but I was pleased to have not only completed the arrangement but also added lyrics, transforming it into a fully new song.
I could feel Hera stirring restlessly within me, and sure enough, as soon as I got downstairs, I spotted Irving waiting in the lobby. “Good morning, Hayley!” He greeted me with a smile.
Since Irving confessed to me last time, I had been avoiding him. If it weren’t for George instructing the five of them to take turns driving me to school, I really wouldn’t want to interact with him at all.
“Morning!” I replied, my tone neutral, but Irving seemed unfazed. He cheerfully moved a chair for me and said, “Come have breakfast!”
I sat down, quickly finished my meal, then grabbed my backpack and headed for the door, with Irving hurriedly following behind. Along the way, neither of us spoke. I focused on solving a math Olympiad problem while Irving seemed to want to start a conversation several times, but I wasn’t inclined to respond.
After a while, he pressed his lips together and finally said, “Hayley!” He paused for a moment before continuing, “I’m sorry for being so abrupt last time.”
I looked up and offered a polite, distant smile. “It’s all in the past; it’s fine.”
Irving continued, “I’m sorry, Hayley. I didn’t realize my feelings for you would make you uncomfortable. I know that you want to follow our werewolf traditions and find your destined mate, or perhaps you simply don’t like me. Either way, that’s fine. Can we just go back to how things were before? Let’s pretend that moment never happened, okay?”
I was relieved to hear him say that, but his attitude towards me also indirectly confirmed what Benjamin had reminded me before: that Irving’s interest in me might not be as sincere as it seemed. Regardless of his intentions, he was just a high-ranking beta, and he couldn’t harm a true alpha like me.
I would pretend not to know anything and quietly observe him.
Then I added, “The company and the pack are probably very busy right now. If you are busy helping Benjamin with things on weekdays, you don’t have to drive me to school.”
Irving cut me off, “You forget, this is Grandpa’s order. No matter how busy we are, my brothers and I have to get you to school safely.”
The mention of George Southwell made me swallow all my previous objections. It didn’t matter because it was George Southwell’s wish. There was no point in arguing further.
I got out of the car and made my way into the school. Just then, someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind, and I turned to see who it was. Lillian and Trista appeared on either side of me. “What are you thinking about? You seem a bit distracted,” Lillian asked curiously. I smiled and replied, “I was just pondering the solution to the problem we were assigned yesterday. Thanks to your reminder, I think I’ve figured it out.”
Lillian dramatically slapped her forehead, exclaiming, “Is this what all you top students do? Walking around lost in thought about schoolwork?”
Trista sighed and said, “There’s a reason why they are top students.”
I put my hands on their shoulders and laughed, “Haha, I’m just teasing you! It’s not about the problem; I’m just trying to motivate you.”
Trista and Lillian exchanged glances before playfully pouncing on me. The three of us joked and laughed as we made our way toward the academic building.
“By the way, Hayley! There’s something I need to tell you,” Trista suddenly said, pulling me aside. Then she lowered her voice and said, “I saw that a well-known Hollywood company, Phoenix Entertainment, is casting actors in a large sci-fi movie. I signed up for fun, and they contacted me to come in for an audition this afternoon. I was originally going to ask Lillian to go with me, but she has something going on at home. Want to come with me instead?”
Trista gazed at me with anticipation. Since I was already familiar with the material for our calculus class that afternoon, I replied, “Sure! I’ll ask the teacher for a leave so I can go with you.”
Trista’s face lit up with joy. “Awesome! It’s settled then!”
After lunch, Trista pulled me out of school, and we headed to Phoenix Entertainment. The name sounded familiar, but it wasn’t until we arrived at the company’s entrance that it clicked. Isn’t this Christopher’s agency?!