Chapter 141

I didn't even know why I felt like crying—my heart felt heavy, overflowing. Perhaps it was because, in this apartment, so empty without my parents, someone was finally showing me care. Or maybe it was because Hayden understood; he knew that though I'd abandoned the amusement park project, my heart remained entangled with it.

I stared at the note repeatedly. Finally, I took it down and left the bathroom. There, on the small kitchen table, sat a thermal container and a plate holding a fried egg. Tears I'd been holding back spilled over. Hayden had made me breakfast. I couldn't ignore that. After eating, I sent a quick message: [Thank you.] Two simple words, but I couldn't take his kindness for granted.

Immediately, I began fiddling with the trinkets from yesterday's night market. Before I could get far, my phone rang. My heart leaped; I'd been hoping for this. But seeing the caller ID, that spark fizzled. I sighed and answered, "Gavin."

"Uh, Ms. Kay," Gavin began, clearing his throat. "Did you find a new job?"

His question surprised me. "Yeah, why?"

Gavin hesitated, clearing his throat again. "Have you started yet?"

Something was amiss. "Just spit it out. What's going on?"

"No, no, it's nothing, really. I was just checking in," he tried to sound casual.

I huffed, amused. "If you're really worried, stop dancing around it. Just say what you need to say."

Gavin fell silent. I could almost see him struggling. I wasn't in a hurry; I put him on speaker and continued playing with the trinkets.

"Mr. Johnston found out about your new job," Gavin finally said, as if it had cost him everything.

I wasn't surprised, but I knew there was more. I paused. "So, is he planning something again?"

"You really did spend a lot of time with Mr. Johnston," Gavin said, sounding almost impressed. It seemed Jace was up to his usual tricks, trying to interfere with my new employment. Even though I hadn't started, I'd signed the contract. If they were going to back out, they'd have to inform me.

I wasn't even angry; instead, I laughed softly and asked Gavin, "Did he threaten them, saying if they hired me, he'd make them disappear from Seavora?"

Gavin chuckled. So, I'd guessed correctly. Jace, RiverwaveCorp's CEO, always had that domineering attitude—nobody could cross him without consequences.

"Well, he better be ready to wipe out every company in Seavora, then," I retorted sarcastically.

Gavin sighed. "Ms. Kay, Mr. Johnston still cares about you, you know."

I managed a faint smile. Gavin continued, "You didn't show up at the proposal yesterday. He was really embarrassed. He threw a fit, but later, on the way home, he said something to me. He said if you came back, he'd make Ms. Twain leave."

I stared at my phone screen. "Too little, too late, Gavin. That ship has sailed."

"Ms. Kay—" Gavin started, but I interrupted.

"Gavin, I have a boyfriend now."

A long silence followed. "What? That fast?"