Chapter 96

As expected, Lindey called to invite me back to the Johnston residence for dinner. I knew the invitation was a pretext; she clearly had something else on her mind.

“I already had your gnocchi, but coming home right now isn't really an option,” I said apologetically. “I’m working day and night to meet the amusement park deadline. I’ll come home once I get a break.”

Lindey sighed dramatically. “Ugh, Jace is really something. Why’s he pushing you so hard? It’s not like the world’s ending tomorrow. I’ll give him a piece of my mind later.”

“It’s not his fault, Lindey. This schedule was set ages ago,” I explained. Business was business—Jace has never let personal issues interfere with work.

“Alright, alright, work’s important,” she conceded, though I detected disappointment in her voice before she hung up. But what could I do? I was truly drowning in work. And even if I weren't, I couldn't simply drop by the Johnston residence whenever I felt like it anymore. Perhaps once her disappointment subsided, she would accept it. Everyone would drift apart eventually—first my parents, then Jace, and now the Johnstons.

While Demi and I ate breakfast, Hayden was nowhere to be found.

“Hey, didn’t Mr. Hart say he’d come with us to the amusement park? Where’d he run off to?” Demi grumbled.

I remained silent, but Demi nudged me. “Keira, Mr. Hart really cares about you, you know. Last night, he specifically told me to come back and look after you since you’d been drinking. Did you drink with him?”

“No!” I snapped.

“Then how did he know you were drinking?” Demi persisted, her curiosity piqued.

“He saw me.”

“Oh, I see,” Demi said, studying me intently.

“There’s nothing going on between Mr. Hart and me, so you don’t need to speculate,” I stated, directly addressing the question she was too embarrassed to ask outright.

Demi laughed. “It’s fine if there was something between you two! I do think Mr. Hart is handsome, but it’s just admiration, like how I feel about celebrities.” She was surprisingly level-headed.

“Then let’s just admire him together,” I said, concluding the conversation. We finished breakfast quickly and headed to the amusement park.

Hayden was already hard at work upon our arrival.

Demi greeted him, “Mr. Hart, you’re here so early! Why didn’t you wait to come with us?”

“It was more convenient this way,” Hayden replied, eliciting a playful sticking-out of Demi’s tongue.

We immersed ourselves in work, and progress was rapid. Before we knew it, noon arrived. Just as Demi was about to order food, a sleek luxury car pulled up, immediately catching my eye. It was Lindey’s.

She must really need to talk if she came all the way here, especially since I wasn't going to her place.

“You guys go ahead and order,” I told Demi before approaching Lindey.

She stepped out, and her chauffeur opened the trunk, revealing numerous food containers.

“Rea, I brought lunch for everyone,” Lindey said, taking me completely by surprise.

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. It’s way too much,” I said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“You all eat takeout every day—it’s neither tasty nor nutritious. Go on, call them over to grab the food,” Lindey said, glancing toward Hayden and the others.

Hayden was still working, and Demi was about to place her order. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it, but it felt like Lindey was observing Hayden.

“Demi, Mrs. Johnston brought us lunch. No need for takeout,” I called to Demi.

She looked surprised for a second, then sprinted over with a huge grin, practically bowing. “Thank you, Mrs. Johnston! This is amazing—getting to eat food made by our CEO’s mom!” This girl always knew how to amuse me.

Lindey chuckled. “If you like it, I’ll bring you food every day.”

“No, no, that’s not necessary,” Demi said quickly. “Just the occasional treat is more than enough.”

Lindey started walking toward Hayden, and I followed. She glanced around, “So, this is what’s been keeping you all so busy lately.”