Chapter 10

Alvin suddenly hugged me, his hands trembling slightly. "It's not what you thought," he said. "Jacqueline, no. Leaving you on the road was because the company had an urgent matter, and all the documents were in her car." He explained that on the day of the business trip, she'd bought a cake and invited everyone, a fact he hadn't initially mentioned. "I drank too much," he confessed. "She took me to the hotel, and I don't know what happened. By the time I woke up, something that shouldn't have happened, had already happened. I didn't mean to, Jacqueline."

I panicked, struggling to break free from his grasp. I stared at him, as if seeing him for the first time. "Are you deceiving me, or deceiving yourself?" I demanded. "Didn't you tacitly agree? She hasn't escorted you home before, so why a hotel that day? Were you really that drunk? You knew what she was thinking; you let it happen." I continued, "On the Steelhorn trip, was your absence really necessary? And you never eat cake." My voice sharpened. "Are you really that busy? Too busy to see me?"

Alvin's face paled. I stopped looking at him, pushed open the car door, and got out. Alvin, unknowingly letting his guard down, had inadvertently drawn others closer. That evening, I dragged my suitcase to Eleanor's for refuge. She didn't ask questions, simply ordering a table full of hot pot.

Chapter 10

The steaming pot and spicy aroma were instantly soothing. Sure enough, if something couldn't be overcome, hot pot was the answer. And if that didn't work, then two servings! The world's turmoil faded. News from the agency arrived before the hospital's. Zayden knew I was moving and offered to help, but I refused. He still seemed to feel guilty about my fainting spell, though it wasn't his fault.

Alvin unexpectedly arrived while I was packing. He probably hadn't expected to find me home. His mouth opened and closed before he finally spoke. "I transferred her," he said. "The new secretary is a man."

I interrupted. "We're broken up. If you really liked her…"

"I didn't like her!" Alvin's voice rose. He stood there, desolate and helpless, a stubbled chin accentuating his exhaustion and sadness.

I said nothing more, efficiently packing the remaining items and bidding farewell. We both knew it was truly over.

Zayden encouraged everyone to visit my new house. I wanted a chance to have some fun, so I called Eleanor and bought plenty of food and drinks.

Chapter 10

Eleanor raised her glass. "I'm happy being single," she announced. Everyone looked at me, then, without further questions, tacitly understood. Zayden slyly swapped my drink for a beverage; others saw and exchanged knowing glances. Laughter and playful banter filled the air, a lively atmosphere I hadn't felt in a long time. They were reluctant to leave, lingering downstairs, saying "see you tomorrow" repeatedly before finally departing.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alvin's cold figure. Even with stubble, he was undeniably handsome. I glanced at him, then turned and went home. There would be no turning back.