Ch. 261..270

Chapter 261 Ron was so chill that he didn't feel like my boss at all-more like a friend.

I smiled at him, then turned to Hayden. "You and Mr. Shane seem pretty tight. I've never seen anyone grab lunch with the boss right after an interview."

I mentioned it because Steve had told me that the person supporting Ron had the last name Hart.

My suspicion flared up again.

"Mr. Shane just wanted to get to know me better," Hayden said, taking a pause for dramatic effect. "I mean, a $1.5 million salary isn't exactly pocket change. I gaped. That much?

I really didn't expect him to be worth that much.

"What? You don't think I'm worth it?" he asked, straight-up.

I rolled my eyes. "No, that's not what I meant."

After a beat, I asked, "So, what did you make at your last job?

"Fifteen grand a month," Hayden said casually, and I nearly did a double-take. Ron was offering him, like, over eight times that.

"Wow, he's... definitely got guts," I muttered, not sure what else to say as Hayden raised an eyebrow.

"I was the one who threw out the number. I didn't think he'd actually go for it," Hayden admitted.

I let out a dry laugh. "OceanixCorp must really need talent." I shook my head, still in disbelief. "You've got some guts, too, asking for that much."

Even at RiverwaveCorp, the deputy CEOs barely made that kind of money.

"I'm worth it. Plus, I need the cash for our wedding," Hayden added, making my face heat up.

I cleared my throat and decided not to respond. I quickly started the car and asked, "Where to? I'll give you a ride."

"What about you?" he shot back.

"I'll drop you off and then head back to the office."

"Mr. Shane said you've got the rest of the day off. We could hang out," Hayden said, laughed, caught off guard. "He's really that thoughtful?"

"You can ask him yourself. Do I look like the kind of guy who'd make that up?" Just as he finished, my phone buzzed. Sure enough, it was a text from Ron telling me to take the rest of the day off.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You're really something else. You haven't even started, and the boss is already rolling out the red carpet. Are you sure you're not secretly best friends with Mr. Shane or, like, co-owners of the company?" Hayden just looked at me, saying nothing. I held his gaze for a few seconds, then waved it off. Still, I Chapter 261 couldn't shake the feeling that Ron was being unusually chummy with Hayden, especially considering his backer's last name was Hart.

My imagination went into overdrive. "Hayden, do you have any siblings? Like a super-rich older brother or something?"

*Just my sister, Yuna,"

I frowned. "Okay, what about any loaded cousins with the same last name?"

"I've got a few cousins, but they're all pretty normal, just doing regular jobs. None of them are rich." His straightforward answer left me at a dead end. Maybe I was overthinking things.

I realized I was being paranoid. First, I'd suspected Matthew over a contract. Now, just because Ron had an investor named Hart, I was side-eyeing Hayden too. Ugh. I was even starting to annoy myself.

"Have you ever been to a police station?" Hayden asked out of nowhere.

I blinked and shook my head. "Nope."

I'd been a model citizen my whole life. What reason would I have to set foot in a police station?

Then he hit me with, "So what's this I heard about you molesting someone?"

Hello 261

Chapter 262 Oh, crap. How could I forget about that?

But I had nothing to feel guilty about, so I denied it immediately. "It wasn't a molestation-it was a bogus accusation."

"Really?" Hayden's eyes were locked on mine, clearly waiting for me to spill the details.

So, I told him about the time I accidentally knocked Brad over and how he completely overreacted, making it sound like I'd assaulted him. I ended with, "That little punk's just full of himself. Like I'd be interested." Hayden didn't miss a beat. "So, what's your type then? Older guys? Or the mature and steady kind?"

I glanced at his serious expression and felt the urge to mess with him. Leaning in a bit closer, I smirked. "I like your type... rough and hard."

His Adam's apple bobbed as soon as I said it.

Great, I'd gone and flirted with him. Again.

Just when I was about to pull back, I heard him murmur, "And how do you know I'm hard?"

Oh, God. My face went beet red.

I'd always thought Hayden was this innocent guy, but with that one line, he'd just shown me he was very, very confident in certain areas. "Why's your face all red?" Hayden just had to ask.

He wasn't one to back down, immediately throwing my own teasing back at me.

While I was processing that, he suddenly asked, "Have you been drinking?"

""No!" I shot back, maybe a little too quickly.

"Pull over," he said.

"Why?"

I asked, but my hands were already steering the car to the side of the road.

As soon as I stopped, Hayden leaned in, his hand cupping my face and turning it toward him. He was way too close.

I froze, my eyes widening. Was he about to kiss me?

In broad daylight, on a busy street-wasn't he even a little embarrassed?

Or did he think just because we were kind of dating now, he could just do whatever? Or maybe he was just naturally this shameless.

I mean, who even considers kissing someone right here in front of everyone?

I couldn't handle Jace's emotionally unavailable routine, but Hayden's I'll-do-what-l-want approach was a whole new challenge.

I put my hand on his chest, ready to push him back, when he said, "Open your mouth and breathe."

Chapter 262 25 BONUS Wait, what?

I had no idea what he was doing, but his grip on my chin was starting to sting, so I went along with it, opening my mouth and taking a breath like he'd asked, Then, just like that, he let go. "You're not drunk, so why's your face all red?"

My eyes widened as it hit me-he'd thought I was acting weird because I'd been drinking.

Oh, my God. This guy.

"You're the one who made a dirty joke! That's why my face is red!" I blurted out, way louder than I meant 1. to.

Hayden's eyes went wide, and his voice cracked. "Me? A d-dirty joke? W-When?" His words were all tangled up, and his ears turned bright red. Huh?

Wait, did he really not get it? Or was he just playing innocent?

No way. After what he'd just said?

I decided to go all in. "You asked me how I knew you were... hard."

Hayden froze, and his Adam's apple bobbed twice, quick. "I meant..."

He trailed off, the blush on his ears spreading.

It looked like he'd just realized how I'd taken it.

Seeing him all flustered, I finally believed it-he really hadn't meant that kind of "hard."

Now I wanted to disappear-so awkward I could die. But if I backed down now, it'd just make things. worse. So, I bravely asked, my face still hot, "So, what kind of 'hard' did you mean?" Hayden sat up straight, tugging at his collar. "Just drive."

Chapter 263 I watched him, his face all flushed, a couple of beads of sweat on his nose. I couldn't help but smile.

He turned away, clearly trying to recover, so I focused back on the road, deciding not to push my luck.

The whole "hard" thing had left us both too stunned to speak.

After a few awkward minutes, I remembered what he said about spending time together and decided to break the silence. "So, where do you wanna go?" "Do you have plans this afternoon?" Hayden asked.

"Nope!" I answered way too fast, sounding like I was way too excited or something.

Hayden's serious look melted into a smile. "Cool. I've got somewhere I wanna take you."

I decided to stay quiet this time, trying to play it cool.

"I'll set the navigation. Just follow it," he said, like I'd already agreed.

We ended up on the outskirts of town, in this remote area with nothing but overgrown grass and a shimmering in the distance.

"What are we doing here? Thinking of clearing some land and starting a farm?" I joked.

Hayden looked around and, to my surprise, said, "Yeah.

I laughed. "You should probably stick to playing with your wires and making that million-dollar salary."

He just smirked and started walking. I followed him, but after a few steps, something small and fast darted through the grass. I let out a scream, "Ah-!" Hayden turned around instantly, rushing back toward me.

Before I knew it, I was launching myself at him, arms around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist.

Back in school, I could barely clear the high jump, but this was a perfect 10. I latched onto him like a koala, no way I was letting go.

Hayden caught me, his hands supporting my waist. "What happened?" he asked.

"A snake! There's a snake!" I yelped, my voice shaking.

I wasn't even sure if I'd actually seen a snake, but that's what my gut was telling me.

And seriously, what else could be slithering around in this wild, overgrown field?

I was terrified of those creepy things. I mean, even a caterpillar could send me running.

Hayden held me steady and started walking away from the grassy area. "My bad."

He didn't say what exactly he was apologizing for, but he kept carrying me until we reached the lakeside.

+ was still in shock, clinging to him like my life depended on it, until he asked, "Wanna dip your toes in the water?"

That's when I realized I was practically strangling him, my arms wrapped around his neck so tight they'd t left red marks.

I quickly let go and slid down from him, my face burning with embarrassment. "Sorry," I mumbled, then hurried over to the edge of the lake, trying to pretend I wasn't totally mortified. Hayden followed me closely. "Yuna said you wanted a paradise like hers."

"Yeah, with mountains and water, a little garden with flowers..." I trailed off, suddenly realizing what he meant. I spun around to look at the barren land behind us. "Hayden, don't tell me you're planning to-" Before I could finish, he nodded. "When we get married, I'll turn this into your own hidden paradise."

I stared at him, completely stunned. I never imagined he'd be thinking so far ahead.

"Do you want it?" Hayden asked.

"Yes!" I blurted out, not even thinking.

Hayden's face broke into a smile. "Alright."

He turned back to the empty field, like he was already picturing how to build our home there.

Our home?

The thought hit me like a truck, and I froze.

Wait... did he just propose to me?

And did I just... accept?

"Hayden, you're pretty sneaky," I said.

He just smiled and kept walking.

I tried to catch up, but he suddenly broke into a run.

The faster he ran, the more determined I was to catch him. But before I knew it, he stopped short, and as I reached him, ready to smack his arm, he scooped me up. The next thing I knew, the world spun around me.

"Honey," Hayden whispered, his hands steady on my waist as he twirled us in circles. His soft, low voice sent a shiver down my spine, his words echoing in my ear.

Chapter 264 I never knew I could laugh like that-as giggling like a little girl.

if I was a kid again. Even in my twenties, I was spinning and But after all that twirling, I got so dizzy I could barely stand. I ended up leaning against Hayden's chest.

That's when it hit me-this had to be one of his little tricks.

"When you were little, you loved being spun around like this," Hayden whispered in my ear.

I'd met Hayden when I was so young that my memories of those days were fuzzy at best.

Curious, I asked, "What else did I like when I was little?"

"You liked being lifted high in the air and riding on my shoulders, pretending I was a horse," he said.

My cheeks burned red.

I tried to act skeptical. "I don't remember any of that. You could be making it all up, you know."

He just smiled and went on. "You loved playing in the water, too. You'd jump around, splashing everywhere, soaking yourself from head to toe."

*Anything else?" I asked, getting more interested.

If people were like computers, this would be a serious glitch-not being able to remember anything from before you were five. Those early years are supposed to be the purest, most beautiful time. Maybe if everyone could remember their childhood, it'd heal a lot of the stuff they go through as adults.

"There's more," he continued. "You loved listening to stories, especially fairy tales. But I didn't know how to tell them back then, so you used to call me stupid."

I laughed, and he kept going. "After that, I read tons of fairy tales, just for you. But I never got to see you again, so I never got the chance to tell you any of them."

"Why didn't we see each other again?" I asked, suddenly wanting to know more about those lost childhood days.

"Because Yuna was born, and her health wasn't great. So my mom took us to live with my grandma so she could help take care of Yuna while my mom worked," Hayden said, his voice dropping as those memories washed over him.

I hugged him tighter, trying to lighten the mood. "So what else did I do as a kid? From what you're saying, sounds like I was a total troublemaker."

"You were a little rascal," Hayden said softly, brushing his chin against the top of my head. "Always up to something, but too adorable to stay mad at."

I laughed. "Hayden, be honest-did you have a crush on me even back then?"

"Yeah," he said, without missing a beat.

I gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Seriously? was just a little kid! Didn't you feel... weird?"

He explained, "It wasn't like that. It was just innocent, you know? Like pure, simple affection. Don't read too much into it."

Chapter 264 After a pause, he added, "But I've gotta say, no one's ever been as adorable as you-not even Yuna."

My heart did this weird flip-flop. This was such a rare kind of love, something totally unique.

"So, when you saw me and recognized me, you decided you wanted to marry me?" I teased.

Hayden was quiet for a couple of seconds. "That's part of it."

"Part of it? What's the other part?" I could tell he was baiting me, trying to make me follow his lead.

"Because..." he trailed off, leaving me hanging.

I pulled back a little to look up at him, which, thanks to our height difference, meant I was staring right at his jawline. And wow, it was surprisingly sexy.

This was dangerous. I'd already found his Adam's apple attractive, his face gorgeous, and now even his jawline was doing things to me.

It's true what they say when you're in love, even the most random stuff about that person seems beautiful.

Lost in my thoughts, I gave his side a playful pinch. "Because of what?"

He looked down, his eyes meeting mine. "Because you have to take responsibility for me."

I blinked, a little confused. "What?"

"You stole my first kiss," Hayden said, his words making my cheeks flush pink.

"Now way! You're making that up just because I don't remember!" I shot back.

He glanced up at the sky, a teasing smile forming on his lips. "After you kissed me, I told you that girls shouldn't just go around kissing boys."

I could see the amusement in his eyes, like he was reminiscing about how clueless I'd been back then. I reached up and tugged at his lips. "Hey, no laughing!"

Chapter 265 Hayden let me turn his face any way I wanted and kept going, "Do you know what you said back then?"

"I don't know, and you're totally making this up," I protested, refusing to believe I'd been that shameless as a kid.

"You said it was like stamping a seal on me. That after you kissed me, I was yours. And when you grew up. you'd marry me. You even made me promise not to marry anyone else." He paused for dramatic effect, then suddenly leaned down, bringing his face closer to mine.

"Kiki, I've followed your orders. I'm in my thirties now, and I've never been in a relationship. Never liked another girl, never even held another girl's hand. I've waited for you all this time, so you've got to take responsibility for me," he said, sounding so earnest and pitiful that I felt guilty just hearing him.

I always thought Jace was my childhood friend, but now I realized I was wrong.

Hayden was my real childhood sweetheart-the one who, despite the little time we'd had together, managed to leave a mark on both our lives.

But I was too young back then, so all those sweet memories only stuck with Hayden, "Alright, I'll take responsibility," I said, tilting my head up and standing on tiptoe to lightly bite his jawline.

He let out a soft grunt, and I teased, "I'm leaving a deeper stamp this time, so any girl who thinks about liking you will know to back off."

Hayden chuckled, a smile tugging at his lips. "Still as bossy as you were when you were little."

Bossy? Was I really?

I'd always thought I was too soft-hearted, especially with the Johnstons. Unless it was something I really cared about, I usually just went along with what everyone else wanted. Hayden had given me a whole new glimpse of my childhood. Even if I wasn't sure how much of it was true, I felt genuinely happy.

Later, he even took me fishing, and we actually caught a good one-a fish weighing over two pounds.

"Tonight, I'll make you Mediterranean baked fish. You loved eating fish when you were little," Hayden said so casually that I knew everything he'd told me before had to be true. Because I did love fish, especially Mediterranean baked fish-just like the kind my mom used to make, full of flavor and perfectly cooked.

The day my parents had their accident, my mom had promised to make it for dinner.

But they never came back.

After that, I stopped eating it altogether. Matthew, Lindey, even Jace and Wayne thought I just didn't like fish But Hayden knew I loved it.

"Okay!" I agreed.

Chapter 265 In that moment, I felt a strange sense of peace.

Mediterranean baked fish was my mom's signature dish, a taste of her love and a way for me to remember her. Knowing someone else remembered it too felt like a sign from her, like she was watching over me.

Hayden's version tasted almost exactly like hers-so flavorful, just right.

He explained it was because my mom had learned how to make it from his mom. His mom had grown up by a lake and knew all the best ways to cook fish.

I'd lost my mom ten years ago, but through Hayden, it felt like a piece of her love had come back to me.

After dinner, we cleaned up, but Hayden didn't leave. I sat on the couch, scrolling through my phone, while he worked on his laptop across the room. He looked so focused, and I felt so restless.

I couldn't put my finger on it, but something was making my heart race, like a tiny bug crawling around inside me, keeping me from focusing on anything. "Uh, I'm feeling sleepy," I finally said, searching for an excuse to get him to leave.

Hayden set his laptop aside. "I'm feeling a bit sleepy too."

I blurted out instinctively, "Then go home."

But he didn't move. He just looked at me.

My heart pounded. "Hayden..."

"Can I stay over tonight?" he asked quietly.

Chapter 266 Whoa. I froze. That came out of nowhere.

Hayden wasn't just bold-he was downright blunt.

My heart was hammering, and before I could even process it, I blurted, "Why?

He swallowed, his throat bobbing. "I just don't want to be away from you."

It was so simple, almost too honest. I guess when you're into someone, it's like you can't stand to be apart, even for a minute.

"But I'm not the kind of girl who just casually does stuff like that," I said, not even thinking about it.

Hayden's face tightened, and his ears turned this cute shade of pink. It was kind of hilarious how he could be so straightforward yet blush so easily.

"I didn't mean it like that," he said, tripping over his words. "I just... I want to be with you.

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. Seeing him all flustered made me want to mess with him more. "So, you're saying you want to stay over, sleep in the same bed, but, like, just talk under the covers?" He cleared his throat. "Pretty much."

"Can you promise that?" My questions were getting bolder by the second.

But, hey, they were legit questions.

Hayden said, "Why don't you find out?"

I was speechless. Well, okay then.

Besides, wasn't I the one testing him before, wondering if he'd think about me that way?

"I'm gonna grab my stuff from my place. You're not gonna lock me out, are you?" Hayden asked, still totally unbothered.

I raised an eyebrow. "Just don't chicken out."

His smile widened. "I won't."

As he went to grab his stuff, I leaned against the bathroom sink, trying to steady my breathing. My mind was racing, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to go that far with Hayden tonight.

'She made a move, but I'm not into her." Jace's words from before echoed in my head, sharp and painful, Jike a thorn digging into my chest every time I remembered them.

It made me wonder if there was something wrong with me, if I really was that unappealing, that I couldn't even make a guy want me.

Feeling a surge of determination, I slipped into a black lacy nightgown that was more daring than anything I'd worn before.

Tonight, I wanted to make him lose his mind over me.

With that thought, I opened the door and stepped out. Hayden was already back, dressed in his pajamas.

11 *25 BONUS Chapter 265 Our eyes locked, and in that split second, I knew Hayden's heart was probably pounding as hard as mine.

I wanted to stride over confidently, but my legs were practically jello.

Before I could do anything, Hayden was already moving toward me. His Adam's apple bobbed as he picked me up without a word.

I instinctively grabbed his shirt, and as I got closer, I caught the scent of his soap-clean, simple, and totally different from Jace's.

Jace always smelled like that fancy, artisanal stuff, but Hayden's scent was familiar and comforting, the kind you get from everyday brands. Stronger, more grounding.

Between the scent and the sudden rush of being lifted, my head spun for a second, leaving me breathless.

Hayden carried me toward the bedroom, and with every step, my heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. I held on tighter, barely processing what was happening. "Why are you carrying me? I can walk, you know." As soon as the words left my mouth, I cringed. Way to ruin the moment.

"Afraid you'll chicken out and bolt," Hayden teased, his tone knowing, like he'd read my mind.

I pressed my face against his chest, refusing to back down. "If I wanted to run, I wouldn't have let you in."

"My bad, then," he shot back with that easy confidence, not missing a beat.

My cheeks burned as he carried me to the bed and set me down gently, his eyes never leaving mine.

But he didn't move away, Instead, he just looked at me, his gaze intense

Chapter 267 The way Hayden looked at me made my whole body feel like it was on fire.

I thought back to teasing him last time, the way he'd tried to keep his cool. Lena's words echoed in my mind.

"Hayden, have you ever done it with anyone else?" He'd told me he'd never even had a girlfriend, but I needed to hear it again, His gaze darkened. "...No."

That word made my heart skip a beat. "But do you want to?"

His jaw clenched, and then suddenly, everything went dark as his lips crashed into mine.

When Hayden's breath turned ragged, I already knew his answer.

But he didn't push further. Instead, he rested his forehead against mine. "How long are you gonna keep testing me, or are you just trying to torture me?"

Seeing his restraint, the way his desire fought with self-control, I reached up to touch his face. "Do you really want this? Is it just me?"

Jace's casual rejection still haunted me, and I realized how deeply it had scarred me.

"Yeah," he panted, "only you."

I closed my eyes, feeling something inside me finally give way.

"Ki-"

I cut him off, pulling him in for a kiss, this time drawing him closer.

"Do you want to wait?" he asked, his voice tight with restraint.

"Wait for what?" I asked, my voice barely steady.

"For the day I marry you," he said, his eyes burning with intensity.

I held his gaze. "If you're not sincere, even marrying me won't stop you from hurting me."

"I won't," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the tip of my nose. "I'd never betray you.

He made a promise, but I'd stopped believing in promises a long time ago."

Jace had made promises too, but in the end, he still ended up with someone else.

The truth is, more people get divorced every day than get married. Promises are the flimsiest things in the world.

Tonight, I wanted to be with Hayden because I felt something real for him. If there's a future, we'll see. If not, I won't be sha

Chapter 268 What happened to Jace?

Why was he covered in blood?

Was he hurt?

Dreams like this usually mean something. The night before my parents' car accident, I had a terrible nightmare-I dreamt my two front teeth fell out, blood pouring everywhere. I woke up crying hysterically. The next day, my parents were gone forever.

A wave of panic hit me so hard I barely noticed Hayden watching me.

It wasn't until he reached out and gently wiped the cold sweat from my forehead that I snapp Did you have a nightmare?"

out of it."

His words pulled me back to reality, making me realize he'd heard me calling Jace's name in my sleep.

I didn't want him to get the wrong idea, so I said, "I dreamt Jace was standing by the bed, covered in blood. I kept asking what happened, but he wouldn't answer."

"It's okay. Dreams are usually the opposite of reality. If you're worried, you can call him now," Hayden said, surprising me.

Shouldn't he be upset right now?

If it were Jace, he'd definitely be jealous.

I glanced outside, the sky just starting to lighten. I snuggled closer into Hayden's arms, closing my eyes. I'm tired. I just want to go back to sleep."

"Go ahead," he murmured, gently stroking my hair.

He was as calm and caring as ever, no sign of anger or jealousy.

I was too exhausted to think straight, and before I knew it, I'd drifted off again.

Half-asleep, I felt Hayden kiss my forehead and whisper, "You're still worried about him."

I wanted to say something, but it was like my mouth was glued shut.

When I finally woke up, it was already nine a.m.-way too late for work.

Hayden was gone, and as I tried to move, my whole body felt like I'd been run over by a truck. So, turns out those books were right about the aftermath.

I just lay there, letting flashes of last night with Hayden the nightmare, and his whispered words swirl around in my head.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Of course, the first real night with Hayden, and Jace has to show up in my dreams, bloody and haunting The image of him like that was still freaking me out. Even though Jace and I weren't a thing anymore, he'd been in my life for, like, ten years. It was more like family than anything 1/2 Chapter 268 L I grabbed my phone and dialed a number, but not Jace's. I called Wayne instead.

Ever since Wayne confessed his feelings and I gently turned him down, he'd kept his distance, giving me space. He was so thoughtful that I felt guilty even calling him now. But I needed to know if Jace was okay.

"Rea," Wayne's gentle voice came through the line.

"Wayne," I said softly, "How've you been?"

"Good. What's up?" His tone was light and cheerful, which made me relax a little. If something had happened to Jace, he wouldn't sound like that.

"Not much. Just wanted to see if there's any update on when the amusement park is opening?" I asked, grasping at the first excuse I could think of.

Wayne was smart enough to know I was just making small talk. If I really wanted to know about the amusement park, I could've just asked Demi. "Jace hasn't given a final date yet," Wayne answered honestly.

I frowned. Before the whole lighting issue, the opening date was set in stone. That's why I'd been so frantic to fix it. Now that it was sorted, they should've been back on schedule. The park was supposed to open in a week.

But from what Wayne was saying, it didn't sound like anything was moving forward.

There was still so much to do before opening day, like promotions and ads, but I hadn't seen a single one.

"Is there a problem?" I asked, feeling a knot of concern twist in my stomach.

"There's no problem," Wayne said firmly, like the guy in charge.

ttered.

There's a saying: the greatest pain comes from having too many expectations and getting too little in return

Chapter 269

If there was no issue with the park itself, then the problem had to be with Jace.

Thinking back to the nightmare and why I called, I asked, "Is this about Jace? Did something happen to

him?"

Wayne didn't answer right away. There was a pause before he finally spoke. "If you're worried, ask him yourself."

Classic Wayne-cutting through the nonsense. Nobody's really clueless, after all.

His words left me at a loss.

you should

Not wanting to make things awkward, he quickly added, "I just mean that even though you guys aren't together anymore, you've been like family for so long.

I gave a small, humorless laugh. "Yeah, I'm just worried about making Tanya jealous.

Wayne chuckled too.

"Rea, let's grab lunch sometime," Wayne suggested.

Since he'd just said we were like family, I didn't see a reason to say no.

After hanging up, I let out a sigh of relief. Looked like Jace wasn't in any trouble after all.

But it was still weird that I'd had that dream. Was it because of what he'd asked me yesterday-if I'd be sad if he died?

Ten years of history would not just disappear overnight, it was like he was a part of me. But I was with Hayden now, and Jace would eventually just be a part of my past.

I put down my phone and was about to get out of bed when Hayden's message popped up: [You awake?]

I didn't answer, and a second message came through: [Breakfast is ready and in the warmer. Make sure you eat. Also, you don't need to come to the office today.] What?

He was new at the company, but he was acting like he owned the place!

Then again, with his $1.5 million salary, it was obvious Ron saw him as a big deal. If Hayden asked for me to have the day off, Ron would probably agree without a second thought.

Still, it felt... off. It made me uneasy. Just because he was my boyfriend didn't mean he got to interfere with my job. But I knew he was just trying to be considerate, so I replied with a simple: [Okay.] Even though Hayden said not to, after getting ready and eating breakfast, I went to the office anyway. My legs felt like I'd run a marathon.

"Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you were off today," Ron said, holding a cup of coffee as we ran into each other.

"Since when did I say I was taking a day off?" I shot back, leaving him momentarily speechless.

+25 BONL

Chapter 269

Ron looked stunned for a second, then gave an awkward laugh. "My bad."

Such a smooth talker.

And all of this was just to cover for Hayden. But seriously, they'd just met.

"Get back to work," Ron said, trying to make his escape.

"Mr. Shane," I called after him. "Did you know Hayden before this?"

"Before?" Ron blinked. "Does "before today' count?"

I could tell he was dodging. I raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Never mind."

I headed to my office, but before I could even sit down, a colleague came up to me. "Ms. Kay, you're here! There's a client waiting for you in the lounge. He said you arranged the meeting." That was news to me. I frowned. "Are you sure that person is here to see me? How long has he been waiting?"

"Yeah, he asked for you specifically. He's been here for almost an hour."

I was curious and a little annoyed, so I dropped my bag and headed to the lounge.

When I opened the door and saw who was sitting there, my heart nearly stopped.

Chapter 270

""Hey, Keira!"

Brad waved at me with that signature cheeky grin of his.

"I've been waiting for almost an hour. You're late today, he said, shaking his wrist like I hadn't noticed the time.

I took a deep breath, trying not to snap at him, and walked over.

I wasn't in my usual heels but wearing flats instead since my legs were still sore and shaky.

"Not feeling great today?" Brad asked, surprising me with his sudden concern.

I hesitated for a second, caught off guard, but there was no way I was getting into that. I sat down across from him, refusing to let him get under my skin. "Just cut to the chase, Brad, What do you want?" He ignored my question "Rough night?"

This brat was getting bolder with each question, like he knew more than he was letting on.

I straightened up, forcing myself to stay calm. "If you've got something to say, say it. If not, get out before

I call the cops and report you for harassment."

"Heh," Brad chuckled. "Still holding a grudge, huh?"

"Enough with the games. What do you really want?" I said, holding up my phone as a warning.

He flashed a mischievous grin. "I want to pursue you."

I didn't even flinch. I knew he wasn't serious; he was just trying to get a reaction out of me.

If I lost my cool, he'd win.

I gave him a stern look, like I was scolding a kid. "Aren't you still underage? If you're serious about pursuing me, have your parents give me a call."

"Are you free this weekend?" Brad asked out of nowhere.

I ignored him, but he leaned in closer. "It's my birthday this weekend. Il be turning eighteen. So, how about coming to my party as my girlfriend?"

Looking at his smug face, I could only think of one thing: Like a frog trying to date a princess.

I pursed my lips, deciding not to waste any more breath on him. "I don't care what game you're playing. Stay away from me. Don't test me, or you'll regret it."

As I spoke, I tapped my phone, eyeing his limited-edition sneakers and designer clothes-such a stark contrast to the scrappy kid who'd tried to frame me back when we first met.

Tanya's sudden rise had clearly rubbed off on him too.

"You didn't tell Tanya you were coming here, did you? Or better yet, does Jace even know?"

Brad snorted. "Don't try to scare me by bringing them up."

Chapter 270

He was like a little monkey, thinking he ruled the jungle just because the tiger wasn't around. I gave him a small, amused smile. "If you want to keep enjoying your fancy lifestyle, you'd better back off. Because if you don't, you won't even be able to afford a bunch of flowers, let alone Gucci."

I wasn't trying to insult him, just reminding him that his current status was borrowed.

Sure, Jace might be with Tanya now, but there's no way he'd let his ex become his future brother-in-law's girlfriend. Brad was playing a dangerous game, and it showed on his face as it turned bright red with embarrassment.

He shot up from his seat. "Don't look down on me-I mean, don't underestimate me. Everything I'm wearing. I bought with my own money. Not a single cent came from him!"

Is that so? I thought.

Funny, considering Tanya couldn't even afford a decent meal a while back. One of them was definitely lying. But they both had the same flaw: vanity.

Tanya, obsessed with appearances, was using Jace's money to keep up her image, while Brad, with no background of his own, was strutting around in designer labels. Whether he was really spending his own cash or Jace's, only he knew.

"Well, good for you, still trying to prove yourself," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

'Of course, I am- Brad began, but he stopped mid-sentence when there was a knock on the door.

I glanced over and saw Hayden standing there.

My heart skipped a beat. What was he doing here? Was he planning to start a fight?!

Things could get messy, fast.

I scrambled for a way to keep Hayden from getting involved, but before I could say anything, he spoke in a cold, steady voice, "Ms. Kay, do you need help?