Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Chapter 25:

Eileen glanced at the time. It was already two in the afternoon. She replied, “I’m not really hungry. Let’s forget about lunch. But we do need to talk. We’re not suitable for each other. If you don’t mind, we can be friends.”

Huey seemed to ponder for a moment and then spoke with a hint of meaning. “Do you have someone you like?”

Taken aback, Eileen struggled to find her words. Huey continued, “If you do, why haven’t you told your family? Why let them set you up on blind dates?”

His words came as an accusation, suggesting Eileen was deceiving him and wasting his time.

Lost for words, Eileen pondered before responding. “Whether I like someone or not is irrelevant to our compatibility. Your mother is aware of my family’s situation. My mother is ill and requires extensive financial support. Aside from a decent education, I can bring other assets to the table. Plus, I am older than you. Someone of your standing could easily find a more suitable match.”

“My mom really likes you,” Huey interjected, nearly causing Eileen to choke. She believed she had never met Huey’s mother before.

Noticing her confusion, Huey quickly explained, “You’re known as a golden assistant in our industry. My mom thinks I lack the necessary skills and need someone to steer me right. She believes you’re the one who can handle me.”

Eileen grasped his meaning but felt somewhat resigned. Huey continued, “If I can’t win you over, my mom might revoke my gaming privileges. Let’s try this without calling it dating and see how it goes. What do you think?”

Eileen was hesitant and prepared to reject his offer. Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Ruby calling.

As soon as Eileen answered the call, Ruby showered her with questions and concerns. “Eileen, are you coming back this afternoon? Have you arranged to meet the man I mentioned? You mustn’t miss this chance. He’s the best prospect I could find.” Ruby’s tone was a mix of caution and insistence.

Find more chapters now gⱯlnσv𝓮ls․cøm Though Huey was about the same age as Eileen, Ruby had recommended him to her because Eileen had been financially supporting her medical treatments for years.

Aware that Ruby would keep setting her up with potential suitors if she declined, Eileen reconsidered Huey’s suggestion. “Don’t worry. We’ve met. Whether it turns into anything more, well, that’s in the hands of fate,” she said to Ruby.

On the other end, Ruby paused and then expressed her happiness. “That’s wonderful! Then you two have a good talk. I’ll hang up now. You must be tired from the trip. No need to visit the hospital tonight. I’m fine.” She added a few more words of concern before ending the call.

Eileen looked up to find Huey grinning in the driver’s seat. She made herself clear, saying, “We’ll just get to know each other. Nothing more.” She wanted to avoid further confusion, especially when explaining the situation to Ruby later. She also had concerns that Huey might hope for more than she was willing to give.

Huey offered his pinky. “Deal. From now on, you’re my friend!”

Eileen laughed and gently pushed his hand away. “Just drop me off at the next intersection.”

“Wait, I still have something to show you,” Huey said, pulling out his phone and opening the game app to show the account “Ax.” “Do you know this person?”

Eileen recalled the moment when Huey had mentioned Bryan’s gamer ID. “Yeah,” she replied.

“Could you introduce me to him? I really admire him. He’s the reason I kept playing the game. I’ve tried adding him as a friend several times, but he’s been ignoring me. Do you have his WhatsApp?” Huey looked at her with eager eyes.

Eileen had reservations about Huey getting too close to Bryan, yet she found it hard to ignore Huey’s earnest request. Reluctantly, she shared Bryan’s WhatsApp contact with him.

Huey’s excitement was palpable as he sent a friend request. “Let’s go! I’ll treat you to a big meal. And from now on, you won’t have to pay when you visit my family’s resort!”

Though amused by his offer, Eileen politely declined and exited the car at the next intersection, choosing instead to take the bus home. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the bus window, enveloping Eileen in its warmth. The cacophony of the city buzzed around her, but Bryan’s words lingered in her mind: “Before that, I must protect you. That’s how I love you.”

She believed that Vivian, always the pampered princess, would continue her happy life under Bryan’s care. Eileen thought her own life would eventually find its way back to tranquility. She reminded herself not to harbor any false hopes, for they only served to deepen her sorrow and unease.

As she prepared to disembark, Eileen took a deep breath, allowing the residual ache in her heart to dissolve. She got off the bus, suitcase in hand, and made her way through the short walk to her home.

Upon entering her home, her phone rang. It was Bailee, amidst a backdrop of noise. “Eileen, are you back in Onaland today?”

“Yes, I’ve just arrived home,” Eileen responded while unpacking.

Bailee’s voice came with a tinge of sheepishness. “Eileen, I’ve found a job. But my current place is too far from work. I’ve rented a place closer to work, but I’ve got too much stuff to move on my own.”

“Send me your address; I’ll be there to help,” Eileen said without a second thought.

After receiving Bailee’s location, Eileen quickly left her house. She boarded a bus to the Apex Group to pick up her cat, arriving at Bailee’s place an hour and a half later.

Bailee indeed had an assortment of belongings. Alongside clothes, she owned everything from pots to pans, underscoring her culinary skills and frugality. She didn’t want to throw anything away.

“Where’s your new place?” Eileen inquired after they had loaded the car. She tapped on the navigation app, ready to set off.

Bailee shared the name of a modest neighborhood. “I’m rooming with two other girls. It’s a secure area.”

Eileen, familiar with the area, nodded and keyed the address into the GPS. As their conversation flowed, Eileen asked, “So, which company will you be working for?”

“Warren Group,” Bailee replied, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I applied everywhere, but Warren Group offered the best salary. I’ll just be a clerk there, nowhere near the Warren family circle.”

Eileen’s surprise was evident; she hadn’t anticipated Bailee working for Vivian’s family’s firm. Nonetheless, she offered a smile. “The choice of where to work is yours. Just remember, the corporate world can be tough on newcomers. You’ll need to be prepared.”

Eileen, seasoned in the ways of the workforce, shared her wisdom, aiming to shield Bailee from unnecessary workplace challenges.

Arriving at Bailee’s new place, it took them several trips to move all her belongings in.

Transfer all her possessions into her new apartment. Bailee’s new home was a three-bedroom space, modestly decorated. Though her room was the smallest, it was bathed in sunlight, making it a cozy corner.

Once Bailee had settled in, the day darkened into evening. She considered cooking, but Eileen stopped her. “Let’s not cook tonight. I’ll treat you to dinner—a little celebration for landing the job,” Eileen said, leading the way. After dinner, they stopped by the supermarket for groceries and necessities. Eileen then drove Bailee back before heading home herself.

In the solitude of her home, under the faint glow of a single light, Eileen’s loneliness was palpable. She spent time unpacking, then showered, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Bryan—his scent still lingering, sandalwood mixed with floral undertones.

Her sleep was fitful, filled with dreams where Bryan returned to hold her close. Awakening to find herself alone, a sense of emptiness enveloped her—a stark reminder of his absence.

At the Apex Group’s parking lot, Eileen found Bryan’s car parked. It felt like an unspoken pact between them; he hadn’t told her she needed to pick him up, and without asking, she had made her way to the company alone.

Riding the elevator to the top floor, Eileen stepped out, only to spot Vivian. Today, Vivian seemed different. Dressed in a knee-length skirt, a crisp white shirt, and an elegant vest, her curly hair neatly gathered into a bun, she appeared notably more mature.

Vivian, noticing Eileen, broke off from the other employees and hastened towards her, linking arms with her. “Eileen, you’re here!”

“Miss Warren,” Eileen responded, a hint of discomfort in her voice at the closeness.

Vivian’s expression softened into a pout. “I’ve asked you not to be so formal. Just call me by my first name. Why won’t you?”

Eileen offered a polite smile. “It doesn’t seem right.”

Undeterred, Vivian winked playfully. “It will be. I have a surprise for you! Come on.”

She led Eileen directly toward Bryan’s office. They entered the office, a room bathed in light from the expansive windows. Bryan, seated behind his desk, looked up. His eyes lingered on Eileen for a brief moment before he frowned and diverted his gaze.

“Eileen’s here!” Vivian exclaimed, halting in front of Bryan’s desk and dragging Eileen along with her.

Eileen discreetly withdrew her hand from Vivian’s hold and greeted Bryan, who remained silent, offering no response.

Vivian, interpreting his silence as lingering frustration over the room incident, leaned in to whisper to Eileen. “Don’t take it to heart. I summoned you here because there’s something important I need to discuss with both of you.”

Eileen’s brow furrowed in bewilderment, wondering what Vivian could possibly want to discuss that involved both her and Bryan.

Bryan, equally confused, allowed his gaze to linger on Eileen briefly before shifting his attention to Vivian.

With a blush tinting her cheeks, Vivian said, “I’ve decided I want to join Apex Group as Bryan’s secretary. I’ll take care of his daily needs, like bringing him coffee and handling his contracts. What are your thoughts on this?”

Her hopeful eyes danced between Bryan and Eileen, searching for their approval. Bryan’s expression grew more serious, his eyes darkening. He knitted his brows together slightly, yet he remained silent.

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