Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Chapter 34:

“I don’t need you to take care of me, not with your hand still healing,” Eileen said to Huey.

She eased the covers aside, making an effort to rise. The room stayed still this time. Her equilibrium had returned. As long as she kept her movements measured, she wouldn’t feel dizzy.

With deliberate care, Eileen organized the food containers and placed a chair for Huey. Huey eased into the chair, concern furrowing his brow. “Is your head clearer now? If you’re steady, I can start arranging our discharge. I need to take care of some business back in Onaland tomorrow.”

“The dizziness has passed. I feel alright now,” Eileen said. Time had slipped away from her, disrupting her plans to return to Onaland today. Eileen surmised that Bryan and Vivian had likely already left.

Huey seemed to anticipate her thoughts. “Bryan and Vivian caught a flight back today. Some of my friends spotted them earlier,” he said.

Eileen nodded and made a decision. “There’s a flight to Onaland early tomorrow. I’ll secure our seats.”

While Huey focused on his meal, Eileen took care of the travel arrangements. By the time she had confirmed their journey, Huey’s plate was empty.

Huey stood up. “Finish up, then pack. I’ll take care of our discharge forms.”

Eileen nodded, quickly finishing her meal. Together with Huey, they secured a taxi and returned to the hotel. Silence greeted Eileen in the presidential suite; her own belongings were nowhere in sight.

With a thoughtful pause, she approached the closet and found her suitcase perfectly arranged inside, its contents restored to orderly precision. Could Bryan have anticipated Vivian’s actions and organized her luggage beforehand?

Check the newest chapters on gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s․com Eileen exhaled slowly, collected her belongings, and rejoined Huey. Later, seated on the plane, Eileen glanced at the latest headlines on her phone. Then, her fingers wandered to her messages with Bryan. Their exchange lingered on the details of their most recent project.

On a whim, Eileen captured the view outside the plane window: a canvas of blue skies and white clouds sprawling above the vast airport. Without adding any caption, she posted the picture and switched off her phone.

At Onaland Airport, Eileen emerged with her and Huey’s luggage to find Bailee waiting. Bailee’s face lit up as she approached. “Eileen, your picture tipped me off about your return! I was here with clients and guessed you’d be arriving about now.”

Eileen ventured away from Onaland; Bailee was her point of contact, ready to step in for Ruby if needed. Bailee’s attention shifted to Huey’s bandaged hand, her expression dimming. “Why are you here at the airport with Eileen, and what happened to your hand?”

“I went to Lakedale for a match. The hand injury is just a small mishap,” Huey responded with a dismissive wave, feigning indifference.

Eileen considered their next steps. “You need to rest. Stay at Bailee’s place for a few days; it’ll be more convenient for me to look after you.”

Bailee, ever attuned to Eileen’s nature, took the bags from her hands, guessing that Huey might have gotten injured because of Eileen.

Bailee spoke up, her tone light. “That works for me. I’ve started a new job, and there are plenty of things I’d love to talk about with Eileen!”

Huey, recognizing Eileen’s sense of responsibility, didn’t protest.

Eileen chose not to head straight to Bailee’s place. She sent Bailee and Huey back and detoured to her own home for her belongings.

Her room felt hollow after two days unoccupied, the air still holding the scent of sandalwood from Bryan. As she gathered her clothes, Eileen’s thoughts drifted to whether Vivian was aware of the depth of her connection with Bryan.

Vivian’s actions had been ambiguous, issuing subtle cautions but nothing definitive. Deciding that the riddle was insoluble for now, Eileen focused on her immediate task. With a selection of everyday clothes and essentials packed, she made her way to Bailee’s home.

She noticed Huey and Bailee had each left a like on her post. Comments from old classmates filled the thread, envying her freedom to travel. These were friends who were now parents, their days revolving around their homes and children.

Waiting at a crossroads, Eileen mused over the sentiment. The appeal of a steady home life tugged at her. She acknowledged internally that her own turn to settle down might be on the horizon.

Evening was settling in when Eileen reached Bailee’s place. Bailee was in the midst of dinner preparations.

“I’ll give you a hand,” Eileen offered, setting aside her belongings and getting ready to work in the kitchen.

Bailee passed her some vegetables. “You can be on washing duty, and I’ll handle the cooking as usual.”

Eileen nodded and threw a curious look towards the quiet. “Are we alone?”

“Both my roommates are visiting home. They’re fine with you staying while they’re away,” Bailee explained.

With a smile, Eileen joined in the meal preparation.

Huey’s timing was perfect. He walked in just as they were ready to eat, and his culinary skills won him over.

“This tastes even better than my mom’s cooking,” Huey complimented, earning a chuckle from Bailee.

“Well, you’re welcome to come here anytime,” Bailee said, still smiling.

They were peers, and Bailee was a gamer too. The conversation flowed effortlessly between them.

Post-meal, Eileen took the helm at the sink, washing up while Bailee downloaded Huey’s game and played, their laughter providing a backdrop to the clinking dishes.

Considering Bailee had work the next day, Huey left as the clock struck nine.

Afterward, Bailee and Eileen wrapped up their nightly rituals and settled into bed. Bailee curled up to Eileen, seeking comfort in the crook of her arm.

“Huey’s a catch. It might be time for you to let Bryan go,” Bailee murmured.

She hesitated before adding, “It would break Mom’s heart to know you were with Bryan for her sake, all the while letting Huey slip away.”

A shiver ran through Eileen’s lashes, yet she kept her eyes closed, her voice a steady whisper. “I will end things with Bryan one way or another, but it’s not within my power to say when. For now, patience is my only option. The choices aren’t mine to make.”

Eileen was entangled in a web of necessity, gathering funds for Ruby’s treatment, a task that forced her into the complex dynamic of Bryan and Vivian, even at great personal risk.

Bailee gazed at Eileen, a storm of regret in her eyes. “If it’s too much, be honest with Mom. She wouldn’t hold it against you. Remember, without you, she might not still be alive today.”

The truth was a heavy burden. Revealing everything would halt the aid for Ruby, leaving her fate hanging by a thread.

Upon hearing Bailee’s words, a gentle warmth seeped into Eileen’s aching heart. Eileen responded with a tender pat on Bailee’s head and a reassuring smile.

“Let’s call it a night. Get some rest; we’ve got this,” she said.

Vivian’s gentleness in the past hinted at stormier days ahead for Eileen, but Eileen brushed those thoughts aside. The mere idea of Bryan was enough to drain her energy.

Sleep proved elusive for Eileen in this unfamiliar place as Bailee surrendered to slumber with ease.

The next morning at Apex Group, Bryan stepped out from the lounge with an icy expression. He settled into his chair in the office and, almost reflexively, dialed the internal line to ask Eileen for coffee. Time ticked by with no response, prompting him to rise and step away from his desk.

Noticing the void at Eileen’s station, he remembered that Eileen had taken leave to take care of Huey.

A slight crease formed between his brows as he pondered the vacant space. After a while, he pivoted, leaving the quiet behind.

The office door swung open abruptly, revealing Vivian with a cup of coffee in hand. Her smile held a touch of shyness.

“I overheard your request for coffee on the internal line, so I brewed some for you. It took me a tad longer, though. My skills in this area still need improving,” Vivian confessed, setting the cup beside Bryan. “Give it a try.”

Bryan’s gaze flicked from the coffee to Vivian. “Why are you here so early?” he asked.

“I’m here to lend a hand,” Vivian replied, leaning lightly on the table. After a moment’s pause, she continued, “Bryan, I believe things are getting serious between Eileen and her boyfriend. Marriage might be on the horizon, and with it, the topic of starting a family. While her boyfriend may not possess your wealth, he might want Eileen to quit working. It might be prudent for you to begin searching for a new assistant in advance.”

With a self-assured pat to her chest, she proposed, “How about me? Eileen’s on leave presently. Let me fill in temporarily. It’ll give me a chance to practice. What do you say?”

Vivian watched Bryan closely, scrutinizing his reaction.

Bryan’s face remained cold, his eyes darkening subtly. “Okay,” he said.

Vivian couldn’t believe her ears when Bryan agreed. Her elation was palpable. “Really? That’s fantastic! Just say the word if you need anything!”

As Vivian exited, buoyed by her newfound responsibility, Bryan reclined in his chair. A furrow formed on his brow, his expression a blend of emotions.

Despite her earnest efforts, Vivian’s naivety often led to blunders. She was still more accustomed to being pampered than handling the rigors of a professional role. Throughout the day, mishaps piled up.

She mistakenly shredded documents meant for printing, engaged in a heated spat with a potential partner over a dinner appointment, and, in a critical oversight, forgot to remind Bryan of an important evening meeting before clocking out.

As the realization dawned on her that only half an hour remained before the dinner commenced, rendering any attempt to rush there futile, she said, “Bryan, I’m simply inexperienced.” Her gaze met Bryan’s darkened visage, frustration lacing her words.

Entering the office, Kian noticed Vivian lowering her head before Bryan. His brow furrowed in concern as he approached. “What’s happening here?”

Vivian turned to Kian, her eyes beseeching as she confided in him about the mishap in hushed tones, tugging gently at his sleeve. “It’s my first day, you see. Mistakes are bound to happen.”

Bryan, standing by the towering window with his hands in his pockets, turned his gaze towards her. “You lack a professional background, Vivian—mistakes are inevitable. Your focus should align with your academic pursuits from your years abroad.”

His words quelled any further protest from Vivian. She fell silent, her eyes betraying a hint of disappointment. It became apparent to her that Bryan’s morning agreement had been a calculated move, anticipating that her missteps would give her no reason to insist on being his assistant.

She couldn’t shake the suspicion that Bryan had foreseen her errors but had chosen not to intervene.

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