"Have you been keeping up with the payments for this number?" Jessamine asked.Thaddeus grunted as he arrived at the office in the morning. The phone in his briefcase started ringing, and it was a call he usually wouldn't answer.When he saw that the incoming call was from a number he had memorized, he couldn't resist answering it."I have your old phone with me. I had it repaired; apart from some paint chipping off the case, the screen was replaced, and nothing else was damaged," he told her honestly. He didn't dare to hide anything from her.Jessamine felt her breath hitch as she remembered the events from four years ago."The stuff on that phone…""It's all here.""Can you return the phone to me at noon?" Jessamine asked.Thaddeus was silent on the other end of the phone for a short while."Jessie, you can't take away even this little bit of hope from me, alright?"The phone had been with him for four years. On countless sleepless nights, he would open her secondary WhatsA
Jessamine felt that Judith was not in the right state of mind to drive any further, but fortunately, their destination was just past the next intersection.Jessamine arrived at the private room five minutes earlier than scheduled. Jerome was already there, along with someone who seemed to be a manager. However, Hayden himself was nowhere to be seen.Jerome greeted her and said, "Ms. Patton, please sit over here."Since they were in a formal setting, he changed the usual way he addressed her. Jessamine almost had a hard time recognizing it.Jerome also said, "This is Hayden's manager. He went to the restroom and will be back soon. Let's order our food first."While they were talking, the bathroom door in the private room opened, and out came a tall young man. He was more than 6 feet tall, with a somewhat soft and gentle appearance.Hayden was momentarily taken aback upon seeing Jessamine. He didn't quite know what was going through his mind and was lost in thought for a short time
Hayden waved his hand. "Sean, what are you talking about? That's not true.""Are you still pretending? Do you think I just met you yesterday? I can tell what you're thinking just by looking at you. That's the client we're talking about—make sure you're clear-headed.""Sean, what nonsense are you talking about? I just feel like I've seen this lady before."Sean handed him a few more sheets of tissue."Alright, stop pretending in front of me. Get yourself together and always be mindful of your image. You're a celebrity and need to be aware of your status. Just because you're good-looking doesn't mean you can act recklessly."Hayden wiped his face, stared at himself in the mirror for a long time, and muttered to himself, "It really seems to be her."After coming out of the restroom, Hayden's lazy demeanor completely disappeared, and he instantly became energetic and lively.Hayden sat back in the spot he was in earlier. "Ms. Patton, would you mind adding me on WhatsApp? This way, i
Judith was still calming her excitement down as she looked at the photograph. It felt like a dream—had she really gotten an autographed picture of her idol that easily?"Jacinda, how can he look even more handsome in person than on TV? I'm going to be his fan until I'm old!” Judith cried.“Why didn't I take a photo with my idol just now? He's so approachable. He wouldn't have said no if I had asked. Ah! I'm regretting it now…"Jessamine was driving while listening to Judith's chatter. "Get yourself together. Tell me your address so I can send you home.""Jacinda, there's no need to go out of your way. Just drop me off at the subway station ahead. Oh wow, he's so handsome, hehe!"Judith was enthralled; her eyes were glued to the photo and she couldn't tear them away. As they neared the next subway station, she spoke up again, "Jacinda, I've noticed that Hayden looks somewhat like you. His nose and mouth are similar, and he even has the same expression when he smiles."Judith see
Jessamine turned the steering wheel to make a U-turn and headed toward the company.When the car parked in front of the complex lot, Thaddeus was already standing there waiting.The streetlight made his shadow look like it was stretched out very long.Jessamine got out of the car, and he immediately reached out with his hand to hold hers."Have you eaten yet?"Jessamine reached out to grab his hand, and the two of them walked side by side."You weren't here, so I just grabbed a bite."Thaddeus' new office was on the same level as Kama Jewelry. When they got off the elevator, they went straight to his company.Some employees from Holt Jewelry had been transferred from Zenville, and they had recently hired quite a few new people. At this hour, after the workday had ended, the entirety of the large office was quiet.Thaddeus walked with Jessamine. He showed her around different areas and explained each one to her."Jessie, this area is for the marketing department, and here we h
Jessamine had to admit that this location was absolutely superb.She figured that if she placed a telescope, she could clearly see her working in the office from across the road.Jessamine looked around the office as Thaddeus let go of her hand and handed her a cup of juice.He had bought it from the dessert shop downstairs when he was having dinner, and he was planning to bring Jessamine over that evening.Jessamine swallowed nervously. This was her favorite dessert shop, one she only allowed herself to visit once a week to avoid gaining weight.Thaddeus understood the inner turmoil she felt. "Drink it. Don't be afraid," he coaxed."Thaddeus, do you have any idea how hard it is to lose weight? You're always causing trouble!"She gained weight from all the feeding he did to her when they were in Zenville, and she still hadn't lost it."Don't worry. How about we gain weight together?"Jessamine's gaze swept over him, and as it paused around his torso, she wondered what he would
Jessamine inhaled small gulps of air and filled her lungs with oxygen. Then, she exhaled slowly, as if it was the only way to ensure she wouldn't suffocate.For a long time after, she nestled against his chest and murmured softly, "I spoke with Layla in the afternoon. She should be asleep now and won't be waiting for me."Jessamine didn't answer his question directly, but Thaddeus understood the underlying meaning instantly.She didn't say no, so that meant she had accepted him.Thaddeus held her face gently, with his thumb lightly brushing the corner of her eye. In the mood of the moment, the simple gesture felt incredibly intimate.He bowed his head to kiss her lips—they were plump and bouncy like jelly, and no amount of it could satisfy him.Jessamine wasn't sure how long they had been kissing, but a sliver of her sanity remained, reminding her that they were in the office. In her mind, a clear-headed version of herself was having a tug-of-war with a passionate and impulsive s
At the break of dawn, Thaddeus wrapped her in his suit and brought her home.Jessamine barely had the energy to take a bath as she was exhausted. Unable to keep her eyes open, she fell asleep the moment she hit the bed. Even in her sleep, she continued mumbling. She accused, "Thaddeus, are you seizing the opportunity to kill me?"After tucking her in, Thaddeus gently lay down beside her. Despite having worked hard all night, he surprisingly didn't feel sleepy at all. He felt content as he watched Jessamine sleep in silence.The next day, it was almost noon when Jessamine was woken up by a call from Judith."Jacinda, why didn't you come again today? You didn't forget about the interview this afternoon, did you?"On the other end of the line, Judith was extremely anxious. How could the interview proceed without Jessamine? After trying to get in touch all morning, Jessamine finally answered the call.When Jessamine glanced at the time, she was shocked to see it was already noon and