Kendrick frowned. He didn't like her tone. He knew better than anyone, she was gritting the words out. "I gave it to Sharon—""I know." She cut him off in a light tone. "You don't sound happy." Kendrick held her chin. He couldn't understand what both girls had against each other. Even after the truce, there was still an unmistakable tension between them. Sharon had tried to act nice and Hailey— well, she never faked her emotions. And right now, she was faking them. "Didn't I?" She laughed. Not at him but herself. Her words sounded self-mocking. "It wasn't my concern to have you finish it. It's just a damn cupcake." She pursed her lips. "If I wasn't happy, I would have wiped the rest on your face." "Really?" Kendrick raised a brow and couldn't help but smirk at her.Hailey met his gaze and nodded, her lips stretching into a smile. "You were right, I've worked hard. And I don't like my hard work to be trifled with." Wiping a cupcake on his face? Kendrick didn't know why he found
"I want to go there and and..." She trailed off as if it wasn't a great idea to say the remaining words. There was a flicker of fear in her eyes for a second. She swallowed what seemed like her saliva and continued. "I want to go there and see to it that Kara's doing well. She's been taking care of the diner for so long, I don't want to let her think I've left all the burdens on her." And now, she was lying. Kara had communicated with him through the bodyguard. She even urged him to not let Hailey come to the diner soon. Her headache episodes were over, but slight stress could trigger them. As if reading his thoughts, Hailey's hold tightened around his hand and she went on to say, "You don't have to worry about a thing. Kara is there. She won't let me tire myself out even if I want to. And I promise you I won't. I will also reduce my workload and always return home early."Kendrick kept his eyes glued to her expression, the feeling of her hands on his not helping him to concentrat
He knew his friend had told her something. Kendrick wasn't cunning for nothing. He was too clever. She was even afraid to spend more than a minute with him. Not when she was still battling with this shocking knowledge of his dangerous life.Hailey had thought she would be able to come to terms with it if she stayed away from him. She even followed his request and didn't step foot in the hospital, with the assurance that he would take his drugs.Yet, those three days weren't enough. They weren't enough to pacify those suffocating emotions inside her. She felt hopeless and helpless at the same time. And one more daunting thing. The rising guilt inside her scared her beyond explanation. Kendrick had told her it wasn't her fault. She also knew that.It was his negligence that had caused him to fall sick. The Butler had said he was too stubborn to take his drugs. She was a living witness.Despite that, she couldn't help but feel guilty whenever she stared into his tired eyes.That was w
"I think you should see a psychotherapist, Sharon." Hailey snickered and gave her a pitiful look. "No, I think you should start packing your things, Hailey." Sharon chuckled. "Because your days here are numbered. You might even come back to find your things thrown out. Not even this baby can save you now, Hailey." She gestured at Hailey's bump. "Your days here are over." 'Relax, Hailey. She is simply a pathetic maniac' Hailey chanted to herself and she made up her mind to not let the girl's words get to her.Treating her as air, she entered her car and Rick closed the door and went to the driver's seat to start the car.But Sharon was persistent. And the happiness in her eyes only increased.She came to Hailey's side before the engine could kick off and she shook her head. "If I were you, I wouldn't return here today, or even ever. Because you wouldn't believe what I found in Ken's study." She sighed and let out another happy laugh. "Just don't come back, Hailey. It will be better f
Was it really to protect her? Or to speak the truth, was it because of her baby? He would still protect the baby even when her life wasn't in practical danger. Even if none of his enemies knew of the baby's existence. Her hand went to her stomach and she gave it a gentle caress. That stupid Kendrick. How could he do this to her? How could he beat her senseless and give her no freedom to cry? She was done trying to wrap her head around things. These thoughts were just so confusing, she could lose all her brain cells. And his friend. Where in the freaking world did that guy come from? He'd better fulfill his promise and build her the smartest drone, otherwise, she was never going to forgive him for dropping this bombshell of news on her. It was better to live in danger and not be aware of it, than knowing that you're in danger and something bad might happen even when you have a thousand guards guarding you from all sides. Hailey gave up trying to watch the tv and she rose to her f
"You're truly heartless, Hailey. Although your husband gave me money, do you think I'd turn my back on you?""Of course, you wouldn't." Hailey tried to give her a smile. What would she do now to make Kara drop the topic? She really didn't want to talk about it. Even if it bordered her so much, no amount of comfort could possibly work for her in this situation.But Kara's expression only turned gloomier and Hailey decided to test the waters.She took her hand and stared into her eyes then asked, "What would you do, Kara? Let's say you have a boss who is overprotective of you. You know he's going to hurt you but you have no power to defend yourself. In fact, he even protects you from others, while he himself is in danger. And in the end, you're going to be at the receiving end." "The heck?" Kara exclaimed with widened eyes. "Why would I want such a boss, Hailey? I don't care if he'll protect me, shit! I'm even going to kick his butt for putting me into such a miserable position. He sh
"Urgh, you're so unbelievable, Hailey." Kara let out a groan. "If one day you really make up your mind to leave that poor man, please don't break all your contacts okay? I still want to keep in touch with Rick. The dumb guy wouldn't even let me have his number. And also the billionaire, of course, I can volunteer to be his babysitter. Who knows..." She gave Hailey a wink and flip her hair to the side. "It might even lead to a heated romance. Oh my God, the billionaire and his babysitter," she said in a dreamy tone and placed both hands on her chest. Hailey's lips twitched at the sides and she rolled her eyes."Stop giving me that look, Hailey. I'm serious," she muttered, then paused and giggled. "You look as if you want to murder me right now. Are you jealous? Does it hurt to hear me speak about your husband that way?" "In your dreams." Hailey scoffed and turned her eyes to the tv. "Are you sure?" Kara gave her a sweet smile. Hailey bit her lips and decided not to answer her. Her
Hailey went silent and focused on the news instead. Then her eyes inadvertently diverted to the wall clock and she gasped.Shit! She had promised Kendrick she'd return early. "I have to go, Kara." She rose to her feet with her eyes still on her wristwatch. Kendrick must have taken his drugs by now. He should be asleep. "Why, Hailey? But it's not even closing time." Kara stared at her with a confused look. But Hailey was already out of the table. She had to pick up her bag from where she had left it in the kitchen. Rick was standing against a wall at the entrance. His eyes were on her. And she gestured him to go get the car ready."Hailey." Kara followed her into the kitchen, the confusion still on her face. "Why are you in a hurry?" She asked. Hailey didn't want to tell Kara why she was in a hurry. Otherwise, her friend would misread everything. It was a promise she had made out of desperation. And she had to fulfill it. She was desperate at that time to get Kendrick's permission t