No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Jerk!"

So, he said he was done with me, but he was still pulling these stunts. It seemed like he couldn't get me out of his head after all. Maybe Fanny was right; I needed to play my cards right with him. "Mr. Smith, I've got another engagement tonight. How about we grab dinner tomorrow?" I texted Grant.

His response was immediate, eyes practically lighting up through the screen, "Yeah, sounds great. Is Mr. Collins joining?"

"I'm busy," came Ernest's cold reply.

Grant was about to say something when I cut him off, "Mr. Smith, tomorrow I'll take you somewhere you've definitely never been before."

"Really?" Grant's surprise was palpable. "A place even I haven't been to? Has Mr. Collins been there?"

He always had to include Ernest, knowing full well about Ernest's royal connections.

He was playing it safe, not wanting to end up in hot water.

Luckily, the elevator arrived just then, and Ernest stepped out without another word to him.

Grant grimaced at Ernest's retreating figure, then turned back to me and said, "Director Hudson, at this rate, I might not live to see tomorrow."

With that, he hurried after Ernest. I couldn't help but smirk, feeling my mood lift from stormy to somewhat sunny.

Once I got home, I video called Jefferson.

on the call, I could hear Conrad in the

Felicia," Jefferson's words silenced

eyes softened as he looked at me, "I

fine, really. Went to

you through so much," Jefferson was

treating me like an outsider," I

I owe you

seemed Conrad hadn't

between Ernest and me.

when Jefferson was

my

he'd feel

has to offer," I said, knowing it

piercing through the screen,

him glance away, likely at Conrad. "What's the rush with work? Take

raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do I look like I need

me, "You

"Because there's

then