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.

call, I could hear Conrad

words

looked

smiled, "I'm fine, really. Went

put you through so much," Jefferson was filled

me like an outsider,"

owe you

seemed Conrad hadn't

Ernest and

going to bring it up now, not when Jefferson was already

my

feel even

But I want the best Seabreeze City has to offer," I

through the screen,

good. Ate, drank, worked all day," I reassured him, noticing him glance away, likely at Conrad.

raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do I look

scold me, "You don't need the money, so

of Conrad listening in, I smiled, "Because there's someone there

again, then nodded, understanding,