No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

My breath hitched as our eyes locked.

He stared back at me, unflinching, without a hint of avoidance.

Every time, he was so open, so honest. In contrast, it was always me who felt jittery, as if being apart from him was somehow my fault. "Speak of the devil, Mr. Collins, Director Hudson and I were just talking about you," Grant, with his ever-wagging tongue, quipped. Ernest just hummed, standing there straight as an arrow, without further comment.

"Aren't you going to ask what we were saying about you?" Grant was the type who loved to wield his words like a double-edged sword. Ernest remained silent, and Grant rubbed his nose, "We said you've lost weight, and that you..."

Grant paused abruptly, then winked at me. "Director Hudson, let's keep it from him."

I couldn't help but chuckle internally, my lips curving up slightly.

Ernest happened to glance over just then, but I quickly averted my gaze.

If he didn't want me, I wasn't going to let him think I was desperate for him.

I had received a call from Shirley at lunch. I had been meaning to call her myself, worried she might be inconvenienced being with Lord.

"How are you doing? Everything alright?" I asked as soon as the call connected.

managed to dodge the bullet today," Shirley's tone

woman had been able to stay by Lord's side for years, bearing him a daughter, all while harboring resentment. It spoke volumes of her cunning. Thinking back, I had once thought she was just a woman

something else to discuss?" I

you were looking for. Do you want

at least a

convenient, I'd like

you an address, just come over," Shirley said before hanging up and sending

might not be appropriate. So, I went to find Grant, "Mr. Smith, I had a bit of a car accident yesterday, and it's currently being repaired.

use it," Grant said, always so

me, "You mentioned

bender. The insurance is handling

car and go," Grant said, then reached into his drawer, pulling out an invitation and handing it to me.

are you

don't see a reason to go," I placed the invitation back on his

an eyebrow,

between the Collins and Wagner families doesn't

you