Chapter 78
Jeremy stared at me for what felt like an eternity, not saying a word. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and a chill ran down my spine. For a moment, I regretted speaking up.
Sunlight filtered through the patchy greenery and hit his face. Jeremy’s features looked almost painterly, like something you’d see in a classic portrait.
He was the kind of handsome man you rarely encounter–clean, solid, yet with a certain rugged charm.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but something about him made me feel like I should keep my distance.
I was about to give up and walk away when, out of nowhere, he handed me a pack of cigarettes.
I glanced at the pack–it was a brand I didn’t recognize, decorated with silver patterns and stamped with “Not for Sale.” I laughed. “A special supply?”
Jeremy just shrugged. “If you can smoke it, that’s enough. Stop talking so much.”
I thought. Okay… definitely not someone you can mess with. I was left speechless.
I took a cigarette, lit it, and took a few puffs. Almost immediately, I started coughing uncontrollably. I couldn’t stop–tears were welling up in my eyes..
Without a word, Jeremy pulled a bottle of water from somewhere, unscrewed it, and handed it to me.
“Thanks” I mumbled, feeling more awkward by the second. This was the most embarrassing moment I’d had in a long time.
“You don’t know how to smoke?” He took the half–smoked cigarette from my hand.
“No, I muttered, looking down.
“Such a waste. You don’t know how to smoke, but you still ask for one?” He snorted.
I didn’t have a response. He was right, after all. And I hadn’t expected the cigarettes to be so expensive. Now, I didn’t know whether to accept or decline–either way, it felt wrong-
The next moment, I watched as he took the cigarette I had smoked, took a puff, then snuffed it out. He wrapped it in a wet wipe and tossed it in the trash.
“Let’s go,” he said, giving me a quick, dismissive farewell before turning to leave.
I was left standing there, completely stunned. I didn’t move for what felt like ages, still processing everything that just happened. I thought, ‘Did I… read too much into this?‘
Honestly, I felt like I was losing my mind. I have actually thought Jeremy might be interested in me? What am I even thinking?
A man like him–successful, confident, and with everything going for him–would never look twice at a married woman like me. How ridiculous!
I might be a bit idealistic when it came to love, but I wasn’t that naive. I needed to focus. The most important thing right now was figuring out how to get Dexter back to work.
ge a meeting with Dexter’s
It wasn’t a hard task, but it sure made me feel like I’d swallowed a fly. I had someone arrange a
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14:46 Mon, 17 Feb
Chapter 78
company leadership, and I set up a dinner as “Mrs. Cook”
Just as I finished the call, my phone rang. It was Holly, “How’s it going? If you’re free, can you come by the office and help me
“Did something go wrong with the project?” I asked.
“Sheila accidentally damaged a hard drive. It’s still being repaired, but I need another data set. You’re the one handling it, so no one knows it better than you.” Holly sighed.
“Got it, I’ll be right there. Just because the boss had given me time off didn’t mean the work stopped.
When I arrived at the office, there wasn’t time to scold Sheila. I went straight to Holly’s office.
“You’d better hurry. I need to take these files to a meeting in twenty minutes. You don’t want me to look bad in front of the client, do you?” Holly said through gritted teeth.
down.”
“I know, I won’t let you do
I got to work right away. Fifteen minutes later, I handed over the files to Holly.
She hugged me with excitement and planted a kiss on my cheek. Just as expected, you’re reliable. I’m saved now!” Turning to her assistant, she waved. “Let’s go, to the conference room!
I couldn’t help but laugh, touching the spot where she’d kissed me, feeling slightly helpless.
Sheila’s eyes were red from crying. “I’m so sorry, Sylvia. It’s all my fault.”
“How much longer until the hard drive is fixed?” I asked.
