Free Web NovelChapter 112: Chapter 112
Kyra’s POV
"Next," I said as I massaged my forehead. The stack of resumes on my desk seemed endless. Finding someone qualified to be my secretary was proving more difficult than rebranding an entire company.
I grabbed the next applicant’s form, and my lips formed an O when I recognized two familiar names. A wave of genuine happiness washed over me as I anticipated seeing them again after everything that had happened.
I pressed the intercom. "Mrs. Taylor, please let the last two applicants in."
When the door swung open, Yara and Ana entered, both glancing at each other with obvious frowns. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I stood up.
"Yara! Ana!"
Their heads snapped toward me simultaneously. My smile grew wider as I moved around my desk and embraced them both. They hugged me back tightly, and I felt Yara’s body trembling with quiet sobs.
"Kyra!" she cried out, her voice thick with emotion.
Ana pulled back first. "Kyra, I resigned from my work because of you. Please hire me!"
Yara quickly lifted her arm, not wanting to be outdone. "I’m more experienced than her, Kyra. I was your assistant at the shop."
The mention of the shop brought a flood of memories. I smiled at Yara, though my heart ached slightly. "The shop... What happened to it?"
Her eyes clouded with sadness as she looked down. "Sir Kieran closed the shop after you disappeared. I was so worried, but he wouldn’t tell me anything about where you’d gone."
"Your things are with me," Ana added hastily. "The owner of the apartment threw me out after I failed to pay two months of rent. I had no choice but to pack up your belongings. I’m sorry."
Sylvia stirred within me, feeling my compassion for these two women who had stood by me when I had nothing. I took both their hands and looked between them. "I have jobs for both of you."
Ana was quick to nod enthusiastically. "I can just be your maid again. I’ll take care of your house." Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "By the way, are you back in your family villa?"
I shook my head. "I’m living in a company apartment, but I’m moving out today. I don’t want to live in a villa right now." The truth was, those grand empty spaces only magnified my loneliness, especially with Snow needing a real home, not just a hollow mansion.
I turned to Yara and smiled warmly. "You’re going to be my assistant again."
After finalizing the details with both of them, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Having people I trusted back in my life brought me a comfort I hadn’t realized I’d been missing. These were true friends, and I needed them now more than ever.
When I arrived home later that evening, I stopped short at the sight of Mary and Mr. Walter standing outside my apartment door. Today was moving day, as this was a company apartment and I’d resigned from Mr. Walter’s company. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"Are you avoiding me?" Mary asked immediately, her eyes sad and her brows furrowed in concern.
I took a deep breath, guilt washing over me. "I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to face you after everything. I lied to you about who I was."
"But you treated me as a friend, right?" she asked, her voice small but hopeful.
I nodded slowly, honestly. She smiled and reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Then it’s fine. I know you had your reasons."
I unlocked the door and invited them inside, feeling oddly awkward to have Mr. Walter as a visitor in my home.
"Mommy!" Snow’s voice rang out as she ran toward me. She was wearing another pink dress with her favorite bunny headband. Emily was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone with casual indifference.
I bent down and kissed Snow’s cheek, breathing in her sweet scent. "How was your day, sweetie?"
She beamed up at me. "Aunt Em taught me about girl things!"
"Girl things?" I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Emily who merely shrugged.
"Yes! Like how to walk like a queen... how to speak like a queen... and how to laugh like a queen!" Snow demonstrated a delicate little laugh that was clearly Emily’s influence.
I chuckled and pinched her nose playfully. "Okay. We’ll talk about your day later. I just need to speak with my visitors for now. Wait in our room, okay?"
She looked up at me with those innocent doe eyes that always melted my heart. "Aunt Em said we’re moving out. Is it true? Are we going to live in a palace like a queen?"
I smiled and stroked her hair gently. Emily pulled herself up from the couch and eyed my visitors with a raised eyebrow.
"Come on, love. Let’s go pack your things," she said, offering her hand to Snow.
I nodded reassuringly when Snow glanced back at me before taking Emily’s hand and disappearing into the bedroom.
"Please, have a seat," I offered to Mr. Walter and Mary.
Mary grinned. "I’m not a visitor, Elle—I mean Kyra. I should prepare something to drink." She headed toward the kitchen before I could protest.
I turned my attention back to Mr. Walter. "I want to apologize for everything, Mr. Walter."
He adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Just... call me Caleb. We’re not boss and employee anymore."
I bit my bottom lip nervously. "I’m moving out today."
"I heard," he replied simply.
An awkward silence settled between us. I suspected Mary was deliberately taking her time in the kitchen, likely believing her theory that Mr. Walter was interested in me.
"I heard you’re rebranding your company," he said finally. "That’s a good choice."
I nodded, grateful for the business topic. "Yes. I don’t want to lose my father’s hard work, so I’m trying to make this work." ƒreewebɳovel.com
"I can..." he paused and cleared his throat. "I want to invest in your company."
My lips parted in surprise. "Mr. Walter..."
"...or I can fund the promotional and campaign events for your new brand," he added quickly.
I swallowed hard, Mary’s words about his supposed interest in me suddenly seeming more plausible. "Mr. Walter, I appreciate that you want to help. It would be a tremendous help, but... why are you doing this?"
He looked away, his jaw clenching slightly. "Losing a promising employee is a loss to me. But I want to support you. So..."
A knock at the door interrupted whatever he was about to say. My forehead creased in confusion. I wasn’t expecting anyone else today. Could it be Ana arriving early?
"Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Walter."
I crossed to the door and pulled it open. Time seemed to slow as I recognized the person standing there. My heart stuttered in my chest as he slowly lifted his face, our gazes locking.
Nathan.
I forgot about everything else. The company, the rebranding, Kieran’s crimes, all of it momentarily vanished from my mind. My heart raced and my breath caught in my throat as Sylvia stirred restlessly within me.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I-I’ve been fighting with myself for the past two days and... I couldn’t fight it anymore. So... I’m here..."
I swallowed hard as I stared into his eyes, unable to form words. So many emotions crashed through me: anger, longing, confusion, hope, leaving me speechless.
He lifted a small box in his hand that I hadn’t noticed before.
"Uh... I bought your favorite dessert."
The simple, almost mundane gesture broke through my shock. I cleared my throat and stepped aside, opening the door wider. "Come in."
I saw happiness flash across his eyes at my invitation. He entered and followed me toward the living area but froze when he saw Caleb Walter sitting on my couch.
Nathan’s gaze darted between us questioningly before he slowly walked to the couch and sat across from Mr. Walter. The tension in the room immediately thickened.
Biting my lip hard, I sat on the single chair between them. The silence stretched uncomfortably as both men sized each other up. I had no idea what to say to break this awkward atmosphere.
