Chapter 118
The New Year was almost here. When I got to the office, everyone was already decorating.
Nola said I had to be in charge of this year's annual party. She's been doing it alone all these years, and now she wants me to experience how hard it is for her.
That's what she said, but she wouldn't let me do anything.
She had already planned everything out and assigned all the tasks.
"Blair, it's not too much to ask for a cup of coffee, is it? Look, I came to the office early to prepare for the annual party." Nola leaned on my desk.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Come on, don't show off your relationship in front of me. I'll count to ten, and your coffee will be here."
"That's a bit much. He doesn't have super speed."
Nola tapped her fingers on the desk. "Our company did well this year. Come on! You need to give me a year-end bonus."
"How about dividends? I'll give you more."
Seeing her lazy look, I felt a bit guilty. The company had so much going on, and the only time she probably relaxed was when she went on blind dates.
I've always been handling things at home, leaving all company matters to her. I've been a bit selfish. Why couldn't I take some time to share the load with her?
But when I was working under Levi, I was also busy with all sorts of trivial things and couldn't get away.
"I need to take a day off soon, and you have to keep an eye on things. I need a day of freedom."
Nola had a smile on her face, and I had no idea what happy thought was going through her head.
"We're off in a few days anyway. Just move whatever it is to the holiday."
"No way. I don't care. I'm not coming to work that day."
Nola giggled. I had no idea what she was laughing about. It felt like she had some really happy little secret.
"How about giving me a hint? What's the good news?"
"You hate gossip the most, so don't ask. Haha."
Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the office door.
"Alright, your coffee's here. Let me say this upfront - go ahead and date, but don't affect the employees. Everyone under you loves to gossip."
Nola pouted. "That's so unfair. I've already fired all the ones who loved gossip. The ones left are the ones I kept based on your standards."
"What are you two talking about? I'm coming in."
John walked in. He handed the coffee to Nola and put a bag of snacks on my desk.
"What about mine?"
"What?"
Nola slapped him on the shoulder. "How come I don't get any snacks?"
"Don't you have a drink? You didn't say you wanted any." John looked innocent.
"She didn't say she wanted any either." Nola got annoyed again.
John chuckled. "That's different. I'm bribing Levi. If I make his wife happy, maybe we can work together on something next year."
Nola rolled her eyes at him. "You still want to work together?"
"I need to make money. How else can I marry you..."
Nola covered his mouth with her hand and pushed him toward the door. John mumbled something unclear, and I held my stomach laughing. My stomach almost hurt from laughing so hard.
My life has been lacking this kind of joy. I suddenly remembered yesterday when Levi and Celestia made candied hawthorns for me. I felt really happy too.
Last night, Nola told me that Levi didn't even attend the annual party. He just recorded a video that played on the big screen. People at the company were joking that his wife wouldn't let him leave the house.
I laughed when I heard that. After all these years, no one dared to joke about Levi. This year, since he didn't show up in person, everyone got bolder.
My phone suddenly rang...
"Hello?"
I answered the phone while grabbing a bag of snacks.
"It's Jessa. I'm downstairs at your office. I need to talk to you. Should I come up or will you come down?"
"I'm working right now. I'm pretty busy."
I didn't know if Chase sent her to convince me. She can be easily influenced sometimes, but judging by her attitude the other day, she probably wouldn't get involved in his business anymore.
"I won't take up much of your time. Levi asked me to come find you."
Hearing her mention Levi, I relaxed. But why would Levi ask her to find me?
"Wait there then. I'll come down."
Today, almost no one was working. Everyone was busy with decorations and programs for the annual party. If she came up, people would probably start talking again.
As soon as I got to the entrance, I saw her.
She was wearing a baseball cap, also trying not to be recognized.
That's when I remembered - she's now the spokesperson for Michael's company. If people from our company saw her, they'd definitely talk.
"What do you need?"
She turned around and pointed to the coffee shop next door.
"Let's sit down and talk."
We entered the coffee shop one after the other and sat across from each other.
Jessa pushed her sunglasses up and glanced at me before covering her eyes again.
She took out a card from her bag. "I'm here today to pay you back."
"Huh?"
I didn't understand what she meant. I had no financial dealings with her.
"The money I borrowed from Levi before - my cash flow is better now. I called him, and he said to give the money to you. He said you're managing the household finances now."
I was confused. Last time, when Levi said I managed the money, wasn't that just to fool Chase? Why is he telling Jessa that I manage the money and having her give it to me?
"You should give the money to him."
Jessa held the card down. "It's the same whoever I give it to. He said to give it to you, so you can pass it to him."
I didn't refuse again. No need to make things complicated with her.
"A lot has happened in the past six months. I did some things wrong, and I want to apologize to you, from hurting you at the beginning to everything my mother did later."
Jessa kept her head down, no longer arrogant like before. Indeed, without Levi by her side, she seemed like her soul had been taken away.
"You should have been doing okay all these years with Aiden protecting you. My mother and I did some wrong things. I'm very sorry."
What a hollow apology. Compared to my mother's death, this late apology is truly meaningless.
I didn't respond. I couldn't say I forgave her. I can't forgive her. The harm she and her mother caused my mother and me at first, then her competing with me for Levi - I can't forgive any of it.
"Don't let Chase know about this money. He's been pressuring me for alimony. If he finds out, he'll bother you." Jessa warned me.
"He's already asked me."
Jessa was surprised. "You gave it to him?"
"No."
I picked up the card and slipped it into my bag, then took out some cash and set it on the table.
"I have things to do at the office. Do as you like."
"Whether you accept my apology or not, I still hope you can forgive me. I won't bother you and Levi anymore. You won."
I smiled. "I never competed with you. If he chose you, I could leave anytime."
"I know. I know he won't choose me. I know why."
Jessa said softly. I had already reached the door. I don't know why Levi won't divorce me. I always thought he broke up with Jessa because she hurt him too deeply.