Chapter 108 Best friend saga
He folded his arms and shook his head slowly. “Alex” he murmured under his breath, “I would prefer you talk to me than send me fruits.”
His irritation returned in a rush.
Without touching the tray, Lucas grabbed his phone and opened the office door. A moment later, he stepped out and headed straight for the exit.
If Alex didn’t want to talk, fine.
He wasn’t going to sit there like a pampered guest either. So Lucas left the company and headed home.
Meanwhile, the instant elevator door slid shut after Alex stepped into it and pressed the button for the conference floor. He pulled out his phone and then dialed a number he hadn’t called in months.
The line rang twice before a cheerful voice answered. “Hey, Alex! It’s been a while. What do I owe this call?”
Alex leaned casually against the elevator wall. “I need a favor,” he said calmly. “And if I remember correctly, you owe me one.”
.On the other end, Jathan Peters, the second son of the powerful Kornelly family and the man in charge of Kornelly Hotels, laughed heartily.
“Alright, Alex. Shoot. How can I help you?”
Alex’s expression hardened slightly.
“I need someone transferred from this city to Fairbanks.”
“Hmm,” Jathan hummed thoughtfully. “Okay. Give me the name.”
“Chef Nathan Jefferson.”
Alex paused briefly before adding, “He started working at one of your hotels a few months ago.”
There was a short silence. Then Jathan burst into laughter.
“Wow! Is he a threat to your lover or something.”
Alex rolled his eyes.
“Well, the truth is, he and Lucas are best friends,” he admitted. “And their closeness makes me uncomfortable.”
He hesitated. “I had something with Nathan before I met Lucas, so…”
“What?!” Jathan whistled loudly through the phone. “Oh my goodness, Alex! You’re riding two best friends?”
“Come on, Jathan,” Alex groaned. “It’s not like that.”
“Then explain.”
“Nat’s a good kid,” Alex said seriously. “I don’t want to force him out of the city. And I definitely don’t want Lucas thinking I’m some over-possessive lover.”
“Nat, huh?” Jathan chuckled teasingly. “That sounded like a nickname. I guess your time with him was pretty nice, hmm?”
Alex sighed in annoyance.
“Yes, it was. But can you please stop interrogating me and just transfer him?”
Jathan laughed again. “Alright, alright, relax.”
A pause followed. “I actually need a reliable guy over here,” Jathan added thoughtfully. “So I’ll have HR move him to my side. Fairbanks branch.”
“Good.”
“In a few hours,” Jathan continued casually, “he’ll be out of your sight.”
Alex’s shoulders relaxed.
“So sit back,” Jathan finished, still amused. “And enjoy your privacy.”
Alex lowered the phone slowly, as it ended, a satisfied smile crept across his face. “Alright, my dear Lucas,” he murmured to himself. “Let’s see how he will keep being your best friend when I’m the only one here.”
The elevator doors slid open.
Alex walked toward the conference room with an unusually bright smile on his face.
The employees already seated inside looked up in surprise. Their boss had been in a terrible mood earlier. Now he looked cheerful.
When Lucas arrived home earlier than expected, the front door opened quietly.
Nathan was in the living room, arranging a few groceries on the table.
He turned and froze in surprise.
“Buddy?”
He walked closer immediately.
“You’re back already?” Nathan said, studying Lucas’s face. “And you look moody.”
Lucas dropped his phone onto the couch.
Nathan stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Lucas’s forehead, then his neck, checking his temperature. “Is the fever gone?” Nathan asked with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine, Nat,” Lucas muttered weakly. “I just need some rest.”
Nathan’s expression softened with concern. Lucas looked pale, his shoulders drooping as if the little energy he had left was draining away.
“Then go lie down,” Nathan said gently, guiding him toward the bedroom. “Sleep for a bit. You’ll feel much better after some rest. When you wake up, everything will settle down, okay?”
Lucas gave a tired nod.
“Okay, mommy,” he teased weakly.
Nathan rolled his eyes but smiled. “Very funny. Now go.”
Lucas shuffled toward the bedroom and closed the door behind him.
About thirty minutes later, Nathan’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and frowned at the
unknown number.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other end was brisk and professional. “Mr. Nathan Jefferson? This is HR from Kornelly Hotels.”
Nathan straightened instantly. “Yes, speaking.”
“You’ve been selected for an emergency transfer to our Fairbanks branch.”
Nathan blinked in shock. “Transfer?”
“Yes. The position comes with a thirty percent salary increase and three months of free accommodation provided by the company.”
Nathan’s eyes widened. “Wait, I didn’t apply for a transfer.”
“Mr. Jefferson, this is a direct request from the head office,” the voice replied calmly. “The boss specifically asked for you.”
Nathan hesitated, Fairbanks?
That was far. “I appreciate the offer,” he said cautiously, “but this is very sudden. I need time to think…”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Jefferson,” the voice interrupted politely. “The request is urgent. Transportation has already been arranged. The boss needs your professionalism in the kitchen over there.”
Nathan went silent. When he heard the words, " The boss wants you there, he stopped protesting.
Working directly under the head branch of Kornelly was an opportunity most employees would kill for.
Slowly, excitement replaced his hesitation. “Alright,” he said finally. “I’ll prepare.” The call ended.
Nathan looked around the apartment, stunned. “Wow…” He shook his head with a disbelieving laugh.
“Well, that escalated quickly.” He grabbed a suitcase and began packing immediately.
Within an hour, a knock sounded at the door. Nathan opened it to find a uniformed staff member holding an envelope.
“Your flight ticket, sir,” the man said politely. “The Kornelly bus is downstairs to help transport your luggage.”
Nathan whistled softly.“Efficient.”
Meanwhile, the noise of drawers opening, bags zipping, and boxes shifting stirred Lucas awake in the bedroom.
Lucas groaned and pushed himself up from the bed with closed eyes. “What on earth is happening here?”
He opened his eyes widely and froze. Nathan was stuffing clothes into a suitcase.
“Nat?” Lucas blinked in confusion. “What’s going on?”
Nathan turned with an excited grin. “Emergency transfer!”
Lucas frowned. “Transfer where?”
“Fairbanks. Kornelly head branch.”
Lucas’s brows knitted together.
“That’s fast?”
“Yeah! Thirty percent salary increase and three months free accommodation.”
Lucas tried to smile. “That’s, impressive.”
Nathan continued packing quickly while Lucas began helping fold a few shirts.
After a moment, Lucas glanced at the growing pile of bags.“Nat, do you really have to pack everything?”
Nathan laughed. “Yeah. It’s a three-year contract.”
Lucas’s hands froze for a split second. “What?”
Nathan zipped another bag cheerfully. “Three years.”
Lucas shook his head immediately. “Don’t sign that kind of contract,” he warned. “It could tie you down.”
Nathan chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on, Luc. A three-year contract with Kornelly is a bomb. That’s a dream job for a lot of people.”
Lucas sighed quietly. “You’re right.” He forced a small smile. “It’s just that it feels like they’re taking my best friend away from me.”