Chapter 126

Chapter 126
Tricia had been complaining about a headache all morning.
I kept telling her to rest, but she insisted she was fine, brushing it off like it was just a whisper in the wind. After a while, I suggested we grab something to eat, hoping some early lunch might help ease the tension pounding in her head.
She agreed with a weak smile, and we got dressed and headed to the restaurant nearby.
At the Restaurant...
Jayden strolled in first, tall and confident like he owned the place. The waiter recognized him and respectfully guided him to a table by the glass window. He nodded in appreciation, flashing that charming, infuriating smile of his as he took his seat.
His eyes casually scanned the menu, but I could tell he wasn't there for food. He was waiting for someone.
Just a few minutes later, the entrance door swung open, and in walked a stunning young blonde woman. She couldn't have been more than twenty-two. She was the kind of beautiful that turned heads. Slim waist, full curves, and skin so smooth she practically glowed under the soft lights.
She wore a black gown with a hint of white down the sleeves, and every step she took echoed as her heels clicked sharply on the tiled floor. People turned. Even the waiter couldn't help but glance twice.
She marched confidently to Jayden and, without warning, smacked his hand.
"Hey!" she scowled. "How dare you show up at my school?"
Jayden leaned back, amused. He raised an eyebrow, his voice calm and cocky.
"Is that how you greet your sugar daddy?"
"Sugar daddy, my foot!" she rolled her eyes dramatically. "I feel like puking. Stop saying that."
Jayden laughed, unbothered. "What else do you call our relationship? I spend a lot of money on you."
"That's because you love me!" she snapped.
He scoffed, smirking. "So annoying. Have a seat."
Tricia and I stepped into the restaurant. The scent of grilled steak and fresh bread filled the air, and soft jazz played in the background.
As I was about to look around for a table, my eyes fell on Jayden. My heart stopped.
He was sitting across from that young woman, smiling... laughing.
I froze.
He hadn't noticed me. But I noticed everything, how he leaned in when she spoke, how his eyes twinkled when she teased him, how effortlessly she laughed like she owned his attention.
Tricia gently tugged my arm. "Come on. Let's sit over there."
I followed, but I couldn't stop staring.
"Isn't that Jayden?" I whispered. "What is he doing here with that kid?" I clenched my palm so tight my nails dug into my skin.
Tricia glanced and rolled her eyes. "Obviously none of our business." She raised a hand. "Waiter?" Then she placed our orders like nothing was happening.
But something was happening to me.
I couldn't take my eyes off them. Every word they spoke felt like a slap to my chest.
"You showed up and made a mess," the girl pouted. "Everyone at school kept saying I'm dating some old guy. You ruined everything! I'm not dating you. You're ruining my chance of finding real love."
Jayden's eyes twitched slightly. "Am I?" He leaned back. "We're not dating, yet you keep running to me for money."
She looked away and mumbled, "I know. And you always give me the money."
"So, why the drama?" he asked, folding his arms.
"Then why did you ask me to meet you?" she asked quietly, almost like she already knew the answer.
Jayden smiled. "I wanted to have lunch. And I thought I could use your presence."
Her shoulders fell. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Pay up then."
"What?" he laughed, taken off guard.
Just then, a young man walked in with two of his friends. He looked like a university student, tall and neat with a quiet confidence. The moment his eyes landed on Jayden and the girl, his expression shifted. His smile disappeared.
He stood frozen, watching them. His friends exchanged looks but said nothing.
I watched it all happen. I saw the sadness in his eyes. The way his heart broke right there. My own chest tightened.
The girl crossed her arms. "Pay up."
Jayden sighed. "Yes, yes. I'll transfer it now. You're such a scam."
She giggled. "That's because you love me from here to the moon and back, and across all the planets."
He chuckled. "No, I don't."
"Yes, you do!"
"No, I don't, kiddo."
"There we go again! I'm twenty-two, old man!"
"Old man? I'm thirty-five."
"Exactly. So old. Thank you though, I've received the alert." She grinned.
"Now let's eat."
"I love you." she said, teasing.
Jayden rolled his eyes. "You love my money. You're just like your mum. How are your parents and your son?"
She frowned. "Son? He's my brother!"
"Same thing."
"Not the same! Just because we're sixteen years apart doesn't make him my son!"
"Your mum is wild. She gave you a baby."
"You're disgusting," she said, laughing. "Now I see why my mum keeps covering my ears when you talk. You say nasty things."
Jayden laughed loudly. "You are funny. Eat up. It's your sugar daddy's treat for his princess."
"I hate you."
"The feeling's mutual, dear." He winked.
The young man turned and stormed out of the restaurant. His friends followed. None of them said a word.
Tricia leaned over. "Do you feel bad about this?"
I didn't respond immediately. My heart was too busy sinking. I watched as Jayden laughed and played with that girl like nothing mattered.
I finally let out a long sigh. "I'm not the only one who feels bad. That young man does too."
I clenched my fists again. "I can't believe Jayden is out here dating little girls. It's disgusting."
Tricia shrugged. "She's an adult. He can date her if he wants."
"They're not dating though," I said bitterly. "He's her sugar daddy."
And somehow, that hurt even more.
After lunch we drove have to the office.
"Ugh! My head hurts," Tricia groaned as she dropped heavily onto the couch in my office, one hand clutching a cold pack of ice to her forehead like it was her last hope of survival.
I didn't even look up. "That's because you chose to get drunk on a workday," I said, shuffling papers into my bag.
"Get a gun and shoot me," she muttered. "I know I messed up, okay? You don't need to rub salt into the wound."
I finally glanced at her. She was really a mess, and her eyes were puffy from sleep and possibly tears. Or alcohol. Or both.
"So tell me," I said, setting my bag down, "how did it go? You and Donald?"
She shifted the ice pack and sighed. "It went well... surprisingly well. We talked like actual adults. We decided to have a fresh start... as friends." She paused. "And we drank to that."
"You mean... drowned yourselves in alcohol?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," she winced dramatically. "Yes, we did. Now my head's about to explode. I feel like there's a whole marching band in there."
I chuckled. "May I remind you this is still a place of business, not a rehab center?"
She groaned again and dropped sideways on the couch, burying her face into one of the cushions. "May I sleep here? I really need it. Just thirty minutes. Or an hour. Or till the end of the world. Whichever comes first."
"Go ahead. Have some rest," I smiled. "You look like you fought a war and lost."
She peeked up at me with one eye. "Really? You won't kick me out?"
"Nope. But don't snore too loud. I still have my reputation to protect."
"You're the best," she whispered, curling into the couch like a child. "If you weren't my best friend, I'd marry you."
"Silly," I chuckled, shaking my head.
Hours slipped by like shadows. The office quieted, people left one by one, and Tricia remained curled up, sleeping so deeply it almost made me jealous. Work hours had ended, and the orange evening sun slanted in through the blinds.
I finished packing up and slung my bag over my shoulder, about to wake her, when she stirred.
She stretched with a dramatic yawn, her body arching lazily like a cat waking from a winter nap.
"Wow..." she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "That was a good sleep. It felt like I'd been out for days."
"Finally, Sleeping Beauty is awake, and yes, you slept for days" I chuckled.
She sat up, blinking. "Hey, you're kidding, right?"
"Check the time."
"What time..." she grabbed her phone from the table, and the moment her eyes landed on the screen, she gasped. "What the fuck? It's 7 PM?!"
"Told you. You slept like a bear in hibernation."
"Oh my God," she jumped up. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"I was tempted. But then I remembered you looked like a zombie when you walked in. I figured the world would survive if you got your beauty sleep."
"You're evil."
"You say that every day."
She snatched her phone, still flustered, then ran her fingers through her hair, trying to tame it. "Crap. I drooled on your pillow."
"That's not a pillow, Tricia. That's the company couch."
"Ew. Double crap. I'll buy you a new one."
"Please don't. Just go get your bag."
"Okay, okay." She grabbed her heels. "Meet you at the parking lot."
"Hurry. Before the security guy locks us in."
"Yes, boss."
She dashed out of the room, and I finally let out a breath, shaking my head.
With Tricia, even a regular workday turned into a drama-filled episode.
And somehow, I wouldn't change it for anything.
I locked up my office and left for the parking lot.
Tricia was fast to catch up with me at the exit.
We got into the car and I let out a loud sigh.
"Are you okay? Tricia asked.
"I'm just exhausted and I'm happy it's Friday. I could use some long hours of sleep "
"I'll make dinner and give you a foot massage "
"You promise! my mood lightened up.
"Yes I dom maybe I should drive"
"Please do"
Tricia and I immediately switched seats and she drove.
I leaned back and shut my eyes, letting out all the stress.
I was stressed...
Not because of work...
I was stressed because of Jayden and that young woman I saw him with.
I couldn't wrap my head around their relationship.
I was bit jealous to see another woman make Jayden happy, make him laugh and desire to protect someone.
I was his desire, I made him laugh and moan, I made him feel emotions... maybe....not anymore.
I let out a loud sigh again
"Don't mind me,. just drive please"
"Okay"