Chapter 42

Chapter 42
Sucking in a breath, I sat up straight and turned on the computer so they’d at least find me doing something.
“Ms. Sanders…” my assistant walked in with Ximena and her husband. “Mr. and Mrs. Perez.”
I stood and thanked her. After she left, I turned to them politely. “Would you like anything? Some water, perhaps?”
“No, we won’t stay long. Give her the invitation, honey,” Ximena said. Mr. Perez took out a small invitation card and handed it to me. “Family getaway. You know a Perez loves those.”
“Y-Yes, lovely,” I said, pretending to scan the card even though I already knew what it said. It was always the same.
“Yes, this year has been tough, and before Elliot’s graduation, I’d love for all of us to unwind.”
“Mrs. Perez—”
“Ximena, please. And no. My husband isn’t taking no for an answer. You are coming.”
“I’d really love to, but work—”
“Can wait. I’ll speak to your boss if I have to.”
I sighed, trying to find a gentle way to turn her down. “I—”
“This getaway is our excuse to properly say goodbye to Elliot,” Mr. Perez cut in. “I know you and my son haven’t been the best to each other this year, but five years of friendship—you want that under the drain?”
“Mr. Perez, you’re right. Elliot and I have fought more than ever this year. And—”
“And you always forgive each other,” he interrupted again. “Your friendship is unbreakable. I’m sure whatever happened, you two will understand each other again. But for now, you have to come and say goodbye. If it helps, Chloe isn’t even invited.”
“I mean… she is carrying his child, so—”
“Nothing. Just come, Alex. You know I hate begging,” Ximena said.
I sighed again, battling my thoughts. Saying goodbye wasn’t the worst idea. Even after our most recent, ugly fight, he was still my friend—and had been for the longest.
“When is his graduation?” I asked, buying more time to think.
“In two months. But he’s taking over now. I sped up the process, and by graduation, he’ll be either on honeymoon or out on business,” Mr. Perez replied.
I nodded. “Alright. I’ll be there.”
“Good. I’ll handle the rest. See you there,” Ximena said.
After they left, I slumped back into my chair and pressed my palm to my forehead.
I finally grabbed my phone and checked all the missed messages. Sandra had called at least three times. She was exactly the person I wanted to talk to—but couldn’t, not after what she did. So I ignored it and got on social media to check Layla’s page. Nothing.
“Strange,” I muttered, remembering how she’d threatened to post something yesterday. “Maybe she’s waiting for the perfect time.”
I shook it off and got on the computer to finish some assignments, since I had no real work to do here.
Hours passed, and I didn’t notice the time until it was already late. I rushed to Gia’s office and found her inside—with someone.
“I’ll just be a minute,” I said.
She gave me her usual eyes before nodding. “Lucky this is just IT.”
I thanked her, then quickly asked, “Could I have the weekend off? There’s a family getaway, and I really can’t miss it.”
“You don’t work weekends.”
“I know, but it’s my job with Mr. Taylor.”
“Oh, that one.” She rubbed her chin. “Weird client. Alright, try asking him. Be ready to offer one of your assistants if he needs anything. But if he says no—then no.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t want to push it any further since she seemed to be in a better mood.
When I got back to my office, I nearly jumped. Dylan was standing there, lingering by the shelves.
“Did I scare you?” he asked, picking up a book.
“No… um… what are you doing here?”
“Is that how you greet your chauffeur?”
“Excuse me?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Perez—like you call them—asked me to drive you.”
“Drive me to where?” I asked, confused as I walked in, avoiding eye contact. I was still reminded of last night. He’d practically rejected me.
“Elliot’s party. Don’t tell me they sent me without inviting you.”
“No, they… Oh. So where is it again?”
“The beach house. You know how far it is from town. If we want to get there early, we should go now.” He placed the book down and grabbed my bag. “Come on.”
I rushed back to the desk to double-check everything, only to find he had already packed it all.
“Wow,” I whispered. “That was fast.”
“Come on, Lex. We can’t be the slackers.”
“Slackers?” I asked as he held the door open for me. Dylan was surprisingly gentleman-like for his image.
“We’re racing there.”
“Well, sorry, but if you’re driving me, we have to pass by the house. I need to pack.”
“I already packed what you’ll need,” he said, holding my hand and rushing me out.
“You what?” I laughed, trying to keep up.
We exited the building in a hurry. I managed to wave at a few people before we reached his car. He tossed my things in the backseat and turned to me.
“Keys?”
“In the bag.”
He grabbed them and handed them to some guy I didn’t recognize.
“My friend will drive your car home,” Dylan said, then got in and started the engine.
“Dylan, you’re serious?”
“About?”
“My things. You packed my things?”
“Oh yeah.”
“The… the under… you know I…” I was too embarrassed to finish.
“Oh no, for that, I figured you’d go natural.”
“What?!”
“I’m kidding. I meant—I did. I packed. We share a room. It’s not like I haven’t seen everything already.”
“We just started sharing a room.”
“Doesn’t matter. Now buckle up. You’re in for a fun ride.” I fastened my seatbelt, and he stepped on the gas so fast I almost screamed.
“Dylan! That’s not the road to the beach house.”
“I want to show you a place.”
He pressed the pedal again, making me scream this time. But it was good. I felt the breath rush out of me. It felt like freedom.
“Do it again,” I said, breathless.
He looked over at me and smiled—then did it again. I screamed, but this time I was laughing, too. I felt… relaxed.