Chapter 139 Lying for the Sake of Goodness
Quinn's POV
Grayson placed the back of his hand on my forehead. "Are you sure you're okay?"
I laughed at his behavior. "Gray bear, I don't have a fever." Then I lowered his hand and stroked it gently. "And I'm fine."
"But really, you don't need to work, Quinny. I'm really worried—"
I kissed his lips, and that silenced him. "I need something to do. I wanna socialize with lots of people. That's how I live, Gray Bear. So it's not about whether I need to work or not. Okay?"
"I can't bear to leave you to serve customers there. How about I make a chicken restaurant for you too? That way you can work too. But as the boss.”
I shook my head at his kind offer. “Gray Bear, please, just let me do what I wanna do. Please let me be happy doing what I want. It’s not a difficult request, is it?”
Grayson cupped my cheek. His thumb massaged the corner of my mouth. "It seems you're right. Even though I’m stubborn, when I'm with you, I'm nothing."
I chuckled. Then I kissed his cheek. "I'll be careful. Now I gotta go. You must be enthusiastic about your practice too. Okay?"
Grayson pulled my hand and slipped his arm around my waist. He then kissed me deeply for a few seconds.
"Promise to rest when you're tired. And don't push yourself too hard."
I nodded enthusiastically. "Ayay capt!"
Grayson smiled broadly. He then leaned forward and opened the door beside me. "It's a shame you won't let me come out. I really wanted to walk you to the front of the restaurant."
I flicked his nose. "That's why I forbade you. I'm not a child being driven to school by my father. I work. Bye."
I hurried out before Grayson could pull me back in. Because if I wasn't quick enough, I would be late for work. I might end up exercising in the car with him.
Oh my gosh, how embarrassing. I was so familiar with his behavior that I became anxious every time he started staring at my lips. Because I knew it wouldn't end with just a kiss on the lips, but much more than that.
A message then popped up on my phone. It was from Grayson, saying: I won't let you get away again later.
I looked back. Grayson stuck his tongue out at me.
"Close the window quickly!" I said silently.
When I turned back, I smiled.
"Oh my God, Quinn!" Ema ran up to me. She hugged me tightly. "What happened to you? Are you okay now? Where have you been?"
At the same time, the doorbell rang. Anton entered, looking just as shocked as Ema.
"Quinn! You're back from your retreat?"
"Um, sorry, Ema, can you let go of me first? I need to breathe," I said softly.
"Oh, my gosh, sorry, sorry."
After Ema let go of her hug, I could finally breathe easily.
“I’m fine now, guys. I took leave because I had something very important to do,” I replied, clarifying.
"Then why didn't you ask for permission yourself, but your brother, Dylan? Where are you actually going?" Ema asked suspiciously.
Wait, I just found out that Dylan did it. I thought it was someone else that Grayson asked.
Anton suddenly snapped his fingers. "Ema is right, Dylan came here. He said you would be out of town for a few days."
"Oh, I see," I replied. I then smiled so as not to arouse suspicion. "I'm really sorry for not asking for permission directly. It was sudden and I had to catch a flight. It's definitely not a retreat, but something very important. And you won't fire me, right, Ema?"
"Oh, relax, she said you're irreplaceable." Anton rolled his eyes.
Ema patted my shoulder. "That's right. I need you. You're the one who brings in the customers to this restaurant, you know."
I smiled awkwardly. "Oh, I feel honored to be so important."
“But you’re serious, right? I mean, you’re not lying, are you?”
“I’m serious, Ema. I was really really busy at the time and ended up asking Dylan to come.”
Ema pursed her lips. “I was worried about you, Quinn. You know, after you joined, the restaurant became popular, and then suddenly you disappeared. That was enough to make me anxious.”
To calm her down, I touch her hand. “Everything is fine now. My business is done. And I can go back to helping you achieve your dream of becoming a successful restaurant owner.”
“I’m so touched. You brought good luck. Imagine, after you came, Grayson suddenly visited the restaurant. And boom! This restaurant went viral everywhere.”
“Maybe it was just a coincidence,” I replied awkwardly.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t here when Grayson came, huft. But it’s okay. Who knows, maybe I can invite him someday to be my restaurant’s brand ambassador.”
I laughed to myself. Oh, that would be so funny. How could it not be? Grayson holding a chicken leg, smiling in front of the camera, and acting. A deadly combination!
Anton then nudged Ema after the restaurant bell rang again. "Okay, guys, enough chatting. Looks like we have to work hard again."
"Yeah, you're right, Anton. Today will definitely be better because we have extra help." Ema winked and went to the cashier area.
Meanwhile, I headed to the kitchen to do my job. But as I was walking there, Anton suddenly cornered me.
"What's up?"
"You lied to Ema, didn't you? What really happened to you?"
I stopped and looked at him seriously. "I just have something I can't tell you guys."
"Did you secretly marry Grayson and take a few days off because you went on your honeymoon?"
I hit Anton with a plastic glove. "I told you, you're imagining too much, Anton. We're not married. And if we did get married, you would know."
Anton's eyes widened. "You'll invite us? Really?"
I shrugged. "Maybe. If I'm still working here."
Suddenly, he snatched the rag I had just picked up. "You'll keep working here. You're a permanent employee without a trial period. And I'll make it easy for you."