Chapter 308: I Will Definitely Agree (Part 1)
Aidan snapped his head up in disbelief. “Alison? You?”
“What? Any problem?” Alison countered.
“No. I’m just so surprised.” He set down his pen and studied her in her business attire. “Alison, are you coming back to work?”
“Yes, to be your secretary again – —” she said with a smile.
Starting as a secretary would allow her to learn extensively and prepare for taking over Jack’s business.
“Really?” he asked, surprised. “Are you genuinely willing to be my secretary?”
“Yes, but I have one request.”
“Is it about the company?”
“Sort of.”
“Go ahead. I’ll agree to it.”
“Aidan, you’d better keep your word.”
“Don’t worry, hurry up.”
“I want Gabriel to come work at YD. I’m willing to give him my salary. I just don’t want him to stay at the Polar Bear Alliance. Otherwise, he’ll just keep getting sucked in,” she protested.
“Alright, no problem.”
“Wow, Aidan, thank you so much!” Alison beamed with joy as she leaned down to kiss Aidan on the forehead. “You’re so kind, Aidan.”
The warmth of her lips lingered on his skin, a fleeting brand that set his pulse thrumming. She’s single now… maybe, just maybe. Hope flickered dangerously to life.
“Aidan, I’m sorry about Jack…” Before she could finish, Aidan cut her off.
“Alison, I’ll wait until you’re ready to accept me … no matter how long—” He grabbed her hand, meeting her eyes passionately.
Alison instinctively pulled her hand away. “Aidan, I… I should get back to work.”
She lightly patted her clothes, exhaling.
Aidan smiled awkwardly for a second. Then he picked up the phone and instructed the secretary, “Prepare the desk outside that originally belonged to Miss Fairchild. She’ll be starting work there now.”
“ Yes, ma’am.”
Meanwhile, Alison went upstairs to the rooftop terrace. The grapevines there had long since withered, yet the scent of grapes lingered.
The image of Jack sleeping peacefully beneath the trellis filled her mind.
She approached the patch of earth and gently touched the soil, hoping to feel his presence.
“Jack, I’m back. I’ll learn to handle everything. I won’t let you down,” she murmured.
Gabriel hadn’t given her a definitive answer yet, but she was sure that he would agree. She was waiting patiently for his calling.
Somewhere between grief and longing, her heart had already begun to tilt — quietly, treacherously — toward Gabriel.
“Alison, what are you doing here?” Aidan asked as he entered the rooftop.
Just then, Alison’s phone rang.
She smiled and nodded at Aidan before picking up. “Gabriel, is that you?”
“…”
“Okay. I’ve got everything sorted out. You can start working at YD anytime.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. Just show up.” Truthfully, she hadn’t asked Aidan what position he had secured for Gabriel.
Under the rooftop sun, Aidan watched her — that glow, that smile he hadn’t seen in months — and understood too well why she’d come back.
Perhaps their encounter on the highway earlier hadn’t been a coincidence.
Gabriel had become his fiercest rival.
In that instant, he desperately wished he could take back his words. He didn’t want to let that man enter YD — or Alison’s life.
He tightened his jaw; his heart brimmed with resentment.
Setting down her phone, Alison casually plucked a withered blade of grass and twirled it idly between her fingers.
“ Aidan, Gabriel will be here soon.” She said shyly, her heart racing.
“Alison, I’ve arranged for him to be the security captain. Is that okay?” Though reluctant, Aidan had secured a position that was perfect for Gabriel. Perhaps it was fate — the previous security captain had just resigned.
“Thank you. This is perfect,” Alison said gratefully.
“You’re welcome. Would you mind joining us at the ancestral home tonight?” Aidan asked.