Chapter 56 By Your Side
His movements were like a gentle melody, calming her heart until her eyes saw only him.
There was something magical about him, making it impossible for her to avoid his intense gaze and the tenderness of his touch.
"Your name's Alison, right?" Jack savored the name, finding it unique and elegant.
Alison instinctively nodded. She didn't want to speak, fearing that the dreamlike moment would vanish if she did.
"That's a nice name. Which department do you work in?" He was getting to the point now, clearly interested in knowing everything about her. As for Aidan, he could wait.
The longer Aidan waited, the happier Jack would be.
Alison knew she couldn't stay silent or act so strangely any longer. She opened her mouth and softly replied, "In the purchasing department."
"Ah, Aidan really doesn't know how to use talent. Why would he keep you in purchasing? How about coming to work for my company?" He wanted to gauge her reaction and understand her relationship with Aidan. He felt that the time Aidan had held her was nothing special, just because she had twisted her ankle.
"Sorry, I really like my current job, and I chose the purchasing department myself. It has nothing to do with the CEO." Her mind was finally clearing, and she was starting to get used to Jack's presence.
"And what about you? Do you have nothing to do with the CEO either?"
Alison nodded involuntarily, then quickly shook her head.
"Hey, which is it? Are you involved or not?" Her nodding and shaking her head confused Jack.
She didn't know how to answer him. She had nothing with Aidan, but now she was even more afraid of getting involved with Jack. She felt that the longer she stayed with him, the more everything would unravel, making her both scared and anxious.
"Sorry, I'm going to be late."
"Oh, I'll call in for you. I promise you won't get in trouble." It was just the purchasing department. He remembered the manager, McLean, a sharp and capable woman who had managed to stay in such a lucrative department for so long. He picked up his phone and dialed McLean's number.
"Mr. Winston, this... this isn't right. I don't need you to call in for me."
"Hey, I just want to help you out. You look so nervous, it's amusing." Jack laughed, seemingly enjoying himself.
He took a call, "Hello, Manager McLean? Alison from your department has been sent out by the company. She won't be coming in this morning."
Alison couldn't hear McLean's response, but she could imagine her surprise at receiving a call from Jack.
After all, no matter how long Jack had been away, he was still a Winston by blood, and now that he was so successful, who in the upper echelons of YD didn't know him?
Alison was still in a daze when Jack hung up, a charming smile on his face. "Alright, you're free this morning."
"You..." She was speechless. He had just decided her work schedule with a single phone call.
"Come on, I'll take you somewhere fun," Jack said, a mischievous glint in his eye. Let Aidan keep waiting, he thought, wanting to take a break.
Without giving her a chance to refuse, Jack took Alison's hand and led her up the stairs. They passed the purchasing department and continued to the top floor...
Aidan's territory.
If he checked the security cameras now, he'd be furious.
But he was sitting alone on the couch, already fuming.
He had planned to meet Jack somewhere, but Jack insisted on coming to the company. Aidan, thinking Jack hadn't been to YD in a while, didn't refuse. But it had been hours, and Jack still hadn't shown up.
The parking lot attendant said Jack's white Lamborghini had been parked there for a while.
Aidan smoked one cigarette after another, wondering what Jack was up to.
Why was he taking so long?
...
By this time, Jack had led Alison up eighteen flights of stairs, past Aidan's office, and to a narrow staircase leading to the rooftop.
Alison didn't ask anymore. Seeing the door to the rooftop, she knew where Jack was taking her.
She wanted to escape, but for some reason, her hand stayed in his, climbing step by step.
Opening the rooftop door, the summer breeze hit them, warm and inviting.
But Jack seemed unfazed, leading her through the rooftop garden, revealing a hidden paradise.
At the edge of the rooftop, there was a small pool filled with soil, where rows of grapevines grew. The green leaves were lush and beautiful.
Jack expertly guided her through a narrow gap to the pool. They sat under the grapevines, the green leaves shading them from the sun. Jack lay back in the grass, relaxed.
Through the gaps in the leaves, the blue sky peeked through, giving a sense of endlessness.
She was still catching her breath from the fast climb, her clothes damp with sweat, sticking to her skin.
Feeling uncomfortable, Alison turned away, lifting her shirt to let the breeze dry the sweat. Luckily, Jack was gazing at the sky, not noticing her, or she would have been embarrassed.
His eyes were still as bright and captivating as ever.
She sat beside him, feeling his presence, her mood lifting.
"Do you like it?" It was the first time he had spoken to her since they started climbing the stairs.
She did like it, really liked this peaceful place. She nodded gently, "Yes, I do."
"It's been three years, and this place hasn't changed."
But he had changed, living with hatred.
"Were there always flowers and plants here?"
"Yes, I've loved gardening since I was a kid, so I created everything on this rooftop, and also..."
He didn't finish, but Alison had already guessed. The mango and kapok trees mentioned at the press conference were probably planted by Jack too.
Yet he had left the beautiful scenery he had created for so long.
Because the bitterness and hatred in his heart were so strong, never fading.
"It's nice to feel the sky and the world like this. Come, lie down." He suddenly pulled her, and Alison fell beside him, caught off guard.