Chapter 94 Blazing Gaze (Part 2)
Those two little rascals probably thought she was working late with their dad again.
But here she was, all alone, facing this mountain of work.
With only three days to finish, she had to work overtime today, head to Rebel tomorrow, and pull another late night the day after. That was the only way she could complete the budget on time.
As Manager McLean walked past her desk, he smirked at the sight of her piled-up documents, thinking to himself that Alison would never finish this on time.
“If you can’t finish it today, just continue tomorrow. I’m heading out now.”
“Thanks, I’ll just tidy up a bit more before I leave.” Despite her words, she had already been working non-stop for over four hours, her fingers flying over the calculator.
There were so many projects, and she was calculating each one meticulously.
Just as she was deeply engrossed, Aidan appeared silently behind her, unnoticed.
Aidan watched Alison’s back, his mind wandering back to that night. The blood test results were in, but he realized he didn’t even know Alison’s blood type. So, seeing her still working late, he decided to approach her.
“Alison, why are you still here so late?”
“Oh, Manager McLean gave me a project to finish in three days. I’m new and worried I won’t do a good job, so I’m working overtime.”
“What project? Let me see.” Aidan picked up the villa project documents from her desk and flipped through them. “Manager McLean must really value you.” This project was tough even for seasoned employees to complete in three days. It was clear Lucas McLean was deliberately making things difficult for Alison.
“Exactly, so I have to do my best to finish it.”
What a fool, working so hard despite being given an impossible task. He shook his head and said, “It’s past ten. You can continue tomorrow. Let’s go grab a late-night snack.”
“I’m not hungry. I’ll finish this page and then leave.” She didn’t even look up, her fingers still pressing the calculator, determined to finish her work before going home.
“But I’m hungry.”
“Then you should go eat, Mr. President. Don’t let yourself go hungry.” She didn’t even glance at him, focused on her work.
Alison really didn’t take Aidan seriously. He thought for a moment and said, “If you come with me for a snack, I’ll get you an assistant to help you tomorrow. How about that?”
“Really?” She turned to look at him, her head spinning from all the numbers. The thought of two more days of this made her want to cry.
“Really. But you have another task tomorrow.”
“What task?” As long as it wasn’t more numbers, she’d do anything.
“A medical check-up.” He said it casually, having planned from the moment he walked in how to get Alison’s blood type.
“Isn’t the free check-up only for permanent employees?” She thought it was something good, but the mention of a hospital made her head hurt. She hated hospitals.
Aidan smiled, “Don’t you want to become a permanent employee?”
“Am I getting promoted?” She pointed at herself, hardly daring to believe it. She’d only been at YD for a little over a month, still far from the three-month probation period.
“Yes.”
Alison smiled happily, “Thank you!”
“Don’t thank me yet. Go for the check-up tomorrow, and once you finish this project, I might have a new task for you.”
“Sure, I’ll do anything.” She resumed pressing the calculator keys, thinking it was just a routine company procedure, not realizing it was a special arrangement by someone.
“Now, let’s go get that snack.”
“No, I need to finish this first. You go ahead.” She was stubborn, determined to finish what she started. If she pushed today’s work to tomorrow, and tomorrow’s to the day after, she’d never finish in three days, let alone five. She liked to work methodically, with a plan.
“Alright, you keep working.” He didn’t say whether he was leaving or not, just quietly walked to the single sofa behind her.
Hearing his footsteps, Alison thought Aidan had left and continued battling the numbers. “Goodbye, Mr. President.”
The office was quiet, with only the sound of Alison’s pen and the calculator keys.
About an hour later, she finally completed her planned tasks for the day.
She stretched lazily, feeling great about finishing her work. But when she glanced at the time, she was stunned.
Oh my God, it was already past eleven!
She hurriedly packed her things, ready to head home. It was so late that the buses had probably stopped running, so she’d have to take a cab. Just as she slung her bag over her shoulder, Aidan stood up from his seat, “Alison, ready to grab that snack now?”
His voice startled her, “You’re still here?” He was still in the same clothes, looking like he hadn’t left at all.
“I was waiting for you. I wanted to have a late-night snack with you.” His words left her no room to refuse.
This was Aidan’s first time inviting her to a meal, so she couldn’t say no.
“What do you want to eat?” he asked.
“Anything’s fine.”
“It’s late. How about some porridge?” he suggested.
“Sure.” She smiled lightly. Aidan seemed more charming and gentle outside the office, but she knew there could never be anything between them.
As Aidan drove, his phone rang. He glanced at it; it was Jack calling.
“Hey, what’s up so late?” he asked.
“Hey, Aimée and I are having a late-night snack. Want to join us?” Jack said.
“Where?”
“Iceland Café.”
“I’m sick of that place. I’ve had enough in Paris.” Aidan complained.
“Iceland Café has other dishes too. Come on, you’ll like it.”
“Can I bring someone along?” Aidan glanced at Alison.
“Sure, as long as they’re not a big eater. Otherwise, you’re paying.” Jack joked.
“Haha, looks like you’re paying this time. Be there in ten.” Aidan laughed.
Alison was confused, only hearing Aidan’s side of the conversation. She thought he was meeting a client.
“Don’t worry, everyone has work tomorrow. I’ll make sure to get you home quickly after we eat.” Aidan started the car, leaving her no room to refuse.
Iceland Café was indeed a new restaurant. The hostess led them inside. Aidan checked the menu to make sure they had dishes he liked before following the hostess to Jack and Aimée’s private room.
As the door opened, soft, elegant music flowed out, making Alison’s heart skip a beat. It was the same music she and Jack used to love.
When she followed Aidan into the room, she was even more surprised to see Jack and Aimée there.
Not only was she surprised, but Aimée was too.
Aidan pulled Alison to sit opposite Jack and Aimée, “Jack, what’s with the sudden invitation? Got some good news to share?”
Jack gestured for them to sit, his eyes briefly showing surprise at seeing Alison, as if he hadn’t expected her.
Then, Aidan politely asked Alison, “Alison, what would you like to eat?”
“Something simple and light,” Alison replied.
Jack smiled elegantly, his eyes fixed on Alison, “Miss Fairchild, tired of the usual fare?”