Chapter 245

As I trudged up the stairs to my apartment, exhaustion of it all had begun weighing me down. The only solace was the thought of sinking into the comfort of my own bed.

But as I fumbled with the keys to my door, my heart raced with unease. Aria was on the couch, typing something on her laptop, when she noticed me walking in. Her smile quickly faded when she took in my expression.

"Hey, what's going on?" Aria's voice cut through the silence, her eyes scanning me up and down.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to collect my thoughts. "It's my mother. She... she just showed up unexpectedly while Timothy and I were out on a date."

Her brow furrowed. "Your mother? That's odd. What did she want?"

I hesitated, grappling with the complexities of the situation. "She wanted to get to know me better, because our last meeting wasn’t satisfying, I guess. It’s not like she couldn’t watch the news and see my whole life story on there now."

Aria's gaze sharpened and she pursed her lips. "That's... strange. Do you actually want to meet up with her?"

I shook my head, already feeling the onset of a migraine. "I tried to do a rain check, but she insisted. It's like she wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Yikes.” Aria closed her laptop and set it off to the side, training her gaze solely on me. “Well, if you do meet with her, just be careful. From all the things you’ve told me about her, I don't want to see you get hurt."

Her words resonated with the caution I knew I should heed. But amidst the turmoil, a small part of me yearned for a semblance of normalcy, a chance to connect with the woman who had been a distant figure for most of my life.

With a heavy heart, I nodded and forced a smile. "I will, Aria. Thanks."

After telling her goodnight, I retreated to my room and settled onto my bed, not having the urge to move another inch. I stared at the ceiling, the events of the day playing on an endless loop in my mind. It had been going so well, just having that time to spend with Timothy.

Of course, my “mother” just couldn’t help herself. Was it even appropriate to call her that?

Despite Aria's warnings echoing in my thoughts, a small part of me harbored a flicker of hope. Perhaps this was a chance for reconciliation, an opportunity to bridge the large gap that had separated us for so long.

By the time morning came, my eyes were puffy and my hair was uncomfortably oily. After a quick shower, I readied myself for another day at the firm.

As I swung open the door to my apartment, a surprise awaited me. Timothy stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, a faint hint of concern etched in his expression.

"Timothy, hi!” I blinked wildly. “What are you doing here?"

He offered a small, almost hesitant smile. "I thought I'd take you to work today. I know you're dealing with a lot lately, and I figured I could give you a lift."

I hesitated, knowing full well that Timothy had hockey practice in the mornings. "I appreciate it, but you have practice, don't you? I don't want to inconvenience you."

A determined look flashed in his eyes. "I'll make it work. Besides, I want to make sure you're okay. It's not an inconvenience."

His protectiveness caught me off guard, and I felt a pang of warmth settle within me. It wasn't out of the ordinary for Timothy to display such overt concern, but while I appreciated his gestures, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his actions than met the eye.

Reluctantly, I nodded, giving in to his persistence. "Alright. I guess I could use the ride."

As we made our way towards the firm in his car, a comfortable silence settled between us, broken only by the occasional hum of the engine and the city waking up around us.

Timothy glanced at me, his lips flattening into a line. "So, about your mom..."

I braced myself, not wanting a repeat of last night. "Let’s not talk about that right right now, Timothy. It's... complicated."

He nodded, understanding lacing his expression. "I get it. Just know that I'm here if you need to talk, okay?"

I offered him a grateful smile and placed a hand on his arm. "Thank you."

The drive continued in a comfortable silence. I found solace in his presence, a quiet reassurance amidst the chaos of my emotions.

As we neared the firm, Timothy broke the silence, and his smile had returned. "Hey, how about we plan our next day together? A day where we won't be interrupted."

His suggestion brought a flicker of anticipation. "That sounds good. When?"

He glanced at me, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "How about tomorrow night? I'll make sure nothing comes up. Just you and me, no interruptions."

A surge of anticipation welled within me at the thought of spending undisturbed time with him. "That sounds perfect! I'll hold you to that."

The car slowed to a stop outside the firm, and as I prepared to step out, Timothy reached out, his hand gently grasping mine. "I love you, Evie," he confessed, his voice soft yet filled with conviction.

The weight of his words hung in the air, a profound declaration that stirred a cascade of emotions within me. In that fleeting moment, surrounded by the hushed anticipation of the world around us, I felt a surge of affection and longing.

I leaned toward him, desperate to close the distance. "I love you too, Timothy."

Our lips met in a tender, sweet kiss. Hot tears pricked my eyes and I pulled away, attempting to wipe them before he could see. He reached out and swiped my cheek with his thumb, smearing the tears away.

“I’ll see you later,” he said.

His words lingered in the air, offering a sense of reassurance. With a nod and a grateful smile, I stepped out of the car, watching him drive away.

The morning bustled with an unusual frenzy as I stepped into the office. People darted around, their hurried footsteps echoing against the polished floors. Shouts filled the air, overlapping in a cacophony of orders and instructions.

Papers shuffled, keyboards clacked incessantly, and huddles formed in every corner, heads bent together in intense conversation. My pulse quickened at the sight. This level of chaos was unusual, even for a high-paced environment like ours.

I glanced around, spotting Sarah huddled with some of my other colleagues. Their movements were spastic and their voices high-pitched as they fought to talk over one another. Without hesitation, I made my way toward her, navigating through the whirlwind of passing bodies, and pulled her away.

"Sarah, what's going on? Why's the office so chaotic today?" I inquired.

She turned to face me, her round face red and panicked. "Evie, we're in damage control mode."

My heart skipped a beat at her words, a knot forming in my stomach. "Damage control? What for?"

Sarah hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "It’s Jasper.”