Chapter 84Â
Ashmont was famous for its stunning river and mountain views. And right outside the office’s floor–to–ceiling windows was the best river view in the city.Â
Aurelia couldn’t believe she’d managed to find an office that fit her needs so perfectly, all while being affordable and in such a short time.Â
The only downside was that Honoria Capital’s building was right across the river.Â
But that didn’t dampen Aurelia’s mood at all. If anything, seeing Honoria Capital right across the river just fired her up evenÂ
more.Â
Aurelia couldn’t wait to share the good news with Tyson. Tyson said it was definitely something to celebrate.Â
So Aurelia decided to treat the whole studio to dinner that night, and she even asked Tyson to bring Mila along since she happened to be on break. While waiting for the elevator, Aurelia was chatting with Tyson about which restaurant they should go to for dinner.Â
“Anything works for me. Let everyone else decide what they want to eat, and don’t pick a cheap place just because of me,” Aurelia said.Â
The elevator doors slid open, but Aurelia was so focused on her phone call that she didn’t notice anyone inside.Â
After everyone had stepped in, Aurelia finally caught someone talking. “Ms. Rowe, I didn’t expect you to come check out our company yourself. I’m Ewan Harris. If it’s okay, maybe we can swap contact info? If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll deliver any documents you need straight to Honoria Capital myself, so you won’t have to go out of your way.”Â
Aurelia finally saw who was in the elevator, thanks to the mirrored walls. It was Tessa. But Cassian wasn’t here this time—just Tessa and Ewan.Â
Aurelia knew Ewan. He was one of the managers at Alpite Group.Â
Back when she was still at Honoria Capital, he was one of the project leads she’d picked. But she hadn’t worked much with Ewan. Most of the due diligence was handled by the other Alpite Group manager.Â
Aurelia found herself confused by one thing. Tessa had already shot down this game project, and she had even axed it at the same time as InquireMind.Â
Tessa was talking to Ewan when she noticed Aurelia walking in. Her face became more neutral. Aurelia glanced away and kept chatting with Tyson. “How about Western cuisine? Mila said she wanted it last time.”Â
Tyson instinctively wanted to save Aurelia some money, since it was a bit pricey. Aurelia made up her mind right away. “Seafire’s cuisine is really good. Let’s go there.”Â
Tyson couldn’t argue with her. “Alright, Seafire it is. You’re pretty far from the studio, so don’t bother coming back. It’s out of your way. We’ll just head straight there after work and meet up at Seafire.”Â
“Sounds good,” Aurelia replied.Â
As soon as the call ended, the elevator reached the first floor. Aurelia walked out without a second thought. It wasn’t until she stepped outside that she realized it was raining.Â
A new cold front had hit, and the temperature in Ashmont had dropped to its lowest point of the year. Even with her cashmere coat on, Aurelia still felt the chill.Â
She’d rushed out this morning without checking the weather, so she hadn’t brought an umbrella. The sudden downpour left her stuck right where she was.Â
Chapter 84Â
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Aurelia hugged her coat closer, deciding to wait it out until the rain cased up a little before making a move. Tessa and Ewan stepped out right after Aurelia.Â
Ewan noticed the rain and quickly asked, “It’s raining. Did you drive here or take a cab? If you need a ride, I can give you aÂ
lift.”Â
Tessa smiled and shook her head. “Thanks, but my boyfriend’s picking me up.”Â
Ewan looked genuinely envious. “I’ve always heard you and Mr. Locke are a great couple. Now I finally get to see it for myself.”Â
Tessa’s voice was tinged with sweetness. “He was supposed to come with me today, but something came up and he had to take care of it, so he couldn’t join me.”Â
‘No wonder they’re not together,’ Ewan mused to himself. He was so used to seeing those two joined at the hip that seeing just one of them around felt off.Â
Ewan grinned, “You two are seriously couple goals! Is something big about to happen soon?”Â
Ewan was obviously trying to get on Tessa’s good side, bringing up things she liked. He kept the conversation focused on topics Tessa actually cared about.Â
That was exactly why Aurelia would rather work with the other manager at Alpite Group than deal with Ewan. He always had too many schemes up his sleeve.Â
He was more interested in playing office politics and cutting corners than just doing his job. Honestly, it was Arturo who kept the whole backbone of Alpite Group steady.Â
Before Tessa could answer Ewan, Cassian pulled up in his car. He was driving himself. Cassian usually had a personal driver, so he rarely drove himself.Â
Back then, it was either Wesley or Aurelia behind the wheel. But ever since he got together with Tessa, he was more than happy to be her driver.Â
But instead of his usual silver Maybach, Cassian was driving a brand–new ride. The color was definitely on the girly side. ‘He must’ve bought it just for Tessa, Aurelia thought.Â
Aurelia didn’t bother dodging anyone. She simply shifted her gaze away, pulled out her phone, and started to order a ride. If this rain kept pouring, there was no way she could just stand around waiting all day.Â
Cassian stepped out of the car, umbrella in hand, heading straight over to pick up Tessa. He had a coat draped over his arm as he got out. After meeting up with Tessa, he wrapped the coat around her shoulders with a gentle touch.Â
The people stuck waiting in the rain nearby couldn’t help but shoot them envious glances.Â
Honestly, anyone would have wanted that. Cassian was gentle and thoughtful, handsome as hell, and rich to boot. A man like him was the kind of rarity one could search the whole world for with a flashlight and still struggle to find.Â
“Mr. Locke, we were just talking about you, and then you showed up!” Ewan said, jumping at the chance to flatter him.Â
Cassian smiled and asked, “Oh? What were you saying about me?”Â
“We were just saying you two are total couple goals, everyone’s jealous,” Ewan chimed in.Â
Cassian just smiled and didn’t say anything. Tessa asked with concern, “How’s Mr. Locke doing? Is he recovering well?”Â
Cassian replied, “Pretty much. He’ll be discharged in a couple of days.”Â
“I really should go visit him,” Tessa said. As she said this, Tessa looked at Cassian, hope shining in her eyes.Â
16 Mon,Â
Chapter 84Â
Cassian replied, “He’s got a bit of a temper. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”Â
“I don’t mind. He’s still your dad,” Tessa said softly.Â
“Next time, when it feels right, I’ll bring you to meet him,” Cassian assured her.Â
20 vesichertÂ
Tessa’s face lit up with a bright smile as she said goodbye to Ewan. With Cassian shielding her from the rain, she got into the car without a single drop landing on her.Â
Aurelia didn’t look their way, but she caught every word of their conversation. So that was why Cassian hadn’t come with Tessa to check out the Alpite Group project; he’d been at the hospital visiting Benjamin.Â
The hospital was pretty far from here, so he’d basically driven all over Ashmont just to pick Tessa up. Suddenly, Aurelia understood that saying she’d seen online. “When someone loves you, no distance is too far–they’ll always make it work.”Â
Because he cared about Tessa, he couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering any grievances at Benjamin’s place. Aurelia felt a bitter sting in her chest as the thought surfaced. What about her, and all the times she had been wronged by Benjamin, which had never seemed to matter to him.Â
There was no way Cassian didn’t know about it. Aurelia was sure of that. But he chose to stay silent and pretend not to see.Â
‘This rain feels so cold, Aurelia thought, the chill settling not just on her skin, but deep inside her heart.Â
Inside the car, Tessa turned to Cassian, who was driving, and said, “I just ran into Aurelia in the elevator.”Â
“Oh,” Cassian replied, his tone flat. From the way he said it, he didn’t seem interested in Aurelia at all.Â