"Please accept my apologies, Ms. Joss," Darren said, bowing as Christina finished her dinner. Ever since his return from the old mansion, he had been in a state of constant apology, and Christina couldn't help but feel sympathy for him.
"The Elder Master insisted that you take this new phone, especially since we were responsible for the damage to your old one," he added, placing a box next to her plate.
Christina's eyes widened at the brand name on the box. It was the latest model, and she felt it would be inappropriate to refuse such a generous offer. "Thank you, Darren. I will make good use of it," she said softly, bringing a relieved smile to the butler's face.
After bidding Darren goodnight, Christina retreated to her room, her fingers tracing the edges of the box. Once inside, she quickly opened the box to reveal her new phone. Reylan had returned her broken phone earlier in the evening, suggesting that she use his bed as he would be out late attending meetings.
Christina happily transferred all her data from the old phone to the new one. Once done, she placed the phone on the table and sank into the soft mattress, the comfort of the bed soothing her tired body. After syncing her contacts, she returned a missed call from Jessica, assuring her friend that she was fine. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she dialed her mother's number.
"Where have you been?" Lillian's voice was filled with worry. Christina had been unresponsive to her calls since her birthday, only replying to her texts. Lillian was concerned about her daughter's well-being.
A small smile spread across Christina's face as she leaned back against the headrest. "I've been swamped with work, Maa. It's been a hectic week. But I promise, I'm fine. Don't worry," she reassured her mother, hearing a sigh of relief in response.
"That's good to hear. Make sure you eat well and get enough rest. We already have one sick person in the family, and it's exhausting," Lillian said, her voice barely above a whisper. Christina could tell that her father had been arguing with her mother again. Despite her mother's illness, he seemed incapable of holding his tongue.
"How is Derek?" Lillian's question made Christina sigh. She debated whether to lie or tell the truth. Her mother's weak heart might not be able to handle the news, but Christina felt the need to confide in someone.
"He cheated on me," Christina admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Christina hoped the news wouldn't affect her mother's health.
"All men are jerks!" Lillian exclaimed, causing Christina to smile despite the situation. "He'll pay for hurting you, sweetie. Don't waste your tears on someone like him," Lillian continued, comforting Christina.
"I have something else I need to discuss with you," Christina said, sitting up straight. As her mother hummed in acknowledgment, she began, "You know I've been job hunting, right? I've received an exciting offer. It is a demanding job, but it could cover all our medical expenses. The only catch is that I can't quit for a year."
"Another contract job?" Lillian asked, her voice tinged with concern. Christina had been juggling contract jobs all her life, partly due to her inability to afford a higher education. She often missed classes to work part-time jobs, covering her medical expenses, pushing her talent to vain. Lillian's heart ached for her daughter, who was still thinking about her family's needs despite knowing she only had a few years left.
"Sort of, but the offer is too good to pass up! I doubt I'll ever come across such an opportunity again," Christina replied, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Lillian sighed, her heart heavy with worry.
"I've said this before, and I will again, Tina. Don't sacrifice your dreams for the sake of money. Follow your heart, not just your mind," Lillian advised, her voice soft yet firm.
Christina nodded, a sigh escaping her lips. However, considering her boss had stepped in as her boyfriend and things had taken a turn for the worse, she was willing to give the deal a shot. People might continue to slander her but she needed to prioritize her family over such baseless gossip.
Reylan seemed serious about the contract, and she had seen a side of him that was far removed from his playboy image. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to marry him. She thought to herself.
"Are you listening?" Lillian's voice snapped Christina out of her thoughts. She hummed in response, her mind still racing to make a decision.
"Try to negotiate a clause that would allow you to cancel the contract midway if you're uncomfortable with their working style. I would feel more at ease if they agreed to it," Lillian suggested, her voice filled with concern.
"That's impossible, Maa! But I'll give it a shot," Christina replied, laughing at her mother's suggestion. They continued their conversation, discussing Lillian's health and other matters.
"Alright, I'll pick you up this Saturday. There's a good doctor here, and I think we should consult him," Christina concluded the call, wishing her mother a good night. She then slid down the bed, laying flat, and sighed deeply. Her mother would never agree if she disclosed this offer attached to a sudden marriage.
---
The next day, Christina glanced around the house during breakfast, hoping to catch a glimpse of Reylan. Noticing her search, Darren cleared his throat and clarified, "Master Reylan rarely returns home because of his work, Ms. Joss. You might see him at the company."
"Oh, I wasn't searching for him," Christina lied, making the butler nod with a knowing smile. The way her nose crinkled in embarrassment, he was sure she had been hoping to see Reylan.
As usual, the driver dropped her off at the company early today due to the light traffic. Clutching the strap of her bag, Christina hesitated before pressing the button for the highest floor in the elevator. "Why am I acting like this?" she chastised herself as the elevator doors closed.
Reylan's assistant quickly bowed to her as she entered the corridor and guided her inside the office. Blaze was the one who greeted her with a tired smile as he sat on his brother's chair, working on some documents while wearing his glasses. He didn't need them but just wanted to give a cool look if someone entered the office.
"Good morning!" He chimed, placing down his file. Christina greeted him back with a smile.
"Were you pulling an all-nighter?" She asked, noticing the files sprawled over the desk and the coffee table in the seating area.
Blaze nodded with a sigh, the weight of responsibility evident in his tired demeanor. Since it was the start of the year, they needed to restructure a few things from last year's top-selling collection, Eleganza. With Reylan away dealing with the vampire elders, the burden of handling things had fallen on him.
"Are you here to see my brother?" Blaze questioned, as they settled on the couch. Christina nodded, prompting a slight smile from the young vampire. He had noticed their growing closeness, though it was mainly due to his brother's obsession. Nonetheless, he was pleased with the progress.
"Are you ready to sign it?" He asked excitedly, but before Christina could respond, her phone started ringing. Excusing herself, she picked it up, and a loud voice came through the other end. It was her father.
"Stop shouting and come to the point," she grumbled, her tone making Blaze frown. He couldn't help but wonder if it was her ex troubling her again. However, when her expression changed to shock, he quickly approached seeing her stand up.
"I-I am sorry, but I need to go to my town," Christina mumbled, her trembling hands trying to look for the earliest flight.
"What's wrong?" Blaze asked, placing a comforting hand on her back. She was trembling so much that he was afraid she would fall.
"M-my mother has fainted," the distressed woman mumbled, her breath shaky. She hated herself for worrying her last night.