Chapter 03: Sweetie
The financial crisis was barely averted, and the entire studio breathed a sigh of relief.
To show how much they valued Davina, Kaitlyn had arranged a welcome party for her on her first day at work.
Instead of a modest KTV, the team–building event was moved to the Starlyne Hotel.
All eight of us from the company were present, waiting for her.
Kaitlyn, bored, popped a piece of dessert into her mouth and said, “She really is the beloved princess, huh? Now she has to go back and change outfits.”
“That’s the golden goose,” I replied bluntly.
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“She says she’s here to work, but it looks like we’ll have to cater to her.”
I had an
theasy feeling in my gut.
Just then, I heard footsteps outside the hall. Following everyone’s gaze, I saw Davina, dressed in a soft pink chiffon dress, looking every bit the princess as she linked arms with Fletcher, capturing everyone’s attention.
Kaitlyn teased, “The real golden goose has arrived.”
I hadn’t expected Fletcher to come.
I had always thought he wasn’t fond of crowds.
During our university years, there were always events organized by our department
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or faculty, and even if the school leaders themselves were involved, Fletcher would still avoid them.
He was aloof, even a bit out of place.
Whenever that happened, I’d be the one going to the school leaders to speak on his behalf. Looking back, it was all rather unnecessary.
Finishing my drink in one go, I quickly walked up to the group.
“Sorry, everyone, Fletcher knew I was coming to the welcome party and insisted on bringing me here.”
The girl’s shy demeanor carried a soft sweetness that no one could get upset with.
I politely said, “It’s our honor to have Mr.
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Lynton with us today”
After all, anyone standing next to Fletcher was either rich or powerful.
When Kaitly
heard me say that, she chimed in, “Lena had been wanting to invite Mr. Lynton, but she was worried he’s so busy. And now, look, it’s a happy coincidence.”
My friend Kaitlyn had a talent for telling white lies without missing a beat.
I nervously tugged at my lips, but unexpectedly met Fletcher’s probing gaze.
That made me even more nervous.
In a moment of panic, I gave a signal to the host.
The welcome party was just starting.
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Kaitlyn had always been gifted at warming up the crowd, and with just a few words, she set the tone for the evening.
She suggested we play a game of “Pictionary.”
It was always a staple at company events.
In the past, with seven people, we’d form three teams, with Kaitlyn as the referee. But now, with two more people, we’d have an extra team.
That’s right, Davina had dragged Fletcher into the game as well.
The young girl had a certain innocence about her, and her face was brimming with excitement.
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We drew lots to determine the teams.
What I didn’t expect was that Fletcher and I ended up on the same team.
Davina, standing beside me, noticed this and her face showed visible disappointment.
I quickly tried to avoid any awkwardness and, before anyone noticed, subtly exchanged my paper with Davina.
She shot me a surprised look before happily grinning. “Charlene, you’re so kind.”
No need to mention it, I silently thought.
Making sure the client had a good time was, after all, part of our job.
This continued well into the night.
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we do ou des
+ 5 Points
As everyone got more and more intoxicated, I called over a waiter to serve hangover soup, handing out one cup after another.
When it came to Fletcher, I stood a meter away, quietly watching as Davina gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.
The man had his eyes half–closed, reclining against the sofa, and the buttons on his shirt collar were undone, revealing his delicate collarbones. His refined profile, bathed in the interplay of light and shadow, carried a layer of fatigue.
It seemed like he was drunk.
I hesitated to disturb him and turned to leave, but then I heard his hoarse murmur, “Lena.”
I froze in place, my feet feeling as if they
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were weighed down with lead. Then I heard Fletcher say, “Sweetie, don’t go, okay?”
The word “sweetie” hit me like a bolt of lightning, and my heart exploded in
response.
Turning to look at Fletcher, I saw Davina’s face, which was filled with astonishment.
Miraculously, our gazes met in the air.
I reminded her, “Mr. Lynton is calling for you.”
That tone, so tender and reluctant, couldn’t have been for me.
Davina blinked, pouted, and lightly tapped Fletcher’s high–bridged nose, teasing, “Fletcher, the party’s not over yet.”
Fletcher lifted his eyelids at the sound, a
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smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
It confirmed my suspicion.
It was half an hour later that we finally saw the golden goose off.
As the Maybach drove away, Kaitlyn nudged me with her elbow, her tone soothing. “You’ve worked hard tonight.”
I half–jokingly said, “How about something more practical, Ms. Hayes?”
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes. “Ambitious.”
Still, the generous Ms. Hayes kindly dropped me off at the building entrance, and secretly promised I wouldn’t have to clock in the next morning.
The mental compensation, at least, was
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Fejes joj jou ejoties
+5 Points
delivered.
But that night, I couldn’t sleep soundly.
In my dreams, that figure kept reappearing, holding me tightly in his arms during countless late nights.
When the passion reached its peak, he’d tighten his grip around my slender waist, using a coaxing tone to say, “Sweetie, louder.”
That was a side of Fletcher no one knew.
A side of intense desire and possessiveness.
But it was something that had to stay in the shadows.
I suffered from insomnia.
During the morning rush hour, as the subway
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doors opened, I surged out with the crowd like a sardine, only to realize that one of my wireless earbuds had been knocked off.
As I sighed quietly to myself, I looked up and saw the black Maybach parked not far away.
In front of the car, Fletcher, dressed in a suit, gentlemanly opened the passenger door, exuding meticulous care.
A moment later, Davina stepped out of the car, wearing a peach–pink, waist–cinching dress. The young girl looked full of life, like a butterfly fluttering in the morning.
He actually personally took her to work.
Lynton Group and our studio were located on opposite sides of the city.
That meant Fletcher, with his morning
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grumpiness, would have to spend an extra hour commuting.
I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of bitterness as I thought back to the days when I used to wake up early to make him breakfast and coax him out of bed.
The way he treated Davina was just worlds apart from how he treated me.
I intended to avoid the two of them.
But just as I lifted my foot to leave, Davina’s soft greeting reached my ears. “Charlene, good morning!”
I couldn’t just ignore her. I walked over with a calm expression, glancing briefly at Fletcher’s face, and politely said, “Good morning, Mr. Lynton, good morning, Ms. Bates.”
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je jo jou we
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Davina, always friendly, replied, “Charlene, just call me Vina.”
I gave a brief acknowledgment, unsure whether to stay or leave.
It seemed Fletcher had no intention of leaving immediately.
I had no choice but to ask, feigning ignorance, “Mr. Lynton, are you here to inspect?”
Davina covered her mouth and laughed, “No, Charlene, Fletcher was worried I might get lost and not find the new company’s address, so he came to drop me off.”
As I had guessed.
I maintained a composed expression and
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said, “Mr. Lynton, you’re always welcome to visit and provide guidance.”
Fletcher glanced at his watch, his deep eyes suddenly landing on my face. His tone was indifferent, “Ms. Grande, please lead the way.”
Wait, was Fletcher planning to come upstairs with us?
Davina picked up on this too, her eyes filled with undisguised joy. “Fletcher, are you coming with us?”
Fletcher’s lips curled into a faint smile as he spoke in a low voice, “Mm, just want to see your work environment.”
So, it wasn’t enough to just have Davina added to our studio for a bit of prestige. Fletcher was also concerned about her daily work life.
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