Chapter 23: Chapter 23: One Step Closer to a Dream Come True
A glass of milk and a bottle of beer in hand.
Fruit platter, chips, spicy strips, all sorts, piled up in arms.
Eyes fixed on the milk that’s about to spill, arms struggling to hold everything.
Wyatt Hawthorne called out while walking forward, "Serena Sinclair, give me a hand..."
He let go of the orange cat and took the milk and beer.
Before Serena could voice a question, Wyatt let go of his hand.
The snacks in his arms came crashing down onto the carpet.
"I’m exhausted!"
The young master sighed in relief, too lazy to pick them up, and plopped onto the massage chair.
The massage chair started to hum.
The large screen behind lit up alongside it.
Serena picked up the snacks and placed them on the table, just as she stood up, Wyatt patted the armrest, "Serena, it’s still early, have a seat!"
The viewing room was dim.
The big screen flickered on and off.
Sit for a while.
Just a little while.
By the time she leaves, Wyatt wouldn’t be able to tell she’s cried.
She also wouldn’t feel as embarrassed.
Serena turned and sat down.
Her back pressed against the sofa’s backrest, the massage chair activated.
It was as if the best masseuse was behind her, gently massaging from her neck to her lower back.
The big screen displayed a Hayao Miyazaki film, with bright colors and serene music.
The orange cat in her arms adjusted itself into a fluffy ball.
Like a perfectly warm hot-water bottle, softly snuggled in her arms.
Serena didn’t even realize when she fell asleep.
Steady, even breathing sounded by her ear, Wyatt turned to look at Serena’s tired profile, casually picking up a blanket to cover her.
After more than ten minutes passed, once Serena was soundly asleep, Wyatt got up and headed out.
Returning soon after, carrying a medical kit.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Wyatt gently removed the slippers from Serena’s feet.
He cleaned them with a warm towel.
Then used a cotton swab to disinfect the tiny, cracked wounds.
Wyatt applied medicine to each one.
He got up, walked a few steps away, then turned back to see the orange cat rolling over under the blanket.
Wyatt lifted the blanket, grabbed it by the scruff of its neck, and carried the orange cat downstairs.
A dreamless night.
Serena had the best sleep she’s had in a long time.
The alarm rang, reminding her of today’s interview with Claire Carson.
Serena quickly sat up.
The surroundings were pitch black.
When the massage chair behind her began to buzz, Serena belatedly realized.
She was at Wyatt’s place.
She checked her phone.
It was seven in the morning.
So, she slept at his place all night?
Getting up to leave, Serena scrambled downstairs ready to depart.
"Serena, morning!"
Wyatt’s lazy greeting rang out.
Serena looked up to see Wyatt making coffee.
Amid the rich aroma of coffee, Wyatt glanced at his watch, "It’s seven now, you have enough time to shower and change, have breakfast, and I can conveniently drop you off at your interview at the company."
"Of course, you can refuse!"
Wyatt turned to look at Serena, "I’ll respect any decision you make."
Going back to the hotel to freshen up and change, making it to the ten o’clock interview on time was uncertain.
But the thought of borrowing clothes from Cora Rivera again made Serena hesitant.
Last time, she could claim it was an unexpected shower soaking her.
This time, how would she explain it?
A single man and woman.
Borrowing clothes early in the morning.
What would Cora think?
Serena felt her head spinning.
Wyatt nodded his head toward something, "I washed them."
Looking back, she saw a laundry basket beside the sofa.
Inside was the pair of jeans and undergarment she had changed out from being drenched in the rain that day.
Glancing down at the white shirt she was wearing, Serena sighed in relief, picked up the basket, and headed to the bedroom.
She returned over ten minutes later.
A faint fragrance wafted in the air.
On the dining table, coffee, egg, and sandwiches.
Wyatt sat on the other side, beside his coffee cup was a six-inch cream cake.
Bite after bite, Wyatt ate leisurely.
He looked very much at ease.
Meeting Serena’s curious gaze, Wyatt explained, "Eating something sweet, elevates the mood!... Would you like some?"
Serena shook her head, "Are you not in a good mood?"
Wyatt remained silent.
Last night, his mood was terrible, especially seeing those shocking tiny wounds on her feet, it was utterly awful.
But waking up in the morning, realizing she was right beside him.
Wyatt inexplicably felt a step closer to his dream coming true.
It was a complex feeling.
Even Wyatt himself couldn’t clearly explain it.
Yet when he saw Serena’s cautious expression, he vehemently denied it, "No, it’s just... I wanted some!"
Relieved, Serena felt at ease.
She had troubled him frequently.
The orange cat would also hide from time to time, causing him worry.
Thinking of it from his perspective, Serena felt she was indeed a bother.
"By the way, has 2S finished its vaccinations?"
Serena asked Wyatt.
From her expression, it was clear she wanted to take 2S with her, Wyatt’s mood worsened, "No, the second shot is in a week, the third in a month. Then it’ll be complete."
Today she was heading to Hawthorne Corporation for the interview.
If she passed, she’d find a place for the orange cat in the coming days.
If not...
Too uncertain to promise taking 2S away soon, Serena nodded, appearing even more cautious, "Sorry for the trouble!"
As the words fell, it was evident, Wyatt’s mood seemed more sour.
He got up, heading toward the bedroom to change.
Serena swiftly finished her sandwich and coffee, efficiently cleared the table, washed the dishes, and put them into the dishwasher.
The Ferrari left Hillcrest Villa, and when they were a short distance from Hawthorne Tower.
In the passenger seat, Serena cautiously spoke, "Could you pull over here? I’ll get off around here."
Knowing Serena wished to avoid suspicion, Wyatt didn’t respond immediately.
After passing the traffic light, he stopped by the roadside.
Serena thanked him, got off, and walked to Hawthorne Corporation.
Hawthorne Tower stood in Aethelgard’s city center, a skyscraper glimmering in the rising morning sun.
At the reception, Serena had just mentioned the name of project design department Director Carson when the receptionist cheerfully handed her a visitor pass, "You can proceed to the 60th floor, someone will greet you there!"
The observation elevator ascended, with the bustling city below gradually shrinking beneath her.
The view before her was stunning.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, and Serena looked up to see a young woman in a neat, elegant outfit standing at the entrance.
"Hello, Senior Sinclair, I’m Claire Carson!"
Claire Carson got straight to the point, and after a brief greeting, led Serena to the conference room.
After a brief chat about her experiences post-graduation, Claire opened the projection, displaying several entries from a recently concluded architectural competition on the big screen.
"Senior Sinclair, these are the shortlisted entries, but they didn’t win any awards."
As the entries were displayed, Claire looked at Serena, "Imagine it’s before the competition, imagine you are the designer of these entries, what changes would you make? You have half an hour to ponder. See you in half an hour!"
"Alright!"
Compared to empty talk, Serena much preferred hands-on work.
Holding the pen, looking at the architectural renderings and detailed parameters on the screen, Serena felt a surge of passion.
Claire pulled the door closed behind her and headed straight to the CEO’s office on the top floor.
The knock on the door was met with a cold "Enter."
Claire took a deep breath and pushed the door open.