Chapter 8 " Can't have it both ways , Mr. Foster . " Neil didn't even blink at Gavin's threat , his smile sharp . " You brought in a new secretary , you moved on . If you and Ms. Jordan are truly done , you don't get to decide who asks her out ." " Done ? Who said that ? " Gavin's expression darkened . He hadn't anticipated vultures circling Cecilia so soon , their constant hovering was already getting under his skin . " We never broke up ! " For seven years , from campus romance to corporate life , Cecilia had stood by him . He had been the center of her world . That's why Gavin refused to accept she had really walked away . The idea was unthinkable . " Relax , it was work , " Neil said easily . Then came the dig , " But a woman like Ms. Jordan ? She's got choices . You're not really handling this by giving me the evil eye , are you ? " " Mr. Crawford , lovers ' quarrels never last , " Charles cut in with a grin . " Cecilia's already planning their wedding . You'll get an invite . " Having known them for years , Charles had seen their unshakable bond . Childhood sweethearts don't break that easy . " Don't worry , Mr. Crawford . You're on the guest list , " Gavin said , his voice dripping with condescension . " Front row seat and everything . After all , I'd hate for you to miss seeing Cecilia in her wedding dress . " Xavier stepped between them , holding up his hands . " Come on now , let's not turn a simple misunderstanding into some soap opera scene . " He shot them both a look . " We're all friends , right ? " " Feeling that sure of yourself ? " Neil's competitive smirk turned razor - sharp . " If Ms. Jordan chooses you , I'll happily raise a glass at the reception . But if she doesn't ? " He leaned in . " I'll be the first gentleman at her door with flowers . " Gavin's voice turned icy . " You're not qualified , and you never will be . " But even as he said it , Neil's words still lodged in his ribs like a splinter . ' If not me , then who could it be ? I've always been her only choice ! The group broke apart fast , some mumbling about work tomorrow , others suddenly busy checking phones . A thick quiet filled the empty space , loaded with all the things everyone wanted to say but didn't . Nearby , Stella hovered just within earshot , her grip tightening around the car keys . As Gavin's new personal secretary , she knew better than to interrupt . When she caught Gavin's stormy expression approaching , she stepped forward . " Mr. Foster , " she offered quietly , " let me drive you home tonight . " Gavin paused before getting in . Back when Cecilia drove him , he always claimed the front seat , close enough to drunkenly lean on her shoulder . Now , knowing Stella would be driving , he wordlessly slid into the back . The car felt like a trap . Too much booze on an empty stomach turned Gavin's gut . He frowned and cranked the window down . " Go easy on the perfume next time . " " Of course , Mr. Foster . " Stella's voice oozed false sweetness , her manicured fingers tapping a silent rhythm on the steering wheel . The rearview mirror caught the tightness around her smile as she obediently nodded . As they pulled out of the parking lot , Gavin spotted Neil's flashy sports car , that old competitive fire flaring up instantly . " Change of plans ," he snapped . " Take me to Clearwater Villa . " Frank's investigation confirmed this was Cecilia's new place . " Going to see Cecilia , Mr. Foster ? " Stella's eyes gleamed as she spun her lie . " Funny , I overheard her at the office today . She specifically booked Tate's Grand Feast for the meeting with Mr. Crawford . Almost like she wanted to be seen by someone ." 1/3 12:44 Tue , Aug 12 Chapter 8 95 % H 0 X +15 " Did you actually hear her say that ? " Gavin froze for a split second , and then burst out laughing . ' Almost got me . Cecilia knew I would be at Tate's tonight . She set this whole thing up , a meeting with Neil at the same place , same time . Classic jealousy play . No other explanation . ' A flash of annoyance came and went , washed away by a warmer feeling . Nobody got Cecilia like he did . He was her first , her last , her everything . *** After sealing the deal with Neil on the exhibition venue , Cecilia threw herself into the setup . For the next two days , she led her team , handling every detail . She worked straight through breakfast , not even checking her phone . " Darling , you can't work on an empty stomach . " Chloe , unable to reach her , showed up with takeout bags in one hand and studio blueprints in the other . They sat on the steps like starving students . " This studio design is perfect . You always nail it . " Cecilia scarfed down her burger while checking the calendar on her phone . " Ten more days till I'm out . After the exhibition , our studio gets all my attention . " " Don't burn out . " Chloe felt a mix of concern and relief . Cecilia had finally ditched that bastard and was going after what really mattered . She leaned closer . " He's not harassing you at work , is he ? " Cecilia grinned , knowing exactly what Chloe was hinting at . She tapped her silent phone . " Not a single call or text from him . Pure peace ." ***** Gavin's stomach pain flared up badly after a boozy lunch . He passed out cold and ended up in the ER . Only Charles could make it to the hospital . Seeing Gavin's worsening condition , he whipped out his phone and texted , [ Cecilia , Gavin's gut's bleeding . Royal City Infirmary . Come now . ] Charles pushed through the ER door and saw Gavin's grayish face . " I've contacted Cecilia , " he said . " You two may be fighting , but she'll come over the moment she hears you're sick . " Gavin frowned but didn't argue , a quiet hope settling in his chest . ***** Cecilia's phone buzzed abruptly . Her face went blank for a split second before she sprang up , " Chloe , I've got to go . I'll call you tonight . " At Royal City Infirmary , Gavin lay in the ER with an IV drip . When the sharp click of heels echoed down the hall , his heavy eyelids lifted . He could already see Cecilia bursting through the door , her face full of that old concern , hurrying to his bedside just like before . The door flew open . Gavin's hopeful look met Stella's tearful face . His smile vanished . " Mr. Foster , are you alright ? " Stella's voice wavered with worry , but Gavin's gaze cut straight through her , locked onto the empty hallway beyond . Charles came back from paying the bill and instantly saw the desperate hope on Gavin's face . " Maybe Cecilia didn't get my text , " he said quickly . " You know she would come if she knew . I'll try calling her . " Gavin's expression turned stormy . " Don't call her , " he growled , the words ripping out . " I wasn't waiting . Let her regret not showing up . " As the anger faded , a fresh ache spread through his chest . He couldn't even tell if the pain was in his stomach or 2/3 12.44 Tue , Aug 12 Cecilia pulled up fast outside Hall Group , barely parking straight . She dashed to the front desk , still gasping for air . " Please , I heard Mr. Hall's back . Can I see him now ? " " Sorry , Ms. Jordan . He just left . " The receptionist gave an apologetic shrug toward the elevators . " Some urgent meeting came up . No idea when he'll be back . " Cecilia's shoulders sank at the news . " I'll wait at the café across the street ," she said , her voice tinged with disappointment . " Please call as soon as Mr. Hall returns . Thank you . " The café sat on the third floor . Cecilia chose a window seat , perfect for watching Hall Group's front entrance . " This Mr. Hall is really harder to catch than smoke . If I can't meet him soon , I won't be able to showcase my own work at the exhibition , and miss the most important part of my project . Cecilia split her attention between her laptop and Hall Group's entrance all afternoon . Suddenly , a movement caught her eye , a man in a sharp suit taking the seat across from her . She looked up out of habit , then stiffened . " Mr. Quinn ? " Cecilia stared , baffled by Henry Quinn's sudden appearance at her café table . There was no reason for him to be here . Yet Simon remained perfectly at ease , casually leaning forward in his seat .