Chapter 9
1432 Words
Jenna’s POV
I woke up early because it was my first day working at Walthorne Tech Industries, and I wanted to look responsible and capable for this project.
I made my way to the building and headed straight to the cafeteria to grab some coffee. That’s when I found Lucas.
“Ms. Jensen.”
“Lucas,” I said, and we smiled at each other.
I grabbed my coffee and headed to the small boardroom in the IT department. There, I settled down and waited for the others.
After a few minutes, Linda arrived first, followed by Craig and Samuel.
We started by discussing how to upgrade the programme’s AI engine so it could adapt to user behaviour in real time while improving security and processing speed.
I explained how the new upgrade would allow the system to learn from player patterns, improve response timing, and strengthen the programme’s ability to handle more advanced technologies beyond gaming.
For the first time since arriving, I truly felt like I belonged here.
“You sure are impressive, Jenna,” Linda said.
“I honestly don’t think I would have thought of that so quickly,” Craig added.
I smiled softly, warmth spreading through my chest.
“I actually thought of this a month ago as something I wanted to add to the programme.”
Their expressions shifted into admiration, and something inside me eased.
Maybe I really could do this.
Maybe I was capable of leading this team after all.
By the time we called it a day, I was pleased. At least now we had a clear roadmap for the five months ahead, and we would have progress to show at each monthly meeting.
I had never really been a leader before.
Not in school.
Not at university.
Not even at F.C.G.
So I wanted to get a head start.
I hoped this would build confidence not only in myself, but in my team as well.
I became so drawn into my work that I didn’t even realize how much time had passed.
Talk about getting a head start.
At this pace, we could actually finish everything ahead of schedule.
I quickly packed up my things and made my way out of the building.
As I stepped outside, I was stunned to see Ryan and Dean talking.
The moment I saw Ryan standing there, something inside me tightened.
A mixture of anger, disbelief, and the lingering ache he had left behind rose in my chest.
It looked like Dean was just about to say his goodbyes when he noticed me approaching.
“Hey, honey,” Ryan said a little too loudly, almost as if he wanted everyone to know we were together.
I froze, confused and irritated.
Where was all this coming from?
“Ryan, what are you doing here?”
“We are not together anymore, and if you think I’m going with you, I’m sorry—my Uber is already here. I’m leaving.”
Before I could react, Ryan walked up to the Uber driver, handed him two hundred dollars, and said, “My girlfriend and I are having some issues. I know she called, and I hope this is enough to call off the ride.”
“Forgive him, señorita,” the driver said with a bright smile before speeding off.
I stared in disbelief.
Ryan turned back to me.
“You have no means to go home now,” he said as he opened the door of his truck, gesturing for me to get in.
“I can request another Uber.”
“Quit being stubborn. It’s almost ten p.m. It’s not safe. I’d rather you go home with me than risk something happening to you.”
I hated that he was right.
Feeling irritated and challenged, I got into his truck.
He did the same and drove out of Walthorne Industries.
“Working hard, huh?”
I ignored him, silently hoping I would get home already.
Being this close to him again made my chest feel heavy.
Part of me remembered the man I had started falling for.
The other part remembered exactly what I had seen that night in his office.
God knows if he had also been with other women in this very car.
The thought alone made my skin crawl as I shifted in my seat.
“Look, I just wanted to check on you and see how you’re progressing. I came earlier, but I was told you were still working, so I decided to wait.”
“It’s going great. You don’t need to worry.”
A heavy silence settled between us.
Then his voice softened.
“Will you ever forgive me? There is no excuse for what I did. I am so sorry.”
I looked out the window, refusing to let him see the conflict in my eyes.
“We weren’t in a relationship in the first place, but if you want to know, I already forgave you. But that doesn’t mean we will be together.”
His grip tightened on the steering wheel.
“I won’t give up on us, Jenna. I won’t.”
He parked in front of my apartment complex.
“You should,” I said quietly as I stepped out of the truck. “Because no matter what you do, I am never getting back with you, Mr. Markfields. Thank you for the ride.”
I shut the door behind me and walked away.
Dean’s POV
I had a busy day as usual, but I always made it a habit to leave work a bit late.
It gave me a head start on the next day’s work.
I considered it a way of instilling discipline in my employees because, quite frankly, I despised slackers.
As I walked out of the building, I noticed Ryan Markfields standing in front of his truck.
My first instinct was to ignore him and pretend I hadn’t seen him.
Unfortunately, the fool walked right up to me.
“Walthorne,” he said, folding his arms.
“Ryan. I don’t remember recruiting you here as well. Apart from your programmer, of course.”
He let out a slight chuckle.
“Very funny. Very funny, Walthorne.”
I wasn’t sure if he thought his whole demeanor was supposed to intimidate me.
“I actually came to pick her up. I know she’s hardworking. Some women really can change a man, don’t you think, Walthorne?”
I looked at him steadily.
“I suppose they can. But it doesn’t take long for old habits to resurface.”
I was no fool.
Just yesterday, I had seen him with two women at my friend,Carlos’ new club opening, and here he was trying to lecture me about being an honorable man.
“It seems the woman destined to change you has arrived,” I said dryly as I noticed Jenna walking toward us, her face clearly confused.
For some reason, the image of her getting into his truck stayed with me longer than it should have.
I bid him farewell and left.
Back home, I took a shower and had Mrs. Stevenson, bring up my dinner.
She had worked for my family for a long time and had known me ever since I was a boy.
She was one of the few people I trusted dearly.
I decided to answer a few emails while I waited.
Soon, Brad called to tell me he would be back tomorrow morning from his trip to Italy.
He had been helping my brother set up our new branch’s security wing.
“Mr. Walthorne, your food is ready.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Stevenson. And it’s Dean, remember?” I said as I made my way to the dining table.
“Smells delicious,” I added with a small smile.
As I ate, I couldn’t help but think about Jenna and Ryan.
Does she want her heart broken?
Is she using him to create a name for herself?
She must know what kind of man he is.
Or perhaps she wanted his money.
After all, this project would make him millions.
I snapped back to reality and continued eating.
But then again, the project would also earn her a good amount of money.
Maybe she truly did love him.
Either way, whatever she did was none of my business.
As long as she finished her assigned task, everything would be fine.
My main concern was my company, not my employees’ personal affairs.
Besides, eventually, she would realize that Markfields was a complete womanizer.
And not even a good one at hiding his tracks.
- Writer
