AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I gaped. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“But you could make so much more by renting it to someone else.”
“Your stability and security are of far greater value to me.”
My heart stirred. I just about wanted to cry.
Concern washed over Neil’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing. It’s just… this is so generous. It’s almost too much. I feel so bad for letting you down, for not telling you about my plan to go overseas.”
Neil looked into my eyes, his softness intensifying to such a degree that I felt weak at the knees. “I’m not mad at you for that. It took me off guard, but you were just looking out for yourself, and that’s something I fully understand.”
“Neil—”
“Yes?”
“If you didn’t want me to go, I think I’d be willing to keep working for you.”
My spontaneous confession surprised me. I wanted to retract my words and ponder them, but it was too late. They were out in the open. My real feelings laid bare.
Neil studied me through narrowed eyes, his jaw flexing. He took his time to pick his words. The wait was agonising. “That is a tempting offer,” he said at last, “but I think you should go. You are young. The world is full of opportunities. I wouldn’t want to stand in your way.”
I appreciated his support, but it somehow felt like a blow. A part of me must have been hoping he’d ask me to stay by his side.
“Besides, I don’t know how long I will be needed at Luxmore, and with the situation in Singapore… You should go. It’s for the best.”
It’s for the best. He had said those words before. Something else occurred to me, and I spoke up once again. “Neil, what did you mean the other day when you said ‘this isn’t working out’?”
His eyes widened, and his voice seemed caught in his throat. “Ah. Forgive me.”
“If my performance is?—”
“Your performance is not the issue.”
“Then what is?”
Neil turned serious, his demeanour stiffening and straightening. “It’s my problem, not yours. Will you take the apartment?” he asked, changing the subject.
I brightened at the reminder I’d get to call this place home. “Of course I will!”
“I have a property manager in charge, but for you, it would be simpler if we engaged directly.”
“That makes sense.”
“And I’ll have to inform HR we’ll be living in the same building, or people might get the wrong idea…”
“Ah. Good thinking. So, when can I move in?”
“As soon as you’re ready. I imagine you’ll need to discuss a leaving date with your current landlord. Just one thing. You’ll be busy during the fourth week of September.”
I racked my brain. What was happening then? The annual Zelthia shareholder meeting was the only thing I could think of—but that wasn’t something I thought I’d be involved in. “What’s happening then?“ I asked.
“We’ll be in Singapore.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
