It’s been a month since Hannah began running Texco under her leadership, and the employees are beginning to realize the capabilities of a woman not to be underestimated. Hannah has made a lot of improvements, but nothing major. Still, Hannah often seeks advice from Bernard, who knows more about Texco’s situation.
What about Alden?
Hannah and her husband have a very flat and cold relationship.
They barely see each other every day, especially during the last week of July. Hannah is very busy; several times she had to leave town and stay overnight. But oddly enough, Hannah enjoys it all.
For at home, Hannah feels stifled.
And as usual, Hannah has been busy at her desk since morning, reviewing files, reports, and signing some contracts with vendors. There’s a knock on the door of her room from outside, and when Hannah sees who it is, it’s Susan.
Susan’s face looks cheerful, she has a big smile on her face. “Good morning, Hannah!”
“You seem very excited,” Hannah replied with a smile.
“Of course I am! Haven’t you been watching TV? You were featured exclusively on their business show.”
So the interview aired a month later. Hannah had almost forgotten about it.
Hannah grimaced and shook her head. “Well, I was a little distracted with those reports.”
“Oh come on, you could have watched it on streaming. Quick, Hannah… look. You look so graceful and beautiful!”
Reluctantly, Hannah complies with Susan’s request and checks the streaming website. Apparently, the show is still running. It’s actually a recording from a month ago, and Hannah still remembers meeting Jeffrey there.
Hannah feels a little proud, because she was able to answer all the questions smoothly, firmly and with authority. At least she didn’t tarnish Texco’s reputation.
“You did great, I applaud you,” Susan says. She exhales with relief. “Now it’s all over the online news, you’re a capable owner of Texco. Texco is the talk of the town on local TV.”
“In a good way?”
“Sure,” Susan nods.
“Thank goodness.”
At least now that the deal with Alden is done, Hannah can leave Texco, which is now much more advanced, in peace. And Alden can’t ask for much more if his company is indeed thriving under Hannah’s leadership all this time.
“Mr. Gulfman is very busy. There are so many new clients who want to work with Texco,” Susan says.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I saw Oscar busy answering phone calls and making appointments. Then Mr. Gulfman asked me to arrange for you to meet with the big clients. He can’t do it alone.”
“Of course, schedule it for me. I don’t want him working alone.”
Susan chuckles. “We’re going to be very busy. And I think as Texco progresses, you may not have time for yourself, Hannah.”
“Well, the same goes for you, Susan.”
Susan sits down in front of Hannah. “Yes, we work on Saturdays. And you think I have time for myself?”
“Maybe we should go to a spa or something. How about that? Just you and me?”
Susan squints her eyes. “Hannah, you have a husband. Don’t you want to spend your free time with Mr. Harrison?”
Hannah chuckles. “Ah, it doesn’t matter. What’s important to him is that I find my own happiness.”
*
Alden stares at the laptop screen and unconsciously his lips curl into a smile several times. Alden is watching a rerun of the TV show that interviewed Hannah, and he is very proud. Beyond her looks, Hannah is indeed naturally intelligent.
In the interview, Hannah didn’t seem awkward at all; in fact, she seemed to enjoy it. Marrying Hannah has actually been a blessing for Alden, and he’s beginning to realize that.
Alden sighs softly; his relationship with Hannah is deteriorating. He doesn’t know how to fix it. Day after day, what Alden feels is longing.
Unfortunately, he can’t express that longing. Instead, Alden continues to distance himself.
There’s a sense of regret; why did Alden ever mention Sarah when her name and image are beginning to fade in his mind.
Alden hears the sound of high-heeled shoes clicking in the hallway; he quickly closes the laptop and takes a deep breath. His eyes scan the threshold of the dining room where he now stands.
Hannah’s figure stands in the doorway, a bundle of files in her arms.
“Good afternoon, sir,” Hannah greets flatly.
Alden just nods. “You’re early.”
“I want to work on these files at home. Besides, it’s Saturday.”
Hannah even works on Saturdays when other employees are off. Fortunately, Susan, Bernard, and Oscar are loyal people; they’re willing to skip their day off to continue working in the office.
Perhaps Susan, Oscar, and Bernard, who are still single, don’t know who to spend their free time with. And they feel that working is better than being alone at home. That’s how Hannah feels.
“You can do it on Monday, Hannah,” Alden says.
“The sooner the better, isn’t it?” Hannah coughs quietly. “In that case, I’ll excuse myself to the bedroom.”
“Hannah, wait a minute.”
The woman turns to Alden, and Alden finds Hannah’s cold demeanor even more distressing.
“Can you do the files another time? I want to take you out,” Alden says.
“Out where, sir?”
“Dinner out. We rarely go out, I mean rarely. I even promised to buy you some new clothes.”
Hannah doesn’t answer, just stands there, staring intently at Alden. Even that look in her eyes makes Alden’s longing grow.
“Forgive me, sir. But I can’t. Because there’s a meeting on Monday for the files I have to review, and it’s not possible to do it that day,” Hannah refuses.
“Oh, I see…”
“I beg your understanding. You yourself wanted me to run Texco well, and that’s what I’m doing.”
“Yes, of course. We’ll go another time, Hannah,” Alden replies, holding back his disappointment.
Hannah simply nods and quickly leaves Alden.
Hannah’s face becomes grim as she heads for the bedroom. Truth be told, Hannah is still carrying a wound that hasn’t healed yet. Avoiding contact with Alden is one way for Hannah to feel better.
And Hannah will keep it that way.
There was never any love or affection between them. Don’t hope for anything.
Because unfulfilled hope will only prolong the heartache.