Kenneth glanced at Sarah as they entered the house, noticing her pale and anxious expression. As Sarah tried to retreat to her room, Kenneth grabbed his sister’s arm.
“Why do you have to act like that?” Kenneth asked.
“Act like what?”
“Like you’re close and everything is fine. Tone down your friendliness, Sarah. I don’t want you getting into trouble with the Harrison family again. It’s enough that I don’t want you involved,” Kenneth said firmly.
“Then what’s the point of you collaborating with Alden? Giantic Company. Do I need to remind you about that?”
Sarah shrugged off Kenneth’s grip.
If only Sarah had known that Alden was collaborating with Giantic, she wouldn’t have attended the gala dinner. Seeing Alden walking, laughing freely, and happy made Sarah even sadder. Alden’s happiness was no longer with Sarah, while when Alden was down, it was Sarah who had to leave.
No, Sarah didn’t leave; she was forced to go by her family.
The Young family didn’t want to get involved in a bigger scandal after the accident happened. Fortunately, Sarah was fine, but the accident caused by Sarah’s negligence could be a major issue.
Sarah had felt terribly guilty while being away from Alden.
And when they met again, Alden was already okay, how could Sarah’s heart not break into pieces?
Moreover, there was another woman who had accompanied and taken care of Alden until he recovered.
“I didn’t know Alden was collaborating with Giantic. If I refuse, I’m just one of the directors. I can’t ask all the directors to cancel this matter!” Kenneth snapped. “You can’t mix business with personal matters.”
“I’m acting normal! I’m being professional! You don’t need to teach me!” Sarah pointed out.
“Don’t get involved with Alden at all.”
Sarah took a deep breath. “In that case, you might as well write my resignation letter as your representative at Giantic.”
“I warn you!”
Sarah left Kenneth, unwilling to argue. She walked slowly to her room, holding back her emotions and tears.
In her mind, Sarah pictured Alden. What hurt her the most was Alden’s smile, his cheerfulness was no longer because of her. There was another woman who had now captured all of Alden’s attention. Sarah couldn’t accept it.
*
That morning, Hannah came out of the bathroom and saw Alden putting on a tie. Hannah approached Alden, hugging him from behind. Smelling Alden’s fresh and masculine scent made Hannah feel at peace.
“I like your scent,” Hannah whispered.
“Do you like the cologne I’m wearing?” Alden turned around.
Hannah nodded in response.
“This cologne…” Alden suddenly stopped, then quickly continued, “Nevermind.”
“What is it? Why don’t you want to tell me?”
Alden sighed softly, then turned around and hugged Hannah. “I don’t want to remember the past. Sarah gave it to me. It’s just cologne, it doesn’t mean I wear it to remember her, do you understand?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Although Hannah tried to compromise with that, her heart still felt hurt. Sarah had good taste, it seemed. And Hannah felt like she was losing again, in another way.
“I met her at the salon yesterday. And she said that it was her regular salon,” Hannah suddenly said.
Alden didn’t say anything, he just looked at Hannah.
“You know, I feel like you haven’t entirely removed her from your life. You even took me to the salon she used to frequent,” Hannah complained softly, “I know, this is just a silly thing to say. But I don’t want to get carried away by memories of your past.”
“It’s the best salon in Summerhill. What do you want me to do?”
“I know. It’s just…”
“If you connect everything in this city with Sarah, she’s everywhere. Then we have to avoid places she likes or restaurants we used to date at. Is that what you mean?”
Would Hannah sound very demanding and jealous if she agreed? They wouldn’t be able to go anywhere because of the fear of recalling Sarah.
“Why are you afraid of her, Hannah? Sarah is the past,” Alden continued.
Hannah just nodded weakly. “I’m sorry.”
“Come on, get dressed. Or I won’t be able to resist undressing you.”
“No…” Hannah moved back and away.
Last night was too exhausting, and Hannah didn’t want to do it again in the morning. She might fall asleep at the office during work hours. There were many things to do today, including some meetings.
“I’ll wait for you in the dining room.” Alden approached Hannah and kissed her forehead gently.
Hannah looked at herself in the mirror and exhaled deeply. There was no way Alden would break his promise. Sarah was the past. Hannah didn’t need to be afraid.
*
Alden entered the Goldtime building, greeting the staff warmly. Yes, he had become more friendly to those around him. Deep down, Alden felt that Hannah had changed his rigid and cold nature to be warmer.
As soon as he entered his office, Alden’s secretary at Goldtime-Dane-immediately approached and handed him some files.
“Sir, these are the files you requested,” Dane said.
“Thank you.”
“One more thing, sir.” Dane cleared his throat softly. “A representative from Giantic is here to see you.”
“Who?”
“Miss Sarah Young.”
Alden was slightly taken aback. Sarah? A representative from Giantic? Did Alden hear that correctly?
“Yes, let her in,” Alden replied.
After Dane left the room, a few minutes later, Sarah entered. Alden stood up and nodded politely, as if he instantly built a high wall to keep Sarah from getting too close again.
“I didn’t expect you to end up owning Goldtime,” Sarah said, then sat down in front of Alden.
“It’s the company my father gave me. Who else would it go to?”
“You have a brother, don’t you?”
Why was this turning into an unnecessary conversation? Alden thought.
“What do you want, Sarah?” Alden asked, not wanting to beat around the bush.
“Well, I just wanted to tell you that starting today, I’ll be working at Goldtime. As a director’s representative from my brother’s side. And the Giantic board has approved it,” Sarah answered casually.
“Oh, I see. Alright.”
“That’s all?”
Alden shrugged. “Yes, what else? You’ll be given an office, a secretary, whatever you need as long as the company collaboration continues.”
“At least say something to me. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, Alden.”
Alden took a deep breath. “Good luck, and I hope we can work well together in the future, Miss Young.”
Sarah swallowed hard, nodding weakly and feeling disappointed. “Alright then.”