Chapter 4

"Ryder! Ryder!" a voice called out from the end of the street.

Ryder looked up and saw Seth—with Laura standing beside him, looking visibly awkward.

It wouldn't have been hard to brush off the situation. After all, she was his boss, and he was her assistant. Saying they were on a business trip would have been perfectly reasonable.

The problem was that Laura was draped in Seth's jacket, and they were standing too close to appear purely professional. Instead, they looked more like a couple out shopping together.

With Harry also present, Laura felt the need to explain herself.

"We were just in the area for a business meeting and were about to head back. It got a bit chilly, so Seth gave me his jacket," she said quickly.

Harry scoffed.

Trying to ease the tension, Laura asked, "What about you two? What brings you here?"

"We came to try on suits, to make sure they fit," Ryder replied.

"Don't worry, they'll fit perfectly. They were tailored to your measurements," Laura assured him.

Ryder nodded without saying much else.

Unable to tolerate the awkward atmosphere any longer, Harry tugged on Ryder's arm. "Alright, alright. We're both tired. Let's head back."

In the taxi, Ryder opened Seth's social media feed. As expected, there was a new post.

Seth: [Laura, you're the best! What other boss would take a whole day to go shopping with their assistant?!]

Harry saw it too. "Wow. One of them is busy building the stage, and the other is tearing it down."

On the way home, they passed a jewelry store.

After a moment's hesitation, Ryder asked the driver to stop and went in to buy a pearl necklace.

Later that night, Laura didn't return home until deep into the night.

When the door finally opened, Ryder, who had been waiting, pulled out a box containing the pearl necklace he had bought.

He took Laura's coat from her, his eyes dropping to her neck, and noticed she was already wearing a new necklace.

"What's that?" he asked, gesturing toward her neck.

"Oh, this?" Laura touched the silver necklace lightly. "Seth got it for me. He said my neck looked too plain and thought this would suit me better."

Ryder's hand tightened around the box.

"Silver doesn't suit you. Pearls match your style better," he said coldly.

Laura frowned. "Why are you talking to me like that? So harsh, like you're picking a fight! It's Seth's thoughtful gift, and I think it looks good on me."

Ryder froze for a moment.

He vividly remembered how, back in university, Laura had told him she only liked pearl jewelry. That memory was why, even when money was tight, he had saved up to buy her a pearl necklace.

Now, she didn't care about that necklace or about him.

How quickly people changed...

Ryder glanced toward the bedroom and chuckled, feeling a strange sense of release.

"Harry's going on a business trip soon," he said, his tone calm. "His grandmother lives alone, and she's getting on in years. I'll be staying with her for a few days to help out."

"That's fine. Just be back before the wedding," Laura replied.

"Oh, and you've been so busy planning the wedding by yourself. Let me take over the rest of the arrangements. I should contribute too," he offered.

Laura approached and hugged him from behind, nuzzling her face into his back. "Thanks, hubby!"

Ryder gently pushed her away. "Alright, I'm tired too. Let's get some rest."

For the second time recently, Laura felt something was off about him.

She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but her phone rang before she could say anything.

"Laura! I fell asleep in your office after dinner and just woke up! The lights are off, and I'm locked in! Help me, Laura!" Seth's voice was loud enough for Ryder to hear clearly, even without the speaker on.

Laura hesitated, glancing at Ryder.

He waved her off. "It's late, and leaving Seth alone in the office isn't right. You should go check on him."

Laura, feeling relieved, grabbed her phone and rushed out while reassuring Seth.

Watching her leave, Ryder put down the gift box in his hand.

The surface was damp with sweat. He opened the box and stared at the pearl necklace inside for a long time.

Laura didn't come home that night.

-

The next morning, Ryder woke up and sat by the window, gazing outside for a long time.

Most of the projects at work had already been handed off, and the wedding preparations were nearly done.

With his departure imminent, his thoughts turned to the people he still needed to say goodbye to.

His parents had long passed away, and he had no close relatives to speak of. Still, there were a few elders he felt he needed to visit before leaving.