Serena lay on her bed, her mind swirling with thoughts after Jaxon's unexpected visit. Hadley's knowing smile didn't help her unease. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked at her best friend."Nothing is going on, Hadley," Serena replied, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.Hadley arched an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Serena, you can't expect me to believe that. The chemistry between you two is undeniable. What happened when I was gone?"Serena hesitated for a moment, contemplating how much to reveal. She trusted Hadley with her life, but some things were just too complicated to explain. "We talked, caught up on things, and... it's complicated, okay?"Hadley didn't press further, realizing that Serena needed time to sort through her feelings. "Alright, I won't push. But just remember, I'm here for you, no matter what."Serena managed a grateful smile. "Thanks, Hadley. I appreciate it."As the night wore on, Serena and Hadley continued to chat, sharing stories abo

A wave of silence remained between her and Jaxon as they were the only ones left at the table. She paused for a second and looked at him in disbelief and amazement. How had she not seen this coming?She finally opened her mouth to say something "Jaxon, I can't believe this! You got me a job? Just like that?" Serena's voice was filled with both joy and astonishment.Jaxon smiled, his brown eyes warm with satisfaction. "It's really nothing, Serena. You deserve this opportunity, and I wanted to help you out. You've been through a lot, and I thought this could be a fresh start for you."Tears welled up in Serena's eyes again, but this time they were tears of happiness. She reached out and hugged Jaxon tightly. "Thank you, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."Jaxon hugged her back, his embrace reassuring. "You don't have to thank me, Serena. Just make sure that you give it your all at Skymount . I have a feeling you'll excel there."Serena pulled back from the hu

The HR manager, Ms. Crawford, guided Serena through the onboarding process with professionalism and warmth. Serena filled out the necessary forms, received her employee badge, and was introduced to her immediate team members.Her team consisted of three other editors: Mark, Sarah, and David. They all greeted her warmly, making Serena feel like she was already part of the Skymount family. Mark, the senior editor, took her under his wing and gave her an overview of their ongoing projects.The first day was filled with information overload as Serena learned about Skymount's values, culture, and expectations. She attended orientation sessions, met with her manager, and familiarized herself with the company's software tools.When she got back home, she fell on her bed exhausted. She had texted Hadley and she was going to be working late since the other chef at the restaurant wasn't around.She undressed and did her skincare routine for the night, before having dinner. She rested and soon d

Inside the bathroom, Serena splashed her face with cold water, attempting to wash away the irritation that had built up. She couldn't believe how a simple celebration had taken such an unexpected turn. She felt frustrated at herself for not managing the situation better. Her thoughts were a whirlwind as she stood there, trying to regain her composure.After a few moments, Hadley's gentle knock on the bathroom door brought her back to reality. Serena dried her face and hands before opening the door. Her best friend gave her a comforting smile."Hey, you okay?" Hadley asked, concern in her eyes.Serena nodded, still feeling a mix of emotions. "Yeah, I'm okay. I just didn't expect them to argue like high school boys."Hadley hugged her, and they both laughed, "can you even believe Arthur? He can be so annoying, if he didn't push Jaxon, I'm sure Jaxon wouldn't have said so much like that."Serena sighed, "I just wish they didn't turn it into some kind of competition. I'm not some prize t

Their lips met in a sweet and tender kiss, igniting a spark of passion between them. It was a kiss filled with longing, a reflection of the feelings they had for each other. Serena felt herself drawn deeper into the warmth of Jaxon's embrace, and she responded with equal ardor.The soft notes of the piano continued to fill the air, serving as a backdrop to their intimate moment. Time seemed to stand still as they held each other on the dance floor, their bodies swaying in perfect harmony.Jaxon wanted to take all of her in. His hand moved in her hair slowly as he massaged the roots of her hair. Serena loved how his hands moved. Their tongues moved roughly and they realized what could happen if they stood there for another moment.When they finally pulled away, their eyes met, and a shared understanding passed between them. There was no need for elaborate words; their connection spoke for itself.Jaxon led Serena back to their table, and they finished their meal, savoring the flavors a