Lahat ng Kabanata ng Sorry Boys, You're On Payroll: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 29

Everyone filed out. Just Dad and me left."What's this supposed to mean?""Exactly what it sounds like." He poured tea. "They did well. Time to give them a shot.""So you promoted them?""What else?" A sip. "Keep them at the bottom forever?"I stood. "I'm leaving.""Wait." He looked up. "Help Henry with the project."I turned back. "Why?""The medical expansion was your idea." He smiled. "All the files are with you."I took a breath and walked out.Back in my office, Julian already had tea ready. "You don't look great.""I'm fine."My phone buzzed.Henry.[May I see you?]Me: [Office.]Ten minutes later, a knock."Sit."He sat across from me, adjusting his glasses. "Thank you.""For?""For this opportunity.""It was my father's call. Not me.""He said you proposed the medical expansion."I said nothing."I know I did a lot wrong." He met my eyes. "But I want to change.""And if you do?""At least you'll see I'm not who I used to be."I smiled. "You think that

I packed up and headed out.Julian knocked once and stepped in. "Miss Blanchet, the car's ready.""Mm."By the time I got to the restaurant, the four of them were already in the private room. No suits this time. Just casual."Miss Blanchet." Adrian stood.I took the head seat. "Order."The vibe was way better than last time.They took turns pouring tea, serving dishes—extra attentive."Miss Blanchet," Finley said, "can I ask something?""Go ahead.""Why'd you give us a chance?"I set my cutlery down. "What do you think?""I think you don't actually hate us."I didn't answer."If you did," Adrian said, "we'd be in prison. Not working for you."Timothy added, "So yeah. We've been wondering what you're really thinking."Henry just looked at me, quiet.I took a sip of tea. "You're overthinking.""Really?" Finley smiled. "Then why give the medical project to Henry?"I glanced at him.He lowered his head. The tips of his ears were red."Because he's suitable.""Just tha

"Slow down. No one's stealing it."Henry took a gulp of water. "I was starving.""Project acting up?""A little." He set his fork down. "One set of data won't line up."I stepped over and scanned the screen. "You calculated this wrong."He leaned in. "Where?"I tapped the formula. "Coefficient's 1.2. Not 1.5."He went still, then recalculated fast."That's it!" He shot up. "You're amazing!"I turned for the door."Wait."I glanced back."Thank you," he said, all serious and soft."For?""For coming to see me."I looked away. "I just don't want the project crashing.""I know." He smiled. "I'm still happy."I didn't reply. I walked out.Just as I reached the door, he called, "Can I be your date at the gala?"I paused."In your dreams." Then I walked faster.Back in the car, Julian smirked. "You're blushing.""Shut up."The night of the gala, I wore a black gown.Dad's eyes lit up. "Very nice. You look beautiful.""Let's go."When we got to the ballroom, it was a

Adrian and the others lowered their heads."Sorry.""Sorry won't fix it." The doctor shook his head. "You can go in when he wakes up. Don't agitate him."Henry lay in the bed, pale. Too pale.I pulled a chair over and sat beside him.Eyes closed. Breathing light.And just like that, I was back to when we were kids. He had a fever. Looked exactly like this. The four of us took turns watching him.He'd asked me, "Am I gonna die?""Don't be dramatic. It's just a cold.""Then stay with me the whole time?""Okay."My phone buzzed, dragging me back.Dad."I heard Henry's hospitalized?""Yes.""You're at the hospital?""Yes."Silence for a few seconds."Take good care of him."I hung up and looked at him. 'Why does he always push himself this hard?'At dawn, he woke. "Miss Blanchet?"He tried to sit up.I pressed him back down. "Don't move.""The project—""Paused."He went still. "But we're about to—""I said it's paused." I stood. "Your only job right now is to rec

"Can we talk?""There's nothing to talk about."Denver glanced at Henry. "Is this because of him?"Henry stood. "Please leave.""I'm talking to Blair. Is it your place to cut in?""She's my girlfriend," Henry said. "Of course it is."Denver sneered. "Girlfriend? Wasn't that fake last time?"I stood up. "It wasn't."Everything went still.Including Henry."What did you say?" Denver asked.I walked over and took Henry's hand."I said it wasn't."Denver's face changed. "Blair, you—""We're together." I met his eyes. "So stay away from us."Then I pulled Henry out of the restaurant.Outside, he still looked stunned."Was that real?" he asked."No.""Then why—""I just didn't want to see him." I let go of his hand. "It was acting."He looked at me, then smiled. "Even if it was acting, I'm still happy."I turned to leave."Miss Blanchet."I glanced back."If one day it's not acting... would you consider me?"I met his eyes.Hope. Nerves. Careful."Ask me when you'