Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right
Hello 148

Chapter 148

Chapter 148

I checked my calendar-Matthew's birthday was in three days.

Bringing up something heavy on his birthday? Yeah, no. I didn't want to mess up his big day, so I figured I'd visit him early, drop off a gift, and get it over with. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with it on his actual birthday. But before I could even get started, Wayne showed up.

I hadn't seen him since we left the amusement park, and honestly, I almost didn't recognize him.

"Did I turn into a coal miner or something? You don't even know who I am?" Wayne joked, throwing in some classic self-deprecation to break the ice.

Seeing him like this brought back memories of Hayden, and I couldn't help but smile. "If your mom saw you right now, she'd totally freak."

"Nah, she actually said I look more manly now," Wayne replied, clearly trying to keep things light.

I bit back a laugh. "You do have that whole rugged, manly vibe going on."

Wayne rubbed his face, grinning. "Glad you noticed."

Despite his attempts to keep things chill, I still felt a bit awkward, not really sure how to keep the conversation going.

Thinking about my plan to visit Matthew, I decided to switch gears. "So, how are your mom and dad doing?"

"They're good, but they miss you," Wayne said, and that hit me right in the guilt zone.

I used to go to the Johnston residence every day after work. They practically saw me more than my own family. But ever since I moved out, I hadn't been back even once.

"I'm actually planning to visit them today," I said, hesitating before adding, "I also need to talk to your dad about something."

Wayne looked at me, his expression practically begging to know what was up. I wasn't about to keep anything from him, so I just laid it out. "Jace has been coming after the company I joined, doing everything he can to crush them-even stealing clients." Wayne didn't look surprised at all. Clearly, he was already in the loop.

Sure enough, he said, "I already told my dad about it. And about you quitting? My dad was totally against

-it."

He watched me closely, and when I didn't say anything, he added, "I'm here today because my dad sent me to convince you. Rea... please, come back to the company."

Even with the serious look on his face, I couldn't help but smile. "So, if you don't complete your mission today, is your dad gonna give you a hard time?"

I said it because I remembered something from my third year with the Johnston family. Matthew had sent Wayne on some errand, and when he didn't get it right, Matthew kicked him twice.

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Chapter 148

+25 BONUS

That memory stuck with me. It was the first time I'd seen Matthew lose it like that, and he did it so harshly.

Wayne didn't really react-no tears, no excuses-but when he noticed me watching, I could see the embarrassment written all over his face, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks.

That's when I realized I should've looked away, to give him a little dignity.

"Making fun of me?" Wayne laughed, and I wondered if he was thinking of that day too.

"No, I-" I started to deny it, but Wayne cut me off.

"But I'm not here to pressure you today, even if it means getting in trouble when I go back."

Wait, what?

I looked at Wayne, confused. He pressed his lips into a thin line before continuing, "I know why you left, why you even gave up on the amusement park you cared so much about. How could I try to force you to go back?"

Wayne smiled, that bright, warm smile that took me back to the carefree kid he used to be. "Besides, even if I asked, you wouldn't go back. So why make things awkward for both of us?"

He really did know me too well.

Honestly, before Wayne left for his assignment, I always got along with him way better than I ever did with Jace.

Jace was nice to me, sure, but he also had this habit of teasing me, playing pranks that sometimes went way too far. But Wayne? He never pulled that kind of stuff. He always had my back, even scolding Jace more than once for scaring me. He was like the big brother I never had.

"Does your dad actually back Jace in all this nonsense?" I asked, remembering how Wayne mentioned that Matthew knew about Jace's antics.

"No, my dad totally tore into him and warned that if he keeps causing trouble, he'll be kicked out," Wayne said, and I believed him.