<b>Chapter </b><b>306</b>
I was <b>utterly </b>baffled. <b>If </b><b>not </b>York, who else could have sent the flowers<b>? </b>We’ve only ever <b>dealt </b>with York from RF Group.
While <b>pondering </b>it, York’s sudden realization came through on the other end of the phone. “Oh, oh, oh<b>, </b>it was me<b>, </b>all me! Silly me<b>, </b><b>I </b>asked my assistant to handle it. He must have mixed it up. I meant to order <b>99</b><b>, </b>you know, to wish yourpany great sess <b>and </b>longevity.”
York sounded almost apologetic, “999 is admittedly a bit over the top. Didn’t mean to cause you any trouble, did <b>I</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>
“Well…” ncing at the roses crammed from the elevator lobby into our office, I managed a headache–induced smile, “Uh, not <b>really</b>. Maybe <b>I </b>could talk to the florist and see if we can return some? <b>It’s </b>just too generous of you.”
<b>“</b>No need. It’s not <b>a </b>big deal for him.” York blurted out and cleared his throat slightly, adding, “My assistant is here <b>to </b>gain some life experience. Loaded as can be. I’ll deduct <b>it </b>from his bonus.”
“Okay then.” After expressing my gratitude and chatting a bit<b>, </b>I hung up.
Christine leaned in, curious. “So, he’s the one who sent these roses<b>?</b><b>”</b>
“Yep.” I chuckled lightly, “But it was his assistant who goofed up. Turned 99 into <b>999.</b>”
Mark frowned, pondering. “How could one even make that mistake<b>?</b><b>”</b>
“Ah, let <b>it </b>go. Isn’t it nice to have flowers to brighten up the ce?” As <b>a </b>flower enthusiast, Christine couldn’t stop smiling at the continual delivery <b>of </b>flowers. “I need to snap a picture for my social feed. With this many flowers, <b>our </bpany would thrive<b>.</b><b>”</b>
“Go for it.” Taking the invoice from the florist, I signed for the delivery.
Seizing the moment, Christine suggested, “Hey Jane, how about we throw apany dinner tonight? Celebrate our officialunch and wee the new faces.”Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
I agreed, “Sounds great. I was thinking the same.”
Looking toward Mark, I invited him with a warm smile, “Mark, <b>free </b>tonight? Join us<b>?</b><b>”</b>
Having Mark involved was a gesture of gratitude. After all, he yed a crucial role in getting Jane Dream back to me. Dinner was <b>the </b>least I could do.
He was deep in thought, looking at the flowers, but offered <b>a </b>gentle smile upon hearing my invitation. “<b>You’re </b>asking<b>, </b>and how can <b>I </b><b>say </b>no<b>?</b><b>”</b>
I smiled. “<b>I’ll </b>send you the details once we’ve picked the time and ce<b>.</b>”
“Okay.” Mark nced at the time. “I should head back to my office then.”
After seeing him off, Christine followed me into my office and sat across from me, wearing a teasing expression. “Spill it. How are things going with you and Mark now?<b>”</b>
“Nothing’s changed.” As I continued sketching the engagement dress for Dorothy, I replied.
Christine wasn’t convinced<b>, </b>her skepticism evident. “No way. You’re hiding something from me!<b>”</b>
I paused and looked up at her. “Mark and I made a six–month pact. Does that <b>count </b>as progress to you?”
“Definitely!” She was content<b>, </b>unable to resist prying further, “What’s the pact about?”
I set down my pencil<b>, </b>lost in thought. “Mark will give up if I don’t feel anything for him after <b>six </b>months.”
Reflecting on the pact, I <b>wasn’t </b>sure <b>if </b><b>it </b>was right <b>or </b>wrong.
Christine nodded in understanding. “Having regrets<b>?</b><b>”</b>
I asked, “Regrets <b>about </b>what?<b>”</b>
Christine looked <b>at </b>me<b>, </b>saying, “Making that pact<b>.</b><b>”</b>
“<b>Not </b><b>really</b>.” I shook my head, feeling a bit lost, “<b>I </b>agreed to it, hoping it would make him move <b>on </b><b>sooner</b>. But <b>now</b><b>, </b><b>I </b><b>wonder </b><b>if </b>it <b>could </b>have spared him sometime if I had been clearer <b>from </b>the start.”
<b>“</b>Oh, please. <b>Mark </b><b>couldn’t </b><b>let </b><b>go </b>even when you were married<b>.</b><b>”</b>