He Always Said Yes, But Never Heard Me Until I Left Chapter 09

After passing the interview, I started working at the new company on a trial basis.

During my second week, someone from HR suddenly asked to speak with me.

She said they wanted to change the position we’d originally agreed on. I could handle internal support work instead, while someone else took care of the field research. That way, I wouldnt have

to work so hard.

I asked why.

After a moment’s hesitation, she admitted that Reid had contacted someone in management.

“Mr. Callahan was only concerned about you. You’re still recovering, and we thought this arrangement would be better for you.”

I asked her to keep my original position open for the time being.

After leaving the meeting room, I used my old phone to call Reid.

He answered almost immediately.

I could hear people talking in the background, but the noise quickly died away.

Then he added, “I’m not wearing my earbuds. Go ahead.”

“Did you contact my new company?”

There was a pause.

“I know someone in management there. They asked about you, so I mentioned a few things.”

“I just told them not to give you anything too demanding.”

“They changed my job.”

He fell silent.

I told him what HR had just said.

“Now they think I could leave at any moment, so there’s no point giving me anything beyond some

easy desk job.”

“I’ll talk to them again,” Reid said immediately.

“Don’t.”

He went quiet.

I made my terms clear. He could correct what he’d told them, but he wasn’t to ask for special

treatment on my behalf or inquire about my work again.

After listening, he asked quietly, “You’re all alone over there. Who are you supposed to turn to if something happens?”

“That’s none of your business.”

For a long time, there was no sound from his end.

I checked the time.

“I need to get back to work. That’s all.”

That afternoon, the manager asked to meet with me again.

He explained that Reid had already clarified things. He’d admitted that interfering on my behalf without my consent had been presumptuous.

I handed over the materials I’d prepared during my first two weeks, and we discussed my original position and how my performance would be evaluated.

By the time we finished, neither of us had mentioned Reid again.

At the end of the month, I successfully completed my trial period.

The day I received my official job offer, I also got a wedding invitation from a friend.

She knew what had happened between Reid and me, so she called ahead to ask whether she should

seat us far apart.

“Just make sure we’re at different tables.”

I checked my calendar.

“I’ll come on Saturday and head back Sunday.”

She sounded relieved and admitted she’d been worried I wouldn’t want to attend.

“Of course I’m coming. It’s your wedding.”

On the day of the wedding, Reid arrived before I did.

I spotted him standing across the lobby while I was signing the guest book.

He wasn’t wearing his earbuds. He held his phone in one hand, his gaze fixed in my direction.

After signing my name, I handed over my gift to my friend and followed an attendant to my seat./

Halfway through the reception, Reid came over with a drink and raised his glass.

By the time the reception ended, it had started raining outside.

I was standing beneath the covered entrance, waiting for my ride, when Reid approached with an

umbrella.

“Let me give you a ride.”

“No, thanks. I’ve already called a car,” I replied coldly.

Nearby, a few guests were heading out into the rain. Reid handed his umbrella to an attendant and asked them to help shield the people waiting for their rides.

Then he stepped aside.

When his phone rang, he reached for it, but his earbud case slipped out of his pocket and skidded to a stop beside my feet.

I bent down, picked it up, and handed it back.

Reid took it, then hurried to explain.

“I don’t have any meetings today.”

He ended the call and silenced his phone.

I looked down at mine.

“You can take your call.”

My car was pulling up. I checked the license plate and started down the steps.

Reid took a step after me, then stopped.

“Is there any chance for us?”

I turned back.

“No.”

The driver opened the door for me. I thanked him and got into the back seat.

Reid was still standing where I’d left him.

It wasn’t until the attendant returned his umbrella that he looked down and noticed another missed

call on his phone.

He put his earbuds back in and called the number.

The person on the other end laughed.

“Everything sorted out on the personal front?”

Reid looked at the now-empty driveway.

It was a long time before he spoke.

“It never will be.”