He Said the Cat Needed Him. There Was No Cat Chapter 05

He Said the Cat Needed Him. There Was No Cat Chapter 05

After sending the resignation letter, I shut down my computer.

A framed photo still sat on my desk from the last time my parents visited the city. Adrian Cole had taken it for us.

My father sat perfectly straight in the picture.

My mother’s smile looked a little nervous.

Adrian Cole stood behind me with one hand on my shoulder.

After that trip, my mother had told our relatives,

“Adrian doesn’t say much, but the way he looks at Claire tells the truth.”

I pulled the photo from the frame and kept only the half with my parents.

Someone nearby whispered,

“She’s really quitting?”

“Isn’t she just trying to force Director Cole to apologize?”

“Vanessa Reed was in the hospital with an allergic reaction, and Claire still won’t let it go.”

I didn’t lift my head.

When I finished packing, I left my employee badge on the desk.

The HR manager hurried after me.

“Claire, wait.”

She held a printed copy of my resignation letter, looking troubled.

“Director Cole said you’ve been emotionally unstable lately.”

“You should take a few days to calm down before making a decision this serious.”

I looked at her.

“Since when does he control the resignation process?”

She didn’t dare answer directly.

“He’s worried about you.”

I took out my phone and photographed the rejected transfer request, the sticky note, and the resignation email.

“Please follow the normal procedure.”

The HR manager was about to say more when Adrian Cole’s voice came from behind us.

“Claire Bennett.”

I turned around.

He stood at the far end of the hallway, his face grim.

“You think you can walk out of this company whenever you feel like it?”

I lifted the cardboard box into my arms.

“The moment you used my job to force an apology to Vanessa Reed, you should’ve known I might leave.”

Adrian Cole’s gaze dropped to the sticky note.

His expression stiffened.

“I wrote that because I was angry. I didn’t think you’d take it seriously.”

“Quitting over this is too much, don’t you think?”

I stared at him without speaking.

Adrian Cole’s eyes darkened.

“Claire, I admit I handled this badly.”

“I’ll make Vanessa delete the Instagram post.”

“And I’ll deal with anyone spreading rumors at work.”

“Just come back.”

I laughed.

“Come back for what?”

“So the next time you decide I’m difficult, you can suspend me again?”

He had no answer.

After a few seconds, he lowered his voice.

“Haven’t you always wanted to transfer to the Fairview branch?”

“I’ll arrange it.”

“What’s the condition?”

He frowned. “What condition?”

“Apologizing to Vanessa Reed?”

Adrian Cole’s face tightened.

“Claire Bennett, stop with the sarcasm.”

My mother’s call came through just then.

Her voice shook with tears.

“Claire, your father feels pressure in his chest.”

“I want to take him to the hospital.”

My grip tightened.

“Where are you?”

“At your apartment.”

“Don’t panic. I’m coming now.”

I ended the call and headed for the exit with the box in my arms.

Adrian Cole followed me.

“I’ll drive you.”

“No.”

“Your father has a heart condition. How are you going to handle this alone?”

I stopped.

“Adrian Cole, you’re the last person my father wants to see right now.”

His face went pale.

I didn’t look at him again.

When my Uber reached the apartment, my father was sitting on the couch.

His face was ashen.

Even then, he forced a smile when he saw me.

“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

I went over and helped him stand.

“We’re going to the hospital.”

My father noticed the cardboard box in my arms.

“You quit?”

I nodded.

He didn’t ask why.

He only said, “Going back to Fairview is fine. Your mother and I can support you.”

My eyes burned instantly.

The doorbell rang.

I didn’t need to guess who it was.

My father braced one hand on the couch, stood, and opened the door himself.

Adrian Cole stood outside holding a bag of supplements.

“Mr. Bennett, let me take you to the hospital.”

My father blocked the doorway.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Adrian Cole’s voice tightened.

“Mr. Bennett, what happened yesterday was my fault.”

“I should’ve come to dinner.”

My father cut him off.

“This stopped being about one dinner the moment you asked Claire to step aside for another woman.”

Adrian Cole’s lips moved, but no words came.

My father looked directly at him.

“She always told us you were busy. That you sounded harsh but had a good heart.”

“She said that whenever you made her a promise, you always kept it eventually.”

“Her mother and I believed her, so we waited three hours yesterday.”

He paused. “We’re done waiting.”

Adrian Cole’s fingers tightened around the bag.

His phone rang at that moment.

Vanessa Reed’s name lit the screen.

He looked at it and didn’t answer.

The call ended, then started again.

I looked at him.

“Answer it.”

He didn’t move.

A message appeared a moment later.

“Adrian, how are things with Claire?”

“Are you still renting the apartment across from hers?”

Adrian Cole’s face looked terrible.

My father turned and called to me. “Claire, let’s go.”

I helped him toward the elevator.

Before the doors closed, I saw Adrian Cole standing outside.

He tried to step in.

My father pressed the close button.

That night, I bought a ticket on the earliest train to Fairview.

By the time Adrian Cole reached the station, I had already passed through security.

He shouted through the barrier.

“Claire Bennett!”

I stopped for one second.

His eyes were red. “If you leave now, don’t regret it.”

I looked back at him.

“That warning belongs to you.”

The boarding announcement sounded.

I pulled my suitcase forward.

This time, I didn’t look back.