He Vetoed My Promotion for the New Girl Chapter 12

He Vetoed My Promotion for the New Girl Chapter 12

I never expected Graham to convince Lorna to help him.

Downstairs from the office, Lorna lit a cigarette and gave me a sheepish grin.

“Don’t be mad. He just offered way too much… Hey, hey-don’t hit. I’m kidding.”

I raised my hand, and she straightened up.

“Seriously, I just don’t want you to end up like me.”

“My ex and I lost each other because neither of us knew how to speak up.”

“By the time we met again, we both knew it had all been a misunderstanding.”

“But he already had a family, and there was no going back.”

“But from what you’ve told me, you’ve already made up your mind.”

“So let him go. Having the client hovering over you every day makes me uncomfortable too.”

I knew Lorna wouldn’t sell me out.

She didn’t know the details of my breakup.

From the outside, Graham’s efforts to win me back looked plenty sincere.

But I was sick of the chase.

I looked at Graham.

He stood by the roadside, his eyes fixed on me.

For a man who’d long established himself in the business world, he looked unusually flustered.

I walked over. “Graham, let’s take a walk.”

We walked uphill along Central.

It was New Year’s Eve.

The streets were decked out, and everyone was glowing with the excitement of being with family.

The festive mood seemed to lift Graham’s spirits too.

He kept buying me little holiday gifts along the way.

But I couldn’t take them. My suitcase was already full.

Midnight was approaching. It was time we headed toward our separate futures.

When he tried to squeeze through the crowd yet again to buy me waffle bites, I stopped him.

“Graham, don’t you think we’ve never really said a proper goodbye?”

The smile faded from his eyes.

Then excited voices rose around us.

“Ten, nine…”

A firework burst across the night sky, splintering the light in his eyes.

“Elara, I…”

“Let’s make tonight our real goodbye.”

“From now on, we’re just business partners.”

“Happy New Year, Mr. Thorne.”

His lips trembled. After a long moment, his voice nearly broke.

“Elara, I’m sorry. I lost you…”

“Can I at least hug you one more time?”

I smiled and shook my head.

“That wouldn’t be right anymore.”

His fingers trembled, then slowly curled into a fist.

I glanced at my watch. Time to head to the airport.

After a year away, I could finally go home and see my parents.

I turned and walked away.

At the corner, I glanced back.

Graham was slowly crouching beneath the fireworks, shoulders trembling.

I looked away.

The wind felt especially gentle tonight.

Happy New Year, Elara.

Wishing you a bright new year and a smooth road ahead.