I Stopped Waiting And Traveled Alone Chapter 05

I Stopped Waiting And Traveled Alone Chapter 05

My new workspace in Hightown was far roomier than the one back in Brampton. Directly in front of me stretched windows overlooking lush greenery. Every time I glanced up, it instantly lifted my mood

Jesse, a fellow alum and now my team lead, walked over. I jumped to my feet, nervous, waiting for him to assign my tasks.

He laughed at my nervousness. “Do I look like I bite?”

I scratched the back of my neck, embarrassed.

“Dinner’s on me tonight,” he went on. “Funny enough, that potted plant I keep at my desk was practically on its last legs. Just now I noticed it’s sprouting brand-new shoots. And that project I’ve been stuck on? It’s finally moving forward again.”

Jesse’s eyes crinkled warmly. “Welcome aboard, Jenna.”

I stared into his kind, sincere eyes, and my heart skipped a beat.

My mind drifted back to one night with Hayes. His research had hit a wall back then.

I saw how frustrated and wound up tight he was. I felt helpless watching him struggle, so I quietly warmed a glass of milk for him.

He took one absent-minded sip and suddenly exploded. “Jenna, are you trying to scald me? Can’t you even get something this simple right? How am I supposed to focus on my research? No wonder my data keeps

going wrong!”

I stood frozen. “It’s always been this temperature…”

I had no idea what a glass of milk had to do with his lab work. Still, I stammered out apologies, overwhelmed

by his furious outburst.

Hayes realized he’d spoken far too harshly. After a few seconds of silence, he pulled me into his arms. “I’m

sorry. I lost my temper. I haven’t been in a good headspace lately.”

I stayed rigid in his embrace.

A notification pinged on his phone. Hayes glanced down, and his face lit up with elation.

He dialed Hannah at once. “It’s fixed! Everything’s sorted! That good-luck bracelet you gave me this morning

must’ve done the trick.”

“Does it ever work? You know how well it works. Wait for me, I’m coming over right now”

He grabbed his jacket and rushed out the door. I stared at the still-warm glass of milk for a long time, then

slowly poured it down the drain.

“Jenna?” Jesse’s voice pulled me back to the present.

I forced a smile. “Thank you, Mr. White.”

“I’d rather you call me Jesse. Sounds more natural.”

I blinked, then smiled and corrected myself. “Alright, Jesse it is.”