Catherine Jones and Shaun Hill novel Chapter 21

Let me go, Mr. Hill [by Shallow South] Chapter 21
By the time Shaun returned home from his morning run, he was startled to discover the grand feast spread out across the table.

“You…”

“Shaunny, I felt bad that you ate the cat pudding last night so I’m making it up to you with this breakfast spread,” Catherine said thoughtfully as she served him a bowl of oat porridge.

There was a strange expression on his face. “It’s alright. You’ve already been punished last night.”

She stood there with a tight feeling in her throat. “I was truly grossed out after having the cat’s food last night,” she replied slowly a couple of seconds later.

He lowered his gaze to the ground without commenting further.

“Are you going to work? Should I drop you off at the subway station?” he asked before heading to the door once he finished his breakfast.

Catherine was startled but soon shook her head from side to side. “I was fired.” The desolation was audible in her voice.

It was obvious from his forehead that he was frowning. He was told that she was working at her family company. The relationship between her and the Jones family seemed pretty tense. “Alright, you can focus on looking after Fudge at home.”

Pfft, she was not going to spend her time cat sitting.

“I’m planning to look for another job. But don’t worry, I’ll not let it get in the way of looking after Fudge.”

“Whatever,” he muttered and left the house.

…

For the next couple of days, Catherine kept herself occupied looking for a job.

There were plenty of openings for interior design or architecture-related roles. However, in order to disguise her background as the young lady of the Jones family, she had to keep her previous professional experience a secret.

Besides, other big-scale companies were only willing to hire her as an assistant, given her young age.

Left with no better alternative, she chose to work with a small company called Imperial Design.

The entire office was only slightly over a hundred square feet. Both their designers took care of everything including designing the plans and giving out advertising leaflets outside the office.

This was her first time doing such work. She felt rather self-conscious in the beginning but soon became more natural at the task.

Some passersby would accept her leaflets but more often than not, people would just walk past as if she was non-existent.

About an hour later, she was drenched in sweat and her cheeks were reddened by the heat.

Although it was fall, the weather was unusually hot today.

Another person walked past without acknowledging her. Just then, a black Lamborghini pulled to a stop in front of her.

This took her by surprise. It was Ethan’s car.

“Cathy, why are you handing out leaflets in the streets…” Rebecca stepped out from the passenger seat.

Catherine felt a knot in the center of her chest. Ethan once said the passenger seat of his car only belonged to her. The irony!

“Where else would I be? Summit?” Her words reeked of indifference.

Rebecca pursed her lips as if she was upset. “I didn’t mean that…”

“What’s with that tone? Your sister is being kind toward you.” Ethan suddenly got out of the car and slammed the door behind him. “Take a good look at yourself. You’re the young lady of the Jones family. Don’t you feel ashamed of yourself?”

Catherine lifted her gaze, only to see the disgust on his handsome face. An intense pain filled her heart as if someone was carving a hole out of it with a chisel.