The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 44

Suzie was silent. The last thing she wanted was to get involved, but she couldn't bring herself to flatly refuse the senior she had always looked up to.

After a moment's hesitation, she said tactfully, "Sienna, if I were in your shoes, I'd probably be even more lost than you are. I dread dealing with people like that. As for a solution… have you tried holding her to the contract?"

Sienna waved a hand dismissively. "The contract? She couldn't care less. See what I mean? Having a powerful backer makes you bold. Anyway, enough about her. What have you been up to since graduation?"

Suzie paused. "I've been doing freelance work, mostly small jobs that don't pay much. That's why I was hoping to join a studio. Lumina is one of the best in the industry, but it seems getting in will be harder than I thought."

Sienna patted her on the shoulder comfortingly. "Don't be discouraged. With your skills, you're more than qualified to work here. Let me find out what's going on with HR, and then I'll help you figure something out."

Sienna's earnest offer made Suzie feel a bit guilty. She knew Sienna was a genuinely kind person who would follow through on her promise to help, whereas she hadn't been entirely forthcoming.

After a moment, pretending an idea had just struck her, Suzie leaned in and whispered a plan into Sienna's ear.

When she finished, Sienna snapped her fingers. "That's brilliant! We'll do it just like that. And it'll satisfy my curiosity, too. I want to see for myself just how blind that Jamie really is."

Seeing Sienna's happy expression, Suzie finally felt she had reciprocated her friend's sincerity.

"Is the coffee not good? I remember you used to love milk tea. Come on, let's go downstairs. My treat," Sienna said enthusiastically, slinging an arm around Suzie's shoulders.

Suzie glanced at the coffee cup she'd placed on the table. "My stomach has been a little upset lately, so I'm trying to avoid coffee," she said gently. "Besides, I have some things to take care of, so I'll have to pass on the milk tea for today. You still have work to do. I'll treat you next time."

"Alright," Sienna said, disappointed. "I was hoping we could chat a bit longer. Did you change your number?"

"Suzie! Good, you didn't get far. You forgot your resume!"

Sienna ran up, panting, and handed her the folder.

Suzie took it with a frown. Sienna’s voice had been far too loud. She couldn't help but glance back toward the car. Jamie and Chloe were both looking in her direction, Chloe with the same hostile glare as always. Jamie, however, looked more haggard than he had a few days ago. Or maybe he was just exhausted from his indulgences.

Suzie looked at him as if he were a stranger, her expression completely flat. After a few seconds, she calmly turned away. "Thanks, Sienna. I'm leaving now. Keep in touch."

With that, she turned and quickened her pace. She walked a considerable distance before finally choosing a small restaurant and sitting down to order. Her stomach was still churning, and her appetite was poor, but she forced herself to eat every bite. Since she had decided to keep her children, she would do everything in her power to love and protect them properly.

Suzie was struggling through her meal when she looked up and saw a man sit down at the table across from her. Her gaze fell on his chest, on the impeccably crisp shirt without a single wrinkle, and she caught the faint, clean scent that drifted from him.