Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Chapter 42
The next day, after her shift ended at noon, Teresa headed to a nearby restaurant.
She was used to being by herself; she always did things on her own. As soon as she walked in, a waiter greeted her. “Table for one, Miss?”
Teresa nodded. “A seat by the window, please.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Teresa turned her head toward the window seats–and to her surprise, she saw the dean, Paul, standing up from a table by the window.
There was someone else sitting at that table. Even from just his back, Teresa instantly recognized him–it was Hector.
Whatever the two of them had been talking about, Paul left without even the slightest hint of a smile on his face.
Teresa didn’t greet Paul. She kept herself hidden, waiting until he’d left through the door before pointing to Hector’s table. “I’ll sit there.”
With that, she walked straight over to Hector.
After sitting down across from Hector, Teresa noticed he seemed lost in thought. A pang of guilt hit her, and she quietly asked, “What’s on your mind?” ‘He looks so out of it,‘ Teresa thought to herself.
Hector snapped back to reality and finally realized Teresa was sitting across from him. He smiled and said, “Hey, what brings you here?”
Seeing Hector still smiling at her made Teresa feel even more conflicted. She lowered her eyes and mumbled, “I saw you here, so I came
over.”
Hector slid the menu over to her. “Go ahead and order whatever you like–lunch is on me.”
Teresa took the menu but didn’t bother to order anything yet. She looked at Hector, hesitated for quite a while, and finally asked, “So, what are you planning to do next?”
Hector could tell Teresa was still worried about him. He shrugged, putting on a relaxed front. “No big plans. Just treating it like a little vacation.”
Teresa kept her eyes on Hector, her gaze full of complicated feelings.
Seeing her like this, Hector smiled gently. “Really, Teresa, don’t worry about it.”
Teresa’s heart ached. ‘If it really didn’t matter, then why would he go see Mr. Reed again?‘ he wondered.
She knew Hector was keeping her in the dark just so she wouldn’t worry. Even now, Hector was still putting her first.
Her eyes were red as Teresa looked at Hector, her voice thick with guilt. “I’m sorry.” This whole thing started because of her. She knew she’d wronged Hector.
Hector looked confused and chuckled, “Why are you apologizing to me?”
Teresa looked up at him, her eyes red and tearful. “I’m just bad luck. You should stay away from me from now on.”
She knew that if Hector hadn’t gotten involved with her again, none of this would have happened to him.
He’d spent years working so hard to get where he was, and now, just because of a few words from Charles, his whole life came crashing down.
Teresa knew better than anyone how hard it was to study medicine, but under Charles’s pressure, she felt completely powerless.
Hector frowned, clearly a little upset with Teresa.
But she didn’t care if he was angry. She set a bank card on the table. There’s no password on it. Im sorry for everything. Once I walk out that door, let’s not see each other again”
She had no idea how far Charles would go. but alw figured it might be safer if she and Hector kept their distance.
Leaving the curd behind. Tervsa rushed out of the restaurant as if she were llecin
Hoctor was still in a daze. By the time he tried to a ver be. Terex had already disappeared,
12
Chapter 42
Jason just shrugged. “It’s nothing, Naomi.”
Naomi didn’t press the issue. She turned to Teresa and asked, “Ms. Sullivan, want to have lunch together?”
Teresa looked at the smile on Naomi’s face and felt nothing but disgust. “Drop the act. I don’t need your fake concern, and I have no interest in hanging around with petty people like you.”
Jason bristled at Teresa’s attitude. “Is that any way to talk to Naomi?”
Naomi stepped in front of Jason and said, “Jason, it’s fine. Charles is on his way. Don’t stir up trouble.”
Hearing that, Jason finally backed off.
Teresa thought the whole thing was just ridiculous, but she didn’t say a word. She simply turned around and walked away.
As she hurried out of the restaurant, she missed a step and stumbled off the edge of the stairs.
But right then, someone reached out and steadied her. “Hey, are you alright?”