Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 15

Martha got spooked too. Mr. Swanson wasn't much of a joker, but he's usually pretty chill unless someone messed up big time. He rarely got this pissed off. Martha said, a bit worried, "Ines, be careful."

Ines nodded. She could guess that it was because she handed in her resignation letter in a sneaky manner.

"Mr. Swanson, you wanted to see me?"

Aaron Swanson glanced at her coldly and said, "Ines, have I ever treated you unfairly all these years?"

Ines shook her head. If she had to pick someone she felt sorry for leaving, it would be this man. In their line of work, training someone to become really good at their job wasn’t easy.

Aaron pointed at the resignation letter on the table. "Then you owe me an explanation."

"I got married, sir." Ines changed the way she addressed him. He wasn't just her boss but also her mentor, a fellow alumnus, and her best partner. When she first started, his guidance helped her find her way around the company quickly and saved her from making a bunch of mistakes.

Aaron's eyes froze in disbelief. His hand under the table clenched, and his face turned ugly. "What did you just say?"

"Sir, I got married," Ines repeated.

Aaron felt a dull pain in his chest. He saw the resignation letter the moment he walked in. He thought up countless excuses for her, even considered the idea that another company might’ve headhunted her. Maybe she became ungrateful. He never guessed it would be for this reason.

He was too late, just a few days too late. Why did everything change the moment he went on a business trip?

Aaron felt a headache coming on and couldn't help but massage his temples repeatedly.

"Are you okay? Have you not been resting well recently?" Ines asked with concern.

Aaron waved his hand, took a minute to find his voice, and looked up at Ines. "You don't have to quit your job just because you got married. I know you love this job. If you want to spend more time at home, I can lighten your workload and try not to send you on many business trips. You can stay at the firm without worries."

"Sir, I won't give up my job easily. I quit because my husband is from A City, and I'll be moving there with him soon."

"A City, huh? Are you ready to face that?" Aaron knew a part of Ines' past.

"Sir, I've been avoiding it for so many years. I can't run away forever. I have to face it eventually." Ines said with a smile.

Aaron looked at her smile and felt it was like a slap in the face. But he couldn't help but ask, "Why so sudden?"

Ines felt a bit bitter inside. "Sir, I'm not getting any younger. Many people my age are doing the same. It's not that sudden. My husband is a pleasant person, and my family has met him. They're quite content. He will be a good husband."

Ines spoke casually, but Aaron understood the hidden message in her words. His eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not close with him, are you?"

Ines shook her head. "Not really. We met on a blind date a few days ago." Since they had a good work relationship, Ines had always been pretty open with Aaron.

Aaron's pen suddenly dropped to the floor, and his voice involuntarily became sharp. He looked at Ines angrily, "You're not young anymore. Why are you so careless with this? It was a blind date. You shouldn't be so hasty. You should at least take some time to get to know each other. And why not find someone you're close to instead of a stranger? Will this be a happy marriage?"All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.