Chapter 312

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As Teresa wandered in the mall , a sudden sneeze escaped her . Ivy nudged her with a
grin . !
“ Or bad – mouthing me ,” Teresa muttered , eyeing the third – floor chaos through the atrium . autograph event . Teresa was just out shopping and had no idea it would be this crowded .
There was
Ivy tugged Ion Teresa’s arm . “ It’s Kynlee Finch , the actress . Let’s go
see . ”
Telys
someone’s thinking about you , ”
celebrity here today for a brand endorsement and
Teresa wasn’t keen on joining the crowd , especially since she was pregnant and worried about getting jostled . But then she suddenly heard- “ The ambassador of the Horizonlead Group . ”
At “ Horizonlead Group , ” Teresa froze . Before she could protest , Ivy dragged her toward the commotion .
The VIP elevator chimed . Out stepped Jonathan – his charcoal suit slicing through the floral display haze . The actress stepped aside , gesturing for him to
take the center spot .
She smiled brightly , extending a manicured hand . “ Mr. Lynn , I’m so honored to be the ambassador of the Horizonlead Group . I’ve heard so much about
you . ”
Jonathan returned the handshake with a curt nod .
Teresa watched , an unfamiliar knot tightening in her chest .
As if by some invisible thread , Jonathan’s head snapped up , his gaze cutting through the crowd and landing on Teresa .
Her fitted dress clung to her like mercury . Jonathan’s gaze lingered a beat too long before he turned back to Kynlee , smile sharpening . “ The honor is also ours . ”
Ivy squeezed Teresa’s arm . “ Look ! That’s the handsome guy from the school anniversary , the one who’d kept staring at you . ”
“ They make a perfect power couple , ” Teresa said , the words tasting bitter .
“ Oh , come on , it’s just business between the CEO and the ambassador ,” Ivy said . Seeing Teresa about to leave , she quickly grabbed her . “ Stay with me ! Kynlee’s having a star meet – and – greet with an autograph session . Let’s get in line . ”
Teresa opened her mouth to refuse – then paused . A plan flickered to life . “ Fine . ” she nodded .
Jonathan could have left after a brief exchange , but when he saw Teresa hadn’t gone and was chatting with her friend , he decided to stay too .
The line dwindled until Ivy’s turn came . She took a deep breath and practically bounded onto the stage , shaking Kynlee’s hand excitedly . “ Kynlee , I’m your big fan . I bought your new album . I really like it . ”
While all eyes were on the actress , Teresa slipped toward Jonathan . She pulled a white T – shirt from her bag and thrust a marker at him . “ Mr. Lynn . ” She held out the shirt . “ An autograph , please ? ”
Jonathan fixed his gaze on Teresa , eyes narrowing slightly . “ Why do you want my autograph ? ”
Teresa met his gaze unblinking as she spoke , “ Mr. Lynn , compared to glamorous actresses , successful figures like you deserve even greater reverence . Your signature holds far more significance . I’ll be sure to treasure it forever . ”
Jonathan stared at her for a few more seconds . “ And what about the autograph I gave you before ? ”
“ That one ? Oh , please , I tossed that long ago . This time , could you sign it properly ? I promise I’ll keep it safe , ” Teresa said sincerely .
Jonathan’s silence stretched before a derisive snort escaped . “ Wasn’t there a rule about who speaks first being the dog ? Well , you spoke first . Guess that makes you the loser . ”
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“ That rule only applied to texts , ” Teresa countered . “ Real life’s a free – for – all . ”
Jonathan stayed perfectly calm . “ One autograph , thirty thousand . Transfer the money first . ”
Teresa gritted her teeth . “ Fine , I’ll send it to you later . ”
Finally , Jonathan took the pen and scrawled his name across what appeared to be adult dimensions , the shirt’s true scale hidden in clever folds ,
He handed the shirt back to her . When he slid it back , his gaze lingered on her figure . The dress made her curves stand out even more .
“ Not bad , wearing this dress , ” Jonathan mused . He’d never seen her in such a fitted dress before . He turned and walked away .
Teresa tucked the T – shirt with Jonathan’s signature into her bag , then turned to find Ivy .
Ivy glanced around and spotted Teresa , waving frantically to call her over .
“ Let’s go . I got the autograph too , ” Teresa said .
“ Huh ? You talked to Kynlee too ? I didn’t see you , ” Ivy said .
“ I was on the other side , so you probably missed me ,” Teresa replied .
“ Alright , ” Ivy said , satisfied with her own signed item . So did Teresa , but with Jonathan’s signature .
On the way home , Teresa didn’t expect to run into an old friend , Sherry .
Sherry was just as surprised , not expecting to see Teresa here in Everport .
She got out of her car , looking Teresa up and down . “ So you’re here ! Oh my god , I thought you’d disappeared . You’re so close to Nareigh . Why not head back there ? ”
Teresa had always concealed that she was from Nareigh , but now there was no point in hiding it anymore . “ So you’re from Nareigh . No wonder I never see your family around , ” Ivy said , looking at Teresa .
Teresa introduced them , “ This is my colleague , Ivy Stewart . And this is my friend , Sherry Roth . ”
Ivy knew that they might have a lot to talk about , so she made her excuses to leave .
Sherry already had her own car , and she was surprised Teresa didn’t have one in Everport . “ I haven’t bought a car . ” She admitted . “ I take Michael to kindergarten by e – bike . It’s only five minutes away . ”
“ Oh wow , Michael’s already in kindergarten ? ” Sherry exclaimed .
Teresa shrugged . “ I can’t be a full – time mom and pay rent . ” So she’d pick up a teaching job at a nearby school , though uncertain how long it would last .
Sherry insisted on seeing Michael , so Teresa took Sherry to her place . The moment they got home , Michael came running over . Sherry greeted him with a big smile . “ Michael , it’s been a while ! You’ve gotten taller . ”
“ Sherry , how come you’re here ? ” Michael asked , eyes wide with curiosity .
Sherry chuckled . “ It’s not just me . Christian is here too . ”
“ Wow ! Where’s Christian ? I haven’t seen him in so long ! ” Michael’s face lit up .