Chapter 53
Jonathan was out with Benny and a few of the guys, raising a glass to another year on his birthday. The laughter and clinking of glasses were a welcome soundtrack compared to the silence of his lonely home.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and when he saw Teresa’s name, a hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. He opened the message: [Boss, happy birthday. If you’re not too proud, come over for some homemade beef ravioli ]
Jonathan quirked an eyebrow thinking to himself Boss What the heck That doesn t sound like Teresa at all But the prospect of homemade beef ravioli was too tempting to pass up
Benny always quick on the uptake leaned over Hey Teresa s got you ravioli on the menu Count me in I m a beef ravioli kind of guy
too.
Jonathan pocketed his phone bluntly saying Teresa didn t invite you
Benny chuckled enjoying the rare sight of Jonathan cracking a smile No worries I can take a hint I ll give Teresa a call and see crash the party Benny said already dialing
Jonathan shook his head, but Benny was already on the line, trying to sweet talk his way into some ravioli
if I can
Benny got through, and in the background, Miriam’s voice could be heard. “Teresa, you’re really only inviting Jonathan to this ravioli feast? What about me? Can I come?” Benny asked.
There was a brief pause from Teresa s end Then she said When did I She suddenly realized something and hurried to her room to check her phone There it was the accidental message Teresa replied helplessly I didn t mean to invite him over for ravioli It was a
mistake.
Hearing this Jonathan who was just about to head out froze in his tracks
Frowning Benny said Today s Jonathan s birthday
I know but what does it matter I m long divorced from him Why would I invite him over I m not losing my mind Teresa replied Looking a bit embarrassed Benny ended the call and turned to Jonathan Well she said
I heard it Jonathan cut Benny off his face a mask of indifference
Seeing that Jonathan was still leaving B
Benny asked Where are you off to
Without a word Jonathan walked away his shoulders slumped in defeat
After ending the call Teresa stormed into Michael s room and pulled him on from under the covers Michael why did you use my phone to send messages I m seriously upset
Michael sniffled looking pitiful I just thought your boss was pretty sad
Teresa narrowed her eyes asking You think he s handsome Wanting him to be your dad
Kind of Michael admitted rubbing the back of his head He was always drawn to good looks and Teresa was not sure where he got it from but even his TV shows had to have good looking actors
Then Teresa said firmly Me and my boss are never happening so don t get any ideas And don t use my phone to send messages again I m changing my password right now
Michael sulked and said You re so stingy
The ravioli were all ready a whopping right y eight of them no way three adults and a kid could eat that many
Teresa barely touched her plate before declaring she was full setting her fork down T m gonna check on the online store Enjoy your meal she said pushing her chair back
Miriam followed suit, her fork clinking against the plate as she put it aside. “Take a break today. We can handle it tomorrow,” she advised
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12:40 PM
53
Can t afford to Teresa replied her mind already on expanding to a physical store We re on a roll We sold five thousand jackets on the platform last night alone Chur brick and mortar store is just around the corner she added
Teresa was plotting her next move, aiming to launch a physical clothing store, but she hadn’t nailed down a location. With the plan to bid farewell to Nareigh, she wasn’t in a hurry to make a choice.
Noticing Teresa s evasiveness Miriam s at beside her and said Benny called me this afternoon He mentioned that Jonathan was celebrating his birthday with a few friends and wouldn t be going home He invited us to join but I declined
Oh Teresa said her gaze dropping and her expression hidden from Miriam
After a moment Miriam said It s only eight o clock You could still wish him a happy birthday I bet he d appreciate it
No way Teresa replied with a tinge of bitterness in her voice We re divorced and he s dating some high society woman She even came to his office today
Miriam s curiosity was piqued as she asked Teresa How did you know such specifics
Teresa said a bit irritably T just found out okay
Miriam sighed and continued But if he s with that woman why is he celebrating his birthday with Benny tonight I don t know much but he invested in your online store That shop is his
Teresa shot Miriam a sharp look who stuck her tongue out He didn t want me to tell you but I think Jonathan s been through a lot especially since he s been making sacrifices for you without any recognition Miriam said
Teresa had been in the dark about the initial 20 thousand dollar investment for the online store coming from Jonathan Now Miriam had spilled the beans
Realizing how Miriam could have come up with so much money Teresa playfully pinched her arm You my best friend have been keeping secrets How many times have you sold me out
“Im always on your side!” Miriam said. “Both Jonathan and I know how proud you are. If we said it was his money from the start, would you accept it? No way. The store wouldn’t have opened, and we wouldn’t be running this operation now,”
Teresa pursed her lips acknowledging Miriam s sympathy for Jonathan who compared to friends who bragged about investing a mere 3 thousand dollars was indeed at a disadvantage by not seeking any credit
At first I thought you two divorced because he had another woman but Benny says he hasn t had any scandals in the past two years Maybe the onlookers see more clearly than the players We all think he still has feelings for you Miriam said
Teresa you re still into him right Miriam probed her eyes holding a hint of insight
Teresa listened quietly the whole time saying nothing
Finally when Miriam took her hand Teresa got up and said TII check if Sherry s done eating and wash the dishes
Miriam knew Teresa was avoiding the conversation Indeed Sherry had finished eating and there were twenty ravioli left As Sherry was about to store them Teresa told her to keep the leftovers
Teresa packed the ravioli into a lunch box and hurriedly left without telling Sherry where she was going
Sherry was puzzled, and Miriam emerged from the room with a smile, saying “She’s probably gone to see her boss”
“Boss” Sherry was even more confused, wondering why both Michael and Miriam mentioned a boss. “Which boss? It’s not Mr. Kotler, our balding department head, is it?”
“No.
Just
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