Chapter 268
Chapter 267
Gemma’s POV
The last slice of bread lands on the plate, a little lopsided, and I press it down with my thumb. I took Cassian half an hour to make five of the ugliest sandwiches I have ever seen.
The bread is crumpled at the corners, the fillings bulging out one side and suspiciously thin on the other.
The tap of a cane on the tile floor makes me look up to find Grandpa standing there, his sharp eyes scanning the counter. They land on the sandwiches: one has cheese oozing out from all sides like a melted accident. Another is squashed flat, as if it’s been sat on.
They are, to put it kindly, an eyesore.
Grandpa raises his cane and gives Cassian’s knee a light tap. “You brat! Weren’t you supposed to be good at at least one thing!? You spent all this time in the kitchen and only made five?”
Cassian awkwardly scratches the back of his head, and a faint dusting of flour puffs from his hair. “But there are five, right?”
He offers, a hopeful, lopsided grin on his face. “My performance is still passable.”
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“Passable? They look like you made them with your feet!”
+2 Bonus
He scoffs, and this time, the cane swings with more force, hitting Cassian’s thigh with a solid thwack.
“Ow! Grandpa!”
“Serves you right,” Grandpa grumbles, but gestures for us to sit on the couch. I carry the plate of salvageable sandwiches, the ones I made, and set it on the low table.
Grandpa settles into his armchair, his gaze thoughtful. After a moment, he says, “Next week, isn’t the Opal Group holding a press conference?”
The Opal Group. The name sends a little jolt through me, I’ve been hoping for an invitation.
Cassian just blinks in surprise. “I suppose so.”
He glances pointedly at Cassian’s right hand, which is still held a little stiffly. “Is your hand useless? Or is your brain not receiving memos anymore?”
Cassian chokes, his face flushing. The doctor said a few more days of rest, and it’ll be fine.”
“Oh, if it’s not broken, then tomorrow you’ll return to Blackwell Airlines to resume work.” Grandpa’s tone brokers no argument.
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“Grandpa, I can’t fly a plane with my hand like this!”
Cassian protests, a note of genuine concern in his voice.
+2 Bonus
“Who asked you to fly a plane?” Grandpa glares at him. “Don’t you have other things to do at the company without you flying? Paperwork? Meetings? Or have you forgotten how to do anything but sit in a cockpit?”
Cassian looks properly disciplined, his shoulders slumping. “Yes, Grandpa.”
“After you pick up the invitation from the Opal Group…” Grandpa continues, his eyes shifting to me, “bring Gemma with you next week. Gemma is currently working at Dream International’s Entertainment division, right? It’s good to have her meet those people, at least she will make some contacts in the new industry.”
My heart gives a little leap. This is it. This is my chance to get face–to–face with the Opal Group’s decision–makers. Maybe I can finally pitch my collaboration project.
Cassian glances at me, and seeing my calm expression, he breathes a sigh of relief. “Got it, Grandpa. Gemma and I will be there on time that day.”
Grandpa gives him a long, sidelong glance. “Hmm. And if you bring any shady characters along again, you’ll see how I deal with you!”
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