Chapter 63
still getting used to his own change of heart when Yasir dialed him up.
Hayden was still
“Let’s hit the pub! The usual hangout.” Yasir said, a guy who could never go a day without a drink. He didn’t usually bug Hayden, but tonight, after hearing about the dinner party, he figured Hayden could use a drink to take the edge off.
“Yvonne passed out,” Hayden said, the words just slipping out
Yasir’s initial reaction was a shrug. Not that he was cold, but over the years, Hayden had never shown much interest in Yvonne. He thought Hayslen would hardly notice if Yvonne wasn’t around,
He was puzzled why Hayden was bailing on drinks now that Yvonne had fainted. Yasir’s gut feeling told him there was something going on between the two of them.
“Yvonne fainted” I’m coming over!” Yasir said with urgency in his voice
Hayden was about to say no, but the line went dead. He tossed his phone onto the couch and found his gaze drifting upstairs, wondering, “What am I supposed to do with you, Yvonne?
Forty minutes later, Yasir showed up at Rosy House with a bottle in hand.
Hayden had been living there since tying the knot; all their buddies knew the place. But Hayden used to be a rare sight here, and now it seemed like he was practically living there.
It was late, and Yasir didn’t think it was the best time to check on Yvonne, so he got Hayden to join him for a drink
On the cherry wood counter, two crystal glasses caught the light from the chandelier, casting a rainbow glow that slowly highlighted Hayden’s ruggedly handsome face. In the dim light, he seemed to have an air of melancholy about him.
Yasir poured him some brandy. “What happened to her? She was fine last time I saw her,” he said. He remembered Yvonne being so full of life and making Hayden’s temples pulse with irritation. Now, just a few days later, she had fainted
Hayden lifted the glass with one hand and took a small sip before giving him a quick rundown of recent event
Yasir’s eyes bulged. “You’re telling me Yvonne almost got killed by Nevin, and then she saved him?” If it had been him, he would have found a way to get back at Nevin. Yvonne seemed either incredibly foolish or genuinely good–hearted.
Hayden nodded slowly, and then out of the blue, he asked. “Do you think Yvonne’s different now? He’d never mentioned this to anyone. If Yasir hadn’t shown up unatnounced tonight, he probably wouldn’t have brought it up.
Yasir looked at Hayden intently, propping his chin on one hand, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “She is different. Yvonne used to be all about “Hayden this” and “Hayden that, always tagging along after you. Now… Yasir trailed off.
Hayden’s gaze hardened, and he said in a cool tone, “Finish your thought.”
Yasir grinned, surprised that something could actually make Hayden anxious. And to top it off, it had to do with Yvonne.
“Yvonne just doesn’t seem that into you anymore, Yasir said, keeping it real.
The moment his words hit the air, a clear annoyance flashed in Hayden’s deep–set eyes. The vibe got chilly all of a sudden. Yasar couldn’t help but shiver and quickly rubbed his arms,
Feeling Hayden’s glare burning a hole through him, Yasir quickly added, “Maybe it’s a new trick she’s learned… Playing hard to get! Yeah, she’s probably trying to reel you back in with this
If Yvonne were to come downstairs and hear this, she’d probably be so mad she’d spit blood on the spot.
The irritation in Hayden’s eyes faded a bit, and he looked at Yasir with a seriousness that made him feel exposed, “Really?”
That look made Yasir extremely uneasy, he wasn’t sure himself. Yvonne had indeed changed a lot and seemed less enthusiastic about Hayden.
Usually, after something reached its peak, it had to dip. Yvonne’s love for Hayden had been burning hot for so many years; it was about time it cooled down. But he didn’t dare tell Hayden that because his eyes were too piercing
“Come on, think about how much Yvonne was into you. She pleaded with her grandpa for three days straight just to get hitched to you! Where else
1/2
Ad–Free Reading
2/2
Chapter 63
can you find that kind of gurs in regular folks?” Yasir said, trying to sway Hayden,
Hayden did fall into thought at these words. Afraid Hayden would figure out the loopholes, Yasir quickly changed the subject. “Enough about Yvonne. How come you’ve been so concerned about her lately? What about Ms. Charlotte? Did you take her to the dinner tonight!”
Yasir had initially thought Hayden was into Joanna. But seeing how concerned Hayden was about Yvonne now, he hesitated.
He wondered why Hayden had taken Joanna to the dinner if he didn’t like her. After much thought, Yasir still couldn’t figure out who his buddy really liked
Hayden’s expression darkened. He took Joanna there because of Yvonne’s provocation. He felt Yvonne deliberately wanted him to take Joanna, so he fulfilled her wish
Yasir waited for a long time without an answer f
from Hayden and couldn’t hold back his curiosity. “How did you meet Ms. Charlotte?”
Hayden took a sip of his drink before saying, “I had a car accident abroad and was unconscious, and she took care of me
“And here I didn’t know that! So you’re paying her back?” Yasir was somewhat shocked, but he quickly put the pieces together
He had always wondered why Hayden would be interested in Joanna, who wasn’t as pretty or as fit as Yvonne. It turned out there was a debt of gratitude involved.
Hayden didn’t respond, and Yasir added, “Paying back a favor and liking someone are two different things; you’ve got to keep them separate.
He knew his buddy well. As a child, Hayden was weak and sickly, and the Parker family, fearing he wouldn’t survive, had specially sought out a master from the church for a rosary bracelet that he wore for over a decade.
Since then, Hayden had truly become like a celibate, not getting close to any women. Speaking of which, Yasir noticed Hayden’s wrists. Both were harc–no bracelets or watches on either.
Yasir was so shocked that he could hardly speak, and after a while, he reacted by jumping up “Your rosary bracelet! Where is it?” This was as strange as a fairy tale.
Seeing his reaction, Hayden wearily raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. It broke, so I stopped wearing it.” It wasn’t a big deal; he didn’t care, but everyone around him was making a fuss.
“Broke?” Yasir continued to look at Hayden in shock, muttering. “When did this happen! Didn’t you say that the master from the church said the rosary bracelet was to protect your life! How have you been feeling lately! Are you okay!“
Estio Check-
