CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 20: PART OF THE PLAY

Mason Rivers had simple demands.

"Find a mall over the weekend where you and I can meet. Let my aunt take a glance, and then we’ll be done."

Poppy Hale mentioned the mall where she and Sean Lynch had planned to meet.

"Alright, I’ll take my daughter there to play over the weekend."

Poppy only agreed after Mason assured her there would be no need for interaction with Mrs. Hawthorne.

After hanging up, Poppy laid on the bed, unable to focus on her painting.

Rain pounded against the window frame.

Poppy’s thoughts wandered.

She had met Mrs. Hawthorne once, back when she was dating Declan Hawthorne.

Poppy didn’t like living on campus, but since her home and the school were in the same district, just a ten-minute drive, Mr. Hale wouldn’t allow her to rent an off-campus apartment.

That day, Poppy learned her parents were out, so she brought Declan home.

After some playful banter in her room, Mrs. Hawthorne video-called him, immediately asking where he was and why the background was pink.

Declan said he was in a pink-themed internet cafe.

Poppy glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

Mrs. Hawthorne looked well-maintained.

Clearly, she lived a life of leisure, never having faced hardship. Her face still exuded innocence and naivety, somewhat skeptical of Declan’s words, and she murmured.

"You’re a boy, liking pink? Isn’t there something odd about that."

Declan hung up the call right then.

Looking back now, Mrs. Hawthorne suspecting something between Declan and Mason Rivers wasn’t a sudden notion.

Perhaps, she had been suspicious all along.

Poppy couldn’t help but chuckle.

The laughter echoed in the cramped room, and she paused, realizing it had been a long time since she laughed.

Since Mr. Hale passed away, every smile from Poppy had been due to Florence Lynch.

Though they had been dating for years, Poppy never met any of Declan’s family.

His friends only knew of their relationship because Poppy was fearless; her persistence became famous across campus, causing quite a stir when they got together.

Declan never wanted to introduce her to his family.

Poppy recalled him saying, "We’re not necessarily going to get married."

She understood.

Declan had never liked her, not even a little, never had.

It was all her wishful thinking, her sordid tactics, living in a fantasy that somehow, throughout those years, Declan had liked her even a bit, or at least got used to her presence.

He was the dazzling star in the sky, the moon hanging high.

Yet, that bit of moonlight never shone upon her.

-

The next day.

Morgan Sloan brought Rachel Rivers to the marketing department. After introductions, he looked over at the team leaders.

Finally, he set his gaze on Poppy Hale.

Young Hale had a good temper, was patient, and worked methodically. Even if she couldn’t mentor Rachel to success, she should prevent any chaos.

Handing Rachel over to Poppy, Morgan swiftly slipped away to return to the secretarial team for work.

Rachel bit her lower lip, standing on her high heels.

Looking at Poppy, she smiled insincerely, "Poppy, where do I sit?"

Poppy didn’t even look up, pointing to the intern area behind, "Find a spot, call me if you need anything."

Her attitude was neither cold nor warm.

Yet, no fault could be found.

Rachel picked a spot and tossed her Hermès bag, causing a loud noise.

Amber Yates couldn’t resist turning her head and clicked her tongue, "I wouldn’t dare slam a bag worth tens of thousands like that. What kind of family is this girl from?"

"You’ve been assigned a little princess; it’s going to be tough."

Poppy gave a wry smile, raising an eyebrow, "Amber, how about consoling me and helping with a report?"

Amber immediately shifted in her chair, sitting back.

"I see you don’t mind it much."

Poppy did mind.

She just didn’t understand why Rachel was placed in the marketing department; Declan should have known.

Was it at his behest?

What was the purpose?

Poppy held her phone, hesitating for a long time, ultimately not sending out the message.

She didn’t want to humiliate herself.

Regardless of whether it was Declan or Rachel, Poppy maintained a professional attitude.

She didn’t make mistakes nor wanted further relations with them.

Rachel spent her afternoon doing makeup or playing games.

Poppy assigned several tasks, but Rachel feigned agreement and didn’t do any of them.

Amber frowned, "This girl doesn’t seem capable of working."

Poppy took a deep breath.

Screenshot, sent to Morgan Sloan.

Then clocked out, leaving work.

Her assigning work with Rachel ignoring them, was Rachel’s issue.

Rachel not doing the tasks didn’t mean Poppy would help complete them for her.

Rachel spent the afternoon complaining to Mason Rivers.

"Why transfer me away? I just want to stay with the secretarial team!"

Mason replied, "Declan is surely considering the company’s interest. Besides, if you like him, isn’t it better to learn more about the company’s operations?"

Mason sent over some money and cajoled her for some time to calm her down.

Raising his head, he saw Poppy had sent over some work requirements.

Rachel had been busy gaming the whole time and hadn’t even looked at what Poppy had arranged.

Who does she think she is to try to instruct her?

Her sole purpose for being here was Declan.

Every time seeing Poppy, Rachel remembered the scenes of her and Declan together back in school.

Poppy was very clingy.

Walking down the street, her body instinctively leaned on Declan’s shoulder, looking conjoined.

Yet Declan didn’t mind.

Walking behind them, Rachel saw Poppy lean in, Declan taking the bag from her hand, naturally placing his other hand around Poppy’s waist.

In front of a puddle, Declan effortlessly lifted Poppy over it like a child.

Rachel frowned.

How does Poppy not even walk?

From ahead, Declan’s voice rang, cool yet warm.

"Didn’t you just buy those shoes? If they get wet, you’ll be a pest again."

Poppy chuckled softly.

The sound was grating to the ears.

Rachel never expected to see this side of Declan.

Watching his arm muscles, when he picked up Poppy, he only exerted slightly more strength. Not sure whether it was Poppy being light or his fitness.

From then on, Rachel thought if only she could be the one Declan was holding, how blessed it would be.

She wouldn’t let go.

Looking up, she noticed everyone had left, only a few colleagues stayed for overtime.

Rachel picked up her bag and left directly.

-

Day after day.

Rachel played games daily, sometimes not even showing up, with Poppy and Morgan briefing each other.

Amber said helplessly, "Not even coming to work? How strong can her backing be?"

Janine, across the table, adjusted the neck massager she wore, "Didn’t you see at the party; she was glued to President Hawthorne? Maybe she’s his woman, just here to experience life."

Amber pursed her lips, feeling a bit sour, "President Hawthorne’s woman, needing to experience life? Took a narrow path there, sister."

Hearing Declan’s name suddenly, Poppy hadn’t reacted yet.

In the past few days, she hadn’t seen Declan at all.

Even delivering documents was through email, avoiding peak meeting hours. Though they worked in the same building, it felt like they were parallel lines.

Never to intersect.

Amber patted Poppy’s shoulder, "It’s really hard on you. We, the working class, still have to be part of the act between President Hawthorne and his girlfriend!"