Samuel sent the message to Jeffrey.


    Jeffrey replied just like before: [Before you start ying matchmaker, look into the guy’s character, his family situation, and how serious he is about rtionships. Make sure he’s really into your mom.]


    Seeing that response, Samuel felt even more messed up.


    What’s really going on between Dad and Mom?‘ Samuel wondered.


    ‘Is he seriously asking me to y matchmaker?‘ Samuel thought, feeling even more confused.


    “Guess you don’t love Mom as much as you im,” Samuel muttered as he took a different path. “You moved on pretty quickly after the divorce.”


    Jeffrey gazed out the massive floor–to–ceiling window.


    ‘If I hadn’t promised Reba, I never would have let her go, he thought to himself.


    ‘Since I can never interfere in her life again, the least I can do is respect every choice she and Samuel make, he told himself.


    With that in mind, Jeffrey quickly pulled himself together, shot back a short reply, and got back to work: [Go to bed early.]


    Samuel couldn’t hide theplicated feelings on his face.


    ‘Dad’s acting so weirdtely, Samuel grumbled inwardly. ‘If the piano tutor wasn’ting tomorrow, I’d fly straight back to Jsburg just to have a real talk with him.’


    That night, none of the three of them got any real sleep.


    Rebay awake until dawn, Jeffrey pulled an all–nighter, and Samuel didn’t finally drift off until two or three in the morning.


    The next morning, Reba and Samuel came down for breakfast, both unable to stop yawning. When Amelia saw the state they were in, she teased, “Did you two sneak outst night and leave me behind?”


    Reba and Samuel shared a nce.


    ‘Like we could tell her we lost sleep because we were thinking about Dad, Samuel thought, and Reba pretty much echoed the sentiment in her head.


    “Should I let your piano teacher know not toe today?” Amelia joked, seeing how wiped out Samuel looked. “You definitely deserve to catch up on sleep.”


    Samuel perked up and looked at Reba, puppy–eyed. “Is that okay?”


    “Of course,” Reba said warmly, not making a big deal out of it. “I’ll just let the tutor know and make it up to


    14:17 Wed, Oct 8 *


    themter


    407


    “So. would it be okay if I skipped the rest of my tutoring this week?” Samuel askerl, his voice tentative “Fren the extracurricr cera


    Reba stopped for a second, a little taken aback.


    Amelia blinked, surprised by the request.


    Samuel scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. T’m thinking of heading back to jsburg for the holiday to grab a few things.”


    With those words, Reba immediately got what he was really after.


    Truth was, Samuel just wanted a chance to see Jeffrey again.


    If it were really just about grabbing his stuff, he would’ve had Jeffrey mail it over without a second thought.


    “Sure,” Reba nodded, never one to deny Samuel. “When do you want to go? I’ll get the tickets<b>. </b>


    Samuel thought it over for a moment. “This afternoon.”


    “Alright,” Reba agreed.


    Samuel nced at her phone screen. “Mom?”


    Reba was still booking the tickets. “Yeah?”


    “Just have Mr. Mason take me back,” Samuel said, thinking back to what Dad saidst night and figuring there must be some kind of arrangement between them. “I’ll have Dad pick me up at the airport.”


    Reba paused for a moment, weighing it in her mind, then nodded. “Alright.”


    That afternoon, Reba apanied Samuel and Mark Mason to the airport.


    She considered calling Jeffrey, but ended up phoning Gregory instead.


    “Ms. Jensen, Gregory answered almost instantly.


    “Samuel will be arriving at Jsburg International Airport in two hours. Can you have someone pick him up?” Reba exined. “If anythinges up, just let me know.”


    Gregory instinctively nced over at Jeffrey, who was still chewing out a bunch of executives.


    “Is this a bad time?” Reba asked.


    “No, not at all,” Gregory replied quickly, then couldn’t help but ask, “Just wondering, why didn’t you tell Mr. Hanson yourself?”


    ‘Honestly, Gregory really wished Reba and Jeffrey would just get back together, he thought.


    “I don’t have his number,” Reba said, just making up an excuse.


    <b>79 </b>


    10 vouchers.


    “Alright, I’ll let Mr. Hanson know,” Gregory replied, not pressing her for details. “Anyone elseing with


    Samuel?”


    “Mark Mason will be with him. He’ll drop Samuel off to you guys and head right back,” Reba exined, keeping it clear. “Just make sure you pick up Samuel.”


    “Understood,” Gregory said.


    As soon as the call hung up, Gregory’s heart started pounding–he was seriously nervous.


    He was supposed to get the day off, but these guys just had to step right into Jeffrey’s bad side. Not only did they bomb the tasks assignedst month, they even got outsmarted by Stephen Hanson himself.


    “Gregory, can you say something nice for us?” one of them pleaded, looking totally desperate.


    “We seriously had no idea that was all Mr. Stephen Hanson’s setup,” another added.


    “We promise it won’t happen again, alright?” a third one begged.


    The guys standing close pulled Gregory aside, whispering anxiously, just wanting the scolding to end.


    “Sorry, there’s nothing I can do,” Gregory replied, never one to bend the rules for anyone. “Mr. Hanson hasn’t kicked you out yet–that’s just because you guys go way back.”


    Everyone looked like they wanted to say something, but just couldn’t find the words.


    They knew they’d really messed up this time, but…


    Gregory stepped past them and leaned in close to Jeffrey, keeping his voice low. “Ms. Jensen just called. Samuel will be at the airport in two hours. She wants us to pick him up.”


    Jeffrey paused for a moment, then gave the order. “You handle it.”


    “Got it,” Gregory replied, heading off to get the car ready.


    Once Gregory was gone, Jeffrey’s cold stare swept over the group, the intensity making it hard to even breathe. “I’m giving you one chance to redeem yourselves. When the holiday’s over, I expect results.”


    “Understood,” they all replied, some finally releasing the nervous breath they’d been holding.


    Jeffrey stood up and strode out; even the air felt colder after he passed.


    The executives stood frozen, barely daring to breathe until Jeffrey disappeared from sight. Only then did the tension finally ease up.


    “If it weren’t for Gregory, we’d seriously be done for,” one of them muttered.


    “Oh, please! You two are the ones who caused this mess! If you hadn’t fallen for Stephen Hanson’s trap, I wouldn’t have had my holiday ruined,” another snapped.


    “Like you guys didn’t mess up too, someone else shot track.


    Seriously, knock it off. Right now, what matters is cleaning up our mess, another interrupted.


    What do you think Gregory said to Mr. Hanson to finally get him to let up on us?” someone asked.


    They just looked at each other and shrugged.


    Like any of them would know the answer to that.


    After leaving the conference room, Jeffrey and Gregory headed straight for the airport. The whole ride. Jeffrey stayed silent, and the reality hit him even harder–Reba was purposefully keeping her distance. refusing even the simplest contact.


    She’d rather go through Gregory than send him a message herself.


    “Mr. Hanson, Gregory said, feeling a draft of cold air behind him. He made himself speak, just to ease the <fn0997> ?????? ???? fι?dnοvel</fn0997>


    tension.


    Jeffrey nced up.


    Gregory suggested, “How about you head home and get some rest? We can pick up Samuel for you. Pulling an all–nighter like that isn’t good for your health–you’ll wear yourself out.”


    “I’m fine,” Jeffrey said, already knowing full well why Samuel wanted toe. He could practically guess what was on the kid’s mind.


    Gregory swallowed his words before they left his mouth.


    He knew there was no way he’d be able to talk Jeffrey out of it.


    Two hourster, Samuel met up with Jeffrey.


    Samuel met up with Jeffrey.


    Spotting how drained Jeffrey looked, Samuel couldn’t help blurting out, “Mr. Hanson, you look rough! Did you sneak outst night to see someone or something?”


    Gregory, sitting in the passenger seat, was totally stunned.


    Barry, behind the wheel, was just as shocked.


    “If I was out hooking up with someone, then what on earth were you doing to end up with those panda eyes?” Jeffrey shot back, never one to coddle his son.


    Samuel just blinked at him, those big round eyes full of innocence.


    Jeffrey’s voice turned yful. “Can’t evene up with an answer, huh?”


    Samuel answered, seriously and without missing a beat, “I was secretly missing you.”