Chapter 449 William and Hayden (50)
One of Finn's assistants was indeed pregnant and would be going on maternity leave in three months.
This meant that her position would need to be temporarily filled.
Nico took care of all these arrangements and even selected a candidate that Hayden would approve of.
With his influence, Nico had no trouble managing everything.
Hayden was very pleased with the person Nico had chosen.
With Nico as a dependable partner to work with, Hayden could momentarily put aside her family concerns and fully embrace everything Southern had to offer. Besides academics and internships, William became her main focus.
Nevertheless, despite the countless intimate encounters with William, becoming closer than ever, Hayden still insisted on not spending nights at William's place, nor did she ever bring William back to her own house.
For a whole month, Hayden was happy with William, but when she got a call from Finn, she got worried. Finn hadn't checked on her while she was in Southern. She feared he might know about her and William.
She didn't want to answer Finn's call. However, if he already knew about her and William, not answering could make things worse. If she did respond, at least she would know whether he was aware of the relationship.
After a moment of hesitation, Hayden grabbed her phone and walked out of the office.
In the department director's office, William stopped talking with Catherine when he saw Hayden quickly leaving with her phone. A slight shadow passed over his eyes, but he kept his expression unchanged.
Catherine noticed the fleeting change in William's gaze and smiled, but she chose not to comment.
Once outside in the empty rooftop garden, Hayden finally answered the call but remained silent at first.
"Hayden, are you in Southern with a man named William?" Finn's voice sounded accusatory right from the start.
Hayden's breath became tense, and panic surged from the depths of her heart. Despite this, she forced herself to remain calm and replied with a counter-question, "Dad, where did you hear that I am with William?"
"You're seen with him often, and you practically go to his apartment every day, don't you?" Finn's tone grew angry.
Making an effort to sound composed, Hayden let out a forced, cool laugh, "I frequently hang out with William because he is not only a senior from my business school but also my immediate supervisor at the internship. And as for going to his apartment, Dad, I think you're mistaken. I go to Jasper's apartment. Don't you know that William lives right across from Jasper?"
"Jasper?!" Finn's voice revealed his confusion, "Why are you going to Jasper's place?"
"Jasper is now my boyfriend. Is there something wrong with visiting him?" Hayden said, her voice sounding stronger and more assertive than she felt.
"Feelings? You barely even know him!" Finn exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice. "Hayden, this is ridiculous. You're throwing away everything we had planned together."
Hayden sighed, her voice tinged with sadness. "Finn, I understand that this is not what we had initially planned, but sometimes life takes unexpected turns. I can't ignore my heart and pretend to be someone I'm not just to satisfy other people's expectations."
"But what about us, Hayden?" Finn pleaded. "We've been together for years. Do you remember our dreams? Our future?"
"Yes, I remember," Hayden replied softly, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "But sometimes dreams change. People change. We can't hold onto something that no longer feels right. I need to pursue my own happiness, even if it means upsetting others."
Finn fell silent, the weight of their conversation sinking in. It was clear that Hayden had made up her mind, and no amount of persuasion would change it. "Fine," Finn finally muttered. "If this is what you truly want, then go ahead. But don't expect me to stick around and watch you make a mistake."
Hayden felt a pang in her heart at Finn's words, but she realized she couldn't sacrifice her happiness for others. She took a deep breath to steady herself. "I'm sorry, Finn. I never wanted to hurt you. But I have to follow my heart, even if it means facing the consequences."
The conversation concluded. Both Hayden and Finn understood that their lives were heading in different directions, deviating from their original plans together. It was a bittersweet realization, yet Hayden recognized it was essential for her personal growth and happiness.
William: [Hey babe, what’s up? Wanna grab dinner tonight?]
Hayden smiled at the message. This secret relationship may be worth it, after all.
William: [What's going on?]
Hayden: [Not much, just chatting.]
After sending the reply, a thought struck her, and she immediately searched for Jasper's number and called him.
"Hey Hayden, did you finally remember to call me today?" The phone rang three times before Jasper's teasing voice came through.
"How about we have dinner together later?" Hayden didn't waste time and got straight to the point.
"You're inviting me to dinner?!" Jasper's voice sounded incredulous from the other end of the line.
Beside him, Michelle overheard the conversation and glanced at him but quickly looked away after a glance.
"Okay, I'll be right there," Hayden replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Walking toward the parking lot, Hayden felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Tonight's dinner would be a pivotal moment in her relationship with William. Though they had been friends for years, their dynamic had recently changed.
They had become closer, spending more time together outside of work, and their conversations had become deeper and more intimate. Hayden couldn't ignore the fluttering in her heart whenever she saw William or the way his eyes lingered on her during their conversations.
But tonight, Hayden had decided to take a leap of faith and reveal her true feelings. She couldn't bear the thought of keeping them hidden any longer. As she approached the car, she took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
William watched her as she got into the car, his eyes filled with warmth and curiosity. He had been picking up on Hayden's subtle hints and signals, and he couldn't deny his growing feelings for her, too. He wanted to make tonight memorable, to show her just how special she was to him.
As they made their way to the restaurant, their conversation flowed easily. They laughed, reminisced, and shared their dreams and aspirations. Hayden couldn't help but notice William's eyes sparkle when he talked about his passion for writing or his voice softened when he spoke about his family.
The restaurant was dimly lit, creating an intimate atmosphere that seemed to match their energy perfectly. They were seated at a cozy corner table, which gave them privacy amidst the bustling crowd. Hayden felt her palms grow sweaty, her nerves threatening to take over.
As the evening went on, Hayden realized that William shared her feelings. He looked at her with a mix of affection and longing, and his touch lingered whenever their hands brushed. It was a silent exchange of feelings and desires, and both Hayden and William knew it was time to take a leap.
As they finished their meal, Hayden mustered the courage to speak her heart. She looked into William's eyes, her voice steady but vulnerable.
"I...I have something to tell you," she started, her voice barely a whisper. "I've been feeling this way for a while now, and I can't keep it hidden any longer. William, I'm in love with you."
Time seemed to freeze as the words hung in the air, the noise of the restaurant fading into the background. William's eyes widened, and his expression was a mix of shock and delight.
"And I...I love you too, Hayden," he finally managed to say, his voice filled with emotion. "I've been waiting for the right moment to tell you."
At that moment, Hayden knew that her leap of faith had been worth it. They had crossed the line from friendship to something more, and she couldn't wait to see where their journey would take them.
Leaving the restaurant hand in hand, Hayden couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led them to this moment— from colleagues to friends and now lovers. It had been a path marked by uncertainty and doubt, but ultimately, love had triumphed over everything.
Walking into the night, their hearts full and their futures connected, Hayden couldn't help but feel thankful for the strength of love and the bravery to take a chance.
