Falling for my ex’s uncle novel

Chapter 36 Im not ! I insisted , refusing to admit even the slightest trace of fear creeping into my heart .

But after hanging up , my pulse raced , pounding in my chest I really was scared .

Not that I even knew what I was afraid of .

Was Alex planning to publicly acknowledge my identity ? And if not , then why has he invited me to his birthday party ? A wave of irritation washed over me , pushing away any lingering drowsiness .

Unable to suppress my curiosity and the uneasy feeling gnawing at me , I scrolled through my contact list , only to realize that after six years of dating Austin , I didnt even have the phone number of his closest friend .

Austin never liked me getting close to other men not even his friends .

Back then , I had thought it was because he cared about me too much , that he was just the jealous type .

When I first moved to Newton City for work , Austin practically camped outside my office after work every day .

Even if he was too busy to pick me up , he would always call before I got off .

Sometimes , Austin would even surprise me by showing up at my office building with a bouquet of roses , making the other interns at the front desk green with envy .

One of them had once said , Laurel , you landed yourself a rich and handsome guy why are you still slaving away at this company ? If that were me , Id get married and have kids right away .

Why struggle to make a living when what you make in a year isnt even enough for those rich boys to blow in a single night ? I had laughed it off .

Its not that dramatic .

My boyfriend might be rich , but hes serious about life .

Hes not that kind of guy .

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror , I studied my own reflection .

The memory of my younger , more naive self made me chuckle bitterly .

I had been so convinced that Austin was different from the other spoiled rich kids I had known .

Yes , his family had money , but Austin worked hard after college , always returning to the office after our dinners , often staying late into the night .

Yet the next morning , hed still show up at work , looking fresh and full of energy .

God , I was such an idiot .

Austin had just started working at a subsidiary of the Herrera Group theres no way he had that much work .

Even if he did , why would they make the future heir work overtime every other night ? Austin had been lying to me the whole time , hiding behind the excuse that it was all for my good while manipulating me over and over again .

We had applied for jobs at the same time , and I had no idea that the small gaming company that hired me was actually owned by the Herrera Group .

I had been thrilled when I got the offer and had rushed to tell Austin , only to learn that he had been assigned to the same company .

We cant work at the same place .

Austin had told me .

Company policy strictly forbids office relationships .

We dont have to go public ! I had pleaded , eyes full of hope .

The company might have been small , but the salary and benefits were great .

More importantly , I had dreamed of seeing my artwork on the big screen .

Even though it wasnt exactly what I had always envisioned , it was a step in the right direction .

If I could just get my foot in the door , one day , I might be able to start my own studio and turn my passion into a career .

That had always been my dream to do what I loved while building a stable future .

Austin had simply smiled .

Laurel , I cant stand the thought of anyone bullying you .

I had believed him .

Austin had always been protective , always looking out for me .

And I hadnt wanted to complicate his situation at work .

So , in the end , I backed down and gave up the job , settling instead for a position at an architecture firm .

It had nothing to do with my interests , but at least it was somewhat related to my major .

The salary was good enough to make up for the disappointment .

Are you sure youll be okay working at construction sites ? Its dangerous , Austin had asked .

I know I cant make you change jobs again , Austin had sighed , but promise me if it ever gets too much , youll look for something else .

Looking back now , I couldnt believe I hadnt seen through him sooner .

If Austin had cared about me , he wouldnt have let me work in an industry dominated by men .

Construction sites werent exactly the safest places .

But I had been too stupid , believing every word that came out of his mouth .

That ridiculous no office romance rule ? Austin had probably made that up too .

And the one who had played me the worst ? That would be Gavin the CEO of the architecture firm and Austins close friend .

1/2 12:58 Chapter 36 I had worked at that company for three whole years before realizing that Gavin and Austin were friends .

And the reason I had left ? Because Austin had finally discovered where i had been working all those years and suddenly decided that my job was too exhausting for him to bear .

How ridiculous .

If Austin had truly cared , why had it taken him three years to notice ? After hesitating for a moment , I sent Gavin a message .

Then my phone rang almost immediately .

Laurel , how have you been ? Gavins voice was low and slightly hoarse , a familiar sound that carried an unexpected warmth .

We hadnt spoken since I had left the company .

I had even deleted his number .

Austin didnt like me being in contact with his friends , let alone my former boss , Back when I had been desperate to save money for a house , I had worked myself to the bone , surviving on cheap takeout every day .

Gavin had once joked , Laurel , you look so delicate I never thought youd be such a hard worker , I figured you wouldnt even last a month .

But I had lasted .

Not only that , but I had taken on extra work , even doing business development for the company , bringing in major projects .

That was how I had managed to afford my place .

Im good , I replied .

Mr.

Harding , I wanted to ask are you in Nifelheim City ? Gavin replied , Im at the Bluestar Hotel .

Got an invitation from the Herrera Group for tomorrow Alexs birthday party .

Heard you and Austin broke up .

Is that true ? Hearing this , I smiled .

Did Austin tell you that ? Were not just breaking up .

Its over .

I havent talked to Austin in a long time , Gavin admitted .

He paused , then sighed .

Laurel , Austin never deserved you .

You know , he found out where you were working in your second year at my company .

By the way , what do you call me for ? My fingers tightened around my phone , a chill creeping through my chest .

I forced myself to stay calm and asked , Alex has never been the type to throw big parties .

Why now ? He said he has an announcement to make .

Wouldnt tell me what , though .

Seemed pretty secretive about it .

Gavin chuckled lightly , then went quiet for a second .

Does he invite you too ? C 0 Chapter 37