Page 118 of The Hallows Queen

While I’m thankful I’ve had the opportunity to know him in a different way, there’re still parts of me that are resentful for the way he treated me growing up.

So, while my father spends his last days on this earth in a state of catatonia after a massive coronary, I sit and wait.

Running into Penelope yesterday was a lucky mistake, like stars aligning – my assistant ordered me dinner from California and gave me the address to pick it up. I certainly didn’t know I would find the past staring at me over the counter.

I haven’t done much over the last four years to get over Penelope. I don’t think I’ve wanted to face the reality that I was supposed to. My love for her simply just moved to the back of my mind, burning like a never-ending candle that made me feel warm when I turned to face it. But seeing her again… everything came rushing back like I was some eighteen-year-old kid again. Everything I felt for her back then, it’s still there, and it’s been awoken in me like time hasn’t passed at all.

The sound of the many machines keeping my father alive start to give me a headache by noon, and my ass is killing me from the uncomfortable armchair that has become my bed, so I decide to check into a hotel to freshen up.

I don’t think I’m ready to see my childhood home yet, especially not by myself… I’ll leave that for when I have my friends here with me. Maybe it won’t trigger me that way.

After a shower, I sit down on the floor of my balcony and stretch my body. My therapist has me doing yoga to decrease stress, and part of me hates that something so easy works so well to calm my mind. While I run through my usual poses, I call my assistant to check in, putting the phone on speaker next to me.

“Yes, Hayden?” Serena answers, her tone playful.

“Update me,” I say, stretching to touch my toes.

“No. Focus on your father.”

“You work for me, you know?” I say, a slight roll to my eyes.

“Yes, and part of my job is to make sure you stay sane. Everything is fine here, and in New York too. You aren’t missed.” She ends the sentence with a chuckle because she knows her words will piss me off. Serena was the first candidate I interviewed for the position of my assistant – it just felt like she would fit well with my personality. I didn’t need to meet anyone else; I had a feeling about her, and so far, that feeling has been right.

She knows how to deal with how stubborn and demanding I am. I’m not sure of her personal background. I’ve been uninterested in getting to know anyone beyond a professional relationship in years, but whatever shit she’s been through in her life, it made her someone who’s capable of dealing with my shitty attitude.

“Keeping me sane isnotpart of your job, Serena. How is Levi doing?” I snip.

“He’s doing fine, just like you trained him to.” She sighs. “Focus on your father, Hayden. Work will be here when you’re ready to return.”

Sitting up, I grab the phone. “Remind me to give you a raise when I get back, Serena.”

“I’ll put a note in your calendar.” She laughs. “Call if you need anything, Hayden. I’ll be at the office late.”

“Will do.” I hang up, walking back inside my hotel room.

I need to decide on a plan for my time in Luxington. Mainly, I need to figure out how I’m going to get back into Penelope’s good graces.

Decide on funeral, sell house, tell family, win my girl back– in no particular order.

I shoot Logan a text as I walk into the bathroom, giving her peace of mind that I’m okay, then I text Levi to check in. He’s worked with me since college graduation, and he’s doing great, but since I’m the acting CEO, there are things he can’t do without me.

While I think over my plan for Penelope, I take a blazing hot shower to ease my nerves.

I know her, and I know the ways to get her heart, but after everything I’ve put her through, it’s going to be tricky – especially since she’s engaged to someone else.

By the time I’m done in the shower, I’ve decided to hunt down her fiancé.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I call Serena again.

“Yessss?” she answers.

“Must you always sound so annoyed to hear from me?” I ask, chuckling.

She laughs. “What do you need, Hayden?”

“I need you to find someone for me.” I stare at myself in the mirror, wondering if this is a good idea.

“Okay, hit me.”

---