Chapter 10 Chapter 10

Christopher readily agreed to the invitation, his shyness gradually melting away as they chatted.

'You can call me Chris, Miss Kellan.' He spoke with genuine curiosity about Elodie, his voice hushed as he asked, 'Is it true...what they say about your return to Northstar?'

Elodie met his gaze, finding no need for secrecy. 'Yes,' she confirmed, 'I'm coming back as CEO and Chairwoman.'

Christopher's eyes widened. 'You look so...young,' he blurted out, instantly blushing at his own audacity.

A small smile played on Elodie's lips. 'You mean, inexperienced?'

He stammered an apology, flustered by his lack of tact.

'It's fine,' Elodie reassured him. She knew she would be met with scepticism and doubt when she took the helm. Age and experience would be used as weapons against her.

But she was ready. She saw in Christopher's unassuming demeanour a potential ally. 'How long have you been with Northstar?'

'Five years.'

'Then you knew my parents,' Elodie said, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes.

He nodded. 'Only from afar. I was just a clerk back then, and didn't really get the chance to speak with them. But they seemed very kind, both Mr and Mrs Fontaine.'

Elodie felt a warmth spread through her. Talking to someone who had memories of her parents, even brief ones, brought a sense of comfort.

'How about this,' she proposed, an idea forming in her mind. 'Once I become CEO, would you be interested in working for me?'

Christopher hesitated, his gaze darting towards the financial statements he held. 'But Mr Coltrane...'

'I'll talk to him,' she said. 'That is, of course, if you're interested.'

He took a deep breath. 'I would be,' he finally admitted. 'But I need some time to think it through.'

'Of course. Take all the time you need. Just know that I'm determined to take Northstar to new heights. And with me, you'll have plenty of opportunities to be involved in big projects.'

Christopher hesitated briefly again, then with a steely resolve in his eyes, he said, 'I'm in.'

***

The receptionist's eyes widened as Selene sauntered into the lobby of Kellan Hospitality Group.

'Hello,' she chirped. 'I'm Selene, Dashiell's girlfriend. Is he available?'

The receptionist, taken aback by the sudden declaration, stammered for a moment. 'I'll, ah, I'll check.'

A minute later, Selene was ushered into Dashiell's office. He looked up from his work, a smile breaking out on his face. 'What a surprise. What brings you here?'

Selene beamed, her smile stretching impossibly wide. 'I thought you might be getting hungry,' she announced, unveiling a veritable feast from a large, decorative basket. Inside, nestled in a bed of colourful napkins, were several Tupperware containers filled with an assortment of dishes: heart-shaped cookies, intricately decorated cupcakes, and a small, steaming casserole.

Dashiell was impressed. 'You didn't have to do all this.'

'Nonsense!' Selene dismissed his gratitude with a wave of her hand. 'I love cooking for you. It's the least I can do for my hardworking boyfriend.'

As Dashiell picked up a cupcake, Selene perched on the edge of his desk, a casual smile playing on her lips. 'Guess what? My friend just got engaged!'

Dashiell paused mid-bite. 'That's fantastic. Congratulations to them.'

'Right?' Selene gushed. 'They're planning a wedding in two months! It'll be so fun to celebrate their love.'

A beat of silence fell between them. Dashiell forced another bite of the cupcake down his throat, the sugary sweetness coating his tongue like thick syrup. He winced slightly at the intensity of the flavour, his taste buds already yearning for something savoury to counteract the cloying sweetness.

'Would you like to come with me to the wedding?' Selene asked, her voice as sweet as the cupcake.

Dashiell met her gaze, his mind racing.

'I'm not sure,' he managed, 'I have quite a bit on my plate at work right now, and-'

Selene quickly cut him off, her smile never faltering. 'No worries at all! I completely understand. It's just...it would be nice to share this occasion with someone special, you know?'

She cast him a playful wink, her tone hinting at something more than just a casual invitation. 'It's all happening so fast.' Her voice was laced with a touch of envy. 'Two months! Can you believe it? They just got engaged a few days ago.'

Dashiell offered a noncommittal sound as he forced down another bite, the sugary onslaught coating his tongue like a dentist's nightmare. His taste buds screamed in protest. He imagined his teeth dissolving in a sugary syrup, his internal organs morphing into candy corn.

'Isn't it wonderful?' Selene pressed. 'To find someone who shares your life, who values commitment, who...' she trailed off, her gaze drifting towards Dashiell.

Then, with a practised sigh, she added, 'My mother is constantly asking me about my wedding plans. She keeps reminding me of the importance of finding a stable partner, someone to build a life with.'

Dashiell nodded vaguely as Selene painted a picture of her dream wedding, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Beneath the saccharine sounds of Selene's dream wedding, a discordant note resonated within Dashiell. Was this truly what he desired? A picture-perfect life painted with buttercream frosting and bridal lace? The doubt gnawed at him.

As Selene's words faded into the background, a different image rose in his mind, vivid and raw. Elodie's face, an unflappable mask of calm, materialised before him. He saw himself, pale and sweat-drenched, grasping the parallel bars, his knuckles white with exertion. The pain in his legs was a searing inferno, each tentative step a victory against unimaginable odds.

The heat of the therapy room, the grit of the exercise mats, the sting of tears - all these came rushing back. He felt the ghost of Elodie's hand in his, a warm anchor in the storm of his pain. Every time he faltered, she was there, a silent force, catching him before he fell. He remembered the quiet strength in her gaze, the approving nod as he took another step forward.

Dashiell instinctively touched his thigh, the faint ache a tangible reminder of the accident and the arduous journey he'd undertaken. Each pang felt like a thread connecting him to her.

He looked at Selene, her eyes sparkling with the joy of her imagined wedding, and a question echoed in the silence: would she have done the same? Would she have endured the countless hours of therapy, the agonising pain, the uncertainty of his future?

He didn't have the answer.

The question lingered, a persistent burr lodged in the gears of his mind, refusing to be dislodged.