Return to Gao Manor

Hailey elegantly parked her car in front of the "Jade Blossom Café," its stylish lettering gleaming on a polished metal sign above the entrance. The café's exterior boasted a modern aesthetic, featuring clean lines and expansive glass windows that offered glimpses of the plush interior.

Tall glass panels framed in brushed steel adorned the façade, creating an inviting entrance, while a row of designer lanterns illuminated the pathway with a soft, warm glow. Stepping out of her car, Hailey, dressed in a simple yet elegant white knee-length gown, her hair neatly tied into a ponytail, closed the car door and made her way down the polished marble tiles leading to the entrance, each step resonating with a distinct click of her heels.

Upon opening the glass door, Hailey entered the haven within. The interior, softly lit by stylish pendant lights, exuded an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Meticulously arranged plush chairs and sophisticated tables invited patrons to unwind in comfort. The air carried the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, harmonizing with the smooth jazz playing softly in the background.

Behind a sleek counter adorned with gleaming espresso machines, a barista, clad in a trendy uniform, skillfully crafted the aromatic beverages. The menu, elegantly presented on digital screens, showcased a diverse selection of artisanal coffees and gourmet pastries, each item promising a twist on classic flavors.

Hailey surveyed the cafe, and her gaze finally settled on Mason with his back turned towards her. He wore a fitted black shirt and trousers, sitting alone at the far end by the window where sunlight filtered through, casting a gentle glow. Sipping his coffee, Mason ran his hands through his short ash-brown curls that tousled onto his forehead. An irresistible urge tempted Hailey to run her fingers through his hair and pull it out from his head, but she shook off the distraction, refocusing on the task at hand.

Taking a deep breath, she approached Mason with determination. Her chin held high, she arrived at his table. Mason sensed her presence, turning away from the window to meet her eyes. A polite smile adorned his face, mirrored by a strained one on Hailey's lips. Seating herself across from him, she stared at him, contemplating, 'Let's see his reaction when I suggest this.' Clearing his throat, Mason broke the silence, "It's been a while since we came here together like this."

Hailey responded with fake cheerfulness, "Yeah, it has."

He inquired after a moment, "Do you want to order something?"

Hailey shook her head, her gaze fixed on his face. "I don't want anything. I just wanted to see your face again and suggest we should end this break. It's only been six months since I went on a business trip."

Mason nodded slowly, his demeanor shifting. "Oh... yes, about that."

Leaning in, Hailey rested her arm on the table, getting to the heart of the matter. "Or did you break the promise you made to me? Did you start seeing another girl behind my back when you clearly promised to wait for me?" Her voice, unintentionally aggressive, reflected her impatience with being second-guessed and her lack of tolerance for games.

His expression darkened slightly, but he quickly regained composure. "No, it's nothing like that. Actually, I called you here to tell you that we can't be in a relationship anymore, and you should stop calling and texting me... it's becoming annoying, really."

'From the polite facade to a rude one... I gotta hand it to you, Mason, you surely know how to enrage me.'

Hailey frowned, her eyes narrowed, and her jaw clenched. She refrained from responding for a full minute as she tried to control herself, taking a deep breath. Finally, Hailey stood up abruptly and uttered, "Go fuck yourself, Mason!" She turned away from the man and stormed off.

Before exiting the cafe, she paused for a moment to look back at him, observing him sitting motionless in shock. She turned away sharply, slammed the door behind her, and hastened to her car, her heels clacking against the pavement. Once inside her car, she didn't bother locking the doors. Starting up the engine, she sped off down the road.

The need to cry gnawed at her, but no tears formed in her eyes. Hailey gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as she pressed on the acceleration pedal. The speedometer climbed over 60 mph, making her car growl like a wolf as it shot forward. The wind tousled her long hair across her face as the car sped down the highway with reckless abandon.

As the cityscape blurred past her, Hailey's mind raced with a mix of anger, disappointment, and frustration. The echoes of Mason's words reverberated in her head, each one a painful reminder of the unraveling relationship. The rhythmic thud of the road beneath her provided a steady beat to her thoughts, a soundtrack to the tumultuous emotions swirling within. The once-familiar streets seemed to pass by in a haze, mirroring the confusion in her mind.

Deep within the confines of her car, Hailey wrestled with conflicting emotions. She questioned the abruptness of Mason's decision, grappling with a sense of betrayal and hurt. The speed of the passing scenery matched the intensity of her thoughts, as the highway stretched before her.

***

The next morning ,

Hailey was seated at the head of the long conference table, an aura of determination radiating from her. Her body maintained a rigid posture, fists clenched at her sides, as she glared at each director and team leader in the company. Her intense gaze finally settled on the projector screen, where the latest presentation had just concluded. The room, filled with directors and team leaders, seemed frozen in time, their attention fixated on their respective laptop screens. The silence lingered until Hailey raised her eyebrows impatiently, prompting everyone to snap out of their daze.

As she surveyed the room, Hailey broke the silence, "I will approve that approach for the latest development in the expansion of our company's products." A brief pause ensued before she continued, "However, I'd like to discuss some crucial points about this proposal. We've thoroughly considered the costs and benefits of the expansion. To move forward, we'll consolidate all resources into one project with the main goal of achieving a 20 percent increase in productivity for a smooth expansion. This means investing our capital and putting in extra effort for better results. We're also initiating a significant collaboration with our competitors, aiming for a groundbreaking success. Successfully navigating this venture is key to substantial profit growth over the next three years. If anyone questions the importance of investing in our projects, please share your perspective."

A heavy blanket of silence settled over the room, each participant exchanging uncertain glances, searching for an escape from the tense impasse.

"Okay, if you're going to sit there and pretend that I said nothing, then I will leave," Hailey declared, abruptly standing, ready to turn and depart. The team leader, stationed next to the projector, sighed and raised her hand, "I apologize for not explaining my thoughts properly, Ms. Gao, regarding the feasibility of the proposed project."

Returning to her seat, Hailey prompted, "Yes?"

"Well, I feel that the company should shift its focus to new products. The product development team is equipped to handle the substantial workload required for these innovations. Allocating a significant portion of our profits to external projects poses a risk. We cannot afford the possibility of a competitor buying us out, hindering our ability to develop new products on the same scale."

"That makes perfect sense to me. If you believe this is a great idea, I am okay with this," Hailey affirmed, noting the visible relief on everyone's faces. "However, you will have to prepare a draft report for us, outlining the proposal and how it will affect our existing products. You'll have two weeks to submit your report to me. Any questions?"

The team leader nodded, bowing in acknowledgment, and then turned to address the other board members.

"Let's adjourn for today. Dismissed," she added, rising from her seat. The others stood and bowed as Hailey exited. Slowly, the room began to empty out after Hailey's departure.

As Hailey made her way to her office, Julie approached her.

"How was the meeting?" Julie inquired, quickly catching up to Hailey.

"Normal, I'm just glad it's over. The meeting itself wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," Hailey replied, offering an ambiguous smile.

"I'm glad," Julie nodded, pulling out her phone. "Madam Gao called, and she wanted to see you."

Hailey, showing signs of weariness, sighed, "It's only been two weeks, and she's calling me again. When did she call?"

"About 30 minutes ago. She said to meet at her house," Julie responded, handing over her phone to Hailey.

"Okay," Hailey agreed, taking the phone. "Let's go."