Invitation.

Two days had passed, and Hailey was seated in her office, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. Her hands clenched into tight fists, untouched by any object, not even a pen. She sat there in a state of contemplation, replaying the events of that day in her mind. The memories were vivid, as if they had transpired only yesterday.

"I don't understand," Hailey murmured to herself, a quiet whisper escaping her lips. "How did that happen?" Lost in her thoughts, she remained seated, fixated on the blank expanse above.

As Hailey lingered in her introspection, her phone abruptly interrupted the silence, buzzing incessantly on her desk. Acting almost on autopilot, she reached for it, not giving much conscious thought, and answered the call without glancing at the Caller ID. The device pressed against her ear, the voice on the other end spoke before she could utter a word.

"Hey, Hailey. It's been a while since we last spoke. Can we meet? I have something important to say," a male voice inquired from the other end.

Hailey lowered her phone, eyeing the Caller ID that displayed 'Mason.' A cascade of thoughts flooded her mind, wondering about the unexpected call. 'Why is he reaching out now?' she pondered as she brought the device back to her ear. There was a moment of hesitation before Mason resumed speaking.

"I know this is sudden, and you don't want to talk to me ..." A sigh escaped him, his words tinged with urgency. "I understand this might feel unnecessary, but please, hear me out. There's something I need to speak to you about. Please, Hailey, it is important," he pleaded, the desperation evident in his tone.

Hailey felt a conflict within herself. 'I really don't have time for this, and I don't want to hear whatever he has to tell me, but should I meet him?' she questioned silently. After a brief pause, she conceded, "Okay," her agreement causing a palpable sense of relief in Mason's response.

"Great," he replied eagerly. "I'll come to your workplace. Let's have coffee," he suggested with enthusiasm. Hailey's brows furrowed slightly in puzzlement. "Look, Mason... I don't have time for coffee. Just come here, say whatever you want, and leave," she stated with a hint of frustration in her tone, ending the call.

Hailey gingerly set her phone on the desk, the final beep signaling the end of the call. A heavy sigh escaped her as she pinched the bridge of her nose, sinking back into her chair. Fatigue weighed on her, and she couldn't help but question, "Why does he suddenly want to talk to me?"

Her gaze drifted back to the ceiling, triggering a recollection of Javin's revelation about Eliza's marriage. A subtle smirk played on Hailey's lips as she reminisced about the scene, and she chuckled darkly, muttering softly to herself, "It must be about that."

The moment of amusement swiftly dissipated as memories of the anonymous number, revealing Mason's alleged infidelity with Eliza, resurfaced in her mind. Hailey, driven by a mix of curiosity and concern, picked up her phone and delved into her messages. With a few taps, she located the anonymous message and observed its contents.

Staring at the number displayed, she tapped the call button, bringing the device to her ear. It rang persistently until a female voice declared, "This number is currently unavailable." Hailey listened to the robotic tone, a 'click' resonating immediately after the automated message ceased.

'I guess I won't be able to track this number,' she mused, tossing her phone aside once again. Rubbing her forehead, a sense of frustration crept in as she closed her eyes tightly, taking in a deep breath in an attempt to quell the storm of emotions within her. Determined to maintain composure, she decided to redirect her focus to the work at hand.

After a while, a knock echoed through her office, disrupting the uneasy calm. "Come in," she called out, her voice a measured tone.

The door swung open, revealing Mason with a strained smile playing on his lips. He entered, closing the door behind him, and offered an apology. "Sorry, I'm late. I got stuck in traffic," he explained.

"I didn't ask," Hailey responded curtly, a coldness in her tone that reflected her lingering resentment. Mason nodded, sensing the palpable tension, and settled into one of the couches in the office.

Attempting to steer the conversation, he awkwardly asked, "So, how have you been?" Hailey's eyebrows furrowed, and her face contorted into an irritated expression. The audacity of Mason to inquire about her well-being after the betrayal she had uncovered left her incredulous.

Suppressing the surge of emotions, Hailey took a deep breath, summoning a forced smile as she replied, "I've been doing fine." The silence that followed grew heavy, the unspoken tension hanging in the air.

Mason, acutely aware of the charged atmosphere, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His gaze remained fixed on the coffee table, the weight of their unresolved past looming over them. Summoning courage, he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "How's everything..."

Before Mason could complete his sentence,"that's enough bullshit," Hailey snapped angrily, cutting him off mid-sentence. Her biting tone and frustration-laden words made it clear she had little patience for pleasantries. "Can you please get to the point?" she demanded, fiery intensity blazing in her eyes. "You're wasting my time, and as you can see, I'm a very busy lady."

The weight of her words lingered in the air, the ensuing silence pregnant with anticipation. Mason's shoulders slumped, a defeated expression settling onto his face. He had expected her anger, the palpable resentment she harbored toward him.

"I... I understand," he stammered, meeting her gaze. "I apologize for wasting your time." Hailey, leaning back in her chair, maintained a tight cross of her arms, her guarded stance a shield against the emotions surging within.

Nodding with a deep breath to steady himself, Mason reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small envelope, stood up, and approached her table. Placing the envelope gently in front of Hailey, he pushed it towards her without breaking eye contact.

"This is for you," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "It's an invitation to my wedding. And I want you to be there."

Hailey's gaze shifted between the envelope and Mason. A knowing smile curled on her lips as she pondered, 'I knew it... He wanted to invite me. What shall I do now? Should I accept it, or maybe I shouldn't?'