Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Excuses

Ivy sat in her office, her desk strewn with files, her laptop open to a page filled with menus and ingredient lists.

She had spent the past two weeks searching for a replacement chef for her restaurant, but the process had been grueling.

Most applicants didn’t meet her high standards, and a few hadn’t even shown up for their interviews. The frustration was starting to get to her.

But today was different. Finally, someone had applied, and her secretary, Selena, had assured her that this candidate seemed promising, seeing as he had proven his culinary skills in the kitchen.

Ivy glanced at the clock—there were still ten minutes until the scheduled oral interview.

To pass the time, she picked up her phone and decided to call Emma.

“Hey, Em,” Ivy greeted when Emma picked up. “How’s everything going on your end?”

“I’m alright,” Emma replied, and Ivy frowned when she heard the weariness in Emma’s voice.

“Are you sure? Why do you sound worried?” Ivy asked in a worried tone, and Emma sighed.

“I don’t know. I just feel sad for saying what I said to Alex,” Emma said, and Ivy frowned.

“What did you say to him?” Ivy asked, and even though Emma had not told her about the arrangement before, she decided to confide it all to Ivy.

“Oh, Em, you shouldn’t have said all that to him. Besides, didn’t you just say it was mutual? Why did you have to tell him all that?” Ivy asked, and Emma sighed.

“I don’t know. I just think I sort of got carried away by everything happening lately. I don’t want him to keep getting dragged in my and Jake’s fight,” Emma said in a worried tone.

“How? You are both in this fight. Jake is the one fighting you two, not the other way around. If you’re both to survive this, you have to fight together, Em, not fighting each other…..”

“I know, but what if he falls for me in the process? He’s already caring too much than he should,” Emma cut in.

“So what? You’re both adults, and I’m sure he knows very much what he wants. If it’s you, then why should he care about what other people would say?”

“But I was married to Jake. It’s makes everything complicated,” Emma said worriedly.

“I understand your concern, but everything you’ve said is just an excuse. It’s not even been half a year, and you’re worried. You deserve him as much as he deserves you, even though you’re Jake’s ex-wife. He knows this, and he doesn’t care. What am I even saying? He has told you he’s in love with you yet, so why are you worried? Are you already in love with him?” Ivy asked, and Emma sighed.

“I don’t know. I just…. want to stop it from ever happening,” Emma said, and Ivy nodded even though Emma couldn’t see her.

“I understand. How about you keep an open mind and let everything flow naturally? If you both fall helplessly in love, then you will marry him. But if he falls for you at the end of this, but you don’t feel the same way, then feel free to cut it off. How about that?” Ivy asked, and Emma pressed her lips together as she considered it.

“Are you sure about that?” Emma asked, not sure if it was the right advice.

“Yeah. I am. Just keep an open mind,” she said with a smile.

“If you say so,” Emma said, deciding to take Ivy’s advice.

Things might not turn out as she thought since she didn’t even know if he would fall for her. Besides, he had sounded quite upset about losing his fiancée, so maybe she was just overthinking.

But if she wasn’t, then she was just going to fight for it. He was a good man, and if she let someone as good as Alex go because of Jake, then that was on her.

“Remember to apologize to him for saying all you did. You hurt him,” Ivy said, and Emma sighed, recalling how he had left for work without bothering to check on her.

“I know that much. Thanks for giving me a listening ear,” Emma said, and Ivy waved it off.

“Maybe if I weren’t in such a good mood, I probably would’ve gotten angry at you for keeping your marriage away from me,” Ivy said with mock annoyance.

“I’m sorry I kept it away from you. Didn’t know how much I could tell you. But I know better now,” Emma said apologetically.

Ivy nodded, “Fair enough. I forgive you.”

“Thanks. So, what’s up? Why are you in a good mood?” Emma asked curiously.

Ivy chuckled, the mild excitement in her tone becoming more evident. “Well, after two long weeks of hunting, someone finally applied for the chef position at the restaurant.”

Emma laughed softly. “That’s great news! I hope this one works out.”

“It has to,” Ivy said, leaning back in her chair. “At this point, as long as he can cook decently, I don’t care if he passes the interview with flying colors or just scrapes by. I’m desperate, Em.”

Emma smiled on her end of the line. “Let’s hope he’s a good fit, then. You deserve a break after all the stress.”

“Thanks,” Ivy said, her voice softening. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

After a bit more light conversation, Ivy ended the call, feeling a little more relaxed. She placed her phone on the desk and was about to go over the menu plans again when Selena appeared at the door, a clipboard in hand.

“The candidate just finished preparing his special dish,” Selena said, her tone professional but cheerful. “He’s ready for the oral interview.”

“Perfect,” Ivy said, sitting up straight and smoothing her blazer. “Bring him in.”

Selena nodded and disappeared down the hallway. Ivy adjusted her chair and prepared to meet the mystery chef.

When the door opened again, Ivy looked up, her polite smile ready to greet the new candidate. But as soon as her eyes landed on the man walking in, her expression froze.

It was him—the fool from the mall.