Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Mind The Business That Pays You

The office building was quiet as Ivy stepped out into the evening air. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a cool breeze that tousled her neatly pinned hair.

She exhaled, feeling the tension of a long day begin to ease as she approached her car.

That was when she noticed him. This annoying Hunter again. She mused with a shake of her head.

Hunter stood near his car, leaning against the hood with his arms crossed. His posture was casual, but there was a nervous energy about him, as if he had been pacing moments before.

Ivy paused, her brows knitting in confusion. What is he still doing here? Most of his colleagues had left an hour ago, and yet here he was, hovering like a restless shadow.

Was it to tell her he sent the flowers? Probably that was why he hadn’t called her all morning fishing for gratitude.

“Hunter?” she called out, amusement lacing her voice. “What are you still doing here? It’s way past closing time.”

Hunter straightened, his expression betraying a flicker of unease before he forced a lopsided grin. “I was waiting for you.”

Ivy’s eyebrows shot up. “Waiting for me?” she echoed, folding her arms across her chest. “I don’t recall asking you to wait up for me.”

Hunter scratched the back of his neck, clearly searching for the right words. “Well, I thought—”

Ivy held up a hand, cutting him off. “Don’t,” she said firmly, her tone tinged with exasperation. “Whatever it is you’re about to say, just don’t.”

Hunter frowned, stepping closer. “What do you think I’m about to say?”

She let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, come on, Hunter. You’re not fooling anyone. Did you really think I wouldn’t figure it out?” she asked while giving him a look that said she wasn’t a fool.

Hunter blinked, genuinely confused now. “Figure what out?” he asked looking at her.

Was she in any way referring to the real reason he was working there? Does she know the truth? He mused and then discarded the thought.

She doesn’t. If she did, it would be his resignation letter telling him that not Ivy herself.

Ivy’s lips curved into a knowing smirk, and she tilted her head, studying him. “The real reason you applied to work here at Frenchies and Fries,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.

Hunter heart skipped a beat when he heard that. What had she found out? He mused, his heart beating fast.

Seeing his nervous reaction, Ivy scoffed. “What did you think? That I wouldn’t notice you trying to get close to me? That I wouldn’t put two and two together and realize this is all about your ego? It’s why you sent me the flowers, isn’t it?”

“My ego?” Hunter repeated, looking more flustered by the second.

Was that all she knew?

“Don’t play dumb, Hunter,” Ivy said, her eyes narrowing. “You’re here because I turned you down, and your fragile little pride couldn’t handle it. So, what was the plan? Get a job here, charm your way into my good graces by sending me flowers, and then prove no woman says no to Hunter Stone?” Ivy asked with a cocked brow.

Hunter’s jaw dropped slightly, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected her to piece it together so quickly.

She’s sharper than I gave her credit for, he thought, a reluctant admiration stirring within him. But even as her words hit uncomfortably close to home, he couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

She was smart but obviously not smart enough if she couldn’t figured out the other reason I’m here.

Finally, he let out a small sigh and raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, you got me,” he admitted, his voice softer now. “When I first applied here, I won’t lie—it was partly because of you.”

Ivy arched a brow, clearly unimpressed. “Partly?”

“Yes,” he continued, taking a cautious step forward, “Partly because it’s not the sole reason why I’m here. If it’s just to get you, I can do it without having to work here.”

She folded her arms tighter, skepticism etched into every line of her face. “Oh, really? Enlighten me, then. What was the other reason?”

Hunter hesitated, his usual cocky demeanor faltering. “Because, I needed a job. I thought I could play the other game while I’m here but after knowing your kind of person, I couldn’t bring myself to play games anymore,” he said slowly, as if choosing his words carefully.

“My kind of person? You don’t know me….”

“I asked around. Everyone is saying the same thing about you, Ivy. And from our own little encounters, I’ve come to realize something about you. That you’re smart, determined, and beautiful. You’re everything I thought you were—and more. And despite everything, I still want to get to know you, for myself. Not as a conquest or some… revenge scheme. But, just as a person.”

For a brief moment, something flickered in Ivy’s eyes—surprise, maybe even curiosity—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. She shook her head, her expression hardening once more.

“Well, it’s too bad you’re not my kind of person, Hunter. I don’t want to get to know you,” she said, her voice cool and clipped. “And the sooner you realize that, the better off you’ll be.”

Hunter opened his mouth to protest, but Ivy cut him off with a sharp glare.

“Take my advice,” she continued. “Focus on your job. Mind the business that pays you and leave me out of whatever game you’re playing. I won’t tolerate this behavior again.”

Her words were a slap to the face, and Hunter felt the sting of rejection settle in his chest. For once, he didn’t have a witty comeback or a confident retort. He could only stand there, stunned, as she turned on her heel and walked away to the cab already waiting for her.

The sound of her heels clicking against the pavement faded into the night, leaving Hunter alone in the parking lot. He stared after her, a mixture of frustration and admiration swirling in his mind.

She’s tougher than I thought, he mused, a small, rueful smile tugging at his lips. But this isn’t over, Ivy. Not by a long shot.