Chapter 180 Let Me Think About It
It had been six days past the New Year. Everyone had spent more than enough time with friends and family.
It was going to be all hands on deck starting tomorrow. Jacob had organized a team–building exercise for the staff at the workshop that would take place at a golf course.
They had originally planned on going mountain climbing. But after days of snow, the roads had become slippery. There were also a few workshop staff that were getting on in years.
It led to a unanimous decision to switch to golf, a less intense sport. Those who didn’t enjoy playing golf could go on a leisurely walk. Calista hadn’t expected to run into Paul and Cade there.
Both men were dressed in sportswear and seemed to have only just left the golf course. Sweat still beaded their foreheads. Paul noticed her first.
“What a coincidence, Calista. Here to golf?”
“The workshop is having a team–building event,” she replied.
Paul figured she had just arrived due to how neat she appeared. He jerked his chin to gesture toward the golf course.
“How about a game?”
Calista wasn’t particularly interested in golf and shook her head to decline his offer. Meanwhile, Cade wiped the sweat off his forehead with a towel.
“I have to go. I’m visiting the Yorksworth family today.”
His mention of the Yorksworth family had Calista recalling the incident back in the mountains
that day.
Lucian claimed that the idea of setting off fireworks was something Cade had come up with to
woo a girl. Her ex–husband was testing it out for him.
Not wanting a repeat of a situation like that again, she stopped Cade.
“Mr. Carter.‘
“1
Cade nodded at her.
1/5
+15 BONUS
“Can I help you?”
“Every woman reacts differently when it comes to courtship. What moves me might not necessarily work for Ms Yorksworth. If you have any ideas, you should just go for it.”
Cade was a smart man. Lucian’s words had been nonsensical at best, and he never brought it up again. But now, Calista’s words helped roughly piece together the sequence of events.
He raised a brow and smirked.
“May I ask how Lucian tried to court you?”
Calista didn’t think Lucian was trying to court her, but she couldn’t be bothered to explain either. All she wanted was for Cade to not come up with more bad ideas to test on others.
“Setting off fireworks.”
Cade smiled. He couldn’t be bothered to offer Lucian, who had grown up alongside him, any dignity. He outright revealed the truth.
“I’m sorry. I don’t stoop that low to court a girl. Considering how the two of you were married, you should take him to a doctor, Ms. Everhart. If he gets any worse, nothing will cure him.”
She was rendered speechless. Cade seemed to be in a hurry. After speaking, he nodded at her and walked away. Paul chuckled.
“You don’t know Cameron Yorksworth, Calista. Even if Cade set off fireworks, she’d probably stuff them into his mouth and laugh while making him swallow them.”
Calista initially had her suspicions. To her, Lucian was not one to lie. But since Paul confirmed it, it must be true.
Paul glanced at his wristwatch; it was no longer the one that Lucian had given him.
‘How about dinner tonight?”
She turned him down.
No, thank you. The company already arranged today’s team building event.”
Calista knew he had feelings for her. But, she had no intention of cozying up to anyone. That’s why she wanted to keep their interactions to a minimum to avoid any misunderstanding.
2/5
+15 BONUS
Podded and didn’t insist on it.
He glanced behind her and said. “Your coworker seems to be looking for you. You should go *
The team Pulding event ended in the afternoon. The group who usually only worked in the office
were so exhausted that they wanted nothing more than to lie down where they stood.
Jacob had planned for everyone to get dinner before disbanding. But everyone wanted to go home
and rest
Calista hadn’t parked her car near her coworkers. After bidding them farewell, she turned to leave
only to run into Paul again.
Paul had changed out of his sportswear into his usual attire consisting of a deep gray coat, white
shirt, and black trousers. He looked proper and refined. He walked up to her.
“I have something to discuss with you. Since you have time, would you like to have dinner
together?”
“What do you want to discuss?”
He should’ve left with Cade after chatting with him that morning. She couldn’t think of anything
going on between them. What could be so important for him to wait all day to speak with her?
The CrossTime project.”
Calista was confused. She had heard that it was a project of artificial attractions.
The tentative plan was to build a large–scale tourist attraction featuring historical architecture
beginning from the Celestial Dynasty and spanning several periods up to the modern era.
Construction had yet to begin. Only the land had been secured. The advertising campaign had also
been launched. However, Calista didn’t understand what the project had to do with her.
“The project belongs to the Baker family. I’m the one currently in charge. I’d like to talk to you
about possibly hiring you as a designer for this project,” Paul said.
“I don’t know anything about architecture. You should hire professionals to design them for you.
I’m just an amateur. What if I get the numbers wrong and everything collapses?”
“We have professional architects for the structural aspects. You’ll only be responsible for the
decor both indoors and outdoors. As you know, this project involves many eras. Most people would
only get one or two of said eras at most. If we hire too many people, conflicts are likely to arise.
3/5
+15 BONUS
Paul paused.
“If possible, I hope to have it opened to the public on National Day in October next year. We need to save as such time as possible in the initial design phase.”
Calista was not expecting Paul to come to her on official business. It took her some time to digest what she was hearing.
“I’m sorry. I still have to stay with Justa for a few months. I don’t think I have the time nor the
energy…”
“Please think it over, Calista. This job doesn’t require you to be in the office. You can schedule meetings and discussions at your own time. Upon the project’s completion, you’ll get a design fee of 200,000 dollars. Fees for any additional work after will be negotiated separately.”
Her refusal seemed to die in her throat. She was still millions in debt. Buying a home was still part of the plan. There were her expenses to consider too. She was in dire need of money.
Paul continued, “You can receive an advance. Take it as my pledge to you.”
He made his intentions known. He admitted that his methods were underhanded. He knew Calista needed the money and was highly likely to say yes.
Offering an advance was a precautionary measure against any unexpected changes and sweetened the deal. But Calista didn’t immediately agree to it.
“Let me think it over, Paul.”
“Alright. Give me a call once you’ve made up your mind. I’ll have the lawyers draw up a contract.”
Paul could see that she didn’t want to join him for dinner and didn’t push it. They bid their
farewells and left.
She didn’t return to her apartment. Instead, she went to see Yara at her home.
The New Year was a time when friends who weren’t particularly close would get together. But, the
two of them, who were the best of friends, hadn’t met up at all.
Yara’s family had prepared a vegan feast that day. Days of indulging in nothing but meat were
enough to make her ill. Calista poured herself a glass of wine.
“I got a job offer today. I haven’t decided if I want to take it up.”
4/5
+15 BONUS
“What’s the pay being offered? Just say no if they don’t pay well.”
Yara knew Calista was financially strained. But, the latter was working at Justa during the day and moonlighting during the night.
Having another job on her plate would mean she would be working three jobs every day. No one was that hardy.
