Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

I thought, ‘Messed up? How bad can it be?”

Staying chill, I asked, “Okay, slow down. What’s going on?”

Demi said the lights didn’t match the design specs at all. Either the lights from the manufacturer were junk, or there was a problem with the installation.

“Look, you know what might be causing it, so just call the right people to fix it. Even if I were there, that’s all I’d do,” I replied, trying to keep things calm.

“Keira, please come back. I can’t handle this alone. And I don’t know what’s gotten into Mr. Johnston lately. He’s been coming to the amusement park ev

Thinking about the message Jace sent me, I wondered if he was deliberately causing trouble for Demi to pressure me.

After all these years together, he knew me well. He knew I had a soft heart and couldn’t stand seeing others suffer because of me.

“Handle it for now,” I said, still not agreeing to go back.

It wasn’t that I was being heartless, letting Demi handle everything. I wanted her to step up and take on more responsibility. You only grow by learning an

I was thinking about leaving the company, which would mean a promotion opportunity for her. She needed to be ready for it.

“Keira, I can’t deal with this by myself. The lighting is the heart of the whole amusement park,” Demi kept begging.

I thought for a few seconds. “Send me a detailed report on the issues. When you’re on– site, call me. It’d be best to turn on all the lights at night so I can see what’s going on.”

Demi seemed to understand I wasn’t coming back. She said, “Keira, I know you don’t want to face Mr. Johnston right now. If it wasn’t absolutely necessa I wouldn’t be asking.”

She paused for a moment. “I’ve got your back.”

Those words warmed my heart, even though there was still a hint of sadness lingering.

“Just follow my instructions for now,” I said, hanging up. Then I opened my email to check out the amusement park’s lighting design plans and effect ren

That night, Demi video–called me. “Keira, I’m at the site. All the lights are on. How do you wanna check it out?”

I looked at the video but could only see bits and pieces of the lighting. “Head to the highest point in the park. I need to see the overall effect first. Then, g

okay, hold on,” Demi said. The video wobbled, and I could hear her running.

15 BONUS

After a few steps, she suddenly stopped, and I heard her say, “Mr. Johnston, what brings you here?”

“Why are you running?” Jace’s familiar, cool voice cut through.

My grip on the phone tightened, and my heart started racing.

Even though he left me with so many scars, a decade of feelings for him couldn’t just disappear overnight. Jace, even his voice, still got to me.

I wondered if Demi would mention she was talking to me. What would Jace say? Would he grab the phone and talk to me?

“I need to find a high spot to shoot some videos,” Demi told Jace.

Jace didn’t respond right away. After a moment, he just said, “Okay,” and I heard his footsteps walking

away.

“Keira, I didn’t tell him it was you. I was worried he might want to talk to you. I figured you wouldn’t want that,” Demi said thoughtfully.

I let out a self–mocking laugh. “You nailed it.”

“Hehe, I

w you’d think that way. I’d feel the same in your shoes,” Demi said as she kept running and then got on the Ferris wheel.

P

ப

S

Demi had taken the video from the highest point. Through it, I saw the amusement park all lit up. It didn’t look too bad, but the base color of the lights wa

Originally, the lights were supposed to be a gradient of blue, like the ocean at night turning into dawn. Now, it was just a solid blue– a deep, heavy blue.

Sure, the color was rich, but it lacked soul.

“Demi, this is the overall view. Any idea if it’s a construction issue or a problem with the lighting supplier?” I asked. “Have you talked to both parties? Wha

“The construction team insists they followed the specs, and the manufacturer says the lights meet our requirements. No one’s admitting fault, so I’m tota

“Keira, please come back. I can’t handle this alone, and I know you don’t want this kind of mess for

you’ve put so much effort into, Demi pleaded again.

the amusement pa

“Okay, I’ll come back,” I agreed this time without hesitation.

After ending the call, I booked a flight. Not long after, Demi sent me some detailed aerial footage, and it was clear the problems were serious.

Early the next morning. I packed my bags for my nine o’clock flight.

“Keira, you’re up so early. Yoga again?” Macy asked when she saw me.

For the past few days, I’d been practicing yoga in the yard, and Macy always warned me not to hurt myself.

I

“No, I’m leaving.” I said, walking up to her.

Macy was stunned, then muttered, “But you said you’d stay longer.”

“There’s a problem with a project at my company that I need to handle. Once it’s sorted out, I might come back to visit you,” I said, though I wasn’t makin

I’d be leaving Jace’s company, but I still needed to work to support myself.

“Go ahead, everyone leaves eventually. Except for me, who can’t go anywhere,” she said, and her words hit me right in the feels.

Then a bold idea sparked in my mind. “Why don’t you come with me?”

“You want to take me with you?” Macy was surprised.

“Yeah, come see the bustling city of Seavora,” I said with a smile, genuinely excited at the thought Over the past few days, she’d started feeling like a grandma to me. This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Macy just shook her head. “I can’t go. I’m too old, my legs are weak, and I’d only slow you “You wouldn’t be a burden, Macy. Please, just for a few days,

down.”

She gave me a soft look. “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m staying here. If you ever have time, come

back and visit.”

Her words made my eyes sting with emotion.

I hugged her tight. “Macy, I’ll miss you.”

*Miss me? You should be thinking about Hayden. He’s such a good guy, and you drove him away,” Macy said, breaking my moment of sentimentality.

‘Did Hayden leave because I rejected him? Because don’t like him that way?”

Before I could say anything. Macy patted my hand. “Keira, Hayden is a good guy. Think it over.”

“Alright,” I agreed.