“I’ll be back soon,” Jonathan told Irene, then hung up. She could hear the clinking of glasses from his end and wondered what kept him busy. Back at the table, Irene covered for him. “He’s just been swamped with work,” she said with a smile. “He’s been to Everport, then Jarisburg, and now he’s stuck on the highway. He should be here any minute.”
Hayden spoke up, “No need to wait for him. Let’s just eat and drink. No need to stand on ceremony.”
Jonathan encountered some trouble on his way back, causing a delay. He arrived at the restaurant after dinner had begun. Hayden tapped him with his cane, but Jonathan didn’t offer an explanation.
“Jonathan, you’re here,” Werner said, glancing over.
Jonathan greeted Werner and Cathy. Irene approached, wanting to help him remove his coat, but he frowned slightly. He could manage it himself. Irene gestured for him to sit beside her, but instead of sitting with Irene and Cathy, Jonathan chose the seat next to Donald and then took off his coat. Donald greeted him. Jonathan saw the warmth and happiness on Donald’s face—a look he himself used to have before the divorce.
“Things going well with Teresa’s sister?” Jonathan asked.
“Yeah, things are pretty good,” Donald replied, rubbing his nose shyly. Jonathan didn’t press further; his gaze was full of blessing, but also a touch of regret for himself. Werner turned to Jonathan. “What have you been busy with lately? I heard you spent some time in Everport.”
“I’ll have to go back again in a few days,” Jonathan replied.
“You’re always so busy, seldom having a moment’s rest. Take care of your health,” Werner said.
“Got it, Uncle.” Jonathan stood to pour his uncle a drink, making up for missing Werner’s birthday last time.
While Jonathan and Werner were having drinks, Donald received a message from Jennifer. He opened his phone—a long WhatsApp voice message, which he converted to text:
Jennifer: [I saw Teresa’s ex-husband having dinner with our hospital director today. Be honest with me—did Jonathan pull some strings to get me promoted to deputy department head? If that’s the case, I’ll resign right away.]
Donald’s grip on his phone tightened. He glanced at Jonathan, suddenly realizing why Jonathan had barely touched his fork during dinner.
It wasn’t the right time to ask, so Donald waited until the meal was over. As they walked out side-by-side, he finally turned to Jonathan and asked quietly. Jonathan frowned and said, “Sort of. Why are you asking about this all of a sudden?”
Donald knew Jonathan well enough to read between the lines—if Jonathan was being vague, it meant it was true. “Jennifer saw you having dinner with her hospital director. She messaged me about it, wanting to know the truth.”
“That was a while ago. I did it for Teresa. I just didn’t want her to have a hard time at work,” Jonathan said. “Don’t overthink it.”
“I get it. Thanks, Jonathan,” Donald replied.
Jonathan patted Donald’s arm reassuringly, then turned and walked away.
Jennifer had been anxiously awaiting an answer. She’d always wondered why—she wasn’t old enough for a deputy senior position, but the department head, citing her talent, transferred her to the biggest hospital in Nareigh and even made her deputy head of the gynecology department. If someone had pulled strings for her, then everything would make sense.
When Donald returned to the hospital, Jennifer confronted him. “Was it Jonathan who helped me get this job?”
Donald knew she wouldn’t believe him if he denied it, so he finally admitted, “It was me. I asked him to help.”
Jennifer frowned. “What?”
Donald licked his lips and lied, “I asked Jonathan for help before. I was worried you’d go to Shaville and never come back.”