Chapter 4: Intersections in the Workplace
Teresa was determined to keep Michael a secret from Jonathan. Discovering their son would almost certainly ignite a bitter custody battle.
She took a steadying breath, her words measured. "Not necessary," she stated firmly.
Jonathan's grin soured. "Got it. Two years since we split, and now I'm not even worthy of your airspace?"
Teresa frowned in frustration as she tried to explain. "What are you getting at? I told Benny that because—"
"I'm not interested in the details," Jonathan interjected sharply.
With a dismissive wave, Teresa ended the conversation. "Mr. Lynn, I'm not here to justify myself. I wish you all the success in the world, and let's keep our distance, as usual."
The words "keep our distance" hit Jonathan hard, a painful echo of his first night back in Nareigh after their divorce.
"Loud and clear," Jonathan ground out, his voice tight. He sped away, leaving Teresa in a cloud of dust.
Teresa entered her quiet home, the click of the light switch echoing in the stillness. Michael wasn't there. Oddly, she felt relieved.
Her phone buzzed. It was Miriam. "Mike's out cold. You're off the hook tonight; he's crashing at my place."
Teresa's voice was edged with suspicion. "Miriam, did you set this up?"
Miriam sounded genuinely offended. "What? No way! I wasn't setting you up."
"But Jonathan was at the party," Teresa accused. "You told me he'd be a no-show, but there he was."
Miriam hesitated. "Benny said Jonathan might swing by. I didn't think he'd actually make it…"
"Benny's way out of line, trying to play matchmaker. I don't understand what he's after," Teresa grumbled.
Miriam's voice held disbelief. "You two can't work it out? Jonathan's incredibly successful now."
Miriam lowered her voice. "And get this—Benny mentioned Jonathan's been single for two years. Sounds like he still has feelings for you."
The revelation stunned Teresa. She'd assumed Jonathan would have reconnected with Yvonne. The prospect of remarriage conjured the stalemate of their past and the exhaustion that had worn them down. The very thought of being with him again was unsettling.
After a long silence, Teresa spoke, her tone resolute. "We're not rewriting history. We've taken different paths, and we're not on the same page anymore."
She continued, "Two years have passed, and that's how it will stay—we're passing ships, not destined to dock again."
Miriam sighed, her voice offering support. "All right, follow your heart. No matter what, I'm in your corner." The words warmed Teresa.
Teresa left her son in Miriam's capable care, grateful for her friend's flexibility. Her job in media operations had its perks, but the pay was barely enough to make ends meet.
Teresa was realizing that even the most desirable jobs had significant downsides. After two grueling years, she was at her breaking point. Managing her demanding boss and struggling financially were wearing her down. She felt trapped; quitting wasn't an option—she needed every penny to support her son. Her parents, starting new families, had made it clear that financial support was no longer available.
Once, on a whim, Teresa had married Jonathan after one passionate night—a decision her parents never approved of. When the marriage ended and motherhood followed, she kept it private. Fearful and hesitant, she saw no need for a public announcement.
Her silence became more profound when she discovered on social media that her mother, Evelyn, at 46, had quietly welcomed a baby girl with her new husband, Charlie Wilson—a month-old surprise that was the town's talk.
Her relationship with her biological father had also faded as they both started new family chapters, leaving Teresa feeling isolated. Yet, at night, she often longed for her mother's comfort.
Wayne Kotler, the operations director, announced loudly, "Morning meeting, Ops team!" The staff groaned wearily.
Teresa sighed, joining the chorus. She'd been working since sunrise. Her company ID felt more like a leash.
"Rumor has it, Horizonlead Group's CEO, Mr. Jonathan Lynn, is the most elusive interview subject in town," Wayne said.
He waved a folder. "Here's everything we have on him. Check it out, team." As the team reviewed the documents, he added, "Landing an interview with Jonathan would be a major coup."
Jonathan's face appeared on the screen, captivating the room. His sharp features and commanding presence shattered the mundane morning atmosphere.
Teresa was speechless. Why is Jonathan the highlight of our morning huddle? she thought.
"Teresa!" Wayne's voice boomed.
"Here!" she replied.
He tossed a folder to her. "Dig into the Horizonlead Group details. After the meeting, call Jonathan's secretary and try to get an interview," Wayne instructed.
Teresa's eyebrows rose. "Why me?"
"Your voice is captivating. You're our secret weapon," Wayne complimented.
Teresa coughed. "Mr. Kotler, I have a cold. My voice is terrible. Can someone else do this? I'm not feeling well," she argued.
"Just a quick call. And if you pull this off, there's a raise in it for you," Wayne offered, ending the meeting. He left, leaving Teresa to consider her options.
The office buzzed with sidelong glances at Teresa—a mixture of envy and sympathy.
Teresa's stomach churned. It had been two silent years since she last spoke to Jonathan, and she'd resolved last night that it was over.
Calling him felt like admitting defeat, and she wasn't ready to face Jonathan or back down.
"Sherry, would you mind making this call for me? I'd be grateful," Teresa asked hopefully. "Dinner's on me."
Sherry Roth patted Teresa's shoulder. "Don't worry. Horizonlead Group's CEO is a ghost when it comes to interviews. You can't even get past his secretary."
Teresa looked skeptical. "No way."
Sherry shrugged. "Believe me, or try it. His line is always busy—the CEO is colder than ice."
Teresa hesitated, her finger hovering over the dial pad, before calling Jonathan's secretary from her work phone.
The phone rang with a busy signal. Teresa breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, a familiar voice answered, sending a jolt through her.