“Exactly.” We ordered two coffees and a basket of fresh pastries, letting the city buzz around us.
This was the part of the job that felt like a reward. The part people only see on social media. The soft mornings, the stolen hours in a new place, the friendship you create along the way, and of course, the freedom.
By the time we drank our coffees and ate too many mini pastries, Rose was yawning behind her sunglasses like a cat in the sun. “I’m heading back to the hotel for a quick nap,” she said, stretching as she’d just run a marathon. “If I don’t sleep now, I’ll crash during dinner.”
I sipped the last of my espresso and stood, tucking my scarf into my coat.
“Go. I’m wired. That coffee hit harder than expected.” She narrowed her eyes. “Promise me one thing.”
“No Eiffel Tower without you?”
“Yep. You know me so well.”
“Scout’s honor.” She kissed me, spun on her heel, and disappeared down the street like a very glamorous Parisian woman.
I walked for a while, no destination, just following the rhythm of the streets. The city was soft this time of day. Locals on bikes, dogs wearing sweaters, the occasional tourist trying to figure out where their taxis vanished to. I loved this part. Being alone, but not lonely.
Unknown in a beautiful place.
Eventually, after losing track of time, I slid into a seat at a little bistro with red awnings and menus printed in French cursive. The waiter barely blinked when I asked for a glass of wine; it wasn’t even noon, but apparently, I looked like someone who’d earned it. After all, I had already had breakfast, so this was closer to my lunchtime.
And if they’re serving it, I’m drinking it.
I set my tote bag on the table, pulled out my phone, and opened the browser without thinking too much about it. Call it curiosity. Something has been crawling around the back of my mind since we landed.
Theodore Jones.
I typed it quickly, expecting maybe a LinkedIn profile. A press photo, if anything. But what I got instead were headlines.
“Tech Visionary Appointed as New CEO of Hayes International.”
“Theodore Jones Named Successor to Max Hayes.”
“Theodore Jones to Lead Global Expansion of Hayes International.”
I could feel how my heart stopped when I read that. My hands got sweaty, and I almost choked on my wine.Tech Visionary Appointed as New CEO of Hayes International.
I read the second headline as if it’s going to give me more clarity.Theodore Jones Named Successor to Max Hayes.
Oh no. Fuck.
He is the new CEO ofHayes International? What are the fucking odds. I blinked and read it once again.HAYES INTERNATIONAL?As in myHayes? I blinked at the screen for the fourth time, and I kept scrolling until I found another picture. But this time it was a glossy photo of him in a suit, shaking hands with my father.
Oh fucking fuck, kill me now.
I sat there for a full minute, maybe more, the wine untouched, and the screen burning into my retinas.
Hayes International.
Then I called Rose. She didn’t answer, so I called her again.
“Sam?” she answered groggily on the third ring. “What— are you okay?”
“I need you to get up.” She must be so confused right now. “What?”
“Get up. Right now. Throw water on your face. I don’t care what you need to do, but I need you to come meet me.”
“Where even are you?—?”
