CHAPTER 182: GIFT

"Am I interrupting something?" Ryan asked, pausing by the door.

His sharp gaze drifted from Jamal to Abigail. His voice was casual, but his eyes told a different story. His gaze was assessing and calculating. He looked at Jamal just a second longer, wondering silently if he was already making his move on Abigail.

Jamal straightened at once, clearing his throat lightly even though he was very startled. "No, sir," he said with a slight bow, already taking a step back. "Please excuse me."

Ryan gave a curt nod, but before Jamal could slip past him, he stopped him with a question. "How are you doing, Pete?"

Jamal paused and turned back. "I’m very fine, thank you, sir," he replied with a polite bow of his head, wondering if Ryan had heard anything. He doubted it since their voices had been low.

What if this had happened when he was kissing her earlier? That would have been a mess.

They were going to have to be more careful. They couldn’t afford to get carried away with their feelings and let their guards down around here whether or not there were cameras or bugs.

Ryan held his gaze for a beat longer, then dismissed him with a small wave of his hand. "Alright. Carry on."

Jamal didn’t wait. He turned and left swiftly, returning to his desk.

Abigail, now alone with Ryan, rose from her seat and offered him a wide smile, warm, deliberate, and disarming. Unlike their past tension-filled conversation, this smile came naturally.

She had made faux peace with him the night before, and in her heart, she was genuinely grateful that of all the people Ryan could have paired her with, ambitious old sharks, entitled heirs, or soulless opportunists, he had picked Jamal. The love of her life and the father of her son. For that, Abigail found it easy to offer him a smile

[I was beginning to wonder if you weren’t going to come check out my office or welcome me. Come in.] she signed with a soft sigh, stepping toward him.

Ryan was momentarily thrown off by her cheerfulness. The Abigail he knew wasn’t one to smile so freely, especially not at him. But he caught himself quickly, returning her smile with one of his own, if a little guarded.

"Yesterday was a busy day," he said, walking into the office and handing her a neatly wrapped box. "And I was a little upset. But... better late than never, right?"

Abigail accepted the box with a slight nod. [Thank you.] she signed, placing it carefully on her desk without opening it.

"Aren’t you going to see what it is?" Ryan asked, one brow raised in amusement. Her calm disinterest both surprised and intrigued him.

She shrugged and gave him a small smile. [I can always check it after you leave. Please, sit down.]

"I’m afraid I can’t sit. I’m flying out of Westend for an important meeting," he said, glancing at his watch before looking around the office. "I just wanted to see how you’ve settled in. Are you doing okay? Is the office to your liking? Or would you prefer we redecorate?"

Abigail shook her head firmly. [It’s good enough. I’ll get whatever I need myself. You don’t have to worry about me. I don’t want any preferential treatment. The last thing we need is for the staff to start thinking I’m privileged.]

Her fingers moved fluidly as she signed, her eyes meeting his deliberately. She was reminding him of his own words from yesterday.

Ryan chuckled lightly, folding his arms. "Still, they do know you’re my daughter. I’m sure they understand you’re not here like everyone else."

He paused, then added more quietly, "I know I was harsh yesterday morning. I said things I shouldn’t have. I wasn’t happy with you. That’s not an excuse, but... I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings."

Abigail’s nodded. [I understand. Still, I want to be treated like every other employee. Thank you.]

Ryan gave a small nod, accepting that without further protest. "Alright then," he said, straightening. "How’s Pete doing?"

Abigail tilted her head slightly, considering. [Good, I guess. It’s still early to tell. But so far, he’s doing his job well.]

Ryan nodded again. "That’s good to hear."

There was a brief silence, and then he stepped back, glancing at the door. "Well, I’ll let you get back to work now. Also... I won’t be home tonight since I’m flying out of Westend. I might be away for some days."

Although the news made Abigail want to dance for joy, she kept a straight face. [You will be missed. Is Josh aware?]

"No, he’s not. It’s an impromptu trip. But I will call him when he gets home. Take care of yourself, and let Josh know I’ll call him.]

Abigail nodded, and moved toward the door as he did. Ryan paused, giving her a curious look. "Are you going somewhere?" He asked, wondering why she was following him.

[I’m just seeing you off, Dad.] she signed, smiling brightly.

That smile again. It looked so genuine and warm. Ryan watched her carefully. Was she really trying to make things right with him, or was she playing some deeper game with him?

"You don’t have to," he said. "I want to have a word with Pete before I leave."

Abigail nodded and stepped back. [Thank you for the gift. Although I have no idea what it is yet, but I’m sure it’s something precious since it’s coming from you. I’ll treasure it.]

Ryan studied her face, trying to decide if she meant that. Her eyes were calm. Her posture open. There was no trace of mockery or resentment.

"Let me know when you see your gift," he said at last. Then he stepped out of the office and made his way toward the reception area, where Jamal sat, eyes on his computer even though his mind was far from it.

"Pete," Ryan called, his voice firm. "Walk with me."

Jamal sprang to his feet and followed quickly, falling into step beside him as they headed down the quiet hallway.

"Have you made up your mind about what we discussed?" Ryan asked without preamble.

Jamal hesitated for only a breath. "Yes, sir. I will do it."

"Good," Ryan said, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I’ll come up with ways for you to spend time alone with her more often. Coincidentally, Genevieve will be traveling soon. That means you have to make good use of the time."

Jamal nodded once. "I’ll do my best, sir."

They reached the corridor outside Ryan’s office, and Ryan stopped, his expression turning serious.

"Alright. Let me know if you need anything," he said. "I want you to act fast, Pete. The sooner you can get her to fall for you and marry you, the better. That will be all."

"One more thing, sir," Jamal said before Ryan could go into his office. "Here is the number you asked me to get. The one blackmailing Ms Genevieve," Jamal said as he took out a stick it paper from his pocket and handed it to Ryan.

"Good job," Ryan said with a nod and then he stepped inside and shut the door firmly behind him.

Jamal stood there for a moment, his hand tucked in his pocket. He turned slowly, walking back to his desk, his thoughts scattered.

Why was Ryan in such a rush? What was he planning?

Instead of going back to his seat, he went to the restroom and dialed Stefan’s line. "They talked. Your girlfriend told her the truth," Jamal told Stefan the moment the call connected.

"Thank goodness. I think all she needs is a little push to open up. Maybe I should make her come over faster? The sooner she opens up the earlier we’d resolve all this, right? I mean, if she can agree to publicly confess that she isn’t Dawn, that will make everything easier, wouldn’t it?" Stefan asked, and Jamal nodded, but he doubted it would be that easy with someone like Ryan.

"Yeah. It would. By the way, I’ve submitted the DNA samples for a paternity test," Jamal said, and Stefan raised a brow.

"So soon? How did you get them so fast?"

"Abigail helped me get it," Jamal said proudly.

"She is incredible. I can’t wait to meet her," Stefan said, glad that now they would get their answers, "when did they say you will get the result?"

"I paid for express delivery so I was assured I’d get the result by the end of today or first thing in the morning," Jamal said, and Stefan exhaled.

"Thanks a lot, Jamal. I appreciate this. And I appreciate the SUV too," he said, and Jamal laughed.

"Sure. A promise is a promise. It doesn’t matter that you’re getting the SUV despite the fact that you got a girlfriend from our arrangement," Jamal said, and Stefan laughed.

"Yes, it doesn’t matter," Stefan said and then he updated Jamal on what was going on at HAJ studios before hanging up.

The moment Jamal walked back into the office, he saw Abigail standing by her office door like she was waiting for him.

When she saw him, she dangled a car key, showing him what Ryan had gotten her.

Jamal raised a brow and Abigail nodded. Neither of them said a word, but they both were sure of one thing, Ryan had either planted a tracker in the car or a listening device in the car, and he had done it to monitor them both in the future not just Abigail.