The Boy Who Tattooed My Name on His Chest novel Chapter 77

I had to admit, slacking off in the break room while getting paid was pretty satisfying.

No wonder the younger employees loved hanging out here.

I was just starting to enjoy the gossip when I noticed the expressions on the faces of the young employees in front of me suddenly change.

They straightened up and whispered, "Good afternoon, President Graham."

Joshua?

Surprised, I turned to see the person who seemed completely out of place in the break room.

He gave a curt "Hmm" and walked past me without a glance.

He made himself a cup of coffee, then left with it in hand.

His gaze never once fell on me.

But as he passed by,

Joshua paused for a moment.

A soft, mocking snort reached my ears.

Seems like he heard.

I thought to myself, but didn’t pay it much mind.

The young employees in the break room, however, looked visibly relieved.

I joked, "Are you all that scared of him?"

"Of course we are!"

Lucas wailed, exaggerating her tone, "Even the cleaning lady avoids eye contact with President Graham. In the entire company, you’re the only one who dares to act so casually around him, Assistant Ford."

I smiled.

Thinking to myself that even I didn’t dare to anymore.

That contract was indeed a potential problem.

Though troublesome, it wasn’t entirely unsolvable.

Joshua contacted me a week later.

When I answered the call, he remained silent.

Just as I was about to hang up in annoyance,

He finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "Why did you block me?"

I was surprised.

He noticed already?

Earlier, while scrolling through my phone, I saw Joshua—who rarely posted—had shared a photo of a bouquet of flowers.

I had seen that same bouquet earlier in the day, carried happily into the office by Carol.

She had placed it carefully in a vase on her desk.

Many mutual friends were teasing him in the comments, asking if spring had arrived for him.

Joshua didn’t explain.

I accidentally liked the post.

But quickly disliked it.

Thinking that since I was leaving soon, there was no need to stay connected,

I went ahead and blocked his private account.

So I said.

"Isn’t there still the work account? President Graham can contact me there if there’s anything. It’s better to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."

This was something Joshua had once said to me.

There was a sound of something being knocked over on the other end of the line.

I sighed, cutting him off.

"What are you doing right now? I’ve already decided to leave behind the things I left at your place. What makes you think I’d go back just to help you find your things?"

"If this keeps up," I suddenly laughed, "I might start thinking you’ve fallen for me."

Joshua had never told me he loved me.

So this time, the response I got

Was him hanging up the phone without a word.

Like a child throwing a tantrum.

After some thought, I sent him a text.

"I’ll be visiting Mr. Graham at the old house the day after tomorrow. President Graham, feel free to join if you’re available. "

I sent it from my work account.

As expected,

I received no reply.

I had assumed Joshua would ignore the text.

But to my surprise, as soon as I stepped downstairs, I saw him leaning against his car, waiting for me.

The long fingers, holding a half-burnt cigarette, rested casually. Scattered around the feet were a few extinguished cigarette butts. I didn’t know how long I had been waiting.

In the chilly spring air, his trench coat looked a bit thin. The only thing that seemed to offer some warmth was that familiar scarf.

I really hadn’t expected Joshua to pick up that scarf again, or to use it once more.

As I approached, Joshua raised his hand, puffing out a smoke ring in frustration, his dark eyes fixed on me without blinking.

If it were before, I would definitely have snatched the cigarette from his hand and scolded him for not taking care of his health.

I pretended not to understand his meaning and asked in surprise, “Did President Graham specially come to pick me up?”