Crashing into an Old Flame
Chapter 130: An unhealthy obsession

That flower boy.

’’From what I know, she had applied to be Dr. Warner’s assistant first but she was rejected, and then she was assigned as Dr. Qin’s assistant...’’

’’Dr. Qin?" Diana was confused, ’’You mean Director Qin? Director Qin Xifeng?" Veronica was Grandpa Qin’s assistant?

’’No, no. From Dr. Qin, I meant Alex Qin, our Director’s only grandson.’’

Diana nodded in understanding. Now that she thought about it, she only knew Grandpa Qin in the Qin family because he was friends with her late grandfather. Other than him, she did not know much about their family nor had she ever been there before.

When she heard about Director Qin’s grandson, an old scandal of the Qin Family resurfaced in her mind.

She was young back then so she was not sure about its validity but it was rumored that Grandpa Qin had two sons. After his elder son passed away suddenly, his younger son became his only heir.

It was the talk of the town but she was too young to comprehend the depth of the situation. Then again, families like theirs were enshrouded in mysteries and scandals. How many of them are true, it can’t be determined.

Mary continued speaking, ’’So, after Veronica started working here, she applied for the position of Dr. Warner’s assistant every 6 months but he never needed an assistant so she was rejected yet she always looked at him with admiring eyes and asked him questions whenever they crossed paths...’’

Yet, Maxim did not remember who Veronica was. Diana’s lips twitched. Would the woman be traumatized if she knew this?

’’One of those days, her elder sister visited her at work. She was a model...’’ Mary paused.

Diana felt like she already knew where this was going.

’’She had constant migraines and Veronica recommended her to Maxim to take it as an opportunity to approach him but after a month or so, they started dating. Veronica had been pretty upfront about her feelings but after her sister started dating Dr. Warner, she never made her feelings known again. She never applied for the position of his assistant either and she kept her distance from him but they broke up soon. And then he started dating Dr. Nora. Amidst all this, Veronica’s pursuit was a done-and-dusted matter. Nobody remembered it until this face-off you had with her.’’

’’Huh.’’ Diana glanced at Mary in disbelief as she finished her coffee and placed the cup down, ’’You mean I was targeted because of a man?"

’’You are his first assistant. And old friend which nobody knows about but now after that incident, they can see he treats you well so you can’t avoid being the center of attention.’’

Diana narrowed her eyes, ’’What is this, Qing Dynasty? No matter how you phrase it, it feels like this is a harem full of women where everyone is jealous of each other because of some man...’’ she trailed off, ’’Also, what do you mean by he treats me well? I treat him better,’’ Cough, if she ignored her recent ’Ignore Maxim’ strike then she had always treated him well.

It’s another thing that he never accepted her good treatment and even called her annoying over it.

’She was far from being annoying. She could not have been annoying even if she tried to.’

The words he uttered days ago reverberated in her mind. He said he regretted doing it.

He said...

Diana shook her head violently. So what if he regretted it? Could his regret be eaten?

Could his regret feed her in five-star hotels? Could it give her expensive wines?

Most importantly... could his regret lessen the sadness her younger self had felt over those simple words when he called her annoying?

She was not angry at him. She could never be angry at him but that’s it. What would she do with his regret that came years later? What made her angrier was the cage full of butterflies he casually placed inside her stomach with those few words.

’’Alright alright, I get it, sweetie. What are you being so sentimental for?’’ Mary rolled her eyes at her exaggerated reaction.

Diana cleared her throat, ’’Also...’’ she thought about it for a moment before she asked, ’’Is it his habit of staying overtime at the hospital?"

"Dr. Warner?" When Diana nodded, Mary checked her watch, ’’He should have left by now. He leaves as soon as his appointments are over. Unless it is an absolute emergency, he never comes to the hospital outside his working hours. He doesn’t even attend the meetings. I have seen Director Qin coaxing him to attend the meetings many times. Dr. Warner is stingy about his time, very strict and punctual, leaves and comes to the hospital sharp at time...’’

The remaining words did not even register in Diana’s head because the realization started dawning on her.

’’Why do you ask about it?"

Diana glanced at Mary, still, a bit dazed as she stepped back from the woman’s desk, ’’Was curious.’’

’’Then, shouldn’t you ask your friend?" Mary scowled.

’’I should, shouldn’t I?"

Diana turned around and started walking away.

’’Where are you going, sweetie?"

’’To ask him,’’ were the last words that Diana uttered.

Mary was speechless. Didn’t I just say that he should have left by now? What was this girl possessed by?

...

Maxim leaned back on the swivel chair, tapping the desk as he looked around the office room.

Book? Succulents? Work?

He had used every excuse he had to lurk in the office till she was done with work so that he could give her a ride without letting her find anything amiss.

Now, he suddenly felt like he lacked decent hobbies in his life.

He should have kept a dog or cat or heck even fishes whom he could feed till her working hours were over so when she came, it could have served as an excuse for staying late.

’Yes, deadbeat. Get yourself a pet just for the sake of promoting your unhealthy obsession with that woman,’ his inner voice mocked.

Maxim massaged his brows.

...

A/N: Little steam alert in the next Chapter ;)