Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 22: Invitation

Chapter 22: Invitation

Mason was engrossed in his work, eyes glued to his laptop screen, fingers flying over the keyboard. His office was spotless, everything on his desk perfectly in place, with the sunlight blasting in through the big window behind him.The cityscape was a distant blur, his focus entirely on the task at hand.

Suddenly, the office door burst open with a loud bang, and Mason looked up, annoyed. Gerald stood in the doorway, a wide grin plastered across his face. "Hey there, buddy!" he greeted with enthusiasm.

Mason sighed, his irritation clear. "Do you not know how to knock, Gerald?" he asked, sounding really frustrated. If there was one thing Mason hated, it was being interrupted when he was working.

Gerald just shrugged, stepping further into the office. "I’m not just anyone, Mason. I don’t need to do that."

"Basic manners wouldn’t hurt," Mason muttered, shaking his head as he returned his gaze to his laptop. "I’m in the middle of something important."

Gerald’s grin widened as he leaned against Mason’s desk. "Come on, man, lighten up a bit. It’s good to work hard, but it’s almost lunchtime. Let’s go eat. My treat."

Mason glared at Gerald as he approached the desk and playfully touched the corner of Mason’s laptop. Gerald raised both hands in mock defeat. "Alright, alright. No need to bite my head off."

With a resigned sigh, Mason closed his laptop and stood up. "Fine. Let’s go," he agreed, knowing Gerald wouldn’t leave him alone until he did.

"That’s the spirit!" Gerald exclaimed, clapping Mason on the back. "Let’s go before you change your mind."

They arrived at a cozy, upscale restaurant a short while later. Gerald led the way, totally pumped. "This place has become my new favorite," he declared as they were shown to a table by the window.

After they ordered their lunch and the waiter had left, Gerald leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, guess what? It’s my birthday in a few days."

Mason looked at him, not really surprised. "Oh, right," he said, nodding.

"I want to celebrate it, and I want you to come," Gerald continued, his tone serious now.

Mason hesitated. "I’ll try to make it," he replied cautiously.

Gerald shook his head firmly. "No, Mason. You need to come. No excuses. I’m inviting you personally like this."

"You could have just texted or called," Mason pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

Gerald laughed. "You probably wouldn’t return my message or pick up my call. Always ’busy,’" he said, mimicking Mason’s voice.

Mason couldn’t help but smirk at Gerald’s impression. "Fair point," he admitted.

Their food arrived, and they both dug in, the conversation flowing more easily now. Mason found himself relaxing a bit, appreciating the rare break from his relentless work schedule. Gerald had that effect on people, effortlessly pulling them into his chill vibe.

As they ate, Gerald couldn’t keep his mouth shut, filling the silence with tales of his recent adventures. "You wouldn’t believe the trip I took last month. Went hiking up in the mountains. The view was incredible, but man, the climb nearly killed me." He chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "And work’s been a nightmare, as usual. New project deadlines, team conflicts, you know the drill."

Mason listened, occasionally nodding, but his responses were minimal. He had always been the quieter one, content to let Gerald carry the conversation. Gerald didn’t seem to mind, though. He continued, his hands gesturing animatedly as he recounted his stories.

"So, how’s life treating you, Mason?" Gerald asked, his voice filled with genuine interest.

Mason looked up, meeting Gerald’s gaze with a faint smile. "Same as usual," he replied quietly.

Gerald raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "Come on," he urged, leaning forward slightly. "You’re married now, man. There’s supposed to be some difference, right?"

Mason shook his head. "Everything’s pretty much the same," he admitted.

Gerald leaned forward, his expression turning more serious. "You know, Mason. I miss hanging out with you, talking, and having a good time. Remember those days?"

He did remember. They used to go out often, playing sports on weekends, and just enjoying each other’s company. But things had changed. Mason had thrown himself into his work, and all of those things they once had had faded into a distant memory.

"I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, but you need to make time for other things too," Gerald continued, speaking with real sincerity. "Life’s too short to be spent entirely behind a desk."

Mason sighed, setting down his fork. "I am busy, Gerald. You know that. There’s always something that needs to be done."

Gerald leaned back in his chair, looking at Mason with a mixture of frustration and concern. "I get it. I really do. But you’re missing out on life. We both are. We used to have so much fun together, and now it feels like you’re always miles away, even when we’re in the same room."

Mason didn’t respond. He picked up his fork and focused on his lunch, his face a mask of neutrality. He didn’t have time to reminisce about the old times or ponder Gerald’s words. His mind was already drifting back to the stack of reports waiting for him back at the office.

Gerald sighed, clearly bummed out. He tried to lighten the mood, continuing to talk about this and that, trying to keep the conversation going. Mason nodded, not really paying attention, chewing his food slowly. He glanced up occasionally, offering a polite smile or a brief nod, but his mind was elsewhere.

After lunch, Mason and Gerald walked back to their respective cars parked a short distance from the restaurant. Gerald clapped Mason on the shoulder as they approached Mason’s sleek black sedan.

"Thanks for the lunch." Mason said.

"Anytime, buddy," Gerald replied with a grin. "Hey, I almost forgot," he added, stopping in his tracks. "I want to invite your wife too. Ellen, right?

Mason looked at Gerald, a hint of confusion in his eyes. Gerald noticed the look and playfully hit Mason’s shoulder. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Gerald asked, chuckling. "Don’t worry, I’m not trying to snatch your wife. I just want to get to know her better. Make sure she comes to the party, ok?"

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