I couldn't understand why I had fed so guilty about agreeing to go to dinner with Jordyn. Something inside of me was pulling me in the other direction.

I didn't do anything wrong.

So why did it feel like I did?

Why do I feel like I just betrayed Nick?

After Jordyn and I exchanged numbers, and agreed to meet for dinner tonight, he continued on his way, and I made my way over to the bar.

"Can I get a shot of tequila please?" I ask the bartender as I take a seat.

The bartender nods and gets to working on another customers drink before finally giving me the shot.

I down it and place the glass on the counter before standing and making my way to the stage.

Nick and I had to share our presentation in a few minutes. We agreed to meet at the stage.

Where was he?

He wasn't here.

I glance around the room and find him in the back with the brunette draped over his body and kissing his neck as they walked.

They were leaving.

Mr. Johnson steps on the stage and clinks a knife on his glass.

Everyone's attention went to him.

He clears his throat before speaking.

"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. All the proceeds will be going towards a great cause today. But before we start the auction Nick Knight, CEO of Knight Tech has a new product he would like to demonstrate."

Mr. Johnson looks in my direction with a raised eyebrow.

I shrug my shoulders at him.

"It appears Mr. Knight couldn't make it, so let's turn our attention to his PA. Miss Hazel Richmond."

The spotlight shines on me and my heart beats out of my chest. This wasn't happening. I didn't agree to go on stage by myself. There is no way in hell I could do this.

Mr. Johnson starts clapping and is eventually joined by the audience as I slowly make my way up the stairs. He hands the microphone over to me and I take it with shaky hands.

"Um. H-hi everyone." I stutter.

"I'm sorry I was prepared to do this by myself." I clear my throat before continuing.

My eyes scan the crowd until they land on Jordyn. He was giving me a thumbs up from the front row and he had a huge smile on his face.

I take a deep breath and start the presentation.

"Knight Tech has created some of the biggest technological advancements this country has ever seen over the last five years. We have facial recognition security systems, we have apps that protect your phones and electronics from hackers, we even have automated houses. Clap and the lights come on, clap again and they turn off. Everything is voice activated."

I pause and take another deep breath as my knees begin to wobble.

"Knight techs newest creation is better than all of that. It's got the durability of the security system, the software of the apps, and the brain of the houses. It's the next best thing."

The project is rolled out by some of Nick's lab workers and I hear the crowd gasp.

"I now present to you. The robot Nanny."

The crowd erupts in cheers.

"Now this is just a prototype. The system isn't fully formed but when it's up and running TRN will do so much. You can customize her with any voice and name you want. She will make the kids lunches, walk the dog, clean the house. Anything you want her to do will get done in half the time of a regular Nanny. And the best part. You don't have to pay her."

Scattered laughs can be heard throughout the room before the claps drown it out.

Mr. Johnson appears next to me and takes the mic from my hand.

"Wow Knight Tech has done it yet again. Lets here it for the Robot Nanny!"

Cheers echo through the crowd.

"I understand that this is just a prototype, but if anyone is interested in purchasing the blueprint and the deed to this robot, please come see me. Now I'd like to have Mr. Harries to come up and we will start the bidding"

I rush down the stairs and to Jordyn.

"What am I going to do? They can't sell Nick's idea to someone else!"

Jordyn places his hands on my shoulders to calm me.

"Hazel shh. It's not your fault. Why don't we go talk to him and see what we can do Okay? Just calm down"

I shakily nod my head.

I really didn't want to lose my job over this I needed the money.

"Mr. Johnson! May I have a word with you?" Jordyn asks when we reach him by the stage."

"Of course. What can I do for you?"

"Why are you selling Nick's design? That was his idea."

Mr. Johnson crosses his arms and narrows his eyes towards me.

"If Nick thinks that a girl is more important than his career than he doesn't deserve to get our investment. I saw him leave right before he was supposed to go on stage after he was gallivanting with the same girl in the corner. He needs to take this seriously and he doesn't. I've given him many opportunities to make up for his mistakes and I'm done. I'm pulling out"

"No please Mr. Johnson. If you pull out I'll lose my job. Please I need to money." I beg

He raises an eyebrow at me.

"Please reconsider sir. I need to put my sister through college and I need to pay for my sons doctors appointments and medical bills. I need this job please."

He uncrosses his arms and drops them to his side. His face softens and he lets out a breath.

"I'm sorry Hazel. My mind is made up. Nick made his bed and now he has to lie in it."

Tears spring to my eyes as Mr. Johnson walks away.

"Hazel" Jordyn says my name softly.

"I'm sorry I need to go" I say before turning from him and running outside.

I push my way through the crowd while holding my tears back. I couldn't do this. I run and run until I make it to the gardens. The tears pour out of my eyes like a waterfall and sobs leave my lips as I wrap my arms around my waist.

"Hazel!" Jordyn shouts from the distance.

I hear the leaves crunching as he runs towards me. He's out of breath when he finally reaches me.

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his chest. I sob into his jacket as he rubs my back.

"Hey it'll be okay. I'll help you out okay?"

I pull away from him and wipe my eyes.

"I don't want your help. I barely know you. Why would you help me?"

"Because I know a broken person when I see them. And I want to help you. My mom was a single mother that had to raise my brother and I. She struggled so much and I hated seeing her suffer and torture herself. The look on her face when she couldn't buy one of us a pack of gum killed me. I don't want to see that look on your face"

I sniffle and wipe my eyes again. Just as I open my mouth to reply my phone dings with a text.

Haze you got a letter from the DA in the mail.

My heart sunk.

"Excuse me a second" I say to Jordyn.

Open it.

Are you sure?

Opal I need to know.

Minutes pass by as I bite my nail and pace around the gardens.

The suspense was killing me. I needed to know now.

Opal?

What does it say?

Hazel you're free. He got denied parole. He's in jail for life.