Chapter 7 How Cheap She Had Been “Understood.” Hadley nodded. “I won’t cook here again.” Noticing his evident revulsion, she assured him. “I’ll ventilate the kitchen later to clear out the smells and make sure everything is cleaned up.” “You?” With a scoff, Eric mocked, “You struggle with noodles, and now you want to clean? Don’t bother. Let the housekeeper handle it tomorrow.” He then turned and ascended the stairs. At last, some peace… Relieved, Hadley exhaled and resumed her seat. The noodles, now even more unappetizing in their cold and mushy state, stared back at Expressionless, Hadley picked up her fork and hurriedly finished the noodles. She then proceeded to open the windows to air out the kitchen, tidied up the space, and collapsed onto the couch in the living room. Opting against the guest room, she didn’t want to give him any further reasons to complain about odors again. Her plan was to start looking for an apartment the following day; for the moment, she would cope with the situation as best as she could. The next morning, Hadley was up early and left the house before Eric could descend the She urgently needed both employment and a place to live. The previous evening, Hadley had meticulously mapped out her journey. She headed Chapter 7 How Cheap She Had Been directly to the bus stop, and then switched to the subway. Her target was Galant, a well–known nightclub in the city. Trained in modern dance, Hadley was there to try out for a position as a dancer Galant was notorious locally as a hotspot where affluent patrons splurged on extravagant entertainment. Yet, Hadley was undeterred. Her goal was to earn a living and sustain herself. Moreover, she was there to showcase her skills, not to partake in anything dubious. There was dignity in her purpose. When she reached the nightclub, she followed the instructions provided by her friend Colleen Hayes to locate a manager named Lennon Lewis. As it was during the day and the club was not open, her meeting with Lennon happened swiftly. “Good day, Mr. Lewis,” Hadley said, standing poised and composed. “Hello,” Lennon responded with a faint smile. “You come recommended by Ms. Hayes, correct? Remind me of your name?” “Hadley Pearson.” “Ah, yes, now I recall.” Lennon scrutinized her carefully. With her connections and striking appearance, his smile widened. “You’re on board, Hadley.” She was taken aback by the ease of it all. Even with Colleen’s backing, she hadn’t anticipated such a smooth process. “Thanks so much, Mr. Lewis.” “Let’s skip the formalities.” With a dismissive gesture and a grin, Lennon added, “With Ms. Hayes vouching for you, how could I refuse? Plus, I have no doubt you’ll be great here!” He then mentioned, “For now, let’s get your measurements for the costume. That’ll take a few days and… Let’s see… How does Friday sound for your first night? It’s when we usually draw the biggest crowd.” “That works for me,” Hadley responded with enthusiasm. Why would she hesitate? < Chapter 7 How Cheap She Had Bese “We’re all set then.” “Thank you again, Mr. Lewis.” Stepping out of the nightclub after everything was taken care of, Wadley immediately took out her phone to call Colleen. The phone rang twice before cutting off Shortly thereafter, it rang again–this time it was Colleen returning the call. “Seriously…” Hadley chuckled as she answered, “Why is that?” She was playfully criticizing Colleen for her habit of returning calls immediately after declining them first. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Colleen’s laughter came through the phone. “Long- distance charges add up, you know. You’re tight on cash, so I’m just trying to save you a little,” “Yeah.” A gentle smile crossed Hadley’s face. “I get it, Colleen. Thanks for that, and for the job referral.” “You got the job?” After a brief pause, Colleen exclaimed joyfully, “I knew they’d hire you. Don’t stress. I’m taking care of things here in Blathe for you.” Given the expense of long–distance calls, they quickly exchanged a few crucial updates and then said their goodbyes. Now, Hadley’s priority was to secure a new apartment. She checked out various listings, yet nothing seemed suitable. The affordable ones were in questionable neighborhoods with poor security, while the nicer ones were way beyond her budget. As she prepared to move on to another viewing, her phone buzzed. Nyla was calling. Hadley responded quickly, “Nyla?” “Hadley, where are you right now?” Surveying the bustling streets and the flow of traffic, Hadley replied casually, “Oh, just taking a stroll. Srixby has undergone quite the transformation.” Chapter 7 How Cheap She Had Been Ignoring his question, she asked, “What do you need?” “You’re asking this?” Eric’s voice was mocking. “Didn’t Grandma talk to you about the welcome party? And you still need to ask?” “Oh!” Realization dawned on Hadley. “Is that tonight?” “Yes, and you need to come back right now!” Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.