Chapter III
Send Mr. Francis a nice bottle of champagne as an apology” I instructed my assistant who is dealing with all my cancelled appointments from yesterday, Julius Francis was an important and loyal client and he had an appointment yesterday. Something about upping his daughter’s security
It was remarkable how far an expensive bottle of champagne could go in smoothing things over with clients. People liked to be made to feel special, and small luxuries had a way of doing just that.
Noted. And when should I schedule the meeting with the Petroys! They are requesting for the earliest date” My assistant’s voice reached me but my attention was already on something else. Rather someone eke
Her footsteps were quiet but not quiet enough for me to not notice. She stood there waiting for me to finish the call. I assumed.
Tomorrow. Over lunch I replied to my assistant’s last question before hanging up and pocketing the cell phone. I turned my body towards Erica, waiting for her to speak up.
“We need to talk” She muttered, some of that strength back in her voice. Earlier today when she had chuckled at Max’s stupid joke, a weight was lifted off my chest. That was fucking weird right? Why should I care so much about her?
Something was wrong with me.
“I’m listening” My tone was authoritative, probably more than it needed to be. The reaction was immediate her jaw tightened, her fingers digging slightly into her arms. She hated feeling like she was in a position of weakness, and I could tell she was trying to fight the urge to snap at me
Erica crossed her arms against her chest. Always so defensive.
“I don’t want anyone to know about this.” Something in me bristled at that She didn’t want anyone to know she was staying with me? It wasn’t as if she had any other safe options at the moment. This whole thing. Me living in your house.”
I felt the annoyance seep in. She didn’t want anyone to know that she was living with me. That was something she was ashamed of. I didn’t know why that irritated me so much? I masked my annoyance by a taunting smile and raised a brow in a mocking gesture.
“Worried that they’re gonna think less of you?”
Erica’s eyes flashed. She clenched her teeth, clearly biting back the retort she wanted to throw at mG
“Aiden and Freya’s wedding is coming up. I don’t want them to know about this situation. They should get to enjoy this moment in their lives without worrying about me” Her voice was firm, but there was something underneath it–guilt, maybe? As if she thought she would be a burden if they knew.
She paused for a moment before adding, “Besides, it’s not a permanent arrangement. I’ll start looking for another apartment and move out as soon as posable”
The words shouldn’t have affected nie. They really shouldn’t have. Het out a long show exhale trying not to address the irritational surge of anger that I felt at the knowledge that she wanted to move out.
What did it matter? In fact the carlier she moved out the better it would be for me. I would get the place back to myself
It wasn’t my problem. It didn’t matter where she stayed as long as she was safe. I stared at her hard and long, then finally said, “Anything else!
She hesitated, pressing her lips together as it weighing whether to hang up something else. Eventually, she spoke
– Ti Mas coming with me to work!”
“Yes” I declared Plain and simple li want up for any further discussion
Their was crease in her forehead as she frowned. “Well he can’t come upade the building”
I raned a larow which brought out a stupefied expression on her face.
“What is le gonna stand behind my desk while I work?” She asked incredulously.
I shrugged “He can sit down if he wants to
Her check turned the slightest shade of red, probably thinking about the unnecessary attention she would garner by having a hulking bodyguard tailing her everywhere inside the office
1/2
Chapter 111
“Funny ana
- imanı an” She bit out. But if he comes to the office. Aiden will know.”
“Til manage that” I thrusted my hands inside my pocken.
“How!” She wasn’t one
sn’t one to let up.
Her brows furrowed even more. “He can’t know,”
My frustration swelled realizing how much it really meant to her, how bothered she was by this arrangement
I’ll tell him about the pictures. That’s why the bodyguard. Don’t worry, your secret will be safe. I gritted the last part out.
Her eyes flickered with something, but she just gave me one last glare before spinning on her heel and walking away. Infuriating woman
a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. I needed to let this irritation go.
Before I could fully collect my thoughts, Max strolled up to me. “Boss.”
I glanced at him, my expression already telling him no
not to test my patie
ws like an i
patience. But of course, he did.
I’m sorry for asking this, but is she your girlfriend?” He wiggled his eyebrows
Max had been with me for so long that some lines had blurred. He joked around but that didn’t compromise his dedication to his work. He would leave all his work and come running the second I needed him somewhere. Like today. There was no other man I trusted more than him. And he
I stared at him blankly, unamused. “Just
sorry you asked that
Max, the idiot, grinned like he had just uncovered some grand secret. “Got İL”
I rolled my eyes at him. Stupid cow.
