With that, he took her back into the company.
“Did you see the woman the boss took inside?” Employee A whispered.
“Which woman?” Karine asked, heading out of the cafeteria.
“Boss took a woman into his office. He had his arms around her, taking her away like she’s a baby.”
Karine sighed, looking at him with a frown. “Are you done with your work? Before spreading rumors, I guess you don’t love your job after all,” she said, hissing before walking away.
“But I’m serious, everyone saw it.”
“Yeah,” she nodded dismissively, “If you see the boss holding a woman, it would be his wife,” she said irritably, not wanting to hear more of the gossip she didn’t believe.
Christian gently wrapped the blanket around her shoulders as she sat on the bed in the private office room. She pulled it around her tightly, shivering.
“One minute,” he said softly, walking out of the room and closing the door behind him. He moved to his desk, picking up the phone. “Hello?”
“Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
“Yes, get me a cup of hot tea.”
“Right away, sir,” she replied, hanging up before going to get it. She knocked on the office door and entered upon his permission. “Here it is, sir.”
“Great,” he took the cup from her. As she turned to leave, she glanced around, searching for any sign of the woman in his office, but saw no one.
“Hey, Karine,” he called as she opened the door to exit.
“Yes, sir?”
He extended the files to her. “They’re signed. Send them to her as soon as possible.”
“I’ll take care of it, sir. Thank you,” she said, taking the files before leaving.
Christian picked up the cup of tea and entered the relaxing room, approaching Clarisse. He handed her the tea. “Here.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking the cup. She warmed her hands around it, letting the heat touch her face. Suddenly, a loud thunderclap caused her to jump in fright, nearly spilling the tea.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Christian rushed to her side, pulling her into his arms. He rubbed her shoulder, assuring her, “It’s just lightning, you scaredy cat,” he added with a slight chuckle.
She could hear his heartbeat as he placed her head against his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his broad chest with each breath. She pulled away, clearing her throat, as the sensation of his warmth and heartbeat made her feel both uncomfortable and strangely comforted.
“Thanks for this,” she said, avoiding his gaze as she sipped the tea.
“You’re welcome,” he replied.
“I should be on my way soon, so you can get back to work,” she added.
“Right, but it’s still raining, and it doesn’t look like it’ll stop anytime soon.”
The curtain was drawn, blocking her view of the rain so she wouldn’t feel frightened or triggered by any past trauma. “Oh,” she whispered.
“Do you need anything?” he asked.
“Not at all, thanks. I’m good. You can get back to work,” she replied.
“Why come to my office just to leave so soon?” he questioned.
“Huh?”
“How were you sure you were giving the files to the right person? I’m sure you knew it was a classified document.”
“I met your secretary and confirmed by checking her ID card to make sure I didn’t give it to the wrong person,” she explained.
“She could have been using a fake ID card,” he countered.
Clarisse was momentarily at a loss for words. She bowed her head, unsure of what to say next. He was about to speak when she suddenly looked up at him.
“At least I didn’t give it to the wrong person,” she said. “And I believe you should thank me. I brought it to you when you forgot it at home, and all I get is a scolding?”
Christian couldn’t help but smile inwardly, amused by her bluntness, yet pleased at the same time. “You’re my wife. Isn’t it normal for you to help me?”
“And isn’t it normal for you to thank the person who helped you, instead of scolding her as a reward?” she shot back.
He smirked mischievously and leaned forward. Her heart skipped a beat, and she tilted her head back, giving him a questioning look.
“So you want a reward?” he asked, his gaze shifting to her lips. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat.
“N-no,” she stammered, “I was just… I was saying you should say thank you when someone helps you.”
He straightened up, crossing his legs casually, looking completely undaunted.
“I don’t know how to say that word.”
“Huh?” She shot him an incredulous look. “Are you for real?”
“Yes, there are two words I don’t know how to say.”
She recalled the surprised expression on Clinton’s face when she had told him that Christian had said “sorry” to her.
She looked back at him, feigning innocence. “What are the words?”
“I already told you one-‘I’m sorry’-and the other?”
“The other? Which one is the other one?”
“The one you’re complaining about.”
“Which one?”
He turned sharply toward her. “When did you become so dense? I mean ‘thank you.’”
She smiled, a victorious smile, and he sat there, looking perplexed as he watched her grin-the smile that seemed so unreal, the one he had always wanted to see.
“I won,” she said, taking a sip of her tea.
“Won what?”
“You said it. You said ‘thank you.’”
It dawned on him. “What?!”
“And it sounds good,” she said, trying to suppress her laughter as she watched his bewildered expression.
He scoffed in disbelief. “You tricked me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Oh, yes, you did.”
She shrugged. “Maybe?”
He chuckled in disbelief. “Nice try, lady, for tricking your husband,” he said, tickling the side of her stomach. She jumped, spilling the tea on her dress. She glared at him, but he quickly looked away, feigning innocence and putting on an innocent expression.
“You-“
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.