Chapter 8

• Emily
• "Where are we going?" I ask nervously, coming out of the gate. "I mean I wanna know it because I have to handle the agency too. There's nothing in the agreement like I can't—"
• "When will you stop talking more than you should?" He shrugs, leaning against the car as I gulp.
• "What's the thing you hate in me?"
• "You talk a lot"
• "And what's the thing you love in me?"
• "That you talk a lot"
• I come out of the flash with the sound of opening the door.
• "I freaking know that. You'll stay in my cottage with me. But we're definitely not drifting away from the projects. Mr Smith is still our business partner and he'll be a little shareholder in this. You can do your regular work in the agency but most of the time you may need to stay in my office until the project settles down," he says.
• And that's a relief. My work is my life— the only thing that keeps me alive now.
• "Hey, Emily"
• My heart sinks with Frederick's voice. Startling, I glance up and find him getting off his bike. Dammit! What will I say now?
• I don't even dare to look at Kane.
• "Mr Gabriel," Frederick passes a casual smile as I peek at Kane. He's keeping a hard look. "What a pleasant surprise! You're here?"
• "Yeah. I spent the night here," Kane says bluntly, leaving my jaw dropped.
• So embarrassing!
• I can't even see Frederick's eyes now. What will he think? That I'm spending nights with my ex? Well, that'll be happening for the next thirty days. How am I gonna hide it?
• "Oh!" Frederick mutters. "Must be a long discussion about work. Well, Emily, are you going somewhere? I was here to pick you"
• I'm so stupid for not informing him.
• "Pick her?" Kane raises his eyebrows, hardening his eyes at me.
• "Yes— yes," I mutter. "For the agency. My car was broken so—"
• "Oh. That's so kind of you," Kane passes a smile which is definitely not genuine. "But she's not coming to the agency today. She's coming with me. And you don't need to bother to pick her up or drop her home after today"
• What the—
• Why is he just leaking everything? Can't things be a bit private? I'm gonna die in shame if he announces the agreement. I find Frederick gaping at us with utter shock and his questioning eyes linger on me.
• "What's all this?" He whispers, leaning a bit closer to me. "Is everything fine? Where are you going with him?"
• "I'll talk to you later about it"
• "Are you serious? I hope he won't harm you or anything"
• "No!" I almost yell and gulp down. I'm still so fucking confident that this man can do anything but he can never think of harming me. I know it well.
• "Don't worry," I say, being hesitant.
• "If you guys are done talking, should we leave?" Kane gasps, clearing his throat as I nod.
• "Take care, Emily. And call me if you need something"
• With every concerning word from Frederick, my anxiety increases. I can see Kane almost fuming inside as he holds it back. He's not angry but— I can see the clear jealousy.
• Once I used to love this.
• Now I'm afraid of this.
• Kane opens the door as I get in, waving to Frederick.
• *
• Just a few kilometres away from my apartment, there's a small cottage away from the busy streets. I badly wanna know when he moved to Austin. Maybe recently.
• "What was the need to make me feel embarrassed?" I speak out of nowhere when Kane gets inside the cottage. Following him, I wait for his response.
• "What did I do?" His voice is so casual.
• "You know what you did. What did you say to Frederick?"
• "Well, I was even about to tell him you're mine and he should stop thinking about you when I'm around," grunting, he turns back to me.
• There's no point in arguing with him.
• "Anyway, I don't care what people think. And put a pause to all your friendships until you're with me. Especially with guys"
• I was somehow expecting this. But it stings. I have never been in control like this. How can I not communicate with my friend who was always there for me always?
• "He's my friend. For three years. So, you shouldn't bother"
• "Cheaters are always cheaters," his ruddy gaze comes to me. I feel a lump stuck into my throat with his burning gaze. "I don't wanna take a risk"
• I lower my head without uttering a single word.
• Kane's phone rings right then. He tosses his coat aside and takes his phone out as I roll my eyes around the cottage.
• "Yes. Mr Smith. We'll be there for the meeting. Miss Benson is coming too," he looks at me. "Yeah, she's happy to work with me. You don't need to apologise"
• I grit my teeth, gulping the frustration down.
• Kane cuts the call.
• "We have a meeting tomorrow regarding the startup of your project. There will be a presentation"
• I nod. "I'll have to get it ready"
• "Bedroom upstairs," he shrugs, not even looking at me and all of a sudden his interest seems to be fading away.
• My heart twists lightly with his slight ignorance. Taking lazy steps, I stride towards the stairs and climb up.
• The tiny room is neatly ravishing with a large bed in the middle, a big closet and a centre table occupying the rest. I open the closet full of female wear. Are these all actually for me or did these belong to someone else? He might be seeing somebody, I believe. However, these seem to be brand new.
• I take a pair of tee and trousers and slam the door shut.
• "I have been curious since the night," I hear him speaking from the door. "Where's your husband and child?"
• That question crashes onto my chest like an arrow piercing my heart straight.