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I don’t want to work on this today. But I will get behind if I don’t, and I don’t want to take advantage of the fact that I’m the chairman’s granddaughter-in-law. I want to advance on my own terms by putting in hard work.
Over the next few hours, neither of us move positions other than when he changes which foot he’s rubbing. I don’t notice the hours ticking by until he says he needs to start working on dinner. I get up to help him, and he shoots me a look, telling me to sit back down.
“You stay here and keep working. I’ll come to get you when it’s ready, okay?” he says, flashing a smile. I nod and dive back into my files.
Before I know it, he’s calling me into the kitchen to eat. As I sit at the bar, I notice his romantic arrangement. There’s another glass of wine and the most beautifully prepared chocolate soufflé waiting.
“Kaden, this looks amazing!” I say, wanting to skip right to dessert.
He laughs. “I’m glad you think so, but let’s enjoy dinner first.” He sets a massive helping of chicken fettuccine alfredo on my plate, and my mouth waters instantly. He starts grating cheese on top like at a restaurant, and I burst out laughing.
He smiles and dishes his pasta, then sits beside me. I can’t stop thinking about how sweet he is as we eat. Not just today, but since we got together again.
But now, there’s a whole new level to him. Years ago, we were just friends. In our current situation, there’s no denying it.
I’m growing feelings for him…
24
KADEN
Iawake, and even before my eyes open, I feel something wrong. My hands trace the entirety of the bed, and it suddenly hits me.
No Amber. That’s strange, I think, as I open my eyes and roll out of bed.Unlike her to be up before me. I wonder where she is.
I make my way to the bathroom, stretching the entire way in an attempt to shake off the sleepy sensation. After relieving myself, I slip on a pair of gray sweats and an old T-shirt.
I guess I’ll see if she’s downstairs,I think, a scowl forming on my face due to the lack of morning cuddles. I make my way down the stairs, and as I’m three from the bottom, I overhear Amber talking on the phone.
“Yeah, that sounds great, honey,” she says softly. My heart drops as soon as the words leave her lips.
Wait. Hold up. Honey? That’s a term for someone you have affection for. She rarely calls me honey. What the fuck is going on? Who the hell is she talking to?
My brow starts furrowing with a mix of emotions. I stop dead in my tracks, listening quietly and hoping for a hint as to who’s on the other end.
Please, let it be a misunderstanding. Maybe I’m not hearing her correctly? Or perhaps it’s a nickname for someone not important?
“I’d love that. Where should we meet up?” she asks with a hint of excitement, and I can hear her pacing in the living room.
Meet up? Okay, now that’s concerning. Who exactly can she be meeting up with that she calls honey? She better not be cheating on me because it states in our contract that we can’t have relationships outside of this one.
Plus, if she is, then I’m misreading her signals. I was positive she was into me by this point. Did I get this all wrong?
My mind quickly spirals into a bad place as I listen to the rest of her conversation. Frustration and jealousy consume me badly, making me want to pull my hair out. I’m unsure what else to do but confront her.
As soon as Amber’s off the phone, I fly down the last few stairs and into the kitchen as she walks from the living room. I’m hoping for an explanation, but I avoid looking at her, not wanting to express my feelings.
“Good morning, babe!” Amber says brightly.
I’m sure it is for you.
I ignore her and continue walking to the coffee pot, hands in my pockets until I pour myself a cup. The rich aroma fills my nose as I glance at Amber, seeing her eyes fill with concern. I sit down on the barstool, folding my hands on the butcher block countertops.
“So, I wasn’t eavesdropping, but I happened to walk down the stairs when you were on the phone a minute ago. Who exactly is honey? Do you have a lover outside our marriage, Amber?” I suddenly blurt out.
I’m surprisingly able to manage to keep my temper under control as Amber’s eyes suddenly fill with terror at the accusation. “What? Why would you even go there? No, of course not! I’m not seeing someone outside the relationship, Kaden! I wouldn’t do that. Plus, I’m happy here with you,” she says quickly, her eyes on mine.
“She’s a friend of mine. I haven’t seen her in a few years, so of course, when she randomly reached out this morning, I had to answer. But I’m so sorry you were worried about that, babe.”
