Chaper 23

“MA’AM.”
Prudence looked up when she heard her secretary’s voice inside the office. She was too occupied with lots of thoughts, so she didn’t notice her coming in.
“Yes, Macy?”
Her secretary handed her a couple of folders.
“Here are the contracts that you need to sign for this week.”
She scanned the documents again before signing them. Her employees were good at their work. However, she didn’t want to commit mistakes on her part. She wanted everything to be smooth and in order. Yeah, she was a perfectionist. That was why she was always bothered when things didn’t go as planned.
“Macy.” She heaved a sigh. “This contract that you want me to sign is the old one. The legal team had finalized the revision by the start of this month. Am I wrong?”
“Oh, goodness.” Her secretary shook her head with a wince. “I-I’m so sorry about that, Ma’am. I think I—”
“Is everything alright?” she asked, cutting her off.
“E-eh?”
“Do you have a problem or something?” Macy stared at her for a moment before letting out a long sigh. It was enough confirmation that something was going on with her. “Macy, you’ve been working for me since the beginning, and I’ve never seen you like this. You’re always good at doing your job and paying attention to details and are less likely to make small mistakes. So, please tell me if something is bothering you. Perhaps I can help you.”
She was a bit surprised when her secretary suddenly burst into tears. It was the first time Macy acted that way in front of her.
“M-my husband… he’s on the run right now because some goons are chasing him. Last night they barged into our house, looking for him. They told me that if they didn’t find him, I have to pay his debt in a week….” Macy buried her face in her palms and cried.
“How much is your husband’s debt?”
Her secretary looked at her with teary eyes.
“A million dollars, Ma’am. I don’t know where I’m supposed to get such an amount of money. I don’t think I could raise—”
“Stop crying, Macy.” Prudence clasped her hands above the table. “I will see what I can do.”
“M-ma’am… I… I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“No worries.” She gestured at the door. “Now, go and print the new contract.”
“Y-yes, Ma’am.” Macy wiped her tears and smiled a little.
She opened the drawer and grabbed her burner phone to make a call. She could ask a favor from her boss. But the door opened again when she was about to press the call button.
“Yes, Macy?” she asked upon seeing her secretary come in.
“Ma’am, there’s a delivery for you.”
“Delivery?” Her forehead creased. “I didn’t order anything.”
“I think it’s from your fiancé, Ma’am.” Macy beckoned someone outside the office to come in.
To her shock, it wasn’t just one, but a dozen of them. Each carried a basket of flowers and balloons with cute stuffed toys. In a few seconds, her table was filled with gifts.
She picked up the card from the closest basket and found Julian’s name written on it with a short note.
***Let’s meet.***
Prudence scoffed and slammed the card on her table. How dare Julian asks her to meet as though nothing happened?
“Let’s meet? Why does it sound so nonchalant even though it’s just a note?”
She left her seat and sauntered toward the door. But it had already opened before she could grab the knob, and Julian came in. She took a couple of steps away from him when she felt her heart skip a beat. Dang, why was she feeling that way now? There must be something wrong with her. She should probably see a doctor soon.
“W-what are you doing here?” She took a deep breath when he suddenly crossed their distance.
He snaked his arm around her waist without warning and kissed her fast on the lips. And to her surprise, she felt electricity shooting from Julian to her system. What the heck was the meaning of that?
“Why?” He slowly freed her. “Do I still need to set an appointment to see my fiancée?”
Julian pocketed his hands and smiled arrogantly. But that smile only caused her heart to beat like crazy.
She cleared her throat to compose herself and gestured at the gifts that he sent.
“These are… too much.”
“Nothing is too much for you.”
She held her breath when his hand reached her cheek. But even before it landed, she moved away. Prudence was about to say something when her secretary came in, but she immediately went out upon realizing she had a guest.
She strode to the door and locked it.
“Look.” She turned to face him again. “I’m not dumb, Julian. I know you don’t like me. I can feel—”
“Well, my feelings for you have changed. I like you now.”
She blinked consecutively, trying to process what he had just said.
“Julian… you got to be kidding me.” She pressed her lips firmly.
He met her gaze, and there was something in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before. However, she wasn’t sure what that could mean. Julian was capable of playing something if he wanted to play tricks on anyone. She could do that as well. Actually, she has been doing that for a long time now, acting in front of everyone, especially the Whitewoods.
“I’m not expecting you to feel the same way, though.” He tilted his head to the side. “I’m aware it takes time for others.”
She cupped her forehead. Now it was even harder to process. But one thing was for sure, whether she came to like Julian back or not, she had one job to fulfill. Her life was on the line, so she shouldn’t be thinking about romance and other stuff.
“Do you have some time to spare?” Julian asked after a few moments of silence between them. “I would like to have lunch with you.”
She shut her eyes and heaved a deep sigh. When she opened them again, she found him smiling at her.
“I’m sorry, but as you can see, I’m busy with work—”
“How about dinner then?”
She arched a brow. It looked like he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Dinner is fine.”
“Good. I will pick you up after work.”
“Okay.”
“What time will you be out?”
“Six.”
“Alright. I will pick you up at six.” He winked at her before turning around and exiting the office.
Prudence slowly let out her breath that she didn’t know she was holding.