Chapter 181 I Love Brittany
Fortunately, Joshua managed to steady himself and straightened up. "Mr. Lawrence... Mr. Lawrence... hi!"
Sebastian glanced at him. "Your level of gossiping is starting to surpass even my imagination."
"I was just curious, in your office you could..."
"Shut up."
Joshua strolled in and shut the door behind him while glancing around with curiosity. "Hey, where's Isabella?"
"Are you here to see her or me?"
"I've been by the door the whole time and didn't see her leave," Joshua commented with a hint of perplexity. "The girl just vanished or what?"
The number of people who knew about the connecting office between Sebastian and Isabella was incredibly small.
Everyone in the secretary's office worked directly for Sebastian, and they were known for keeping tight-lipped. So, the secret had been well kept thus far.
Sebastian nudged him with a foot. "Cut to the chase."
"Nothing major. I won't be coming in tomorrow or the day after. Taking a couple of days off," Joshua explained casually. "Don't call me if it's not important; actually, just don't call me at all."
"Staying in town?"
"Nowhere special; just home."
Sebastian frowned. "You sure you're just going to be at home? Not... the hospital?"
Joshua's usually cheerful expression cracked a bit.
"Home. There's no need to worry about me."
"If there's anything—"
"I'm fine." Joshua cut him off before he could continue. "Really."
Sebastian looked at him firmly. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll do what I can to help."
"There’s nothing. Really, nothing. Just taking a break at home for a couple of days."
"Why not take a little trip..."
Joshua waved his hand dismissively. "Let's drop it. No need for concern or odd speculations. In two days, I'll be back at the office; business as usual."
Sebastian's brows knitted even tighter. "Brittany just took three days off, and now you’re following suit. Joshua, is there something you're hiding from me?"
"Not at all." His smile returned. "By the way, make sure you tell Isabella that I would never be the one to hurt Brittany."
"It's pointless to say it. Who'd believe it, aside from me?"
Joshua sighed. "True. The more I try to explain, the guiltier I seem."
But that was the truth.
Joshua couldn't find enough time to show his love for Brittany, let alone hurt her.
If he had harmed her, it could only have been... to protect her.
Sebastian said nothing more and just patted him on the shoulder. "I respect and am willing to go along with your plan, but..."
Joshua's gaze sharpened instantly. "What are you getting at?"
"If it comes to a point, or if I think you shouldn't keep hiding this secret, I will disclose it. Especially to Brittany."
"Sebastian!"
"You and I, we're cut from the same cloth. So, Josh, we don't need to say much more. As long as we understand each other, that's all that matters."
Josh stared intently at Sebastian. "You won't keep my secret?"
"I said I would, unless...unless what you're doing is just going to hurt Brittany more than help, and if it's tearing you apart, too, then what's the point?"
"You don't get it, you just don't..." Josh shook his head, "I love Brittany more than life itself."
Sebastian turned away. "I want to see you at the office in two days, in one piece and in good health."
Josh was silent for a while before he finally muttered an acknowledgment.
As he walked towards the door, he suddenly added, "There may come a time when I can't help you anymore. You should start thinking about grooming someone..."
"Maybe that time will never come."
Josh's face regained his usual playboy grin. "You're right; even a one percent chance is still a chance."
After he left, Sebastian tilted his head back and let out a long sigh.
Josh stepped out of the CEO's office and Kaine approached him with visible concern. “Mr. Sinclair, are you alright?”
"Do I look like I'm not?” Josh quipped.
“Well... you seem okay, I guess."
"You guess? That sounds like you think I'm not okay," Josh retorted with a hint of jest.
"No, no, Mr. Sinclair, I didn't mean that. It’s just... you messing with Mr. Lawrence had me worried."
"He's used to it."
“But that’s you," Kaine replied. "You're his right-hand man, the Vice President of the company. If I got cheeky like you, Mr. Lawrence would've probably...”
Kaine mimed pulling a trigger.
"Everyone dies," Josh said. "But before that, you need to take some risks worth dying for."
Kaine looked at him; his expression serious, and his gaze intense and distant. "Mr. Sinclair, are you really... really okay?"
"I'm fine. Just fine."
Josh chuckled softly and walked away.
Back in his office, he dialed Brittany's number.
The first call went unanswered.
But Josh didn't give up. He kept calling, and on the sixth attempt, it finally rang through.
However, on the other end... there was silence, no sound at all.
"I know you're listening," Joshua said. "Brittany, the three days I gave you are up. Where's your answer?"
He could hear Brittany's breathing becoming heavier.
"Tonight, I'll be waiting for you at my place. No excuses."
Finally, Brittany spoke, "Why do you have to corner me like this; you’re leaving me with no way out?”
“I love you, Brittany. How could I ever treat you that way?”
“Joshua, you’re talking about love now? Are you trying to make me throw up?"
"See you tonight." His tone was incredibly soft. "You've been to my place before; your fingerprint is still saved on the biometric lock, and I haven't changed the code. I'll be waiting for you, Brittany."
With that, Joshua ended the call.
In his mind, he could almost see the expression on Brittany's face when she heard these words.
Because he’d seen it with his own eyes before.
The discomfort, the hatred, the loathing, the heartache...
She resented him, yet she wondered why the man who once loved her so deeply was now hurting her.
The one who hurt her the most was always the one she loved the most.
Let her hate him. The more she hated him, the less pain she'd feel in the future.
...
Inside an upscale bistro.
Grace pushed open the door and saw Lynda already seated, swirling a glass of wine without taking a sip.
"But you can’t drink," Grace said with a smile. "Miss Lynda, here we are again."
Lynda continued to gaze at her wine. "I can't drink. But, is it so wrong just to look? Have a seat."
"I knew we'd meet sooner or later. That's why I've always kept my schedule open. I’ve been waiting for an invitation from you, Miss Lynda. And here it is, I didn't have to wait in vain."
Lynda set down her glass, still fixed on it, and muttered, "Do you think if I drank a lot, he would rush to my side?"
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