"Grace, thank goodness." Emilia sighed with relief as the young woman approchard her.
"Emilia, how are you?"
"I'm tired of the middle-aged men." Emilia mumbled quietly as she followed Grace outside.
"I don't find it surprising at all." Grace laughed cheerfully. "Has my brother shown you off like some trophy yet?"
"Yes." Emilia smiled but didn't seem to be as truthfully pleased about it.
"You poor thing. Although, I can't wait to see the recording of the talk you gave."
"Recording?"
"Yes. It's going online any minute now. We already had requests for it send to our company email."
"I suppose that's good."
"You must be exhausted though. Would you be up for a walk to a nearby cafe and getting a cup of tea to get away from all of this?"
"Absolutely." Emilia agreed eagerly.
They walked out of the stuffy building into the cold air. It was chill and dark outside. Emilia hasn't realised how many hours have passed since she was cooped indoors, with every window covered with heavy curtains and bright artificial lights.
They didn't go far when they reached a small cafe. It was nearing its closing time, but still, the last few customers sat in comfortable chairs inside.
Emilia sat down with Grace in the far corner, ordering a honey chamomile tea.
Grace studied Emilia's face, playing with some thought but being cautious in how she was to approach it.
"Ask." Emilia said as she looked up at Grace. "Don't dwell on whatever is bothering you, just ask."
"I didn't want to ask in front of Jacob as I know he quite likes you but… I think Christopher Hayden likes you."
"That is not a question, is it?" Emilia furrowed her brows.
"Well, it isn't. The next part sort of is." Grace took a breath in. "Do you think he likes you?"
"I highly doubt it." Emilia laughed at Grace's ridiculous suggestion.
"Do you like him?"
"Are you asking because of curiosity or because of Jacob?"
"Mostly the former."
"Either way, the answer is no." Emilia lied. How could she ever admit that she liked a married man? Not to mention his status, riches, and everything else. She could never admit to the fact that her heart fluttered at the sight of him.
"That's a shame. I think he likes you."
"Why do you say so?"
"I never told you but he sought you out in the gallery and as I came into the room today, I caught him looking at you."
"He was probably worried that I spoke to his father's lawyer." Emilia shrugged.
"What? Mr Thompson is Hayden senior's lawyer?!"
"It's not a secret, is it?"
"How do you know?"
"Because Mr Thompson told me."
"Lucky. How do you know so much about Mr Hayden?"
"I wouldn't say that I know that much."
"What year was Crimson Tech established?"
"2001, but it was truly lifted off the ground by Christopher Hayden when he took it over ten years ago, so in 2013. He was a mere nineteen when he joined, within months becoming the head of the finance department, becoming the CEO by the age of twenty-seven. The youngest CEO in history."
"See, this is not normal. Not everyone memorises the entire Wikipedia page on a topic."
"Well, that's not on his Wikipedia page." Emilia blushed in embarrassment. "But… maybe it isn't so obvious? I do not know. I thought it was clear."
"Go on."
"I work for Mr Hayden."
"What? Since when?"
"April."
"You have worked for Crimson Tech all this time?"
"No, not Crimson Tech. I work for Mr Hayden." Emilia corrected Grace.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm an assistant. Well, kind of. I'm his representative during the events that he cannot attend."
"That's an odd job."
"I know, right!" Emilia became animated. Someone finally saw it too. "And I get £73'000 a year for it!"
"That's decent. Are you in trouble for working with us?"
"No, I don't think so. I was told by Mr Cosby that it was going to be fine." Emilia leaned back in her seat, looking up at the ceiling, and letting out a long sigh. She looked at the shadows of the chandelier, hoping that something, anything at all, will be able to get Christopher out of her thoughts.
"He is handsome though."
"He is also married." Emilia mumbled.
"So, you do like him!"
"He is married." Emilia looked back at Grace with disapproval.
"Well, yes, but did you ever see her?"
"No."
"Maybe they're the kind of marriage that is only on paper?"
"Would that change anything?"
"You tell me."
"Not for me."
"That's a shame. I would love a friend who has a billionaire boyfriend."
"Why?"
"I guess I'm curious. Like, what does he eat for breakfast?"
"Toast and soft-boiled egg with half a gallon of coffee."
Grace burst into laughter.
"You never cease to amaze me."
"Mr Cosby told me."
This somehow made Grace laugh more.
"And would it be that wrong if he fancied you?" Grace asked at last.
"He is married. I have enough dignity to not ever want to be the second person. He would either have to divorce or it is not a possibility. Besides, don't be ridiculous! He would never look at me that way!"
"I wouldn't be so sure." Grace shrugged, her laughter changing into a warm smile. "He had a bit of a dreamy look when he looked at you. And you must know, I'm very good at reading things like that."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Emilia shook her head.
They spoke for a while longer, soon changing a topic to something Earthly related.
Once done, Emilia realised that it was already past the curfew. This event wasn't one set up by Mr Cosby, so she was still under the responsibility to adhere to the house rules.
She instead returned to her old apartment for which she was still paying rent. She managed to sneak in without alerting Mrs Kowalski. She slowed down by the fourth floor remembering that this was where Patrick lived, and then she continued to the sixth floor.
It was almost claustrophobic to return to the apartment which as a whole was smaller than her single room in the manor. But it was her space. It was the first time in a long while that she slept so well. Chamomile tea might've been of help too.