I glanced at Jamie, and he had this puzzled expression on his face. It was like he wanted me to clarify things, but I actually wanted to avoid explaining myself.
"I…," I was just about to say something when Jamie beat me to it.
"You know him? I didn't think you'd be on such familiar terms with your boss," Jamie said, giving me a suspicious look. It seemed like he was surprised that I knew my boss well enough to address him by his name.
"I get where you're coming from, Jamie," I responded, trying to explain that the situation was more complex than he thought. I didn't want to deceive him, but I also didn't want to lie.
"Then explain," he uttered.
"Let's put a pin in this conversation for now. I just checked my watch and realized it's way past my lunch break too. We can catch up later when we both have more time!" I replied, understanding the need to change the topic and acknowledging the time constraint.
As he gave me a nod, I swiftly rose from my seat, feeling the need to vanish before he could barrage me with more questions. "I'll be on my way now," I said, signaling my readiness to depart.
"Sure, let's walk together. I haven't had the chance to see Benjamin yet," he replied, slowly rising from his seat. With a gentle nudge, he gestured for me to follow him.
I wanted to let out a scream at the top of my lungs because I was doing everything I could to avoid any conversation with Jamie that might bring up Benjamin and my relationship with him.
As we stepped into the elevator, the doors closed behind us, and we began our ascent to the twelfth floor. Engaging in light conversation, we delved into a myriad of topics, including the ever-present presence of Sasha.
I had totally forgotten about Sasha ever since I got married to Benjamin. She was always one of those friends who didn't reach out much, especially when she was out of town. It was usually me making the effort to keep in touch.
I didn't even know what to say to her right now because the situation I found myself in was just too complicated to put into words.
The elevator let out a cheerful ding, announcing our arrival as the doors prepared to slide open. With a touch of melancholy, we stepped out into the hallway, knowing it was time to bid Jamie farewell. Our paths diverged, leading us in different directions, and it was time to part ways.
He reached out and gently took hold of my hand once more, planting a tender kiss on it. With a heartfelt promise, he whispered, "I'll find you again."
I smiled and nodded in agreement because I knew Jamie would never let me down. He's such a sweetheart, always thoughtful and caring.
My heart sank as the wave of happiness that had enveloped me suddenly dissipated, leaving behind a hollow feeling. The joy in my eyes faded as I shifted my gaze from Jamie to the person standing behind him.
I could feel my heart racing as Benjamin's chilling stare sent a shiver down my spine. Without thinking, I quickly pulled my hands away from Jamie and held them close to my chest. It was all happening so fast, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.
When did he even show up? And why was he being so quiet? He totally caught me off guard.
Jamie could see the expression on my face as he turned to look in the direction where Benjamin was. He smiled at Benjamin, but as usual, Benjamin didn't even acknowledge him. It seemed like Benjamin's attention was solely on me.
My heart was pounding like crazy, and I felt so screwed in that moment. I didn't know what he would do, but one thing was for sure, he had that domineering type of personality.
"What's with the standing around? Is this how you greet an old friend?" I heard Jamie say as he walked over to Benjamin with a huge grin on his face.
I could immediately sense how tough it was for Jamie in that moment. Benjamin wasn't really in the mood, and it made me feel sorry for anyone who would befriend him and Jamie happened to be one of them.
I could see Jamie getting closer to Benjamin, ready to reach out to him, when suddenly Benjamin's voice turned firm and I heard him say, "Step aside."
I could feel my throat go dry as it became clear that Benjamin wanted to address the issue with me, not Jamie. I mean, he had just seen his wife receive a kiss on her hand from another man. Who wouldn't have questions?
I couldn't help but fixate on his expression as I stared at his face. He definitely seemed angry, but I couldn't quite tell if it was genuine or just an act. Either way, I couldn't understand what he was upset about. I had my own personal life, and I didn't want any unnecessary interference.
Just then, I heard him call out, "Come here, Emila."
With a heavy sigh, I gathered my courage to confront whatever he had to say. Just as I braced myself, Jamie's voice cut through the tension, "If it's about her, I actually kept her at the cafe for so long. But she can go back to work now, though."
I felt the urge to tell Jamie to keep quiet and not make matters worse, but the distance between us prevented me from doing so.
In that moment, Benjamin's gaze finally shifted from me, locking onto Jamie's eyes. A cold stare pierced through the air as Benjamin uttered his words, "You better think twice before meddling in matters concerning my fiancée. Consider yourself warned." The intensity of his warning was palpable, leaving an uneasy tension hanging in the air.
"What?" Jamie's voice trembled with shock as his eyes widened in disbelief. He turned to me, his expression a mixture of confusion and nervousness. "Fiancée?" he stammered, struggling to comprehend the unexpected revelation.
"When? How?" Jamie's voice grew serious as he questioned, his eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "Emila, start talking," he urged, his tone demanding answers.