In that moment, I found myself frozen, my thoughts tangled in a web of frustration. The anger inside me burned, fueled by Benjamin's audacity to speak without filter, as if his pride gave him the right to say anything, anytime.
I stood there, feeling the weight of Jamie's questions pressing upon me. I knew deep down that I had to respond, he deserved answers.
I struggled to conceal the anger bubbling within me, my face a mask of forced composure. With a composed nod, I uttered the words, "Yes Jamie, he is the man I am destined to marry," my voice betraying none of the turmoil beneath the surface.
"Emila, you've barely recovered from your breakup with Luke, and now you're already engaged?" Jamie's voice quivered with concern.
"Where's your ring? Is there something you're not telling me?"
I could feel the weight of Jamie's gaze, his eyes filled with concern and a glimmer of understanding. It was as if he sensed that something was amiss, a puzzle waiting to be solved, but he couldn't quite put the pieces together just yet.
I returned Jamie's concerned gaze with a reassuring smile, masking the turmoil within me.
"Jamie, I'm actually getting married soon," I said, my voice laced with a hint of deception. "I choose not to wear my engagement ring to avoid unnecessary attention. You see how you reacted just now?" I lied, hoping to deflect his probing questions.
I could feel the tension in the air as I approached Jamie, my steps hesitant and heavy with unease. Benjamin's cold stare pierced through me, but I chose to ignore it, focusing on Jamie instead. I reached out and took hold of Jamie's hand.
"Let's head over to Benjamin's office for now. We can have a proper conversation once we're there," I suggested, giving him a bit of reassurance. Jamie's expression resembled that of someone who had just seen a ghost, and I wanted to provide a sense of comfort in that moment.
Without a word, Jamie nodded in agreement. I turned my gaze towards Benjamin, conveying a silent message of "let's go." Despite the icy aura emanating from him, I chose to ignore whatever he was attempting and forged ahead, walking alongside Jamie.
We finally found our seats in Benjamin's office, and Benjamin was the last one to join us. He walked behind us at a leisurely pace before taking a seat in his chair.
I could feel the tension in the air as I sat next to Jamie, and it seemed like a certain someone was not pleased with our proximity. His intense gaze locked with mine, silently conveying a message that he would address the situation later.
I shifted my gaze away from him, completely disregarding his presence, as I had already decided to do so.
I turned to Jamie and said, "You probably need some water, right?"
Jamie responded, "I could really use some water. I'm still feeling quite tense." He glanced at Benjamin and added, "It's still hard to believe that someone is actually going to marry you. I'm in shock."
"Enough with the nonsense," Benjamin's cold voice cut through the air. "You're still here because we have important business to discuss."
Was it a matter of business, I wondered? Jamie's claimed of visiting as an old friend but now Benjamin says it's about business. What concealed tensions played beneath the surface?
I glanced at the two men in the office, sensing an underlying tension. Trying to ease the atmosphere, I cleared my throat and suggested, "I'll go grab some water."
But before I could make a move, Benjamin's voice stopped me in my tracks. "No need for that," he said. "My assistant should be here any moment with the drinks I ordered."
Right at that moment, we heard a knock on the door, and Benjamin's assistant walked in. The look of surprise on his face was unmistakable. It seemed like he hadn't anticipated finding Jamie and me in the room.
"Luke's your assistant???" Jamie exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise. "What's happening here?" he asked, his curiosity sparked.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion too. Earlier today, I witnessed someone reading Benjamin's schedule aloud to him, and now Luke appears, carrying a tray of drinks. How many assistants does he have?
I inhaled deeply, feeling the need to address Benjamin in a more intimate manner. With a steady voice, I mustered the courage to ask, "Darling, how many assistants do you have?" My curiosity remained concealed beneath the calmness of my tone.
As soon as those words left my lips, all heads turned in my direction, including Benjamin's. The room fell silent, and I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze upon me.
"Two of them," Benjamin casually remarked, his attention shifting towards Luke. "He is just here to handle my needs and run errands, just like what he's doing now. Nothing too serious," he explained. Then, with a commanding tone, he added, "Don't just stand there, drop the drink and make yourself scarce."
"Yes boss," Luke responded obediently, carefully placing the drink on the table without making eye contact with any of us. He swiftly departed, leaving us in a slightly awkward silence.
Jamie's voice carried a hint of tension as he expressed his concern. "I never expected this from you, Emila," he said. "I thought you would offer Luke a more fitting role in the company, rather than just running errands. We should always strive to be kind to one another, even when we make mistakes or have flaws."
I shook my head, the frustration evident in my voice as I addressed Jamie. "No, Jamie, that's not who I am," I asserted. "I don't meddle in other people's lives or their business. Luke should be grateful he still has a job, you know?"
I couldn't deny the growing anger inside me, swirling bit by bit. I despised Luke and everything that revolved around him. This marked only the commencement for him; I'm determined to ensure he pleads for my forgiveness.