“No, you keep working,” I said, waving him off. “I’ll just look around
He raised an eyebrow but returned to the document in front of him as I wandered around the perimeter of his office.
When I’d finished my self–guided tour, I settled into one of the comfortable chairs in the sitting area. After a while, my attention drifted back to Brandon.
He was completely absorbed in his work, brow furrowed slightly in concentration. The afternoon sunlight cast a golden glow across his features, highlighting the sharp angle of his jawline and the intensity in his eyes. In the office, he was different–more focused, more commanding. The contrast between this public version of Brandon and the man who held me at night was fascinating.
I found myself staring, unable to look away, until a sharp knock at the door jolted me from my trance. Brandon glanced up, his eyes meeting mine.
“Get the door?” he suggested.
“Is that a good idea?” I hesitated, suddenly conscious of how it might look. “What if it’s someone from the office?”
Brandon dismissed my concern with a casual wave. “It’s fine. Go ahead.”
Reluctantly, I crossed the room and opened the door to find a petite woman with glasses and an immaculate blazer. She blinked at me in surprise before her professional mask slid back into place.
“I’m Monica, Mr. Stark’s executive assistant,” she said, her eyes darting past me to Brandon.
“Please, come in,” I stepped aside, feeling awkward in my undefined role.
Monica strode past me with brisk efficiency. “Mr. Stark, Joe Watson has arrived for his appointment.”
“Bring him in,” Brandon replied without looking up from his papers.
After Monica left, I turned to Brandon with wide eyes. “Joe Watson? As in Anna Watson’s brother? Should I… leave?”
“No need,” Brandon replied, finally setting down his pen. He extended his hand toward me. “Come here.”
I approached cautiously, only for him to capture my hand in his, guiding me to the seating area. I tried to pull away, but his grip
was firm.
“What are you doing?” I whispered urgently. “What’s going on with Joe Watson? And about the Anna situation–I’ve already forgiven her. You don’t need to-”
Another knock at the door cut me off.
“Come in“.
Joe Watson entered with measured confidence, though I noticed his posture was slightly too rigid to be natural. His eyes scanned the room, momentarily passing over us before snapping back in recognition when Brandon stood.
“Mr. Stark,” he greeted, his voice carefully controlled.
Brandon nodded at Monica. “Two coffees and a lemon water, please,
As the door closed behind Monica, Brandon gestured toward the chair across from us. “Have a seat, Mr. Watson.”
1/2
Chapter 137
Joe settled into the chair, his expression betraying nothing though sensed the calculations happening behind his eyes. He kept glancing at me, clearly trying to place me within the power structure of the room.
‘I’d like to introduce you,” Brandon said, his voice giving nothing away, “to my wife, Summer Taylor.”
The reaction was immediate–Joe’s careful composure cracked with genuine surprise, his eyes widening as they darted between us. But his shock was nothing compared to my own. I jerked my head toward Brandon, shooting him a glare that could have melted steel. Wife? After all our careful secrecy, he was just announcing it to Joe Watson of all people?
Brandon remained perfectly calm, giving my hand a gentle squeeze as if to say, Trust me. I know what I’m doing.
Joe recovered admirably, straightening his tie as understanding visibly dawned on him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Stark.”
“Likewise, Mr. Watson,” I replied, somehow keeping my voice steady despite the chaos in my head.
What exactly was Brandon playing at?
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
