Chapter 11:”Peace offering”

Ambers pov

After the last conversation we had concerning why I signed the contract, I made sure not be in sight.

Luckily, his schedule was completely cleared because of the fake honeymoon we were on.

I hadn’t stepped out of my room since today since I didn’t want to bump into him. I was cooped up in my room with no break fast, no lunch and now it’s almost dinner time and I don’t think I can endure this too.

Passing by the hallway, i saw him in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, pouring water like a Greek god. He didn’t look he was the same man who ran an entire company with ruthless precision.

I should have kept walking but I didn’t, instead I stopped to savor the sight. He looked different from the usual arrogant and domineering boss to a man who just let his guard down and wants to just live in the moment.

He looked like a family man, and I wondered if he would still look this scary if he eventually marries and has kids running down the hallway waiting for him to be back from work.

Still lost in thoughts, I didn’t notice him walk towards me and stand inches away from me. It was only after he spoke that I was brought back to reality.

“You’re avoiding me,” he said calmly.

“I…I’m not. I said trying not to sound stupid.

He took two strides towards me and that was it, there was no distance to between us.

“No?” he asked quietly.

“Then what are you doing?” he added.

No, he doesn’t get to taunt me like this. I should be the one asking him questions and not the other way round.

“I’m trying to understand what you want from me, why did you kiss me and in public too?” I said trying to feign anger.

“So are you saying, if it wasn’t in public you wouldn’t mind ?” He asked smirking.

“I didn’t say that, you are deflecting.”

“Amber, you already signed the contract plus you have an advantage too so what’s with the questions? Is that why you were indoors throughout today?”

“Oh really? Need I remind you whose fault it is that I had to sign a contract? If you hadn’t done what you did, we would have continued our lives without any disturbance.” I yelled. He was trying to pin this on me but I wouldn’t let that happen.

“You think it is simple for me? I had to stand there and watch you dance with my rival when I brought you to the event.” I could see he was getting frustrated.

“So it’s a matter of your ego? You kissed me because you didn’t want your rival dancing with me and what about me? My emotions? It didn’t occur to you?”

“But you kissed me back,” he murmured.

“You know what?” I lowered my voice as i didn’t want him to see the dam of tears threatening to fall out. I moved towards him with my forefinger poking his chest.

“You are just a piece of shit and a self centered jerk and you don’t know how damaged you are until you seek therapy.” I said as a drop of tear fell on my cheek.

With that I walked away from him, I don’t know what it was but there was a bile rising in my throat that threatened to open the flood gates.

“Amber,” he called.

I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. I dare not let him see me in this state, it would only make him feel better.

Adrian’s pov

Since last night where she called me names, I hadn’t seen her and I was beginning to be worried. She hasn’t had anything for a while now and I didn’t want anyone dying on my property.

Only she had guts to raise her finger to me and call me all sorts of names but I didn’t mind, I guess I deserved it. Taking one last look at the food presentation I wanted to use as a peace offering, I walked towards her room.

“Amber, can you open the door let’s talk.

No response

“Please.” This was the first time I had used this word in a while but it didn’t matter to me, I needed to speak to her.

She opened the door and her face looked puffed up and that pricked my heart. For some reason, seeing her that way didn’t sit well with me and to make it worse, I was the cause.

“How may I help you?” She asked.

“Can we not be like this? We need to be cordial at least so this can look believable.”

“Is that all you have to say, Adrian?”

This was a first, she called me by my name and I wasn’t repulsed by it either. I liked the way my name rolled out from her tongue, it sounded like music to my ears.

“I know i shouldn’t have kissed you on impulse and for what, just because I didn’t like the idea of sharing my person with someone talk more of my rival.”

“Your person? What do you mean?”

“I….i meant, my staff.”

My person ? What the hell was that? I didn’t even know when i said that.

“Look, I’m sorry, ok? I don’t know what happened and I’m not going to justify it just please stop staying indoors plus you haven’t had a proper meal since two days now.”

“Are you worried about me ? She asked.

“Shouldn’t I be ?”

For a moment, we locked eyes with each other. It was like our eyes could say what we couldn’t say like it could see the depth of our hearts.

Breaking from the staring contest, “I brought food.”

“You cooked?” She asked in disbelief.

“There are so many things I can do Amber, you just don’t know it yet.”

“Is that so? Well, let me have a taste, I’m starving.”

She took in her first spoon and her eyes widened which made her look so adorable and I couldn’t help but get mesmerized by them.

“No way, this is really nice, you should cook often” She said.

“No way, I don’t like cooking. I just did it to pacify

you, I enjoy yours better.”

“You do? I didn’t know that but thank you for the compliment, I guess.” She said.

“It reminds me of my mums dishes and it’s something I like to relive so please, never stop cooking.”

“Oh, lucky you. You just got married to the best chef in the world.” She said grinning from ear to ear.

That view alone was precious, she has never smiled at me willingly before and I’m glad I was the one making her smile today.

Why does it feel like I just got myself into something that would be difficult to explain. This was supposed to be a one year contract but why did it feel like I would fumble before the year ends?