Chapter 13

I didn’t know whether I should be screaming or pushing him to the floor to give him a good beating. All I could focus on was keeping my heartbeat in checking because it was drumming in my ears.

Alexander’s shoulders shook, and I thought I imagining it, but this man was actually laughing. I couldn’t believe him.

“Let me go!” I said, my face feeling hot even more.

“Let me think about it, hmmm…” He was quiet for only a second. “…no.”

“Alexander!”

“You’re very loud, Chlo.”

“Oh, I’m loud? You’re holding me hostage!”

“Not really. You’re simply doing your job at the moment.”

I groaned in frustration, as my hand rubbed my temples. I felt like I’d soon pop a vein even. But then things went quiet, and I could feel the weight of his head against my chest. It felt odd, but no entirely uncomfortable. It almost reminded me of my time with Mark.

That assh*le.

I took a deep breath and just accepted my role as a human pillow at the moment. He felt warm at the very least which felt comfortable. With his strong arms holding me in place. I got lost for a moment staring at his hair. He always had good hair, sometimes was mistakened for a girl if he didn’t tie it down back when Mia and I were still kids, and he was a teenager. It was neatly cut now though.

But back when he was the annoyingly quiet older brother who rarely spoke, I remembered the old tree at his family’s estate, where Alexander would be laying his head in my lap while I read my novels and Mia browsed fashion magazines on her phone. We called it our quiet time. And I was always his pillow back then, even when I’d advise him to carry a pillow or cushion with him instead. Despite that, I didn’t always complain about it. Stroking his hair felt therapeutic while I read, and he always looked tired so it was a win-win habit

There were times when I sang songs to him. A silly lullaby I picked up from my mother, or a random hum that popped into my head. And he’d doze off before I could finish anyone of them.

My hand slowly lifted, almost touching his hair. But I stopped myself.

Alexander opened one of his eyes, looking at me.

“You got quiet all of a sudden. What is it?”

“Nothing.”

He closed his eye again, and took in a deep breath.

“You were ab out to touch my hair?”

“I wasn’t.”

“Old habits die hard I see.”

“Says the man that’s reverted me back to my human-pillow days.”

“Fortunately, this human-pillow has a soft chest now and even softer thighs.”

“The actual f*ck Alexander!?”

“Hm.” He shrugged. I scoffed, looking away.

“Is this why you’re doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“You’re still treating me somewhat like a child.”

He went quiet. His expression changing slightly. However, I continued before he could get a word in.

“That’s what this is, isn’t it?”

“Chloe-”

“You still see me as Mia’s silly best friend.”

I could feel his gaze on me, his silence seemed to have answered for him, which made my chest tighten for some reason. Because why else would he be behaving like this with me, especially when he could have any woman he wanted?

Could he be trying to take responsibility for that night? That mistake we indulged in under the influence of alcohol? Does he just feel bad for me?

That must be it. Because to him, I’m probably still the girl who used to follow Mia around the estate.

I was still that girl who had once played with is hair under a tree while he slept.

His sister’s best friend. Nothing more.

Wait…what am I thinking? Why do I even want more?!

I carefully tried moving off him.

But this time, his arms tightened around my waist, and I froze.

“Alexander…let go.” I demanded quietly, as though I had muddled up my own mind to the point I felt drained by it, drained by him.

“No.”

“For goodness sa-”

“You’re confused.”

“Confused? About what exactly?”

“About me.”

“You mean how you’re still acting like I’m still a kid?”

His brows furrowed, and I used that opportunity to slip out of his arms.

“I’m not treating you like a kid. You’re my wife.”

“By rule of a contract, if I might add.” I said, straightening out my corporate dress. “You know what? Just forget it.”

I didn’t even wait for another word from him, and left his office. I turned on my heels and left his office without hesitation.

“Unbelievable…” I muttered as the door closed behind me. I then placed my hand on my forehead.

Is there something genuinely wrong with that guy, or am I going mental? I thought to myself.

It was infuriating how emotionless a businessman he’s acting one second, then the next second…he using me as a bloody pillow.

Why’d I even get all moody about it?!

“Nope, I am not thinking about Xander anymore.” I jabbed the elevator button harder than necessary and the doors slid open immediately.

In a couple minutes of cooling down, rather than returning to Alexander’s office, I just kept pressing random buttons. Then I went for a walk withing the building. Because even as I was pissed at Alexander and myself, he was still my boss/husband, and I didn’t know the area around BluTech enough to explore outside.

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BluTech was far bigger than I’d imagined. Each and every department occupied one whole floor, open workspaces buzzed with activity, conference rooms overlooked the city and developers argued over lines of codes.

And for the first time since I got here, I wasn’t seeing BluTech as Alexander Thorne’s empire. It was a company and living machine, which functioned perfectly thanks to thousands of people working on it worldwide, not just here. But either way everyone’s parts were of equal importance.

“…Excuse me.”

I stepped aside as several employees hurried past carrying stacks of files. Nobody seemed to pay me much attention on the lower floors. Because clearly, there was nothing special about being “Mrs. Thorne” after leaving the executive floor.

And honestly, it was refreshing. I wandered toward a small café tucked into one corner withing the building, close to the canteen. The aroma of fresh coffee lifted my mood, and I quickly went to order.

“One cappuccino, please.”

“Of course, ma’am.”

I was waiting for my drink when two voices drifted from the corridor beside the café.

“…Friday won’t work anymore.”

My brows furrowed in confusion, half listening, and half unbothered to want to find out.

“The meeting’s been postponed…” The voice continued.

“It doesn’t matter.” A second voice responded, in a rather irritated tone.

Well, it seems those two have gotten their feathers ruffled. Office drama perhaps?

“We’ve already postponed this meeting twice.” The second voice said, and paused, letting out a frustrated scoff. “And it’s all thanks to that damn bitch he brought with him today.”

Oh, okay. That’s quite the intense office drama.

“Yeah, the bastard suspended it all.”

“Not suspended…Cancelled.”

Ahhh…they’re talking about the Singapore expansion from this morning’s meeting? So I’m the drama.

My eyes widened at the realization. And I subconsciously looked the other way to not be noticed, while still listening.

“Well, what now?”

“We wait and observe how else things are gonna play out.”

“And Daniel?”

A brief silence followed.

“He’ll handle it.”

“And you think nobody suspects anything?”

The second guy let out a quiet chuckle, almost mockingly so.

“Oh please, Alexander Thorne trusts numbers. He barely reads the reports where not necessary. And convincing him to just throw money has always been a breeze.”

“I see, we’ll just have to find another weak point then.”

“Now you’re thinking, Benny.”

The two men laughed softly before disappearing around the corner. I stood perfectly still and nearly jumped when my cappuccino was placed on the counter I was leaning on.

That conversation just now…wasn’t right at all.

I picked up my coffee and walked toward the window overlooking the city skyline, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

Daniel…the Singapore…Friday…

Now hold on a minute.

I replayed everything in my head again. The conversation wasn’t enough to accuse anyone of anything. For all I knew, they could have been discussing how to meet up on Friday for a party or something.

However…

There was something about that conversation that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up wrongly.

But maybe I was just overthinking it all.

Or maybe I’ve spent a bit too much time around Alexander already.