FIVE.

~Eve.

Sinclair has been around the house more often, a strange adjustment which I was still trying to get used to. It isn't that I don't want him in the house, because I do, but his presence everyday reminds me of all we couldn't have and the time spent apart.

If we had done something five years ago, we would have had little Eve and Sinclair running around the house. Something to remind me that I wasn't really all alone.

I pressed my pillow flush against my body and snuggled under the blanket, my eyes fixed steadily on Sinclair. My husband was handsome, that was an undebatable fact but he has lost his touch since Clara visited our home.

“The tea has gone cold.” He placed the cup back on the table and turned to me, bags under his eyes. “I can make you another one if you like.”

He sighed and shook his head, “No, it's fine. I don't need anymore.” He picked his phone and I knew immediately he was obsessing again.

“Clara does not have the nerves to say anything to the media.” The couch wasn't large enough for a person of my size to lay on so, I curled myself more and snuggled my pillow tighter.

“What?”

“Clara. I know you're worried about what she said when she came here but I can assure you, she wouldn't do that.”

He scoffed, “you're so sure about that.” Vein marks dragged along his forehead threatening to pop out of his head if he squeezed his eyes shut any further.

I got up and went him, “Sinclair,” I called. The name was luscious against my tongue, velvety and gold. I was saying my husband's name for the first time in five years.

Sinclair stared at me with wide eyes as I went to sit next to him. I picked his phone and laptop and set them aside on the table.

“A person with plans to destroy someone does not make her intentions known. Clara only wants your money, if she really did have a plan, she wouldn't have come to you.”

I ran my tongue along my lips and dragged my bottom lip between my teeth. Sinclair was staring down at me and he was staring hard. Heat began rising up my neck. I couldn't believe the last time I had a male gaze on me and coming from Sinclair…

“I know but, I'm still worried she'd do something to sabotage the deal I have with my investors. Top five business sharks want to invest with us, Evie, and I can't afford to lose them.”

“You wouldn't.” I took both his hands in mine. I was overstepping, I knew, I have never been this bold but Sinclair was beginning to warm up with me and I needed to take advantage of that, I can't afford to let my husband slip through my hands once more. “Come, you've been staring at these screens and worrying your pretty head for days now, what you need now is proper sunlight and chilled margarita.”

He chuckled as he got up, “So you think I'm pretty.”

I paused and looked at him, “Always. You are the most gorgeous person ever.”

My tongue found their way around my lips again. Sinclair was staring at me with much intensity now and all I wanted was for him to just lean in and let me do the rest. I needed his lips on mine, I wanted our tongues to fight for dominance. I wanted to kiss him stupid, to feel him against me.

His hand softly trailed along my face and he tucked a strand of hair before my ear before placing a finger on my chin and lifting my face to him. He thickly -I saw the movement in his Adam's apple- as he searched my eyes. “I will need something stronger than a margarita, Evie.”

“Of course.” My smile found itself back on my face. Even though it was forced.

With his hand still in mine, I led him upstairs to the terrace. The sun was already beginning to set making the atmosphere conducive for our evening relaxation.

The terrace was overlooking the pool and the field beyond our mansion, the breeze was cool, the birds were singing and the butterflies in my belly were dancing at the proximity I had with James.

“I can't remember the last time I had this type of break from work. This is starting to make me feel like I need a vacation.” Sinclair took a sip of the bloody Mary out butler, Finch, made for him and relaxed into his reclining chair.

“You really do, and I think I do too. I can't remember the last time I left this city. Five years? Six years?” I said somewhat absentmindedly and took a sip of my margarita.

I had many opportunities to go to as many vacations as I wanted but, what good would it have done me without my lover by my side.

“You overwork yourself and hardly take a break. A vacation would do you good.” I added.

“I know, but I can't leave work. My companies are riding on me, I can't afford to misstep else I'll lose everything I have been working hard for.”

“You are a made man now, Sinclair, there is hardly anything that would make your business crumble and certainly not a few days vacation. Besides, you have your employees to count on. Your business wouldn't have been where it is today if they weren't in support of your growth.”

“True but, you can't Always trust them.” He closed his eyes and turned his face to the sun.

“But you trust me, right?” I bit my lower lip as Sinclair turned to me and popped a lid open.

“Of course, I do. Have I ever given you the impre-”

“No, it's not that.” He definitely has but I didn't want to discuss that. Not when we've started becoming better. I exhaled deeply, placed my glass on the table and turned to him, my hands folded cordially. “Five years is a very long time for one to find himself but instead of finding myself, I lose every piece of me with each passing moment.

I have tried many hobbies over the years but none of them made me feel like me and I realized that the only fulfillment I needed was my job which I dropped after we got married. I have been meaning to ask for a very long time but I didn't know how to say it… I need my job back, Sinclair, I need to feel that thrill of rush hours again. I need a sense of purpose and stability again.”

“You want to work?” He asked with raised brows. I nodded.

“Yes, I can take you the job of the COO, you know. I have thorough knowledge about the company. It would be great, you know and I can also help ease your burden.”

“No.”

“Oh,” I said softly and nodded. “ It's fine, I… I understand.”

“No, I didn't mean that. Of course, I can give you a position at the company but not COO. It's not that you can't handle the position, it's not, but the company has developed over the years since you stopped working.”

“I could catch up with the recent developments. I'm not dumb.”

“Of course you aren't, Evie, you are really smart but, I don't think it's ideal to reinstate a new COO right now. The current COO is doing a good job and I can't just… not at this time.”

I nodded. I was reaching for too much. COO? Out of the blue? Who was I kidding?

“But, hey,” he turned fully to me and took my hands in his, “but, you can take up the position as the company's PR. Since you and I are the only people that know about Clara's threat, you can be in charge of making sure our name doesn't get tarnished.”

“What about the current PR, aren't they doing a good job?”

“They are but I know you can do better. You're smart. You can handle the job perfectly.”

“Okay.” A smile crept up to my face before I broke out into laughter. I had a job!

“Yeah?”

“Yes! Yes! I'll take it.”

“Perfect. What you say about going with me to the office tomorrow, I can officially introduce you. Or do you need some time to get ready?”

“No, we can go tomorrow. I am always ready.”

“Perfect.” He lifted his glass to me and I clicked mine against him. I was happy, I had a job again. I didn't have to hole up in the house all day long.

“That's my girl.” He lifted his glass to his lips and took a sip.