Chapter 4

I caught a flicker of surprise in Charles's eyes.

I let out a bitter laugh at myself.

So it really was true.

Charles thought he'd talked me into it, sure I'd accept Emily working at the company.

He never saw it coming when I shot him down without hesitation.

He loosened the top two buttons of his shirt with one hand, his face growing colder.

"Alright. Give me a reason," he said.

I held his gaze.

"I don't like it," I said.

He looked at me, waiting.

"I don't want to see her at home after work, and then have to see her at the office too," I said.

Charles lit another cigarette, looking genuinely puzzled. "Aren't you two best friends? Didn't you always want to be together all the time?"

Back in college, Emily and I were practically glued at the hip.

But now, we've both got our own families.

Even the closest friends need some space.

And honestly, Emily made me uncomfortable these days.

Charles didn't say a word. He turned and walked into the bathroom.

I thought I'd made myself clear, so I figured this whole thing was over.

But I couldn't have been more wrong.

That afternoon, I overheard a few coworkers gossiping in the restroom.

They said, "Did you hear? Mr. Stanton hired a gorgeous new assistant. You think Ms. Mason's cool with that?"

"Oh, you don't know? Ms. Summers is Ms. Mason's bestie. They're super tight."

"Sure, they're close now, but who knows later? I saw Mr. Stanton practically breathing down Ms. Summers's neck, showing her files face-to-face."

"I don't get what Ms. Mason's thinking, letting her best friend work right next to her husband. These days, besties stealing husbands isn't exactly rare."

Charles still ignored my wishes and made Emily his personal assistant.

Twice now, he'd gone out of his way for her.

It was getting hard not to wonder if something was going on between them.

I clenched my palm so hard my nails dug in, tears soaking my face.

One was my best friend, the other the man I loved most.

They couldn't do this to me.

When everyone finally left, I managed to pull myself together and step out of the restroom.

I headed straight for Charles's office.

I pushed open the door. He was working, but Emily wasn't there.

I didn't waste time. "Where's Emily? Didn't you say she was starting today?"

Charles set down his file, totally unfazed by my confrontation.

He didn't even look guilty for going behind my back.

"Olivia, this company isn't yours. I have the right to decide who stays and who goes," he said.

Realizing he'd come off a bit harsh, he softened his tone. "Olivia, I've had plenty of female assistants before. Why are you fine with them, but not Emily?

"I know what you're worried about, but Emily's your friend. If you don't trust me, do you really not trust her either?"

Emily could be blunt, and sometimes rubbed people the wrong way.

But honestly, she wasn't a bad person.

She was bored at home and wanted a change of scenery.

Maybe after a few days at work, she'd get tired and quit.

Charles's words made me start doubting myself: Am I really being unreasonable?

Just as I was still torn about whether to let her stay, the door to Charles's break room swung open.