Chapter 3

I called the client to apologize, and they didn’t make things difficult for me, recognizing my sincerity. We arranged to meet at their office tomorrow morning at ten to sign the contract.

Holden was informed of the update right away. As soon as I reached the hotel where I was staying for the night, he called. His tone had changed from earlier in the evening, sounding almost cheerful. "Maren, you handled the situation well," he said casually.

I responded with a laid-back "Hmm."

He hesitated, and his tone quickly turned cold. "Don’t forget to pick up my watch on your way back. I’ve sent you the address and order details."

With that, he abruptly ended the call. I set my phone aside, took a hot bath, and headed straight to bed.

The next day, after signing the contract, I flew back home. Arriving at the office, I intended to hand the contract directly to Holden. However, as I walked past his office, I heard laughter inside.

After some hesitation, I opened the door to Holden’s office.

"Why don’t you knock before coming in?" His angry voice greeted me the moment the door opened. The next second, a pen was thrown at my forehead.

I lowered my head and replied calmly, "I apologize, Mr. Johnson. I'll be more careful next time."

"Maren? Is that you..." Holden’s expression changed the moment he realized it was me. He quickly stood up and rushed over. Cupping my face in his hands, he examined my forehead with concern, asking quietly, "It’s swollen. Does it hurt?"

"Holden, you should be just as strict with me as you are with others," I replied, brushing his hands away and glancing over at Nori.

She was reclining comfortably in Holden’s chair, watching me with amusement. When Holden finally looked at her, she feigned a bit more restraint and spoke with mock disappointment, "Whenever I rush in to bring Holden files, I never knock either, and he never throws a pen at me. I must not be doing well enough for him to be strict with me."

Her words were clearly intended to flaunt Holden’s special treatment towards her, but her act was so transparently fake. Yet, Holden was still concerned, "Nori, don’t say that. You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had."

"Really?" Nori lifted her eyes, looking at me expectantly. "Is that what you think too, Ms. Johnson?"

I didn't want to indulge her pretense. My gaze swept past her to the dishes: a roasted turkey and a green bean salad, along with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, and a dessert tray featuring spiced honey cake and apple pie on Holden’s desk.

Following my gaze, Holden awkwardly explained, "Nori had some stomach issues after we went out for business drinks, and I felt guilty, so I thought I'd help her with her diet."

They went out for business drinks? Internally, I scoffed. More like partying in a bar, drinking until they hurt their stomachs.

I personally handled every major and minor issue in the company. Holden might have the title of CEO, but his days were filled with fun and leisure. I, on the other hand, had ended up in the hospital with stomach bleeding from business drinks, a condition that left lasting effects.

And Holden? He had visited me in the hospital but had only watched as the nurses attended to me. He hadn’t uttered a single comforting word, let alone cooked for me.

As I snapped back to reality, Nori had approached me. She boldly took Holden’s hand and smiled at me, declaring, "Today's lunch was cooked by Mr. Johnson himself. Why don’t you join us, Ms. Johnson?"

Seeing their intertwined hands made my heart ache once more. I glanced up at Holden, who was signaling to Nori with his eyes.

I suddenly laughed, handing the contract to Nori. "Since Mr. Johnson and Ms. Spencer are enjoying coffee and dessert, I won’t disturb you. Please file the contract for me, will you?"

I turned to leave but was stopped by Holden grabbing my wrist.

I didn’t turn back, waiting for him to speak.

Holden sounded a bit plaintive, "Nori is young, Maren. You shouldn’t hold it against her. Come, join us."

As he finished, I realized the heartache was easing somewhat.

I discovered that when the pain reaches a certain point, it truly doesn’t matter anymore.

"No, thank you. Enjoy your meal."

I pulled my hand free and quickly left the office.