Chapter 2

The next day, James just wouldn't let me go to the office alone; he stuck to me like glue. Everyone we passed greeted me, their eyes full of envy as I walked into the office.

His office was all warm tones. When he was having it renovated, he remembered I didn't like cold colors, so he made sure everything felt cozy, so I'd always feel at home whenever I visited.

After I sat down, James made me a cappuccino himself, handing it to me with a gentle smile. He said, "Claire, your favorite cappuccino."

As I stared at the coffee in his hand, my mind drifted back to those tough days when the Carters were making things hard for him. He was exhausted from work every single day, and I felt so guilty; I couldn't do anything to help.

James would always say to me, "Claire, all I need is a cappuccino from you.

"With your love mixed in, I'm instantly recharged."

From then on, a simple cappuccino became our silent code for love, something only James and I understood.

Now, as I looked at the steaming cup of coffee in front of me, I let out a soft sigh. I said, "James, I don't really like cappuccino anymore. My tastes have changed."

James's face went blank for a second, a flash of panic in his eyes. He asked, "But you loved cappuccino. When did that change?"

Before I could say a word, there was a knock at the door, and Emily walked in.

She stood in the doorway, arms full of files, her face looking a lot like mine, except for that smug little smile she always wore.

She glanced at James and said, "Mr. Carter, the meeting's about to start. You're the only one missing."

As she passed by, she suddenly stumbled, and the pile of files she was carrying slammed into me, knocking over the cappuccino. The hot coffee spilled onto my leg, making me suck in a sharp breath from the pain.

"Clumsy. Get out of here!" James shouted at her.

James's face changed instantly; he angrily shoved Emily to the floor, then knelt in front of me, his eyes full of worry as he gently checked my leg.

Trying to ignore the pain, I asked, "James, why is she even here?"

I'd told James a long time ago that I never wanted to share a space with Emily.

James's expression froze for a second, then he said, "I didn't even know Emily was the project lead until things were already underway.

"If you're not okay with it, I'll drop the whole project."

"Claire, please don't let Mr. Carter scrap the project. I know I shouldn't have shown up in front of you; I'll leave right away!" Emily said, her voice trembling.

Her eyes were brimming with tears, looking all pitiful, but behind that helpless act, she shot me a look that was practically daring me to do something.

Seeing the worry in James's eyes, I spoke in a cool tone, "Since this is business, I'm not unreasonable."

James let out a long sigh of relief, his tense expression finally relaxing.

He rummaged through the first-aid kit and gently dabbed medicine on my leg, then said apologetically, "Claire, the meeting's about to start. Can you wait here for me?"

He rushed out, with Emily sticking close behind. After thinking for a moment, I stepped out too. Sure enough, right by the storage room, I caught James's cold, cutting voice.

James said, "Didn't I warn you not to show your face in front of Claire?

"Know your place; you're nothing but a pawn to me!

"If you ever try to come between Claire and me again, I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life."

A cold smirk crept onto my lips. He'd already hooked up with Emily, whom I hate most, so what's the point of all this talk about love?

It's just utterly hypocritical.

"I just miss you so much, James," Emily said, her voice sickly sweet.

I heard the rustling of her clothes as she undressed, her voice still dripping with sugar.

"Guess what I'm wearing underneath? It's your favorite style," she said.

"Get lost!" James said, his tone cold.

Emily said, her voice trembling, "I'm willing to be your plaything, your outlet. Whatever you can't do to Claire, you can do to me; just don't abandon me, I beg you."

Then came the unmistakable sounds of something steamy going on.

I felt sick to my stomach, barely holding back the urge to throw up as I slipped away without a sound. Just imagining James touching me after being with Emily made my skin crawl; I wanted to peel it right off.

He was absolutely disgusting.