Or, that it was rather best to stay away as much as possible as my growing feelings seemed to possess an interminable spurt.

“I do not intend to bother you, I’m sorry, but I’m fine.” I sensibly replied.

“I am responsible for your well-being; you should know that, Fiona.”

“But-”

“Are you perhaps upset with me?”

Oh my goodness! How could I possibly be upset with him?

“No, that’s impossible.” I countered.

“I’m glad you are not, but-”

His phone must have vibrated in his pocket, for he quickly retrieved it and answered a call, beckoning me not to leave.

So, I stood there, staring from his chiseled jawlines to his biceps and to the entirety of his figure.

I swallowed over and over again, and I would not be aware of the tension that was tragically worming its way into the conversation until moments later.

By then, he was already rigid on the spot, and his brows furrowed.

I thought his body language, as he threw a few glances at me, suggested some dreadful kind of alertness. He spoke in short, sparse sentences.

Who in the heavens was he speaking with?

I began to feel helpless, standing there without being able to help in any way.

Momentarily, he raised his voice at the caller, but he immediately regretted it as a look of despair crawled on his face.

The call would soon end, and he would slump on the sofa, quite unlike him.

The room bore a tangible silence that I feared could not be penetrated.

Christian had his head in his hands; he was down. Something shifted in me, but I could not bring myself to talk to him. Knowing that I was trying so hard to repress my personal feelings, I might just explode.

Chapter Eight

Christian

Fiona stood less than a few feet away from me, but I felt as though an uncrossable gulf was between us. She wouldn’t budge from the spot but her eyes seemed like they could clearly see through me.

“Was that something you’d want to share?” Her voice came at last, soft and concerned. I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Aurora has finally involved both families.”

“Oh,” she gasped, and her face immediately tensed. “Why?”

“Well, for one, I think my parents and her parents are hoping we could get back together. This isn’t our first breakup; our union will benefit both families. If they’re involved, then she won’t be the only one pushing for a reunion.”

“Oh.”

I nodded. Of course, Fiona was going to understand what I was going through. “We’re having a meeting this Friday.”

“Do you have to go?” She frowned.

“I guess I don’t have a choice.” I was calm on the exterior, but boiling in turmoil, making my heart restless.

Fiona walked closer to me, shortening the distance between us.

“I think Liam should take you home now. I’ll report the status of things at your place by the end of today.” She thoughtfully said.

She was truly concerned about me, and I was moved. I felt something I had not felt in a long time, but I couldn’t particularly lay my hands on it.

“Thank you,” was all I could think of saying.

She nodded and ambled out of my office.

Soon, she returned and let me know that the car was ready. I wished she could come with me right away. Though the inappropriacy of my desire was rather conspicuous, I realized I wanted it more than ever.

But she insisted I leave unaccompanied.

I looked at the serene skies to the Bonsai tree I had brought along from Japan as a present from CEO Yukimura himself. I had wanted to give it to Fiona right at the airport, but I couldn’t since she hadn’t come with Liam as I had anticipated.

I had been slightly disappointed, but I had not forgotten about it. I knew she was going to love it. Perhaps when we met at my place tonight, I would have the opportunity to give it to her. I couldn’t deny how often I thought of her these days.

It occurred to me, while I was away, that her presence around me had developed an invincible impact on my life. From being Allison’s best friend to my personal assistant, Fiona was indispensable.

As we approached the house, I saw a woman who looked like Cherie in the front yard of the house, on the left of Fiona’s duplex.

I asked Liam to stop driving so that I could confirm what I had seen; lo and behold, it was her.

Though her eyes still sparkled, her beauty waned, and it looked like she was not too well.

She was undoubtedly happy to see me after a very long time, and we chatted for a while, totally excusing the existence of Mason, her ex-husband.

When I asked about the girls, she told me Kimberly was briefly staying with her father, and Kaitlin was at Cherie’s older sister’s.

That was fair, I thought to myself.

I hadn’t really spoken with Mason after I was picked up from the airport but he had looked better than I had left him. I jokingly told him, and he made a small laugh about it.

When I left Cherie, I couldn’t help but think she was hiding something important from everyone.

Yes, she and Mason still had frequent disagreements, but she couldn’t look so worn out as a result. It was beyond that.

I could remember wanting to discuss them with Mason over a drink.