Emily Thompson said, "Wait."
The strap of Emily's dress slipped down to her waist as Patrick Rivera's hand roamed over her, sparking a fire inside her. Their kiss was intense, breaths quickening, ready to give in to their desires.
But right at that moment, Emily pulled back. Patrick opened his deep brown eyes, clearly annoyed. Emily took off her bracelet and placed it on the bedside table.
Patrick gave her a cold look. "You really care about that cheap bracelet, huh?"
The bracelet was old and worn, showing signs of oxidation. Emily always took it off, cleaned it, and put it back on.
With her long lashes hiding her true feelings, Emily said, "I'm just used to wearing it."
Patrick lifted her chin, making her look at him. "Used to the bracelet or something else?"
Emily, avoiding his gaze, leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips. "Mr. Rivera, let's keep going."
Patrick wasn't dumb; he knew she was dodging his questions.
Emily's soft body reignited his desire. He kissed her harder, flipping over roughly to pin her down on the bed and pulling off her loose dress.
His hands explored her curves aggressively, making it hard for Emily to breathe. She tried to push him away for some air, but he only got more intense. Eventually, she gave up resisting and let him have his way.
Just then, Patrick's phone rang.
Emily grabbed it and saw the caller ID before handing it to him. It was Shirley.
Patrick had already grabbed Emily's thigh, ready to go all the way. But seeing the call, he stopped.
"Hello, Shirley," he said into the phone.
He got off the bed quickly. Since he hadn't left the room yet, Emily could hear the clear, gentle voice on the other end, "Patrick."
She slowly sat up, looking at the messy sheets, knowing he wouldn't come back to finish what they started. Emily went to take a shower. When she came out in a loose bathrobe, Patrick was already getting ready to leave. He was fully dressed, tie and all, like nothing had happened.
Patrick said seriously, "Make sure all the meeting materials are ready. We have a meeting at nine tomorrow morning."
Emily replied, "I understand, Mr. Rivera."
Patrick spoke like a boss giving orders, and Emily responded like a dutiful employee.
After he finished, he left without a second glance. Emily looked down at the red marks on her chest from their intense kissing, feeling a wave of sadness. She was Patrick's personal secretary, top-notch and professional during the day, and his sexual partner in this suite at night.
At work, Emily was excellent and professional. In bed, she was obedient and dutiful. Patrick had said she was efficient and hassle-free. But that was it. She could never touch his heart. In his heart, there was only Shirley Wright.
The next day, Emily delivered documents to Patrick's office and overheard gossip in the lounge on her way back. A group of people were gathered around Shirley, chatting with her.
"Don't be shy; we all saw it! Mr. Rivera dropped you off for work, and you got out of his Bentley!"
"Exactly! Oh my god, you guys hid it so well! When are you going to announce it?"
"Mr. Rivera has always been like a robot, never smiling. I thought he was naturally unsmiling, turns out it's just because we're not you, Shirley, the future Mrs. Rivera. Can you help us get a raise in our salaries in the future?"
Emily pushed the door open like she hadn't heard a thing, heading straight for the coffee machine.
Shirley was surrounded by a bunch of female colleagues, all fawning over her. She told them to stop, but you could tell she was loving the attention. She smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Mr. Rivera and I have known each other since childhood, our families are close. Don't gossip, okay? And it's not just me who is close to Mr. Rivera, isn't there Emily too?"
Hearing her name, Emily slammed her coffee cup on the table. That finally got their attention.
They all shut up, lowered their heads, and greeted her in unison, "Sorry, Emily, we weren't intentionally slacking off here. We'll get back to work right away."
Shirley put on a pitiful look, making Emily seem like the bad guy. But Emily hadn't said a word. That was Shirley's talent, making everyone feel like they owed her. Shirley was beautiful, and her innocent act made people want to protect her, probably why Patrick liked her.
Emily said coldly, "Firstly, this is the company. Secondly, I didn't say you were slacking off, so don't put words in my mouth. And lastly—"
Before Emily could finish, Shirley kept apologizing.
"Shirley's new here, so teach her where she doesn't understand," a voice broke in.
Emily turned to see Patrick entering, his look distant and a hint of reproach in his eyes.
"Emily, take care of Shirley." Patrick walked up to Emily, his gaze making it clear it was an order, not a request.
Without waiting for Emily's reaction, Patrick turned to Shirley, playfully tapping her head with a work badge, saying, "Don't forget your badge next time."
Shirley flinched and stuck out her tongue, saying, "Thank you, Patrick, I got it."
Shirley and Patrick were all cozy, no reservations. The others got the hint and left one by one.
Finally, it was Emily's turn to leave. She nodded slightly, saying, "I'll go out first, Mr. Rivera."
As she walked out of the lounge, she could still hear Shirley sweetly asking Patrick for a sandwich from three blocks away because she hadn't eaten enough breakfast.
Patrick gently agreed, "Have Emily go buy it."
Standing outside the lounge, Emily's mind was racing. The work badge Patrick gave Shirley meant she was his assistant. Same job, same status as hers. But Shirley didn't even meet the qualifications to get into this company. In terms of education, internship experience, everything, she fell short. Yet she still got in because Patrick made it happen.
For Shirley, he broke the company rules. Their relationship was as clear as day, just like the gossip from the female colleagues. But Shirley kept denying it over and over. How childish and ridiculous.
Soon, Patrick came out. As his secretary, Emily followed him to the meeting room. After the meeting, as Emily was organizing the notes, Shirley came in with a box of macarons.
Shirley said, "Hey, Emily."