Chapter 64 Good Afternoon, Mrs. Hayes
She lowered her eyes and reached out to take it.
She could feel the outline of a ring-shaped object inside.
Color crept onto her cheeks.
Her long hair spilled over one shoulder, soft against her chest, partially obscuring the alluring curves beneath.
Fine beads of sweat dampened the strands at her temples, clinging to her flushed skin.
“Rip…” The sound of plastic tearing cut through the silence.
Her heartbeat quickened, her fingers clumsy with tension as she finally extracted the smooth, transparent rubber ring.
His gaze deepened as his Adam’s apple bobbed.
When she finally smoothed out the thin membrane and slipped it on, both of them breathed in relief.
He raised his hand, his thumb gently brushing her flushed cheek before cupping the back of her neck and pulling her down to kiss her.
The kiss was deep, carrying approval and a sudden surge of more intense desire.
He guided her, cupping her waist as he lowered her down.
She bit her lower lip, letting out a soft moan, her fingers digging tightly into his solid forearm.
She moved passively with his rhythm, her long hair tracing messy arcs through the air, scattering across their sweat-dampened skin.
He buried his face against her chest, his heavy breaths and scorching lips sending waves of tremors through her.
Her consciousness blurred under the rhythm, clinging to him as he guided her toward the peak.
When everything finally subsided, Emma lay exhausted, nearly drained, limp against his sweat-soaked chest.
He gathered her close, then pulled the blanket over both of them.
By the time she drifted off in his arms, it was nearly the middle of the night.
Liam ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead.
“Good night.”
“…Good night.” She murmured, nestling closer into his embrace.
⸻
The next day.
She slept until ten.
After carefully preparing lunch, she drove to the office.
By the time she arrived, it was past noon.
She reached the CEO’s office just as a meeting ended.
Ryan led a large group of people toward the elevator.
Exchanging a glance with him, Emma stepped aside.
She caught the document cover, noting the words “Acquisition Proposal.”
The door remained open.
Liam wore dress pants paired with a black turtleneck sweater, layered under a long wool coat.
He was discussing automotive testing issues with a woman.
After finishing his explanation, he glanced up at the woman beside him.
“Now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense. Thank you, Mr. Hayes,” the woman in black said, nodding.
“You’re welcome. Once these next two are wrapped up, feel free to head back early,” he said, withdrawing his gaze.
“Knock knock…”
Emma knocked gently on the door.
Both pairs of eyes turned toward the doorway.
Liam set down the documents he was holding, a smile playing on his lips as he walked toward her.
“Here you are.”
Emma stepped inside and nodded to the woman.
The woman smiled in response.
Liam took the lunch from her hands and asked,
“How many portions did you make?”
Ignoring him, Emma’s cheeks flushed crimson.
He chuckled, taking her hand and leading her toward the nearby table.
“I should leave, Mr. Hayes,” the woman said.
“Alright,” Liam replied, not even glancing at her.
The moment she got out of the office, Emma asked,
“Who was that just now?”
“The general manager of the automotive company, Giselle Laurent,” Liam said, sitting down and eating with her.
…
After tidying the table, she asked,
“Shall I leave now?”
“No, come here. This is next year’s business plan.”
Liam turned the computer screen toward her.
That afternoon, Vexel Apparel executives gathered to review next year’s development and sales trends.
Emma found the meeting tedious, so she sent Liam a WhatsApp message and left the CEO’s office.
Emma: \[I’ll go out for a while and pick you up later.\]
She also sent him several questions and solutions regarding apparel sales planning.
He was taken aback.
He shared them with the executives.
“Brilliant, Mr. Hayes! This issue has plagued us for over a week.”
“Not my doing. My wife handled it.”
Liam’s lips curved slightly as he straightened up.
“We can head home early for Thanksgiving,” an executive remarked. “Mrs. Hayes is truly impressive.”
“I should seek her advice sometime.”
“Mrs. Hayes seems quite young, yet she spots market issues so quickly. She must be an expert!”
…
Emma stopped by the studio, where Claire was sorting through the old inventory.
They chatted briefly when a man entered the studio.
“Hello, we’re currently renovating. We’re temporarily closed…”
Before Claire could finish, she looked up and saw a sharply defined face.
Emma and Claire:
“David!”
He surveyed the space, gave a slight nod, and turned his gaze to Emma.
“You’re also here,” he said.
“I came to lend a hand.” Emma smiled.
Claire pulled a folding chair over and handed it to David.
“How did you find the time to visit, David?”
“Just passing by. Nice spot. I heard you’re collaborating with Muse?” he said.
Truthfully, he had spotted Emma’s car parked nearby.
“Yes.” Claire nodded.
David sat down with his legs casually spread, watching Emma with relaxed interest.
“And you?”
“Same as always.” Emma poured him a cup of coffee.
“Want to come work for me? Whatever Vexel Apparel pays you, I’ll pay you more.”
He extended the offer.
Claire froze and glanced at Emma.
“You’re in high-end custom tailoring. The risk of being criticized for a mistake is too high.”
“I’d rather stick to being a junior designer.”
Emma shook her head.
“Besides, I’m not good at menswear.”
He nodded.
The three of them spent the entire afternoon in the studio.
…
It wasn’t until six in the evening that Emma returned to the company.
The meeting was nearly finished.
She entered the CEO’s office as Liam’s gaze fixed on her.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hayes.”
Someone called out first, and the others echoed the greeting.
She nodded calmly in response.
Then she sat down in his office chair, waiting for him.
Finally, the meeting ended.
Everyone gathered around her, asking her about market research.
Liam sat beside her, coffee cup in hand, watching as she answered their questions.