Chapter 47 Almost a Kiss

Chapter 47 Almost a Kiss

Morris's breath caught as he stared at Emily's slightly widened eyes. Without thinking, he leaned closer to her.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Emily turned her face away.

"Mr. Anderson, you have some flour on your chin," she said, her voice slightly shaky.

Morris snapped back to reality and released her hand. "Thank you. Is it gone now?"

Emily couldn't bring herself to look at him and shook her head randomly. "Yes, it's gone."

"You should continue preparing dinner. I need to get something from upstairs," Morris said, then hurried upstairs without looking back.

He rushed to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. Looking at his slightly flushed reflection in the mirror, all he could think about was Emily's soft, pink lips.

"I've lost my mind," he muttered to himself.

Downstairs, Emily continued preparing the beef Wellington, appearing calm but her usually precise movements had become clumsy. The pastry was either pinched unevenly or the filling was spilling out.

She sighed. "At this rate, we'll be having shepherd's pie instead."

Her mind was in turmoil. If she hadn't come to her senses just in time, they would have kissed. What was she thinking? She was his housekeeper! How could she kiss her employer?

Though Morris's lips did look very kissable. Maybe after her contract ended, she could try just once?

They didn't eat dinner together that evening. Emily retreated to her small corner in the kitchen, and Morris didn't have the courage to call her to join him.

After dinner, Morris went straight to his room, and they seemed to have reverted to how they were when they first met.

On the last day of the holiday, Emily received a call from Drew. "Emily, your contract is almost up, right? I have a new client today. Would you like to hear about it?"

"Sure, tell me more," Emily replied.

Drew began explaining the client's basic information. "This couple are both corporate executives who are extremely busy with work. Your main task would be to look after their daughter."

"That sounds straightforward. How old is the child?"

"If it were simple, I wouldn't be calling you. This job is quite challenging. Their fourteen-year-old daughter is staying home from school due to depression. You'd be responsible for her meals and daily care, making sure she takes her medication on time, and if possible, helping her catch up with the schoolwork she's missing."

After hearing Drew's explanation, Emily paused briefly, then accepted without hesitation. "I can do it, Drew. Please save this client for me."

Thinking about her own experience with depression in her previous life, Emily felt sympathy for the young girl she had never met. At only fourteen, the girl had already lost faith in life. She needed someone to stand behind her and offer support.

Emily's experience with depression made her uniquely qualified to help pull this girl out of the darkness, giving her reborn life even more meaning.

"Are you sure, Emily? The pay is good—$2,800 a month—but the work won't be easy at all. I thought of you because of your capabilities, but if you're not interested, I can ask someone else."

Emily remained firm. "I can handle it, Drew. Leave it to me."

"Alright, I'll send you the details."

After receiving the information, Emily studied it carefully. The young girl had just started seventh grade and had a sweet, gentle appearance.

She should be enjoying her youth without worries, yet she was suffering from depression. Something terrible must have happened.

Emily arranged the interview time with Drew for the following Wednesday.

Although she had freedom during the day when Morris went to work, Emily felt she should inform him since he occasionally asked her to deliver lunch to his office.

So during breakfast the next morning, she mentioned it to Morris. "Mr. Anderson, I have an interview next Wednesday morning. If you need anything, just call me, and I'll come back as soon as possible."

Morris's utensils froze mid-air. "Interview?"

"Yes, our contract ends in less than two weeks, so I need to find my next employer soon."

"Why the rush?" Morris looked stunned.

He had been planning to find an opportunity to extend Emily's contract, but she was already looking for her next job without even discussing it with him.

The delicious seafood pasta in his bowl suddenly lost its appeal. He put down his utensils with obvious displeasure.

"What's wrong?" Emily asked, confused.

"Why tell me this? Go if you want. I'll be at work anyway, so it's not like I'm monitoring your movements."

"Are you upset?"

Morris let out a small huff. "Why would I be upset? What right do I have to be upset? It's not like I'm anyone important to you."

Emily felt a bead of sweat roll down her forehead. Those words sounded suspiciously like pouting, but Morris was supposed to be the stern CEO type!

After a moment, Morris seemed to realize his reaction was excessive and quickly reverted to his usual cool demeanor.

"Cancel the interview. I'll extend your contract."

"Finally back to normal," Emily sighed with relief. "I've already made arrangements with them. It wouldn't be right to cancel. Besides, you don't really need a housekeeper. We originally agreed on two months, and that time is up, so I should move on."

Emily knew very well that her employment here was largely due to Jonah and Mira's influence. Morris didn't really need a housekeeper.

Over this period, Otis's dissatisfaction with her became more and more obvious as she took over his duties.

"I don't agree with you leaving," Morris asserted, fully embracing his CEO persona.

"Mr. Anderson, we need to honor our agreements. I've already made commitments to someone else. Please don't make this difficult for me." There was also a fragile young girl waiting for her help.

Morris had no response. He barely touched his breakfast before leaving for work with a stomach full of irritation.

Before lunch, Emily received a text from Sophia.

[Did you feed Mr. Anderson gunpowder for breakfast? The entire company is suffering—no survivors. Even I got scolded. It's truly tragic.]

[Really? That does sound awful.] Emily replied awkwardly.

She knew she was the culprit but didn't dare admit it, fearing retribution from everyone at Morris's company.

[Make him some calming herbal tea tonight. Oh, and maybe play some meditation music? Help me out—I really want a boss with stable emotions!]

Sophia's desperation made Emily feel somewhat guilty, and she sheepishly accepted her suggestions.

When Morris returned home, he was greeted by soft meditation music throughout the house and a table set with cucumber soup and grilled salmon. He couldn't help but look confused.

"Welcome back," Emily said with a smile, bringing out a plate of herb-roasted chicken. "I heard you were rather tense today, so I prepared something to help you relax."

Morris's face reddened momentarily. "Who's spreading rumors?"

Emily didn't respond to his question and instead brought out the final dish, sautéed asparagus. "Let's eat first. By the way, Mr. Anderson, my sister would like to sign with your company. Are you available tomorrow?"