Chapter 65
Adam frowned. "How can I have a girlfriend when you haven't even agreed to be with me?"
I sniffled loudly. "Stop pretending! That woman—Claire—you heartless bastard! How can you do this to your girlfriend?"
I felt another wave of tears coming.
Adam quickly grabbed more tissues, dabbing at my face. "I already explained this to you. There's nothing between Claire and me."
"Liar! Big fat liar!" I wailed.
Adam looked lost, wanting to hold me but not daring to. "I swear I'm not lying to you. Who told you she was my girlfriend? My reputation as perpetually single is well-known."
I gasped for air between sobs. "Liar! Even your company's receptionist knows Claire and you are an item."
Adam's frown deepened. "That's ridiculous! I'll fire the receptionist right now. Instead of doing her job, she's spreading gossip."
I froze. "It's not the receptionist's fault. Why would you fire her?"
"How is it not her fault?" Adam grabbed my hand. "Because of her gossip, my future wife is about to run away."
My face burned. "Who's your future wife? Don't just say things like that!"
Adam squeezed my hand. "Maya, I really have nothing to do with Claire."
I yanked my hand back. "You're still lying! Claire tracked me down. Said you two have been a thing for years. Told me to back off and stop throwing myself at you. But I'm not the one doing the chasing here—you are! Adam, if you're with her, you need to be faithful. How can you not understand something so basic?"
Adam's face went dark. Without a word, he climbed into the driver's seat and started the car.
I tried to open my door. Locked.
"Adam, where are you taking me?"
"To confront someone."
"Confront what?"
"Someone's been spreading lies about me. I need to clear this up."
"Then go by yourself! Don't drag me into this. Let me out!"
Adam's eyes stayed fixed on the road ahead. "No. You have to come with me. If you're not there, who am I clearing this up for?"
"You don't need to clear anything up with me! Just stop pestering me, that's all I ask."
"Maya." His voice was quiet. "If I don't pester you, do we have a chance at all?"
I fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly. "Adam... are you holding a grudge because I was the one who broke up with you back then?"
"Yeah." His jaw tightened. "So this time, I'm in charge. You don't get to choose anything except being with me. We're meant to be tangled together, Maya."
I sighed. "Then what about Claire?"
His voice turned cold. "I already told you. There's nothing between Claire and me."
I turned to look out the window, not believing him.
---
The car stopped in front of Sterling Global's headquarters.
Adam got out, came around, and pulled me out of the backseat. His hand locked around my wrist as he dragged me toward the entrance.
Everyone inside stared at us—curious, surprised, shocked.
Claire stood by the reception desk with James Cooper. When she saw us, a strained smile appeared on her face. "Adam, James said you wanted to see me. What's going on?"
Adam's eyes were cold as he looked down at her. "Claire, you told Maya that we're together. How come I don't know anything about this?"
Everyone was staring at us. My face burned. I clawed at Adam's fingers, desperate to break free, but he might as well have been made of iron.
Shit. Shit shit shit. With half the building watching, there's no way this doesn't turn into gossip by lunch.
Claire's face flushed. "Adam..."
"Please address me as Mr. Sterling."
Her eyes reddened, looking hurt. "Adam, in front of all these people, you're really going to treat me like this? After all, I sav..."
Adam cut her off. "Just because you saved me once, you think you can pester me forever? Spread lies about me? So is this life mine, or yours?"
Claire tried the emotional card. "I'm not pestering you. You know how I feel about you. You can't treat me this way."
Adam's patience ran out. "Go to HR and process your resignation."
Claire immediately softened. "No, please, Adam. I won't bother you anymore. Just let me stay near you, okay?" Then she turned to me. "I'm sorry, Miss Bennett. I lied to you. Mr. Sterling and I aren't in that kind of relationship at all."
Adam pulled me closer, looking directly at me. "Maya, do you believe me now? Besides that one lie five years ago, I've never lied to you about anything else."
My face burned. I stood there, speechless.
Claire had already fled in shame and anger.
The lobby erupted in whispers.
"Mr. Sterling likes Secretary Bennett!"
"How is this possible? When we had lunch with Claire the other day, someone asked when she and Mr. Sterling were getting married, and she blushed and said 'soon.' Good God, it was all in her head!"
"Remember when we asked about her relationship with Mr. Sterling before? She just blushed and wouldn't answer. This woman has no shame—literally trying to claim Mr. Sterling for herself!"
"I heard she saved Mr. Sterling's life once, so he was grateful enough to send her abroad to study and gave her a job when she came back. And she still spread lies about him."
"Unbelievable. Now that she's been exposed, how humiliating!"
I shoved Adam away and turned to leave. I'd barely raised my hand to hail a cab when Adam caught up to me. His arm wrapped around my waist, lifting me into a princess carry. He brought me to his car, opened the door, set me in the passenger seat, and locked it with a click before walking around to the driver's side.
I glared at him. "Is this what you wanted?"
Adam turned to face me. "What I want is for you to willingly stay by my side."
"Dream on."
"Then I'll keep dreaming." He started the engine. "Until the dream comes true."
I bit my lip hard. "The past can't come back, Adam."
"Who said anything about going back?" His eyes found the road ahead. "We're starting fresh."
"By whose decision?"
"Mine." His voice was soft but absolute. "Because this time, I'm not letting go."
"I'll wait." His voice was firm. "However long it takes. I'll wait."
We sat there in silence, the engine idling, cars rushing past us on the street.
Finally, Adam put the car back in gear. "Let me take you home."