Chapter 154 THE BEST

Chapter 154 THE BEST
The crystal awards glinted as the afternoon light reflected off them.

Julian stood in front of the display shelf in his office, one hand tucked into his pocket as he silently regarded the newest additions.

THORNE GROUP

Business Excellence Award

Outstanding Market Growth

The polished plaque reflected his face. His company had doubled in value in two weeks. The business world was calling it impossible. To Julian, it was simply another day. He wasn't particularly cheerful about his achievements, his mind has been replaying the video of Damien kissing Eli. He couldn't get past the anger and pain. He's sent men to find Damien but the bastard knew that would happen so he'd hidden pretty well.

The office door opened without knocking.

"Ohhh!" Lovia sang dramatically. "All hail the most resilient man in the world!"

Julian looked over his shoulder.

Lovia walked inside carrying an expensive bottle of champagne. With an exaggerated grin, she shook the bottle.

"Lovia—"

Too late.

Pop!

The cork flew across the room. Champagne sprayed into the air, splashing across the floor.

Julian stared at the puddle spreading toward his rug.

"You got the floor wet."

Lovia blinked, then laughed. "Oh, come on."

She grabbed two glasses from the cabinet as though she owned the office.

"Chill out a little. You've been grumpy all morning." She poured the champagne. "You just shook the business world. You've got everyone talking. You've got clever minds wanting in on whatever you're doing. Investors are practically begging to throw money at you. The headlines went from calling you insane to calling you a genius business man.”

She raised one glass. "You should be filled with pride." She smiled brightly. "Let's toast to your greatness."

Julian didn't move. "Not right now. I have work to do."

Lovia sighed dramatically before setting the champagne on his desk. "You really don't know how to enjoy yourself."

She walked closer… much closer. Her fingers reached up and slowly straightened Julian's tie. "You don't have to be so mean."

Julian looked down at her hand, then back into her eyes.

"Go play with your Desmond. He must be lonely since his wife left him."

Lovia's smile twitched. "Desmond moved out of state."

Julian looked genuinely surprised. "He did?"

"You didn't know?" She chuckled. "Wow. He moved after Anton kidnapped him and almost beat him to death."

Julian frowned. "...What?"

"You're surprised— you didn't know Anton almost killed Desmond? I thought you sent him to do so. Anton beat him up. Really badly. For pressing charges against you."

Julian stared. "Anton beat Desmond up?" He chuckled, picturing the scene.

"You seriously didn't know?" Lovia folded her arms.

Julian couldn't stop the corner of his lips from lifting. A quiet, satisfied smirk appeared.

"...He really did that?"

"Mhm. For you." Lovia leaned against his desk. "I wish I had my own Anton. Someone who'd fight for me, stand in front of me whenever danger comes, someone who'd destroy people's marriages for me."

Julian's smile disappeared. "Anton didn't destroy your parents' marriage. Your father did that himself."

Lovia rolled her eyes. "Enough about them."

She pushed herself off the desk. "Let's talk about us."

Julian sighed. "There is no 'us.'"

She ignored him. "So. What's the plan tonight?"

Julian picked up a file. "My plan is finishing this paperwork."

Lovia stepped directly into his path.

"Why do you keep trying?" Julian asked flatly. “I believe you can clearly see I have no interest in you."

"I don't care." She smiled without the slightest embarrassment. "We're the perfect match. Everyone wants us together."

“Everyone can continue wanting." Julian's expression remained unchanged. "I'm married. My heart already belongs to the one I'm married to."

Lovia clicked her tongue. "You need a woman. Someone who'll give you a child."

Julian looked almost amused. "Did I say I want a child?"

She smiled slowly. "No. But someday you'll realize you do. Look at all you're worth. You need a child to pass it all on to."

She took another deliberate step, close enough for him to smell her perfume.

Then—

"Oh!"

She stumbled. Or pretended to.

Her heel twisted, and her body pitched forward.

Julian reacted on instinct. His hand shot out, catching her around the waist before she could hit the floor.

Lovia looked up at him. Then she put her arms on his shoulders.

At that exact moment, the office door opened.

"Eli—"

Julian's voice died.

Eli stood in the doorway. A paper shopping bag hung loosely from one hand, his blond hair framed a face that had gone completely still.

His eyes met Julian's, then drifted to Julian's arm around Lovia's waist and Lovia's arms on Julian's shoulders, and then to how close their faces were.

Silence filled the office, for one heartbeat. Two. Three.

Julian immediately let go.

"Eli."

Lovia didn't move. Instead, she looked toward Eli with the faintest hint of satisfaction hidden beneath an innocent expression.

Eli took one slow step backward.

Julian started toward him. "Eli, wait."

Another step back.

His lips trembled. His eyes had already turned glassy.

Julian had never seen that expression on him before.

"Eli."

Julian moved faster.

But Eli turned. The shopping bag slipped from his fingers onto the floor.

Without saying a single word, he walked away.

The office door closed behind him.

Julian stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the closed door.

Lovia cleared her throat. "I..."

"Leave."

She blinked. "...Julian?"

"I said leave."

There was no anger in his voice, only coldness.

Lovia hesitated before quietly picking up her handbag, and walking out of the office.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Julian remained where he was for another few seconds before his gaze dropped to the shopping bag lying on the floor.

He slowly walked over.

The paper bag had toppled onto its side, two neatly wrapped black boxes had slipped halfway out.

He crouched and picked them up. A small folded note fluttered onto the floor. Julian unfolded it, the handwriting was unmistakably Eli's.

“Please forgive me. I'm really sorry for going out last night. I really didn't kiss Damien and I hope you'd believe me, I didn't intend to cheat on you.
I saw you on TV. I'm really proud of you for achieving all that, even with all the problems you're dealing with.
You're the best.

Love, Eli.”

Julian's breathing hitched. He read the note again. And again. His grip tightened around the paper. Slowly, he opened the first box. Inside rested a sleek black watch that has a symbol yin.

His brows furrowed. He reached for the second box. Inside lay another watch, that's nearly identical, except its face bore the matching yang symbol.

It's a pair. Couple watches.

Julian stared at them in silence. His thumb traced over the smooth glass.

"He came..." His voice came out barely above a whisper. "...to apologize."

The realization settled heavily in his chest. He's been thinking about Eli all morning. He knew he scared Eli with his anger and he feared Eli might want to leave him. He was mad about finding out Eli went clubbing all night and ended up kissing Damien, he felt murderous. But Anton had scolded him for letting anger cloud his vision, and explained to him that Damien must have drugged Eli.

Despite being so scared in the morning, Eli came to apologize, and Julian had let him walk away crying.

Julian slowly closed the boxes. His heart dropped into his stomach. He felt terrible.