Chapter 9: Come in for a cup of coffee?
James listened to Amelia in silence, reaching for the coffee on the table.
A hand pressed down on his in time, stopping him from lifting the cup.
Amelia spoke up to stop him: "The coffee's cold. Don't drink it, it'll upset your stomach. Let me order you a fresh one."
Her tone still had an edge to it, yet showed concern for James.
Her hand lingered on his skin for just a few seconds before pulling back to press the service bell.
"No need, I'll take you home."
James stopped Amelia, put down the coffee and stood up, grabbing the suitcase beside them.
"Okay."
Amelia stood up too, walking out alongside him.
The two left the café. James lifted the luggage into the trunk, opened the passenger door for Amelia, watched her get in, then walked around to the other side, opened the door and got in.
...
They drove in silence until the car entered Amelia's residential complex and stopped in front of her building.
She reached to unbuckle her seatbelt, turned to look at James, and thanked him politely, "Thanks."
Her words carried a hint of distance.
"Once I get my local driver's license, I won't have to bother you like this anymore."
James paused his movement to open the door, turned to look at Amelia, and spoke in a very low voice: "Amelia."
With a hint of warning.
Her words drawing boundaries had clearly annoyed him.
Their eyes met.
Invisible sparks seemed to collide inside the car.
Amelia's face remained calm as she looked at James.
She watched the emotions churning more and more intensely in his eyes behind his glasses as she held her ground.
The angrier he got, the more pleased she felt inside.
Seeing that the "punishment" had gone far enough, Amelia finally acted like she was surrendering first.
She softened her gaze, took the initiative to back down, and spoke in a tone that suggested she shouldn't have been stubborn with him: "Sorry, I was wrong. We've been friends for so many years, I shouldn't have said that."
"I take back what I just said. Friends should be able to trouble each other."
James looked at her deeply before finally looking away.
He pushed open the car door and got out, walking around to open the passenger door for her.
Amelia got out gracefully. "Thanks."
This time, her thanks came with a smile.
A bright, dazzling smile returned to her face.
The storm had passed.
James closed the car door and went to the trunk to get her suitcase.
Amelia followed close by his side, the two walking in together.
From behind, they looked like a loving couple returning home together.
...
James walked Amelia all the way upstairs, standing in front of her apartment door, pushing the suitcase toward her.
Amelia didn't take it. Instead, she opened the door and gestured inside, "Come in for a bit? Have some coffee?"
The invitation was quite suggestive.
But Amelia made it sound very natural.
Her eyes and expression were so open and honest, as if she had no idea what it meant to invite a man into her home for coffee.
James's large hand tightened on the suitcase handle. His voice dropped slightly as he declined: "No thanks, I still have things at the office."
Amelia's gaze toward the interior clearly froze for a moment.
She hadn't expected James to refuse such a good opportunity.
James's "punishment" was already over, but wasn't her "punishment" for Mia not enough yet?
Just calling James away from her side - what did that count for?
Her emotional fluctuation lasted only a few seconds before Amelia turned around with a light laugh.
"You work too hard. Can't you even relax on the weekend?"
As she spoke, she reached for the suitcase.
Just before her hand touched his, he suddenly let go.
She acted as if she hadn't noticed, gripping the spot where he'd just held it, continuing to maintain her perfect smile as she teased.
"Looks like you're missing out today. I was planning to show off my skills for you. My coffee-making is amazing now - not just anyone gets to try it."
"Next time you have a chance, you have to taste it. Otherwise, you'll regret it."
Amelia finished speaking with a radiant smile, pulling the suitcase and turning around.
In her high heels, as she turned, she didn't step steadily and stumbled forward.
In her panic, her foot stepped on his.
"Sorry."
As soon as she realized, Amelia immediately stepped back.
Already unsteady, this withdrawal made her whole body lean backward.
James's pupils contracted. He reacted quickly, reaching out to catch her. "Amelia!"
His large hand grabbed her wrist, and in his nervousness, he didn't control his strength well, pulling her into his arms.
Amelia fell into his embrace as expected.
She was tall and wearing high heels, so their height difference was minimal.
As she fell into James's arms, her hand pressed against his chest.
Amelia got what she wanted - feeling his thundering heartbeat beneath her palm.
So fast it seemed ready to jump out.
The upward curve of her lips represented her victory.
...
James's breath caught, his heart racing from the scare.
Everything happened too fast.
After realizing this accidental embrace was too intimate, he quickly gripped Amelia's arms.
With slight force, he helped her stand steady, making her leave his embrace.
Amelia stood up smoothly, withdrew her hand, and patted her chest lightly as if "extremely startled." "That scared me to death. Good thing you were here."
"Can you bring it inside for me?" Amelia looked at the suitcase with lingering fear.
James's gaze quickly moved away from her. His large hand grabbed the suitcase that had been pushed aside, lifted it easily, and walked inside.
He set it down and turned to leave.
But Amelia called out to stop him again. "James, are you sure you don't want coffee before you go?"
...
Luxe Haven
Mia woke up to the smell of food. Groggily, she sat up in bed and went downstairs looking for something to eat.
Passing the study, she saw the door was open and James wasn't there. She looked away and continued downstairs.
"Mrs. Smith, you're awake." The housekeeper, who had been wondering whether to go upstairs to call her for lunch, immediately greeted Mia when she saw her.
"Smells so good." Mia sniffed, looking hungry.
Downstairs, not seeing James, she asked in confusion: "Where's James?"
"Mr. Smith went out after bringing you home."
"Oh right, he went to the office." Mia tapped her forehead. She'd been so sleepy she forgot he'd told her.
She walked to the dining table and sat down, waiting eagerly to be fed. "I'm hungry."
"Let me get you a bowl of soup first to tide you over. The dishes will be ready soon."
"Okay."
Soon, the housekeeper brought out a bowl of nourishing soup.
Mia drank it with a blissful expression.
As she drank, her movements became slower and slower.
An internal struggle began.
She didn't know why, but she suddenly thought of Robert's phone call - the one whose content she hadn't heard.
Robert had gone to pick up Amelia...
On impulse, she suddenly stopped drinking the soup and turned to the housekeeper: "Wait on the dishes. Let me call James first to ask if he's done with work and if he's coming home for lunch."
As if finding a strong reason for herself, Mia picked up her phone.
As she was about to dial, she bit her lower lip lightly, finally choosing to make a video call instead.