Chapter 67 Restroom
The atmosphere in Elliot Harrington’s personal assistant workspace was livelier than usual.
The weekend was coming, and everyone was buzzing about their plans. Laughter and teasing filled the room, a sharp contrast to the usual weekday pressure.
Audrey sat at her desk, listening quietly while her fingers kept moving across the keyboard. She nodded here and there, but her mind was still on the report she needed to finish before the end of the day.
"Stu, let's grab some drinks tonight! You must know a good bar, right?" one of the assistants called out, sparking another wave of chatter from the corner.
Stu chuckled. "I’m in. Only if Audrey comes. If she doesn’t, count me out."
Audrey immediately looked up. “Me? Why me?”
Theo crossed his arms with an exaggeratedly serious expression. “Because you always turn us down! And somehow you’re still the star of this office.”
Everyone chimed in with loud agreement. Audrey could only shake her head with a faint smile.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, her voice flat but polite, before returning to her laptop.
Stu sighed. "Well, the answer will probably still be 'no' as usual."
Small laughter was heard from another corner. Audrey let them continue their discussion while focusing on her work. Currently, for some reason, the woman felt more relaxed in her activities.
Her relationship with Elliot—although its status was not yet clear—had at least reached a point of mutual understanding.
The man promised not to pressure or force her too much, and so far, they had agreed to act normally in front of everyone.
However, Audrey knew there was something unusual every time their eyes met. Elliot never truly stopped making her world feel upside down.
After completing a few tasks, Audrey decided to go to the ladies' room briefly, to finish something.
Afterward, Audrey washed her hands at the sink and tidied her hair in front of the mirror, making sure there were no lipstick smudges on her face. Just as she was quite focused, she suddenly felt the presence of someone behind her. Her instinct immediately made her body tense up.
When Audrey looked up and saw the tall shadow in the mirror, her heart immediately pounded fast.
Elliot stood there, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. His gaze was sharp, but his lips curved into a faint smile.
"Sir?!" Audrey exclaimed, immediately turning her body to face the man.
"Why so surprised?" Elliot asked casually, as if his presence in the ladies' room was normal.
"Sir," she hissed, lowering her voice, "have you lost your mind? This is the ladies' room." Her eyes darted toward the door, a mix of panic and something hotter, more thrilling, coursing through her.
"And you are alone here, so it's not a problem, is it?" Elliot stepped closer, making Audrey slowly back up until her back was pressed against the sink.
"Sir, if anyone sees—"
Elliot raised a hand, interrupting. "I told you, I won't force you. But that doesn't mean I can't approach you."
Audrey fell silent. Mixed feelings filled her chest. Elliot being this close always made her lose control.
"Do you want to go out tonight?" Elliot asked softly and suddenly, changing the topic.
"Huh?" Audrey blinked confusedly. "Go where?"
"After work drink, dinner, whatever they planned."
"Oh..." Audrey paused for a moment. "Maybe, but I haven't decided—"
"Don't go." Elliot's voice changed to be slightly firm. He looked at Audrey seriously, making the woman even more confused.
"Why?" Audrey asked, trying to sound normal even though she already knew the reason why the man was forbidding her.
"Because I want you to rest." Elliot moved closer, the distance between them getting narrower. "You're too hard on yourself, Audrey. The weekend should be used for relaxing, not pretending to enjoy the crowd."
Audrey stared intently at Elliot, trying to find a hidden meaning behind his words. "Sir, it's just a drink. It has nothing to do with pretending."
"It's not about that," Elliot quickly retorted. "I just don't like imagining you in a place like that."
Audrey blinked again. "What's wrong with me going to a bar?"
A part of her was annoyed by his possessiveness, but a larger, more treacherous part preened at the raw jealousy in his voice.
"The problem is, you'll be with other men," Elliot replied sharply, as was his gaze. "Stu is too attentive to you. And I... don't like it."
Those words made Audrey stunned. Her face flushed, but she didn't know how to respond. "Sir... You can't regulate my life outside the office."
Elliot sighed, his face moving closer until it was only inches from Audrey. "I know. And I don't intend to regulate. But you know why I'm like this, right?"
His voice was low, almost a whisper. Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stop.
"I care about you, Audrey."
Audrey was speechless. Those words sounded simple but were able to shake her heart. Again, she didn't know what to say.
Elliot snorted slightly roughly, as if trying to restrain himself from doing something more.
Audrey always managed to tempt him.
"But I won't force you," Elliot said softly, not letting his gaze leave his woman. "If you really want to go, go. But don't let anyone try to get too close to you!"
His jeaoulsy tone made Audrey smile faintly.
Elliot frowned. "What's funny?"
Audrey shook her head slowly. "You, Sir..."
"Say I'm wrong." The man made his face even more sulky.
Audrey only offered a suppressed smile without saying anything. Because deep down in her heart, she knew Elliot was right.
"In that case, I won't go," Audrey said softly, deciding to fulfill the man's request.
Elliot smiled, a triumphant smile that made his face even more charming and adorable to Audrey.
"Good. And just rest then. I want to see you come back fresh on Monday." Elliot said calmly, but it still sounded like a command.
Audrey raised her eyebrow, looking at the man meaningfully, then crossed her arms across her chest. "If I'm told to rest, what about you?"
Elliot's forehead slowly furrowed.
"Didn't you have plans to meet Catherine tomorrow?"
Hearing Catherine's name mentioned, Elliot's expression changed briefly, although he tried to remain calm.
A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. "Why? Is the thought of me with Catherine... a problem for you?"