Chapter 68 A New Threat
Audrey snorted softly. "No. I'm just curious, what are your plans with Catherine? More personal, right, as you said?"
Elliot narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lips pulling into a small smile. He approached again, making Audrey slightly nervous because the distance between them was too close again. "I thought you didn't care."
"I really don't care," Audrey quickly defended herself. "And I'm just remembering what you said earlier."
"Hmm..." Elliot' gaze fixed on Audrey's eyes. "You want to know my plan?"
Audrey frowned. "I don't want to know, just want to make sure you don't cross the line."
A part of her was screaming that this was none of her business, but the larger, more possessive part needed to hear him say there was nothing between them.
"The line?" Elliot repeated the word with a tone of surprise. "What do you mean?"
"You yourself said, the agenda with Ms. Catherine could become something more personal. Don't give the wrong impression," Audrey said, trying to sound casual, although she knew her tone sounded the opposite.
Elliot smiled faintly, stepping forward again until Audrey was again cornered at the sink. "Are you worried I'll give the wrong impression... or are you worried I'll do something more with her?"
Audrey looked sharply at Elliot, with her face slightly sulked, making the man laugh softly, clearly enjoying the reaction given by his secretary.
"I don't have any plans with Catherine," Elliot finally said. "The meeting is just a business matter arranged by my mother. You know it yourself, don't you? And I've made sure it won't be more than a formality."
"Really?" Audrey narrowed her eyes, trying to find a lie behind the man's gaze.
"Yes." Elliot nodded. Looking intently at Audrey again. "And honestly, I'd rather spend the weekend on other things. Something more fun."
"Like what?" Audrey asked, although she immediately regretted saying it.
"Like... seeing you rest at home, without having to worry about unimportant things," Elliot answered casually, but his tone sounded so intense.
Seeing his secretary not saying anything, Elliot continued. "What do you think we would do at your place?" The man raised one eyebrow, smiling meaningfully.
Audrey widened her eyes upon hearing Elliot's very frontal statement, while she was stunned trying to process the meaning of the man's words.
The image of the moments where they shared intimacy both in the car and in Elliot's office instantly appeared in her mind. Her cheeks immediately flushed.
"Sir, you can't talk like that!" Audrey finally said, a little fierce although her nervous tone could not be hidden.
"Why not?" Elliot retorted casually, the corners of his lips still curved with temptation. "Didn't I just ask? I want to know, what we would do if I came to your place?"
Audrey shook her head, trying to stop the conversation that was clearly making her heart beat wildly. "That won't happen, because you will never come to my place!"
Elliot chuckled softly, his expression seemingly enjoying the anxiety emanating from Audrey's face. "Too bad. Yet if you asked me to come, I might consider it."
"Sir, please watch your attitude!" Audrey glared slightly, trying to look fierce, although it seemed she failed. "This is crossing the line."
Elliot chuckled again, seeing the woman's face in front of him sulk again. "Why are you so serious now?"
Audrey sighed, trying to control the pounding in her chest. "Then stop making me uncomfortable, Sir. At least in a place like this."
"Fine." Elliot finally decided to stop before Audrey got even more annoyed. "But I won't stop showing my feelings, wherever it is. So you have to be ready."
Audrey could only stare at the man with a mixture of feelings that were hard to explain. Elliot then stepped back a little, giving Audrey space.
"And about Catherine," Elliot added, looking at Audrey one more time, "Don't think too much about her. I have no room for anyone but you."
Audrey again didn't know how to respond. She could only stare at the man with a confused look, while her face slowly flushed.
"No more questions about Catherine. Understood?" Elliot asked, grinning slightly.
Audrey slowly swallowed her saliva. "But don't forget, you must still maintain boundaries. Don't let any strange gossip emerge."
"Why?" Elliot raised an eyebrow. "Are you afraid I'll be gossiped about with Catherine?"
"No, I'm not," Audrey refuted quickly. "I just don't want any problems that would trouble you."
Elliot looked at her deeply for a few seconds before finally smiling. "You really are thoughtful, aren't you?"
"That's my job as your secretary, Sir," Audrey answered flatly, trying to maintain the emotional distance that she found increasingly difficult to keep.
Elliot smiled faintly, but did not say anything else. He only pulled his body back a little. "Alright. I will maintain the boundaries. Only because you asked for it."
Audrey smiling contentedly. "Good, Mr. Elliot Harrington."
"In that case, can I get a kiss as a reward for obeying you?" Elliot whispered, who was suddenly so close to Audrey's ear.
Audrey froze upon hearing the whisper. Her body tensed, while her heart immediately pounded fast without mercy. She slowly turned, looking at Elliot whose face was almost touching hers.
"Sir..." Audrey said in a half-whisper, almost not believing what she had just heard. "You're joking, right?"
Elliot looked at her seriously, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes that made Audrey's stomach churn. "Do you think so?"
"This is the ladies' room," Audrey said, trying to be calm but her voice sounded a little shaky. She hoped that was enough to make Elliot retreat, but the man smiled even wider.
"No one will know, Auds," Elliot whispered again, low and full of temptation. "It's just you and me here."
She was about to open her mouth to speak, but her tongue felt tied.
Elliot was too close, too dominating, and too dangerous for her feelings.
"Just a farewell kiss," Elliot said in a soft, but slightly demanding tone. "No one will know, and I promise, I won't ask for more."
Seeing the hesitation in the woman's eyes, Elliot slowly lowered his face. But, before their lips truly met, the distinct click of heels on marble flooring echoed from the hallway, growing louder with each second.
Audrey immediately pushed Elliot in a panic. Her face flushed crimson.
Elliot backed up a few steps, his smile not fading, instead laughing softly at his woman's panic.
"I'll collect that kiss later," he murmured, his voice a dark promise that sent shivers down her spine. He turned and strode out as if he owned the place, leaving her breathless and flustered.
Audrey stared at the door the man had just passed through with mixed feelings. Angry, embarrassed, nervous, but also... a little disappointed because of the interruption earlier.
"Can I really face that man every day?"
As promised, Audrey did not join the agenda of other personal assistant friends.
After getting off the bus, Audrey slowly walked past the pathway leading to her house. The night air was quite cold, but the quiet atmosphere gave a little peace to her still-mixed mind. However, that peace did not last long.
"Audrey."
The voice—harsh and unnervingly familiar—cut through the quiet night like a knife. Every muscle in her body went rigid.