Chapter 97 I Miss My Wife
"Audrey?"
The moment Stu's voice rang out, every head in the personal assistants' bullpen snapped toward the door. The usual hum of work chatter exploded into excited chaos.
"Audrey!"
"You're back! We missed you!"
"The office felt so empty without you!"
Audrey laughed softly as she stepped inside. She hadn't expected such a warm welcome. Several assistants were already out of their seats, some rushing over to pat her arm with genuine enthusiasm.
In the middle of the commotion, her eyes found Liam.
Unlike the others, he hadn't shouted or joined the crowd. He just sat at his desk, watching her with that calm expression and a knowing smile.
Audrey exhaled quietly before responding to her coworkers. "I'm okay. Thanks for worrying about me."
"But are you really fully recovered?" Stu asked, concern still written on her face. "I heard you were sick?"
Audrey smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine now. Don't worry. I'm back to work—and ready to suffer with all of you again!" She straightened up and gave a mock salute.
Laughter filled the room.
Before anyone could bombard her with more questions, Liam finally stood. "Okay, welcome party's over. Get back to work before the CEO yells at us."
That did the trick. Several assistants scurried back to their desks, though a few still stole curious glances at Audrey.
Audrey walked over to Liam. "Thanks for handling my work while I was gone."
He shrugged. "Just doing my job. Though I didn't expect you back this soon."
"I can't sit around too long. I'd go crazy." She grinned.
Liam chuckled. He knew Audrey wasn't the type to stay idle.
"Well, nice to have you back." He smiled warmly.
"By the way, how was the press conference?" Audrey asked, genuinely curious about what she'd missed. "Everything went smoothly?"
"Smooth enough." Liam leaned against his desk. "But..." He gave her a meaningful look. "Mr. Harrington did lose focus for a moment in the middle of it."
Audrey frowned. "What do you mean?"
Liam's smile widened. "Like he was thinking about something. Or rather... someone."
Audrey narrowed her eyes. "Liam..."
He laughed, thoroughly enjoying her flustered expression. "Relax. I won't tell anyone."
"You?" Audrey pretended to think. "If I remember correctly, someone accidentally revealed who sent me dinner that one time..."
"That was because you pressured me!" Liam protested, clearly cornered.
Audrey giggled at his expression.
"Okay, okay. You're back, so do your own work!" Liam huffed, retreating to his desk.
Audrey smiled and settled into her routine. Doing what she loved made her feel alive again, pushing aside—at least for now—the shadows of what had happened.
Soon she was completely absorbed in her work. So absorbed that she barely noticed her phone buzzing repeatedly on her desk.
Then her intercom lit up.
She knew exactly who that was.
She sighed—long, dramatic—before answering. "Yes, sir?"
"My office. Now."
The moment Audrey opened the door, she didn't see him at his desk.
She frowned. "Sir?"
Then—from behind the door—he appeared. Silent. Quick.
Before she could react, he'd gently pushed her back until her spine met the cool wood of the door.
Click.
The sound of the lock turning made her heart race.
She swallowed hard. He'd just locked them in. His gaze pinned her in place, one hand braced beside her head, trapping her in his space.
"Sir—"
"I told you." His voice was low, almost a whisper. "When we're alone, call me properly."
She blinked. Her throat went dry. "Elliot..."
One eyebrow rose—clearly not satisfied. She frowned, thinking.
"B-Babe...?"
A slow smile spread across his face. "Better."
She tried to look away, but he caught her chin gently, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"You seemed very busy today," he murmured, studying her intently. "Didn't even check your phone."
She blinked. So that was her buzzing phone. "That was you?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Who else?"
She fell silent. His breath was so close, so warm. This wasn't their first time in a situation like this, but still—every time he did this, her composure crumbled.
"I was... working," she managed, trying to sound professional.
He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her flushed cheeks. "And I missed my wife."
Her breath caught.
He'd said it so casually. So naturally. Meanwhile, outside this room, they still had to pretend there was nothing between them.
"Why did you call me here?" she asked, desperate to change the subject.
He didn't answer immediately. Just looked at her for a long moment, like he was considering something. Then his voice dropped lower as he leaned closer.
"I just wanted to see you."
She blinked, unsure how to respond. Even as he closed the distance between them, she didn't move.
A small smirk curved his lips before he kissed her.
She froze.
The gentle pressure of his lips made her heart want to explode. He kissed her slowly, deliberately, like he was carving every second into memory.