chapter187
A striking young man entered the office. He exuded an air of sharp intelligence and quiet confidence; there was a seasoned charisma about him that set him apart from any typical marketing manager.
“This is Grayson Newell,” Atlas said, his voice smooth but authoritative. “He can handle any requirement you have. But let’s be clear—those 'needs' are strictly for professional matters. You are still my woman.”
His words sent a sudden flush to my cheeks. He always spoke with such breathtaking boldness. “What do you mean, 'your woman'?” I mumbled, trying to maintain my composure.
Grayson scratched his head, offering a respectful grin. “Ms. Chloe, it’s a pleasure.”
I studied him for a moment. “If I needed you to look into something sensitive—something off the books—could you handle it?”
Grayson flicked a glance at Atlas, then looked back at me with a steady gaze. “Anything you need, Ms. Chloe. Investigations, background checks, even the most ironclad contracts. Consider it done.”
His audacity surprised me, but I liked it. He was exactly the kind of operative I needed.
Atlas, however, wasted no time in cutting the introduction short. “Start tomorrow. You take your instructions from Ms. Chloe and no one else. You’re dismissed.”
“Wait—I still have questions for him!” I protested. Grayson’s background was fascinating, and I wanted to know more.
“Out,” Atlas instructed in a low, unmistakable tone. As Grayson hurried toward the door, Atlas leaned down, his voice dropping to a whisper near my ear. “Your time belongs to me now.”
“Yes, Mr. Atlas!” Grayson nodded quickly and vanished into the hallway.
“What was that for?” I snapped, feeling a wave of disappointment. “Can you stop being so overbearing for five minutes? I actually needed to talk to him.”
Atlas turned to me, a hint of self-mockery touching his smile. “It seems I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
His response only fueled my annoyance. “You’re not unwelcome. You’re just always so busy that I never know when I’m allowed to welcome you properly.”
The jealousy I had been harboring suddenly bubbled to the surface. “You walk into my life, do exactly as you please, and then you have the nerve to say you aren’t welcome? Tell me, Mr. Domineering, what exactly should I do to make you feel at home?”
He smirked, leaning closer until I could feel the heat radiating from him. “Give... yourself... to me,” he whispered.
“Can’t you be serious for once? You’re impossible!” I turned away, attempting to hide the fact that his words had made my heart race.
Atlas let out a dry scoff. “It seems I truly have no place in your heart. Fine, I’ll leave you to your work.”
As I watched his retreating figure, a sudden pang of abandonment hit me. We had only just reunited, and now he was walking away again. “What are you doing? If you walk out that door, don't bother coming back! You always disappear without a word and act like it’s the most reasonable thing in the world.”
Atlas stopped and looked back at me, his eyes sharp. “Are you sure you don’t actually hate me, Chloe?”
I froze, my eyes suddenly welling with tears. “Have I ever said I hate you? You’re twisting my words. You didn't even call me when you got back. Who’s the unwelcome one here? You’re always occupied with work or... someone else. Where does that leave me?”
My voice trembled as the months of silence caught up to me. “I waited for so long. Do you only find other people important? Am I just here to help you pass the time between meetings?”
Before I could finish my tirade, Atlas closed the distance between us and pulled me into a fierce kiss. He held me so tightly I could feel the thrum of his heartbeat against mine.
“Are you trying to pick a fight with me?” he whispered against my lips, his voice soft but intense. “Do you think I wasn't waiting for you? I’ve been waiting for this moment the entire time I was gone.”
His words acted like a balm, melting away the doubts and grievances that had built up in his absence. I was still in a daze when he pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes. “Do you want to stay here and finish your work, or do you want to go home?”
“I want to go home,” I replied, my voice small and honest.
He chuckled softly, interlacing his fingers with mine, and led me out of the office.