Chapter thirteen
1255 Words
Emma tried to lose herself in work, anything to distract from the memory of last night — Lucian’s cold eyes, the tension that had lingered long after she left his office.
She had barely started typing her report when her desk phone rang.
“Miss Cole?” It was the receptionist, her tone polite but tinged with curiosity. “Someone’s here to see you. He said he’s delivering flowers.”
Emma blinked. “Flowers?”
“Yes, ma’am. Should I send him up?”
Emma hesitated. “No, I’ll come down.”
She hung up slowly, staring at her reflection in the black screen of her computer. Flowers? Who could possibly—
She stood, smoothing her skirt, and left the office.
Lucian, who had been discussing figures with his executive assistant near the glass wall, looked up just as Emma walked briskly toward the elevator. His brows knit slightly. She rarely left during work hours.
Without a word, he excused himself and followed a few steps behind.
The elevator doors opened to the sleek, marbled lobby. Emma spotted the bouquet first — a vibrant mix of white lilies and red roses held in familiar hands.
Her stomach twisted.
“Jason?” she breathed, stepping closer.
He turned, grinning that same easy smile that used to make her heart flutter. “Hey, Emma. You look… wow. It’s been a while.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice caught somewhere between surprise and disbelief.
“Relax,” he chuckled. “No hidden agenda. I just thought I’d bring these by. A little something to say congratulations — Alexa told me you’re interning here. Big deal, huh?”
Emma blinked, still trying to process. “Oh. Um, thanks. But you didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to,” he cut in, handing her the bouquet. “You always liked lilies.”
Her heart skipped. He remembered?
“Thank you.” She said, taking the bouquet.
“So, uh, maybe we could catch up sometime? Coffee, maybe?” Jason asked.
She forced a polite smile. “Maybe. I’ve just… got a lot going on right now.”
He nodded, smile still charming, still careless. “Sure. I get it. I’ll see you around, then.”
And with that, he left — leaving her standing there, bouquet in hand, feeling an ache she couldn’t quite name.
By the time she returned to her desk, Lucian’s door was slightly ajar. She placed the flowers in a small corner, hoping no one would notice, but the sight of them made her chest tight.
Her phone buzzed again.
Lucian Sinclair: My office. Now.
Emma swallowed hard. She smoothed her blouse and walked in. He didn’t look up immediately — he never did when he was angry.
“Close the door,” he said.
She did.
Lucian set his pen down and leaned back in his chair, his voice cold enough to frost glass. “Next time, Miss Cole, keep your personal life out of my company.”
She frowned. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t allow distractions here,” he said evenly. “And I certainly don’t tolerate interns turning the lobby into a reunion spot.”
Her pulse spiked. “He came unannounced. I didn’t even know he was coming.”
“Then perhaps make it clear that Sinclair Enterprises isn’t the place for social calls.”
Her jaw tightened. “Maybe you should learn that people make mistakes,” she fired back. “Not everyone hides behind control to keep them from feeling anything.”
His eyes lifted sharply. “Watch your tone.”
Emma exhaled shakily. “You’re being unfair.”
Lucian stood then, towering, his voice lower now — not shouting, but something in it burned. “Do you have any idea what that looked like? My employees gossip enough as it is. And now you’re receiving flowers in the lobby like some—”
“Like some what?” she cut in, her voice trembling but firm.
He stopped.
“Say it,” she whispered. “Go ahead.”
Lucian’s jaw flexed. He looked away first. “Get out.”
The words were quiet, final.
Emma blinked, her heart twisting painfully. “Gladly.”
She turned and walked out before her voice could crack.
*****
The afternoon sunlight was harsh when she stepped outside. Emma walked without direction until she reached the park a few blocks down. She sank onto a bench beneath the shade of a maple tree, her thoughts unraveling.
Her mind replayed Lucian’s voice, the sharpness of his tone, the way he’d looked at her like she’d betrayed something unnamed.
She didn’t understand him. She didn’t understand herself.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts. She glanced down — Alexa.
She swiped to answer. “Hey.”
“Guess what!” Alexa’s voice practically sparkled through the line. “I just got paid for the contract! They even want me to come in next week for another shoot. I’m officially a working model!”
Emma smiled faintly, her heart lifting a little at her cousin’s excitement. “Lex, that’s amazing. You deserve it.”
“I know, right?” Alexa laughed breathlessly. “We’re celebrating tonight, no arguments. I already got wine.”
Emma chuckled softly. “You’re something else.”
But Alexa’s voice shifted after a beat. “Okay, hold on. What’s wrong? You sound… off.”
Emma hesitated. “It’s nothing. Just… work.”
“Work or Lucian Sinclair?”
Emma sighed, leaning back against the bench. “Both.”
That got Alexa’s full attention. “Okay, what happened?”
And so she told her — about Jason showing up, the flowers, the looks from everyone, and Lucian’s coldness afterward. By the time she finished, her throat felt tight.
“Wait—” Alexa’s voice rose. “The guy who kissed another girl at that party? That Jason?”
“Yeah. That one.”
“Why is he suddenly showing up at your office with flowers? What’s he even trying to do?”
Emma let out a breath, rubbing her temple. “I don’t know. He’s been trying to talk to me lately, acting like we’re old friends or something. I don’t get it.”
Alexa sighed, softer now. “And Lucian… he saw all that?”
“Yeah. He wasn’t happy about it. He said things I didn’t deserve.”
There was a pause — long, thoughtful. Then Alexa spoke quietly. “Maybe he’s jealous.”
Emma blinked. “What?”
“Come on, Em. The man might look like he’s carved out of stone, but no one gets that worked up unless something matters to them.”
Emma gave a small, humorless laugh. “He doesn’t care, Lex. I’m just his intern.”
“Right,” Alexa said, teasing but gentle. “And I’m just an average model.”
That drew a faint smile.
“Listen,” Alexa continued, “Don’t let them both mess with your head. Jackson’s probably just feeling guilty, and Lucian—well, he’s complicated. But you? You’re strong. Come home, okay? We’ll celebrate, and you can tell me all about how your boss glared holes through your soul.”
Emma chuckled softly. “You make everything sound less awful.”
“That’s my superpower. Now get some air, and don’t forget the wine.”
When the call ended, Emma stared into space, sighed and whispered to herself. “I wish I knew what you wanted from me Lucian.”
- Writer
