One step away from discovery
954 Words
INGRID
My plan hadn't even taken proper root yet, and at this rate, everything could come crashing down. No, I needed to hide, and that could only happen if Cooper finally released me from the grip he seemed unwilling to loosen.
"Scared now?"
His finger pressed into my waist as he drew me even closer, and my heart nearly leapt into my throat. The worst part was that he looked amused by the entire situation, while I was the one with everything to lose.
"Can you just let me go, please?" I whispered. "Mrs. Mercer can't find us like this. It's not proper."
A smile tugged at his lips.
"Really? Because I don't feel like letting go."
His face lowered toward my neck, and I stiffened immediately. The tension in the room became unbearable, especially when I heard the sound of heels approaching the office door.
The handle turned.
Only then did he release me.
The nearest hiding place was beneath his desk.
Without wasting another second, I hurried underneath just as Aurelia stepped into the office.
"Hubby, I brought you food. I'm sure you haven't eaten anything today. You work too hard."
Instead of answering her, Cooper's hand appeared beneath the desk.
My eyes widened.
Seriously?
His fingers cupped my jaw and squeezed my cheeks together, forcing my lips into a pout.
I glared at him.
The man was impossible.
Here I was trying not to get caught, and he was treating the situation like some form of entertainment.
"Not interested," he finally answered.
His gaze dropped briefly toward me, and the smug satisfaction in his eyes made me want to bite him again.
He had no idea what was at stake.
Or maybe he did.
Maybe that was exactly why he was enjoying himself.
"What are you looking at that's stealing your attention from me?" Aurelia asked.
The sound of her heels grew closer.
My heart pounded.
Every step felt louder than the previous one.
I quickly glanced around the small space beneath the desk, searching for a miracle escape route that didn't exist.
Nothing.
There was nowhere to go.
My fingers wrapped around Cooper's trouser leg.
A silent plea.
Stop her.
Don't let her come closer.
His eyes flickered toward my hand.
Then his thumb brushed across my lower lip.
I immediately bit him.
Hard.
A muffled groan escaped him before he finally pulled his hand away.
Served him right.
This wasn't a game.
But Aurelia had already reached the front of the desk.
Another step and she would see me.
"Don't make me throw you out."
Cooper's voice suddenly cut through the room.
Aurelia froze.
"But—"
"Take the meal and get out."
The command left no room for discussion.
"I know you don't like the smell of food in your office," she said softly, trying again. "And I know you don't like distractions, but you haven't been eating when I offer food at home. I was only concerned about you. Can't you see how much I care?"
"Did I ask you to?"
The room fell silent.
Underneath the desk, I watched Cooper lean back in his chair.
Meanwhile, his hand found my hair again.
I slapped it away.
He didn't even react.
How was he remaining this composed?
One wrong move and everything could explode.
"Is this how you want us to live for the rest of our lives?" Aurelia continued. "I love you, Cooper. I care about our daughter too. I want us to have a healthy family. Is that too much to ask? Can't you do it for Holly if not for me?"
Everything inside me stopped.
Holly.
Daughter.
The words echoed inside my head.
A child.
They had a child together.
The realization hit me so suddenly that for several seconds I forgot where I was.
I had prepared myself for many things before coming here.
A marriage.
A complicated relationship.
Even betrayal.
But not this.
Not a child.
My chest tightened painfully.
Why hadn't Richard told me?
How had this detail escaped every conversation, every discussion, every plan?
The forgotten wedding ring was already a disaster waiting to happen.
Now there was a child involved too.
A child meant history.
A deeper connection.
A stronger bond than I had imagined.
What was I even doing here?
"Dinner is fine. Go back for now."
Cooper's voice dragged me back to reality.
His expression remained unreadable, but he had agreed the moment Holly's name entered the conversation.
That alone told me enough.
His daughter mattered.
A lot.
"That's better." Aurelia sounded relieved. "I'll take this back and wait for you at home. Don't be late."
A few moments later, another pair of footsteps entered the office.
"Mrs. Mercer, you called?"
Katy.
My stomach tightened.
"Yes." Aurelia sounded far more cheerful now. "You and the others should help yourselves. I brought plenty of food. My husband is too busy to eat it, but he'll definitely be home for dinner."
My arms folded tightly beneath the desk.
Some things never changed.
Aurelia still loved displaying what she considered hers.
"That's very thoughtful of you, Mrs. Mercer," Katy replied. "Everyone will appreciate it."
The response was smooth.
Polite.
Professional.
But I still didn't trust her.
Not after earlier.
"It's nothing."
Aurelia laughed lightly before pausing.
"Oh, that's right. I haven't seen Cooper's PA
all day. What was her name again?"
I rolled my eyes.
She remembered.
She was simply pretending otherwise.
"Ingrid, Mrs. Mercer," Katy supplied.
"Yes, Ingrid."
Aurelia's voice sharpened instantly.
"Get her to come here now."
The blood drained from my face.
Under the desk, my eyes flew straight to Cooper.
Because unless a miracle happened in the next few seconds, I was about to be discovered.
- Writer
