Almost Caught
1088 Words
Ingrid
"Of course, I love my husband Richard so much. He treats me so well, and it's a blessing to be his wife." My fingers lingered around the glass of juice before I brought it to my lips.
For a brief moment, James didn't respond. The conversation died naturally, and we continued eating in comfortable silence until we were both done.
"That's good to know because you deserve the best, Ingrid, and I want you to know that."
I laughed softly at his sincerity and nodded. James was easy to get along with. There was no pressure in his company, no hidden expectations, and no need to constantly watch my words. For the first time since joining Mercer Corporation, I found myself enjoying a lunch break.
Unfortunately, breaks didn't last forever.
We walked side by side toward the elevator, exchanging harmless conversations about work, the company, and random things in between. He spoke just enough to keep the conversation alive but never enough to make me uncomfortable by digging into my personal life. In return, I did the same.
"So, are you getting off early today?" he asked as he pressed the buttons for our floors. "I could drop you off, you know."
"Not sure, but I wouldn't want to keep you from your own plans. Besides, my husband will be around to take me home."
James smiled.
"That's one good husband you have there. Though if you ask me, he's probably the lucky one."
I shook my head, amused by his response.
"But I've always wondered something." His gaze dropped briefly to my hand. "Why aren't you wearing your wedding ring?"
My heart nearly stopped.
For a second, I could only stare.
The ring.
How had Richard and I forgotten something so important?
After weeks of carefully planning every detail, the one thing that could expose us had completely slipped our minds.
Thankfully, my phone rang before I could embarrass myself with a suspicious answer.
I glanced at the screen.
Cooper.
Relief immediately washed through me.
"Sorry. It's Mr. Cooper."
"No problem."
"Thanks for keeping me company. We'll talk later."
The elevator dinged at the second floor, and James stepped out without questioning me further.
The moment the doors closed, I released a breath.
One question.
That was all it took.
If James had noticed the missing ring, others eventually would too.
I needed to fix that immediately.
My phone rang again.
Cooper.
This time I answered.
"Get to my office."
The line wasn't even warm enough for a greeting.
"The break just ended, and I'm already on my—"
The call disconnected.
I stared at my phone.
Seriously?
Wasn't he the same man who had practically thrown me out of his office before lunch?
Now he couldn't even wait a few seconds to hear me speak.
The man was impossible.
As the elevator continued upward, I couldn't stop wondering what could possibly be so urgent. If it concerned work, he would have simply waited for me to return. Calling twice suggested something else entirely.
The elevator finally stopped.
As soon as the doors opened, I headed straight for his office.
Just as I reached the door, someone else stepped out.
Katy.
To my surprise, she smiled.
Not the hostile expression from earlier.
A smile.
The sight immediately made me suspicious.
Before I could think too much about it, she walked away.
I entered the office.
"You called for me, sir?"
Cooper didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he picked up a file from his desk and tossed it toward me.
The papers scattered across the floor.
"Is this what you call getting work done?"
I blinked.
Then bent down to gather the documents.
Quickly, I reviewed the pages.
Everything looked correct.
"Sir?"
"Where is the personal contact for mobilization if an emergency arises?"
I looked up.
Personal contact?
Richard's?
Now that was strange.
"I included the official contact provided by Richgrid Security and Tech. Any communication concerning the operation goes through those channels."
His jaw tightened.
"Work is different from personal life, Miss Ingrid. I hope you're capable of separating both."
There it was.
The real issue.
It wasn't the file.
The file was fine.
He was annoyed about something else and using the paperwork as an excuse.
The realization almost made me smile.
"Of course, sir."
I reorganized the documents and placed them neatly on his desk before lingering beside him.
"What have you eaten today?" I asked quietly.
His eyes narrowed.
"None of your business."
Definitely annoyed.
"Take it back and revise it."
"But apart from that, the file is perfectly fine."
His gaze lifted.
"Are you questioning me?"
I leaned slightly closer.
"No."
For a brief second, neither of us moved.
The tension in the room shifted.
Subtle.
Dangerous.
Different from before.
His eyes remained on mine, and for the first time since entering the office, the irritation in them seemed directed at something other than work.
My fingers lightly brushed the front of his shirt.
"Then tell me what's actually wrong."
The silence stretched.
I could feel my own heartbeat.
This wasn't part of the original plan.
Not entirely.
Somewhere along the way, Cooper had stopped being just another assignment.
That realization frightened me more than it should have.
His gaze dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.
I leaned closer.
Slowly.
Giving him every opportunity to stop me.
He didn't.
My lips brushed his forehead.
Then his cheek.
Then the corner of his jaw.
A low breath escaped him.
Only then did I settle carefully on the edge of his lap.
His hands remained motionless for a moment before eventually finding my waist.
The movement was hesitant.
Almost reluctant.
Yet he didn't push me away.
I rested my forehead lightly against his shoulder.
"Do I still need to revise the file?" I whispered.
His hand tightened slightly at my waist.
"No."
A smile tugged at my lips.
Progress.
Slow progress.
But progress nonetheless.
His expensive cologne filled my senses as I relaxed against him, allowing myself a moment to enjoy the small victory.
Then the sharp sound of heels echoed from outside.
My head snapped up immediately.
A woman was approaching.
I turned toward the glass wall and spotted Aurelia heading directly toward Cooper's office.
Panic instantly flooded through me.
I tried to rise from Cooper's lap.
His arm tightened.
Refusing to let me move.
And for the first time that afternoon, I realized the real problem wasn't getting close to Cooper.
It was the possibility of being caught.
- Writer
