Getting Him Concerned
860 Words
Ingrid
Richard's outburst replayed over and over in my head as I returned to my office. The sight had shocked everyone, but for me, it served a purpose because Cooper had witnessed every bit of it.
A man could easily ignore a woman who constantly chased after him. But the moment another man became the source of her pain, especially one with such a frightening temper, the instinct to protect often crept in before feelings ever did.
I wasn't proud of using such a method. Yet if it meant breaking through the walls Cooper had built around himself, then perhaps it was a necessary step.
The operation with Richgrid Security and Tech proceeded without another hitch. Richard remained completely professional throughout, issuing instructions to his team while avoiding any unnecessary interaction with me.
I knew him well enough to understand he wasn't angry anymore. Once work came first, every personal emotion stayed outside.
Back upstairs, I buried myself in the day's remaining tasks. Files came and went from Cooper's desk while emails kept pouring in, leaving little room for conversation between us.
When lunchtime arrived, I quietly arranged our meals just as I had done before. This time, however, I hesitated outside his office door, remembering what Aurelia had mentioned about him disliking the smell of food in his workspace.
Maybe I had unknowingly crossed a boundary.
Taking a quiet breath, I knocked gently before stepping inside.
"Sir... lunch is ready."
He barely lifted his eyes from the document in front of him.
"Leave it there."
I obeyed without another word, placing the meals neatly on the coffee table instead of his desk. Unlike the previous days, I made no attempt to persuade him to eat beside me.
"I'll be in my office if you need anything."
I turned to leave, already reaching for the door handle.
"You aren't eating?"
His voice stopped me halfway.
I looked back over my shoulder.
"I was going to."
"You usually insist we eat together."
A faint smile crossed my lips.
"I remembered you don't like the smell of food in your office."
His pen stopped moving.
"Who told you that?"
"Mrs. Mercer."
Silence settled between us.
For a brief second, I wondered if I had said something wrong.
"You can stay."
My brows lifted slightly.
"As an exception."
A soft chuckle escaped before I could stop it.
"I'll take that."
I unpacked the meals, placing one before him before taking the seat opposite. Neither of us spoke immediately, the quiet only interrupted by the occasional clink of cutlery against the plates.
Halfway through the meal, I noticed he wasn't eating as much as usual.
"Is something wrong?"
His eyes met mine.
"Does Richard always treat you like that?"
The question caught me completely off guard.
I lowered my spoon, pretending to think about it.
"He can be... hot-tempered."
"But?"
I forced a small smile.
"He's a good husband."
Cooper continued staring at me without saying anything. His expression remained unreadable, making it impossible to know whether he believed my answer or saw straight through it.
The silence stretched longer than I expected.
"I should get back to work."
I began gathering the empty containers, hoping to end the conversation there.
"Ingrid."
"Sir?"
"You can leave early today."
I blinked.
"There isn't much left on today's schedule."
"I'll finish everything before I go."
"I know you will."
His answer came so naturally that it surprised me.
For someone who had doubted me since the day I resumed work, trusting me enough to leave early felt like progress, no matter how small.
"Thank you."
I carried the containers back to my office, unable to stop the tiny smile tugging at my lips. Perhaps today's events had done exactly what I hoped they would.
The moment I dropped the packages on my desk, my phone began ringing.
The caller ID made me pause.
Mrs. Mercer.
Curiosity got the better of me as I answered.
"Hello, Mrs. Mercer."
"Ingrid!" Aurelia's cheerful voice came through immediately. "I hope I didn't disturb you."
"Not at all."
"I was just calling to remind you about what we discussed yesterday."
I frowned slightly.
"Holly has been asking about you ever since we left the hospital."
A smile slowly formed on my face.
"She has?"
"She wouldn't stop talking about the nice lady from Daddy's office."
Aurelia laughed softly.
"She even asked whether you'd visit her."
My heart melted a little.
"That's sweet."
"So..."
Her tone turned hopeful.
"Would you come over this evening?"
"I don't want Holly thinking you forgot her already."
I glanced toward Cooper's closed office door before answering.
"If it's alright with Mr. Cooper..."
"It is."
She interrupted almost immediately.
"I'll handle him."
A small laugh escaped me.
"Alright."
"I'll come."
"Wonderful!" Aurelia sounded genuinely excited. "I'll send you the address and ask the driver to expect you."
After ending the call, I leaned back in my chair, staring thoughtfully at my phone.
Meeting Holly again wasn't what worried me.
It was stepping into Cooper Mercer's home.
For the first time...
I wouldn't be entering his life as his personal assistant.
I'd be entering it as a guest.
- Writer
