Concern
1054 Words
Ingrid
The alarm hadn't even rung a second time before I opened my eyes. Sleep had barely visited me, my mind replaying everything that had happened at the hospital, but today was too important to dwell on exhaustion.
Standing before the mirror, my fingers instinctively brushed over the wedding ring resting on my finger before I smiled faintly. James had noticed its absence, Cooper had almost questioned it, and thankfully, that was one problem Richard and I had managed to fix.
Richard emerged from the walk-in closet, already dressed in a charcoal suit that made him look every bit the CEO everyone respected. He adjusted his cufflinks while looking at me through the mirror.
"You're overthinking again."
I smiled awkwardly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"You always pinch your fingers together when you're nervous."
I looked down to realize he was right.
Walking over, he gently separated my hands before taking them into his.
"Today's operation will go smoothly."
"I know."
"But..."
He raised a brow.
"I still think we should go with the plan."
His expression immediately changed.
"Ingrid..."
"You don't have to do much," I said before he could object. "Just enough for Cooper to notice. He's already suspicious of me, and if he begins seeing another side of our marriage..."
Richard sighed.
"I don't like making you uncomfortable."
"I know."
"But trust me."
He searched my face for a few seconds before nodding reluctantly.
"If you tell me to stop, I stop immediately."
"I promise."
He leaned down to kiss my forehead before we left the house together.
---
Mercer Corporation was already alive with activity when we arrived. Richard headed toward the loading bay where his team was waiting, while I made my way to the executive floor.
After stepping out of the elevator, I straightened my blazer before knocking on Cooper's office door.
"Come in."
Pushing the door open, I found Cooper seated behind his desk while James occupied one of the visitor's chairs, a tablet resting on his lap.
"Good morning, sir."
"Morning," Cooper answered without looking up immediately.
James grinned.
"Morning, Ingrid."
I returned the greeting before placing the day's schedule on Cooper's desk.
"The Richgrid convoy is ready. They're waiting for your final inspection."
Cooper nodded once.
"We'll head down shortly."
James suddenly looked at me with a smile that caught me off guard.
"I heard about yesterday."
I blinked.
"Holly."
Relief crossed my face.
"Oh."
"You handled everything well."
He folded his arms.
"Boss told me how calm you were. Holly even finished the food you made."
A small smile escaped me.
"I'm glad she's feeling better."
"You should be," James laughed. "She kept asking for the lady that made the porridge."
My eyes instinctively shifted toward Cooper.
He closed the file in front of him before finally looking at me.
"You did well."
The simple praise surprised me more than it should have.
"Thank you, sir."
A few minutes later, the three of us descended to the loading area where several armored trucks bearing the Richgrid logo stood in perfect formation. Workers moved briskly between vehicles, checking locks, scanning manifests, and confirming every item before departure.
Richard stood at the center of it all, issuing instructions with practiced confidence.
"Recheck truck three."
"Confirm the rear seal."
"Nobody moves until every document is signed."
Watching him work reminded me why he'd earned the respect of everyone under him. There wasn't a trace of hesitation in his commands, and every member of his team responded instantly.
Beside me, Cooper watched the operation in silence.
"I'll admit," he finally said.
"I underestimated him."
I glanced sideways.
"He takes his work seriously."
"It shows."
The inspection continued for several more minutes before Richard walked over with the finalized documents.
"Everything is ready."
Cooper accepted them after a brief review.
"I expect every truck to arrive without incident."
"They will."
The two men exchanged a firm handshake before everyone gradually returned to their respective duties.
Thinking the inspection was over, I turned to head back toward the building.
Just then, one of Richgrid's supervisors hurried over to Richard.
"Sir!"
Richard immediately turned.
"What happened?"
"The locking mechanism on truck four isn't responding."
His expression hardened instantly.
"Who checked it?"
"We're still trying to figure that out."
Richard strode toward the truck without another word, his attention completely fixed on the problem.
Seeing him so occupied, I followed a few steps behind.
"Richard..."
He didn't hear me.
The supervisor continued explaining the situation while another worker attempted to demonstrate the faulty lock.
Without realizing it, I had stepped closer to the side of the truck.
"Ingrid."
Richard's voice came sharply.
I looked up.
"What are you doing there?"
Before I could answer, he crossed the distance between us in quick strides, grabbed my wrist firmly, and pulled me away from the vehicle.
The sudden force made me stumble into him.
"What did I tell you about standing near active loading trucks?"
His voice carried enough authority to silence everyone nearby.
"I was just—"
"If that lock had released unexpectedly, you could've been hurt."
His grip tightened without him realizing it.
I winced.
"Richard..."
He wasn't listening.
His hand slid instinctively to the back of my neck as he checked me over, still frustrated by what could have happened.
"You're hurting me."
The words left my lips barely above a whisper.
His entire expression changed.
Immediately, he loosened his hold.
"I'm sorry."
He took a slow breath before stepping back.
"I shouldn't have grabbed you like that."
I rubbed my wrist gently.
"It's okay."
"No."
His voice softened.
"It isn't."
For a brief second, guilt flashed across his face before he turned back to his waiting team.
"We're wasting time."
"Fix that lock now."
The workers quickly scattered to carry out his orders.
I adjusted my sleeve, trying to ignore the lingering s
ting on my wrist.
When I finally looked up...
Cooper was still standing exactly where I'd left him.
His eyes weren't on the truck.
They weren't on Richard.
They were on me.
There was something different in that gaze now.
Not suspicion.
Not curiosity.
Something quieter.
Something that almost looked like concern.
Without meeting his eyes, I lowered my head and made my way back toward the building, my heart beating just a little faster than before.
- Writer
