[69]
Chloe stared intently at the results of her discussion with Josh this afternoon. They ended up going out together accidentally, just talking about the past. Chloe’s suspicions about Josh were correct. The man admitted gently that he had been observing Chloe’s marital situation since the accident happened. That’s also what brought Josh back to Indonesia. He said something like that.
Chloe no longer needed to worry about Josh’s suspicions. Her intuition was proven right.
“Why?” Josh asked, breaking Chloe’s concentration all of a sudden. She wanted to make a few changes to some points they discussed.
“Why what?”
“You’re serious. I remember when we had a college assignment. You were the one who had the most negative thoughts about the outcome, while Adrianna? She was so relaxed. Even if she had to redo it, your friend never made a big deal out of it. She had such a positive stride. Do you remember?” Josh asked with a chuckle, causing Chloe to burst into laughter.
“But that’s true, right?”
“Yes.” Chloe held back her laughter. “You’re right. Adrianna is like that. You should meet her sometime.”
“Sure.” Josh looked intently at Chloe, who seemed much brighter than the last time they met, probably at a party. Even at his home back then, she didn’t look as radiant as today. “You arrange it. Just contact me to adjust the schedule. What’s Adrianna doing now?”
“She’s become an educator. I like Adrianna’s job. It’s noble.”
Josh nodded. “If you want, you can do that too, Sa. Do what you want to do-things you haven’t done before. Get to know your surroundings well. Share experiences with others out there. I support you.”
Josh’s heart was beating faster and more robust now. Chloe’s smile bloomed widely. “Thank you.”
Josh almost wanted to reach out and touch Chloe’s blushing cheeks. She wore a dress that reached her calves, paired with a blazer to cover her chest, and looked stunning.
“If you need help, anything at all, just tell me. Never hesitate to call me Chloe.”
“You’re so kind, Josh.”
He chuckled. He took off his glasses that had been sitting on the bridge of his nose. “I missed an important meeting today.”
Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? How could you!”
Josh laughed. “That meeting wasn’t worth it compared to discussing business with you, Sa. I’m quite interested in your unique idea earlier. Headpieces with flowers have already been created many times. Not to mention bridal bouquets. But for handbags and shoes? I think that collection is still limited to handmade only, right?”
“You’re right, Josh. That’s why the price is quite high. I haven’t made them directly because the flowers used are artificial. But it seems reasonable for vintage and summer styles.”
Josh nodded. “That’s why I didn’t mind postponing the meeting today. It turns out it’s enjoyable to talk to you about business, Sa.”
Chloe laughed again. I’m unsure whether I should go with that idea or explore something else.
The man, still dressed in formal attire, nodded quickly. “You can think about what suits you best and what you want to do.”
“I appreciate your support.”
The warm and friendly atmosphere was interrupted by Emir’s arrival. His face looked anxious but was quickly pushed aside as he entered his boss’s office. There was a woman he often saw in photos. Even in the pictures, her beauty alone made Emir not want to stop looking, except he remembered that his boss cherished this woman.
However, Josh quickly noticed Emir’s uneasiness. “What’s the matter?”
“Um… I think your car is ready.”
Josh furrowed his brow, but then he understood Emir’s intention to get them out of the room immediately. It couldn’t be because Josh was afraid or unwilling to face his clients. Throughout his life, there had never been a history of Josh retreating from meeting people.
Something must have happened.
“Shall I take you home? As compensation, we can have dinner.
Chloe furrowed her brow but eventually laughed. “Payment for picking up breakfast?”
“Let’s consider it that way.” Josh gestured for Chloe to leave the room; with him promptly opening the door for her and leaving Emir, who obediently nodded as if he knew what he had to do. Josh then directed Chloe to a different elevator from the one they arrived in at Josh’s office.
Although Chloe gave him a strange look, Josh had a very reasonable explanation. “You know, this is a special elevator for the CEO of this company.”
“Ah, you’re right,” Chloe chuckled. “I forgot that my friend from college became a successful entrepreneur.”
Chloe’s statement made Josh look at her with an unreadable expression. Then he cleared his throat briefly to compose himself. “Just a friend, Sa?”
“What else could it be?”
“What if I want to get closer? How would that be?”
“We’re already close, Josh.” Chloe smiled understandingly. No one spoke after that. The silence inside the elevator was filled only with the sound of the ding as the elevator didn’t stop on any floor other than the basement and the lobby, as indicated on the panel buttons on Chloe’s right side. The spacious elevator could accommodate about seven people and had a luxurious feel to it. She was surrounded by mirrors that reflected the people inside, including Chloe, who could see the figure of the man standing next to her without having to turn her head.
The figure was very different from the last time they met, a few years ago when they had just graduated from university. Josh looked slimmer, and his appearance had changed a bit. Perhaps because he now focused more on business and taking care of himself, his face had become more handsome. Chloe knew the price of his suit would cost a fortune, adding more value to Josh’s appearance this time.
“Are you observing me, Chloe?” Josh asked without looking. In front of them, the mirror’s reflection made their eyes meet. They gazed at each other without turning their heads. Chloe cleared her throat nervously and immediately broke eye contact.
“No,” Chloe denied, feeling like a thief. Although it was clear that she had been discreetly observing Josh since they met.
“I’m glad if you’re observing me,” Josh said, slightly leaning forward. It made Chloe freeze. Her body stood rigidly, and Josh could sense it. A faint smile appeared on Josh’s face. It wasn’t because he had made Chloe blush but because being this close to her felt enjoyable. The scent of Chloe’s perfume filled the air perfectly.
Josh’s breath gently brushed against Chloe’s neck. She couldn’t just avoid it because of the elevator. Thankfully, the elevator chimed right at their destination: the basement. “We’ve arrived,” Chloe said, quickly taking a few steps forward.
***
“Is Josh busy? I haven’t received an answer to my call,” Ester asked angrily. She was in Josh’s office, but he was nowhere to be found. She had gone to great lengths to escape Agatha Theodore’s clutches, who had rescheduled her photoshoot to cook. That older woman had come to the photoshoot location arrogantly, talking to her manager with a cunning smile.
Oh God, Ester felt like sending Agatha back to the hospital! She had already recovered but was causing trouble!
“Yes, Aunt,” Leo spoke with a cheerful tone. “It would be exciting to cook with your future son-in-law, right?”
Ester couldn’t show her dislike on her face. There were so many people in the studio watching them. The news of their wedding had been circulating in the studio. But no one dared to report it because of Ester’s and Leonel’s influence. Oh no, it was Ester’s influence. Alongside Ester, there was Josh, who would help her silence the media except for the approved news.
But what was the purpose?
It was to keep Leonel from causing trouble. Ester was lucky that Leonel didn’t resist, even though the warmth she had once felt when she was with Leonel was no longer there. Leonel had grown colder towards her. He rarely spoke to her and never wanted to accompany her to do anything. He never visited her apartment either.
Instead, Leonel preferred to go home to his mother’s house instead of staying in the apartment he had bought for Ester. He said, “As a Grisham’s future son-in-law, it’s only natural for you to visit there occasionally. Familiarize yourself with Mama.”All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
Ester was strongly urged to squeeze Leonel’s mouth for being so presumptuous. Her anger made her blood boil, especially when she remembered Chloe’s expulsion. They were all so frustrating!
“I’m sorry, Miss Ester. Mr. Josh is indeed not in his office, right?” Emir said, gesturing for Ester to leave.
“When will Josh be back?” Ester insisted on knowing Josh’s whereabouts. She relied on Josh for everything. Without him, Ester would be nothing.
“I don’t know, Miss Ester.”
Ester sighed in annoyance. Her hands folded across her chest. “Try contacting him. Maybe you can reach him from your phone.”
Emir clenched his teeth in disapproval. His gaze sharpened, but Ester seemed utterly unfazed. It could be seen from her challenging gaze. “Why? You’re just his assistant. Just do what I ask. I’m his business partner.”
Emir smirked. “Don’t do anything strange, Ester Gisella.” He stepped closer, causing Ester to wrinkle her nose in dislike. “Mr. Josh doesn’t want to be disturbed. Understood?”