“I’m leaving now. If you need anything, Leta will be there to help you.”
This morning, after breakfast, Edward specifically bid farewell to Chloe. According to the schedule, he and Nicholas would be departing for Turkey for the next few days. There, they would attend an important meeting with some developers to discuss cooperation and finalize the schedule for the commencement of the mega project construction.
Chloe herself was feeling much better today. Her body temperature was gradually improving, and the headaches she had been suffering from for the past few days were starting to subside. However, Edward still asked her to rest and only return to work when her condition had fully returned to normal.
“No need to worry about me. I’m not a child, Mr. Eduardo Martin.”
Edward laughed. He then got up from his seat, grabbed his suit hanging behind the chair, and hurriedly put it on.
“But for me, you’re still my little wife,” he said, kissing the top of his wife’s head. “Don’t miss me while I’m not by your side.”
Chloe pressed her lips tightly together. She wanted to respond, but she thought it was too early to indulge Edward, who was always annoying. So instead, she got up and, without a word, hugged him.
“Safe travels. I hope you stay there for a long time. If necessary, don’t bother coming back,” she sarcastically remarked.
Edward chuckled in response to the teasing. He knew very well that his wife was deliberately poking fun at him. So, after releasing the hug, he lowered his head and gently lifted Chloe’s chin to give her a deep, tender kiss on her lips. He savored it, paying no mind to Leta and Nicholas watching them.
The kiss lasted for quite a while. Edward’s lips continued to move, as if massaging Chloe’s lips softly. Gradually, she felt her breath starting to get shallow. So, a moment later, Edward reluctantly ended the kiss.
“I dare to swear that you’ll miss me while I’m not by your side,” Edward whispered after breaking the kiss.
“Oh, really?” Chloe looked dismissively at Edward. “Don’t dream, my husband,” she continued. Then, boldly, Chloe kissed Edward’s lips again before finally allowing him to leave.
“We’ll see about that.”
****
“Sam, I’m bored! Can you take me to L’Elysee Artisan Cafe right now?” Chloe ordered on the phone.
After feeling bored in her room all day, Chloe decided to go out in the afternoon. She deliberately called Samuel to pick her up and take her to her favorite cafe. At least, if something happened, her assistant would be there to take care of her.
Not long after she waited, Samuel arrived and immediately took Chloe to the place she wanted to go.
“Madam, we can’t stay here for long. You’re still in the recovery period.”
Chloe, who had just sat down, looked up. A look of annoyance was clearly visible on her beautiful face.
“Arghh…” Chloe grumbled, folding her arms in front of her chest. “You’re just like Edward. Too overprotective. I’m just having a normal fever.”
While handing her the menu, Samuel grinned. “I’m just worried. You’re the type of woman who rarely gets sick. If you end up like this, it means you really need plenty of rest.”
“How many times do I have to convince you? I’m fine,” Chloe argued. She was completely sure that her condition had improved significantly. “Now, stop nagging! I want to enjoy my afternoon peacefully.”
Just as she finished saying that sentence, another disturbance came. Chloe’s phone rang several times. When she checked, Edward’s name was displayed clearly on the screen.
“Why don’t you answer it?” Samuel reminded her when he saw Chloe ignoring the incoming call on her phone.
“For God’s sake, I don’t feel like taking Edward’s calls. He probably wants to ask if I’ve taken my medicine or not.”
“But you should answer the call,” he suggested. “Who knows, your husband might have something important to tell you.”
A little reluctant, Chloe finally answered Edward’s call.
“Hello…”
“Why did it take so long to answer? Are you deliberately worrying me?” Edward asked on the other end.
“To be honest, I just didn’t feel like answering your call,” Chloe replied nonchalantly.
“Ha… ha… ha…” Edward laughed. “Well then, I won’t bother you. I called you just to let you know that I’ve arrived in Istanbul and am on my way to the hotel.”
“Ah… non-essential information,” Chloe scoffed. “Stop acting like we’re a very happy married couple, Ed. You’re making me more and more annoyed.”
Once again, Edward laughed on the phone.
“Don’t worry, soon, feelings of hatred, annoyance, or irritation will turn into love.”
Chloe took a deep breath before responding to her husband’s words.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hope that will never happen. And again, if there’s nothing else important you want to say, I’ll end this call.”
“Alright, I’ll end our conversation. Don’t forget to eat and take your medicine.”
“Hmmm…”
“Chloe…” Edward called out once more.
“Oh my goodness, Edward, what else do you want to say?” Chloe sounded even more annoyed.
“I love you…”
The call suddenly disconnected, leaving Chloe trying to ignore what Edward had just expressed to her.
“Sam, didn’t you order any food?” Chloe’s attention turned back to Samuel. “Aren’t you tired of waiting for me without–”
“You’re Chloe Arley, right?”
A baritone voice suddenly interrupted Chloe’s sentence without permission. She quickly turned and found a familiar figure in her eyes.
“Yes, I’m Chloe,” she replied politely.
“Can I join you? It’s quite a coincidence that we can meet here. It seems interesting to have a cup of tea accompanied by a beautiful woman like you.”
Chloe smiled. “Please, don’t hesitate.”
The man immediately joined her. After shaking hands with Samuel, he sat directly across from Chloe.
“Do you remember me?” the man asked in a seemingly casual tone.
“Of course. If I’m not mistaken, your name is Damian Dimitri, right?”
The man nodded, smiling. “It seems your memory is quite good. But let me introduce myself properly.” He then extended his right hand. “Damian Dimitri. The eldest cousin of your husband, Edward Martin.”
“Nice to meet you,” Chloe replied.
“Are you alone? Isn’t Edward accompanying you?”
Chloe shook her head. “No. Edward is on a business trip to Turkey, so I–”
“Oh, your husband is attending an important meeting with Emaar Properties,” Damian interrupted.
Chloe took a slow breath. She was a bit annoyed that Damian interrupted her sentence so casually. “Yes, you could say that.”
Damian nodded rhythmically. Leaning back in his chair, he found a comfortable position before speaking half-whispered.
“Sorry if I’m being presumptuous, but I know you and Edward got married out of necessity. It’s already certain that there’s no love between the two of you, right? My guess is correct, isn’t it?”
Chloe smirked. “Where did you get the idea that we don’t love each other?”
“It’s not important where I got that from. What’s clear is that I want to invite you to work together.”
This time, Chloe narrowed her eyes. “Work together in what way?”
“To work together in getting rid of Edward to take over Quantum.”
Now, it was Chloe who burst into laughter. Samuel remained silent, not wanting to interfere but choosing to be a listener. He was sure his boss could handle everything without needing assistance.
“What’s in it for me to get rid of Edward? Isn’t being the wife and daughter-in-law of the Martin family a very strategic position?”
The smile didn’t fade from Damian’s lips. “I don’t know your main reasons. What I know is that you also have a goal to destroy Edward, don’t you?”
Chloe was taken aback. In her heart, she wondered how Damian could know that she married Edward with the intention of destroying him. As far as she could remember, she never told anyone about this secret. So how did Damian find out? Moreover, was he intentionally spying on her?
“We have the same goal,” Damian continued. “You don’t need to answer now. Take your time to consider my offer.”
Damian then reached for a business card from his jacket pocket and placed it on the table while speaking softly.
“Contact me when you’re ready to work together.”
He got up from his seat, giving a wide smile, then left Chloe and Samuel in silence.
****