RACHEL’S POV
“Hey, Shawny.” She called as she walked into his new office. Since his inception as Chairman, his office was changed to a much spacious and exotic one.
“Hey, Rachel.”
“Hmmm… I love your new office. Everything is screaming luxury at its peak.” She gently trailed her fingers on the exotic posh leather chair.
“Thank you. Why are you here?”
“To take you to lunch, of course.”
“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”
“C’mon. Since the incident, you have done nothing but drown yourself in work. You need some time outside for fresh air.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. I’m taking Tiffany out for dinner, so I won’t be going with you.”
She scoffed and tried to conceal the anger that seared through her. “Must you take her out for lunch? She is not a kid, and can take care of herself.”
“Well, she is a kid for now, because she has lost her memory and needs all the love, care and attention she can get to help her regain her memory faster. It’s the doctor’s instruction.”
“Are you doing this because of the doctor’s instruction or because you enjoy doing it?”
He momentarily went silent, as if he was searching for his thoughts, and then he confidently replied, “I’m doing it because I want to and I enjoy doing it. I don’t know, since the incident, I find myself getting drawn to her. I want to protect and keep her from harm’s way.”
Another wave of pain hit her, and she almost puked in nausea. Her fears were becoming reality. She was beginning to see the incident as a foil to her plans because it was bringing Shawn and Tiffany close and that was not what she wanted!
“Are you okay?” He asked, looking at her in puzzlement.
“Oh, yes, I am. I’m just touched by how much you now care about her. You know, considering how you hated her in the past.”
“I know, right? Change happens unexpectedly.”
“Yeah, it sure does. Umm…I will be leaving for lunch now. Enjoy your time with her.” She walked out in a hurry so she could conceal the tears that threatened to escape her eyes.
How dare that little girl always get in her way? Even in her state, she still managed to have Shawn’s attention to herself.
She walked into her office and knocked all the files on her tables to the floor. Could things ever get better with her quest to have Shawn to herself.
Why did things get worse with every attempt? Was fate against her too?
Too many thoughts whirled through her head as she walked to the window. Just then, Shawn walked out in the direction of his car.
He was obviously going to pick the little girl up for lunch. Another tide of pain hit her, threatening to suffocate her.
She was never going to back down. Not with how far she had come with her plans. She would come up with new strategies and fight back.
Shawn was either hers or nobody else’s.
SHAWN’S POV
After Rachel left his office, he hurriedly added finishing touches to the proposal he was drafting, and then shut grabbed his jacket before heading out.
He was taking Tiffany to a Chinese restaurant and didn’t want to keep her waiting. He got into his car and drove home.
She was seated and waiting for him in the sitting room.
“Hey, are you ready?”
“Hi. Yes, I am.” She replied, getting on her feet.
“You look beautiful in your gown. I love your look.”
She bowed her head, obviously shy about his compliments. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. We have to leave now so I can make it back to work on time.”
She nodded and followed him out. He drove to a nice Chinese restaurant and they went in.
“Welcome to the tasty empire. Here is our menu.” The waitress said and handed them the menu.
“Can I have vegetable rice and chicken wings?” Shawn asked.
“Um, I will go for the SC frogmore stew and grilled lobsters.” Tiffany said and the waitress nodded before walking away.
“This place is nice.” She said, looking around.
“Yes, it is. I wanted somewhere you would love.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Our order is here.”
They are in silence and he noticed she kept stealing glances at him as they ate.
“Do you want to ask me anything?”
“Umm…yes.”
“Go on.”
“We are married, right?”
“Yes, we are.”
“What was our relationship like? Why do we have separate rooms? I thought couples share the same bedroom?”
He went mute for a second as he contemplated on his answer. “We both wanted it. It was a mutual agreement. And about our relationship, we had a little strain, but we were cool.”
“Oh, I see. Do I have friends except those two that came to visit at the hospital?”
“I don’t think you do.”
“Thank you.” She muttered and returned to her food.
They had intermittent chats in between their meals until they were done eating.
“Thank you for bringing me out for lunch. I enjoyed the meal.” She said as they walked towards the car.
“You are welcome.” He replied and they got into the car.
He drove her home, and after bidding her goodbye he drove back to work.
He had just gotten to his office when Rachel sauntered in with a file. “So how was lunch with her? Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Yes, I did. And she did too.”
“Here Is the file you asked me to work on. It has all the details you need to Know about Perry and Patty’s company.”
“Thank you. You finished faster than I expected. I will go through it later.”
“You are welcome. You know I will do anything for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your efficiency. With that being said, I would love to return to work. You should do the same.”
“Yes, master Shawn.” She gave a mock genuflection before walking out.
He exhaled sharply the moment she walked out the door. He had a lot to do, and the last thing he needed was Rachel’s distraction.
Shoving thoughts of her off his head, he went back to work.