Amber was busy sorting out the orders that was brought to her by the mall staff when she felt the need to ask for permission over some certain brands. She came up to the office and didn’t know that Joseph was already inside the office with Tom.
She knocked once before entering as usual but she was met with their scenes of pinning themselves to the wall. Taken aback by the sight in front of her, she wanted to run up to them and separate them when Joseph saw her coming, he decided to drop the bomb because he was sure Tom never told her about his true identity.
Tom had threatened to crush Joseph if he doesn’t stop coming for him and bothering people around him. He was getting tired of his child play and antics “It’s not fun anymore” he had said to him but Joseph only scoffed.
“You claim to love her but have you even told her the truth? Does she know that we are step brothers? Is she aware of the fact that you are an illegitimate child who can lose his position at any time?” questioned Joseph as he grinned at Amber who stood there fazed at both their positions and what she just heard.
Given the fact that he was staring at her hard while saying those words, she was convinced that he said something like that because of her presence. He wanted her to know first from him and also create an avenue for fight or distrust between them and she was not ready to give him that spotlight.
She brushed off the busted secret and just composed herself to stop the fight first, “What is happening here?” was the next thing she asked as she ran to grab Tom’s jacket.
He looked back to see her standing there and knew she already heard what Joseph said but then, that was not the priority now, they would attend to that later after getting rid of the intruder. He finally let go of Joseph and adjusted his rumpled suit before marching to his seat.
“What can I do for you, Miss Amber?” Tom asked coolly and she played along perfectly by walking up to him to tender what she came for.
Joseph could not believe that both of them were not shaken even after what he said, “You knew about it all along but still dated him? You sure are reckless for getting into a ship that can sink anytime without warning” was his next statement to Amber who was tired of him.
She faced him sharply with her level of anger rising, she could not believe that a man could stoop so low to cause a rift between people he has no business with.
“What exactly are you expecting to hear from me? That I know? Or that I do not know? If that is what you want them I am sorry, I cannot give you any answer and for your information this is business hours and you seems to be a threat to my boss. It will be better if you leave on your own accord before I call the securities to show you the way out” she fired at him and he went speechless.
He had tried dealing with her in various occasions but this was the first time he would confront her to her face and she’s a tougher meat than he could imagine. She was sharp, bold and eloquent. She knows the exact answer to give and very professional.
“For some reasons, I like you already. Do you want to work with me? I will pay you way more than this motherfucker here” Joseph proposed with a chuckle but Amber only rolled her eyes.
“I don’t accept money associated to evil because my conscience is too clean to let me live guiltlessly after doing so” she fired at him and turned to Tom who was busy flipping the pages of the files she brought.
“You should proceed with the orders, it looks good and beneficial” Tom instructed her and returned the file to her which she received swiftly and started walking towards the door.
“Don’t forget that you were the one that threw this offer out of the door” Joseph yelled at her but she didn’t even pause to give a reply and just went out.
Tom didn’t say anything and just focused on his word, leaving Joseph with no option than to march out on his own accord. He released a pent up sigh as soon as the intruder stepped out of his office, removed his sweaty glasses and cleaned his nose bridge.
He had been meaning to talk about it to Amber but he felt that there was no reason to rush. He surely hated the fact that he didn’t tell her first and the way Amber was cool with it was another reason why he was anxious.
She had always been like that, you can never know what’s going on in her mind because she’s very strict with herself. She doesn’t let personal feelings get in the way of her work and do her best every time.
He finished working for the day and was clocking out when he saw that her seat was empty. Her bag was missing, it was enough to tell him that she left for the day. “She must have been upset” dropped out of his mouth as he heads for the elevator.
Several thoughts passed through his mind as he was heading to his car. From wondering if he should call her first or message her to what should he say, apologize? Or explain? He couldn’t come to the conclusion of the perfect words to use in explaining his situation to her.
He was still in the thinking mode when he got to his car only to find her leaning on it while waiting for him. His legs halted as soon as he sighted her but the little smile that lit up her face calmed him down a bit and assured him that he still has a chance.
Quickly walking up to her, he returned the energy instead of ruining the mood by sulking, “You should have called me instead of waiting this long” he stated and she stood properly on her feet.
“I was just doing a bit of thinking while deciding to wait for you” she replied and those words struck him.
The “little bit of thinking” was enough to make his heart skip because he could not measure the extent at which she had made her thinking. What kind of thinking it could be and the outcome of what the little thinking she did could be.
“Should we get into the car first? It will be nice to talk while having a seat” he said to her almost, trying all his possible best not to stutter and she nodded in agreement.
She marched into the car and he joined her shortly after puffing out all the tensed air in his lungs to tone down his nervousness. He had stood before crowds, been bold all his life and had no fear but for some reasons, he was scared of what Amber would say.
Frankly speaking, no woman would be pleased to hear what her man should have told her himself from another person. As far as they had become a couple, he was supposed to let her know his true identity and although it was never his intention to hide it from her forever, he knows well that if he talks too much while leaning towards the excuse of he wanted to tell her but couldn’t get the chance, it would make matter worse because it is nothing but an excuse.
He got into the car and waited for her to talk first while she waiting for him to ignite the engine. After waiting for a minute in silence, she spoke up. “I thought we wanted to talk, should we go over to my place? We might be able to talk better and comfortably there” she suggested and he was thankful that she was at least talking nicely and also put their comfort in mind.
With a stiff hand, he managed to reach for the start button, “Let’s go then” he muttered and ignited the engine.
Throughout their ride, none of them said anything to each other. The radio was doing its best to calm the tension between them and she glued her head to the window where she was feeding her eyes the night view.
Every two minutes, he was constantly stealing a glance to see if her emotion would fluctuate or at least he would be able to predict whatever she might have in mind but she only kept a straight face till they got home.
She ushered him and motioned for him to have his seat while she went inside to drop her bag and showed up with two cups of warm tea she prepared.
Settling on the sofa in front of him, she finally broke the silence. “I think I am ready to hear your side of the story now” she stated and his heart skipped a beat.