Chapter 25- The request

Abigail’s action didn’t go unnoticed by Charles. He saw the large pink diamond ring on her ring finger. Then his eyes moved to her neck subconsciously to check if the necklace he gave was still there or not. But it was not there. It was replaced by a new golden chain. He pulled back his eyes and looked down at the file in his hands. A smile crept on his lips, but that was not a smile. He laughed at his own thought. What was he thinking? Did he really expect that she would wear it till now? Maybe she dumped it somewhere else and would never take it out for the rest of her life. He nodded in anticipation. Then he picked the intercom up to call Aidan. Just as he was about to press the button, he heard her ask, “Why did you leave the party so early last night?”

His hands froze in the air, and his eyes moved to her face instantaneously, only to meet her inquiring gaze. Although watching Aidan proposing to her was an eyesore to him, he didn’t intend to leave her birthday party, but who would have thought that he would receive an emergency call from Lucy. He felt terrible for not being able to attend the party. He wanted to explain it to her, but before he could say anything, she asked him again, “Have you gone to see your girlfriend?”

Charles’s mouth remained open, and he stared at her in a complicated way. Why should he have to explain it to her? What did she have to do if he went to visit a girl or not? She was already engaged and was going to marry Aidan soon. He needed not to dispel her misunderstanding or doubts. After contemplating this, he chuckled bitterly and said, “Yes. Her mother called me and asked me to come quickly. So I have to go. Sorry, I couldn’t attend the party.”

Charles wanted to say some more but she interrupted him, “Oh… So you went to spend time with your girlfriend’s family.”

She smiled brightly, and Charles’s eyes dazzled. He couldn’t understand the meaning of that smile. She had a smile on her face, yet he felt she was not happy. She hid her pain beneath that smiling face. Charles frowned and stared at her, trying to see through her mind. Just as he was dazing, he heard her ask, “Can you call him now?”

“Uh…” He came out of his trance and said, “Yeah…” He dialed the number for Aidan’s office on the intercom, and the call connected in two rings.

“Hello.”

“Boss, Miss Mills wants to see you.”

“Is she here?”

Charles opened his mouth to answer, but before that Aidan exclaimed, “Why didn’t you send her directly? How dare you stop her? Does she need my permission to come to my office? Useless.”

Dud… dud… dud…

The phone disconnected. Charles didn’t get time to say a single word. Aidan simply scolded him without knowing the truth.

He cast an unpleasant look at Abigail. “Didn’t I tell you that it is not necessary to get the permission of the boss? You can go in.”

His tone was filled with irritation. He offered a crafted smile at her, and she also returned a well-crafted smile at him.

It was even.

“Thank you, Mr. Shaw.”

She turned and left soon after she finished speaking.

Charles stared at her retreating back coldly with his eyebrows knitting tight and muttered something under his breath. His expression was somber. When she entered the CEO’s office, only then did he pull back his eyes and focused on his work.

Abigail pushed the door open and entered the office. Aidan grinned widely, got up off his seat, and said, “Hey, beautiful. You really surprised me.”

He approached her, and she smiled a little. He pulled her in his arms and pecked her lips. “You missed me.”

Abigail looked down and nodded. She broke free from his embrace and said, “I wanted to have lunch with you.” She showed him the thermos.

“Oh, darling. You could have called me, and we could have gone to a restaurant.” Raising his eyebrows, he cast an inquisitive look at her.

“No. I don’t want to go anywhere. I simply wanted to eat with you.” She put the thermos down on the center table and added, “I don’t want to take much time for you. I know you are busy, and how important your work is…”

“Shh…” He shushed her, placing his forefinger on her lips before she could finish her sentence. His gaze was gentle full of love. Abigail was stunned and gawked at him blankly.

“Didn’t I tell you that you are also important to me? Spending time with you is not a waste of time, honey.”

His eyes moved down to her lips, and he caressed her bottom lip gently with his thumb. Abigail shivered under his touch. His eyes clouded with lust. He lowered his head and kissed her lips fiercely.

Abigail stiffened her body and clenched her fists tight on her sides, closing her eyes. It took her whole to resist the impulse to repel him.

Aidan was lost in that kiss. He licked her lips and tried to slide his tongue inside her mouth, but she was not opening her mouth. He bit her lower lip, and she whimpered, opening her mouth slightly. He didn’t delay inserting his tongue and tasting every inch of her mouth.

Aidan was on the verge of losing control. He was not willing to stop there. He wanted to go further, but he didn’t want to scare her either. He knew that she wouldn’t give herself to him until he married her. Reluctantly, he pulled back and rested his forehead on hers.

His eyes were shut tight, and his breathing was heavy. “Honey, let’s get married. I can’t wait any longer.” His voice was low and hoarse.

Abigail felt guilty instantly. She didn’t want to get married so soon. Right now, she was not sure if she wanted to marry him or not. She needed some time to think about it properly. She pushed him away gently. She mustered a smile and said, “Mr. Thompson, control yourself. Let’s eat first. I am starving.” As she said, she sat down on the couch and started opening the thermos.

He groaned with frustration and complained, “You are a mood spoiler.”

He sat beside her dejectedly. She served the food, and they ate silently.

When they finished eating, Abigail started saying warily, “Aidan, I want to say something.” She tried to look calm and composed, but she was actually very nervous from inside. She looked at him doubtfully.

Aidan reached out to push a few locks of her hair behind her ear and said, “Okay, I am listening.”

“It’s a request.” She lowered her head to look at her hands on her lap.

Aidan took her hands in his hands and said, “Your wish is a command. Just say it.”

Abigail raised her eyelids and looked at him, only to meet his curious gaze. She pursed her lips and tried to explain, “You know that I just joined the Vision Networks, and there are many things that I need to learn. You also know that my uncle and cousin set their eyes on the position of CEO. I want to work hard and prove myself worthy to be the next CEO of Vision Networks. I want to win the trust of the directors as well as the employees.”

She went silent and stared at him. Aidan also leveled the stare and waited for her to speak. After hesitating for a while, she said again, “I need more time.” She took another few moments to say the next words, “For the marriage. At least a year.”

Her heart was beating so wildly that she could feel it inside her mouth. She was nervous, thinking that Aidan would turn her down.

As expected, Aidan disagreed with her, “I don’t think delaying the marriage is good.” He squeezed her hands and said, “Look Abi, I will never let your uncle or your cousin snatch the position of the CEO. That position is all yours. I will help you. Don’t stress out about it. I will take care of everything. You just relax and start the shopping for the wedding, hmm?”

“You don’t understand me.” She became impatient. “I want to hold this position with my ability, not because of the daughter of the CEO or with your help and support.”

She looked at him anxiously while he also gazed at her with complex feelings in his heart. He was not happy at all. He didn’t want to delay the marriage further, but judging by her current appearance and enthusiasm, he was certain that she wouldn’t listen to him. He knew how stubborn she was. If he kept pressurizing her, she might repel him, or maybe she would just call off the relationship. After considering the situation carefully, he decided to follow her wish. After all, it was only a matter of a year.

He nodded and said, “Alright. I will give you that time. But you can’t delay further after this year.”

Abigail let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” She smiled widely. “And I won’t delay the marriage after this year even if I failed to hold the CEO’s position.”

One year was enough time for her to reestablish the bond between her and Aidan, she thought. She was happy now and took the initiative to hug him and peck his lips.

Aidan was a little disappointed with her after hearing her words, but when she hugged him and pecked his lips, he forgot his unhappiness. He held her head from behind and devoured her lips.

Abigail was caught off guard, and she wanted to push him away, but in the end, she let him kiss her. This time also she didn’t kiss him back. When Aidan satisfied kissing her, he let go of her. He caressed her cheek and said, “Thank you for the lunch, darling. Now I have to resume my work.”

Abigail nodded and tidied the thermos. She was about to leave when he asked her, “Shall I ask Charles to send you back?”

Abigail froze on the spot, and her heart thumped loudly by the name of Charles. Oh, how much she wanted to spend time with him, but if she wanted to forget about him, she needed to stay away from him. She mustered a smile and said, “No need. I can go by myself.”

She turned and exited the office in haste. Her eyes automatically went to Charles’s desk, but he was not there. Maybe he went out for the lunch, she thought. Disappointment hit her heart when she didn’t see him. But she chuckled bitterly at her own thought.

A minute ago, she told Aidan that she didn’t want Charles to drop her, but now she was upset for not seeing him. She was totally infatuated with him. If it went on like this, she never could improve her relationship with Aidan. She needed to control her feelings. She suppressed her desire deep down in her heart and strode out of the company.