Should we do it!
"I'm actually a very distant relative of the Collins family," Henry Bennett remarked with a laugh. You can feel free to address me as Uncle Henry without any hesitation or shame. Yes, what brings you here to this day?"
Marcus stood quiet and turned towards David, assigning him the role of introducing him.
David quickly said, "Marcus is a great friend of my daughter's. She had free time today and decided to join me."
"Ah, I see. Henry's eyes flicked back and forth between them as he processed David's words, quickly figuring out the main idea. "Director David, the young ones are busy. My daughter is hosting a musical gathering with cellists and pianists at my house tomorrow night. "To add some spice, tomorrow John and David, the directors, will also be bringing their younger generations. Please bring Marcus and your family over, so they can sit for a while if Director David is available."
"All right, so... Marcus is a little busy and was just promoted." David never took Marcus's position when making decisions.
Recognizing that Henry Bennett was attempting to gain favor with Marcus, David was unwilling to jeopardize their already precarious father-in-law bond over a pointless issue.
David was quite explicit about what weighed roughly.
"Young people are busy right now," Henry said, appearing dissatisfied. "Director David, if Marcus can't make it, please bring your family to stay for a while," he chuckled. I noticed that the Brown Corporation submitted a bid for my new development's interior furnishing contract as well. Director David and I should have a proper conversation about it tomorrow night.
If I had the chance to talk more with Director Henry, I would definitely take it. David maintained a composed and unflinching exterior despite his instant internal joy.
The public has not yet been informed that Emma and Marcus are getting married. Henry Bennett had already kindly offered to help with a mere estimate.
David could already see the Browns prospering once the differences between the Collins and Brown families were resolved.
Marcus grasped the relationship dynamics by listening to their conversation and noting David's expressions.
"Uncle Henry, tomorrow is my free day." Marcus said, "I can make it," just in time. He finished speaking and said, "Dad, I'll come over after work tomorrow with Emma." He lowered his voice to speak in David's ear.
David gave a small nod. "Alright, Emma, and you are usually busy with work. Consider tomorrow night a chance to unwind."
Marcus's frequent visits and active involvement with the Brown family showcased the depth of his connection to them. David understood that Henry's tender was all but guaranteed.
-
Marcus sent Emma to her apartment building and summoned a chauffeured car after the soirée.
After socializing, he pressed his temples, showing signs of weariness. "You skipped meals the entire evening. When you get home, if you're hungry, order takeout. I'm unable to join you for dinner because I still have to return to work overtime."
Emma nodded in agreement and then got out of the car.
Emma turned to face Marcus again. Although he gave off an aggressive and cold appearance, he actually had excellent emotional self-control and rarely became angry.
But his temper did not always cooperate with her. It was now normal for her to get accidentally hurt by him when he lost his temper. It was nothing new to her.
They are, at least, no longer married.
"Hold on." Marcus pulled a small, long box out of the car after following Emma out. "The online-ordered fountain pen has been delivered. I brought it over out of concern that you might need it immediately."
"I'm grateful." Emma agreed.
Emma's hair tips were softly caressed by the gentle night breeze, which had an extraordinary yet messy beauty. Her shoulders, though, were too bony. Marcus was always afraid she would be chilled by the wind.
After removing his suit jacket, Marcus threw it over her shoulders. "Are you still here, okay?"
Marcus would take her home right now and let it go this time if she gave in and softened.
At first, he believed that if she lived alone, she would reflect more. And he could concentrate peacefully on his work during these hectic days.
But he always slept a little oddly when he went home without her in bed.
"I'm not chilly." Taking off his jacket right away, Emma flung it back through the window and said, quite honestly, "I'm living very well here, sleeping better than when I lived with you."
Marcus frowned deeply. She was pinned against the car door by him as he grabbed her arm. "Don't offend me with comments like that!"
He found it intolerable when Emma claimed she was happier without him.
Even if it wasn't true.
"Leave me alone first." Emma was cradled in his arms, afraid to say anything rash.
Marcus's hands could be cruel at times. Emma felt too exhausted to engage with him at that moment.
She therefore lowered her voice to change the subject. "I appreciate your assistance today. Next time, you don't have to visit my dad's house. I'm capable of handling it on my own."
Marcus tore off his tie and shoved it into her mouth all by himself because he was so furious. "Alright, just stay here since you're acting so tough!"
And the next time, can she handle it on her own?
For what length of time was she going to be against him?
Emma didn't even turn on the lights when she got home. She hurried to the bathroom to brush her teeth after putting down her bag.
Before she married Marcus, she had spent two years living there alone. It was all too familiar. She brushed in the dark quite forcefully.
That man is such a jerk!
Stuffing his tie in her mouth without even trying to determine if it was clean!
Looking back, that kick seemed excessively light.
She ought to have killed him with a kick!
Emma felt a great deal better after brushing her teeth. Switching on the lights, she entered the living room. "Oh! James, the director!"
She had briefly forgotten that there was now another resident in the apartment when she had lived alone.
Emma was so scared that she almost scared her soul away when she turned on the lights all of a sudden and saw someone sitting on the sofa. "Director James, can you turn on the lights, please?"
The person seated on the couch did not respond.
Emma could only see James's long, robust arms draped over the sofa and his slightly cocked head from her vantage point.
He was sitting half-reclined on the couch. Under the lamplight, there was a hint of light on the thin gold rims of his glasses, making them look extraordinarily noble and languidly elegant.
Emma believed he had dozed off. However, the quiet man on the couch got up after two seconds. "I didn't turn on the lights; I just lit some candles earlier."
It was then that Emma noticed the burnt candles, the abundance of food, the red wine on the small dining table, and the sticky note that read "Double Happiness" on the window.
"Have you prepared everything, Director James?"
Inside, Emma was taken aback. Did they not want to be married today?
James, wasn't he being overly considerate?
"When you got back, I was going to make it look real so I could take pictures and show the family." James had a calm expression and a regular tone. He proceeded to arrange the forks and plates on the table. "You eating out in secret without telling me surprised me."
These seemed like strange words.
Like a haughty young wife impatiently waiting for her husband to return home.
Emma was too busy to give it serious thought. Her appetite only increased as she observed the mouthwatering food. After swallowing, she uttered, "I had no idea you were waiting for me. Please notify me in advance the next time you need me to coordinate. Are you still unable to clear these dishes? Being a bit hungry, I didn't eat out."
"No, it's past the hour." James removed everything. He noticed a familiar scent of cologne wafting from Emma when he passed by her again.
Marcus had been loving this cologne since college.
With lowered eyes, he entered the kitchen.
Emma glanced behind him. She rushed over to the still-uncleared table and picked up the sweet-and-sour pork ribs.
Oh my! So aromatic!
She knew James was a good chef from the breakfast they had had that morning. These pork ribs with a sweet and sour taste were even better!
She quickly grabbed another piece!
The plate was brutally removed by two large, long hands just as she was about to take a third piece. "Don't eat that."
Emma wanted to take it back with her hands. However, she experienced some pain when she raised her arm.
When she lifted her sleeve to look, she saw that Marcus had grabbed a deep red circle that hurt whenever she moved or bumped into it.
Although Marcus gave off an aggressive and cold appearance, he was actually very good at controlling his emotions and didn't get angry easily.
But with her, he could snap at any moment. It was normal that he would get hurt accidentally when he lost his temper. Emma was accustomed to it.
Thankfully, they are no longer together.
Emma went into the kitchen after James. She pressed her head against James's. Her black, brilliant eyes blinked beseechingly. She was still chewing on the piece of rib from earlier.
"Director James, let's have a discussion. I'll do the dishes and tidy up. Would you please leave the rib plate for me?"
"Expel it with your tongue." James's fingers found their way into Emma's mouth and removed the piece of rib, discarding it.
Emma gave a wide-eyed, shocked glare. "Are you not being overly petty? Okay, if you disagree. However, you even stole the food I was eating."
James microwaved a plate of spare ribs. He sighed softly as he turned on the switch, which made a "ding" sound. "Never consume cold food."
Emma was momentarily taken aback.
She would have been furious if she had prepared dinner and decorated tonight while she waited for someone who never showed up. James, though, didn't seem irate at all. He even warmed the food for her with consideration.
To wash the dishes, Emma put on an apron. She put on dishwashing gloves and hand cream first.
She teased him happily as she washed. "Director James wouldn't let me eat and said it was too late."
"For your benefit..." James's voice resounded softly in the tiny kitchen, low and soothing. "There will never be a time limit on my wait."
Emma felt her heart pound hard once.
She stopped subconsciously washing the dishes.
Then, in a jocular tone, she heard him say, "You are my tool wife. I've always been a good partner."
Her heart went back to where it belonged.
Emma felt that if James didn't pursue a career as a voice actor, his voice would be such a waste.
From him, even the most mundane sentence seemed capable of raising one's heart rate.
After spending the entire evening lost in her own complicated thoughts, Emma remembered something crucial!
A youngster!
She desired a child. Beside her, wasn't there a ready-made toolman?
She supported him in overcoming the pressure from his family to get married.
He facilitated her childbearing.
Mutually advantageous
Emma carefully assessed James.
She could never match his appearance, temperament, height, and practical intelligence, especially considering how young he was when he rose to the position of vice president at Starweaver Corporation.
Where else would she find genes so exceptional?
I wish he hadn't been wearing spectacles. She was unsure of whether his high degree was inherited or not.
Well, nothing in life is flawless.
James fed Emma a piece of pork rib and a sip of red wine side by side while she was washing the dishes. Unaware that a full plate of pork ribs had disappeared,
Emma was staring directly at James when he handed her the plate.
"What's the matter?" Once more, James extended the plate.
Emma rejected it. "Shall we do it, President James?" She asked in a low voice.
"Clank!" James let the plate drop to the ground.