Emma Johnson and Liam Williams were married.
What was wrong with a little privacy between friends?
Why did Emma act so strangely?
"Don't tell me you two haven't... you know... been together yet? Is there something wrong with Liam, or is it you...?" Olivia Davis's mind was racing. What era was this?
Free love was the norm. Sleeping together was a natural part of any relationship you wished for.
Besides, they were already legally married. What was the big deal?
The question caught Emma off guard.
How was she supposed to answer that?
Honestly?
She really hadn't been intimate with Liam.
Olivia was too sharp. If she told the truth, her friend would definitely suspect something was off.
So...
After a moment of thought, Emma decided to bluff her way through it. Lie!
"Well... it's just embarrassing to talk about. Since we're married, of course we have a married couple's life. It's just... occasionally..."
Emma stammered out the lie.
That should be fine, right?
"Oh, I see. But only occasionally? That must be tough for you..." Olivia said sympathetically.
She never would have guessed Liam wasn't good in that department. No wonder Emma had issues with him.
Olivia paused and sighed. "Don't lose heart, Emma. You're both still young. Medicine is so advanced these days. Any problem can be fixed. Don't worry."
What?
Emma was getting more and more confused about what Olivia was talking about.
But she didn't want to discuss it any further, so she just nodded awkwardly without answering.
God was her witness. She hadn't meant to badmouth Liam.
She had only wanted to tell Olivia the truth. How had it turned into this?
Fortunately, at that critical moment.
Olivia's phone on the table rang loudly.
Olivia picked it up, glanced at the screen, and her face immediately fell. She looked at Emma pitifully before reluctantly answering. "Hello? Mr. Davis? What can I do for you?"
"Didn't you get the notice about the meeting today? Everyone's here. It's just you, Secretary Olivia..."
Ethan Davis's roaring voice came through the phone.
What?
There was a meeting today?
She really didn't know!
"Mr. Davis... I honestly didn't know there was a meeting today. Has it... already started?" Olivia asked carefully.
"It was a last-minute decision. I'll give you five minutes. If you're even one second late, expect your salary to be docked."
Ethan finished the last sentence authoritatively and hung up without mercy.
Olivia heard the busy tone on the other end.
Damn it!
Was it her fault they gave such short notice?
Despite her reluctance, she packed her things as quickly as she could. She stood up and looked at Emma apologetically, about to say something.
"Go ahead. Since you joined Pinnacle Corporation, I've gotten used to it. Every time we get together, it ends like this. I know. Your demon boss is a disaster." Emma rolled her eyes dramatically. She was a little helpless, but what could she do?
People were so busy with work. Even if she had any complaints, it was useless!
"So... look at our boss, and then look at the one in your family. If you're satisfied, I'll leave first. Go home and be careful. Bye..."
Olivia rushed off. They had originally planned to go shopping together after coffee.
Now it was just Emma.
Leaving the Paris Cafe, Emma wandered aimlessly down the street, still thinking about her conversation with Olivia.
How could she possibly be intimate with Liam?
From the very beginning, this marriage had been a mistake. Would she keep making mistake after mistake?
But thinking about it... a year seemed to pass quickly.
A year from now... their lives would return to normal.
Emma didn't know if that was a good thing.
At least for now, it seemed she felt nothing for Liam except gratitude.
He must hate her, right?
Emma thought so.
She caused more and more trouble every time. Even when acting, she couldn't play the role of Liam's wife properly.
She stepped on the fallen leaves on the street, listening to them crunch under her feet. Couples in love walked by, hand in hand, smiling. Middle-aged men hurried past, carrying black briefcases.
At this hour, they were probably rushing home for dinner.
The whole street seemed wound up, everyone walking in an orderly fashion. Only Emma...
Her face showed a hint of loss. She didn't want to go home so early today.
Even though she was off work, even though she had a home.
It didn't seem as sweet as she had imagined. The old man was serious, Liam was proud, and Benjamin was naughty.
She seemed out of place in that family. Emma wanted to go back to her own home now.
But then she remembered the last time she went home alone, Sophia Johnson never stopped talking about Liam. It was a little annoying.
Her best friend had been called to an emergency meeting by the boss again.
Was she really that miserable?
The city was so big, yet she had nowhere to go?
"Emma..."
Just as she was thinking, she suddenly heard someone calling her name from behind. The voice sounded familiar. She turned around and almost bumped into a man's chest.
Noah Taylor?
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the hospital? Isabella said you were seriously injured." Emma was a little surprised. Why was it him?
"It's not your home. If you can be here, why can't I? Emma... long time no see." When Noah said this, his face was full of surprise and excitement.
"Well, long time no see..." Emma lowered her head and bit her lip. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
It hadn't been that long, had it?
It had only been a few weeks since they met at the Plaza Hotel.
Noah seemed to remember the last incident too. He looked a little guilty. "Emma, about last time... I was wrong. Don't take it to heart..."
"It's okay, Noah. We don't have any relationship now, so you don't have to apologize. And I can't give you any... it doesn't matter. I just hope you and Isabella can work things out. Well... that's all. I'm going. Bye."
Like a business transaction, she said a few words and then turned around.
"Emma, I know what you mean, but I have one last wish... Can you come with me to a place?" Noah gathered his courage and said loudly.
The passersby nearby looked back at them curiously.
Emma suddenly stopped. She turned back to Noah, her heart no longer having any ripples.