Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: What Is She Up To

The drive to the office felt unusually long that morning. Alex gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw set as his thoughts swirled relentlessly even as he drove.

No matter how much he tried to focus on the road ahead, his mind kept drifting back to Emma and their brief conversation. Her soft voice replayed in his head, apologizing when she had no reason to. Why did she feel the need to apologize?

Because she thought he wouldn’t have kissed her? Did she think she had seduced him into kissing her? Wasn’t he the one who had taken things far by asking her to kiss his cheeks?

If she had wanted it, she probably wouldn’t have ran off the way she did and she wouldn’t apologize to him for something that wasn’t her fault.

He sighed, shaking his head as memories of the kiss came rushing back at him. Though he had slept it off and had even taken his bath, the kiss lingered, like a ghost of a moment that had shifted everything between them.

He could still feel her lips on his soft and delicate. Her soft moan and the way she straddled him. Overwhelmed by all the memories, he pulled the car to a stop, wanting to calm his mind.

What was wrong with him? Why was he thinking about it and wishing things had gone further between them? Maybe then she wouldn’t have apologized. Maybe then, he would’ve been able to make her his.

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration as he sighed deeply, shaking his head as though trying to physically rid himself of the memory.

She’s not yours to feel this way about, he chastised himself. You knew better from the start. She’s only here because she had no choice, and every time she looks at you, she probably sees Jake.

That thought cut deeper than he cared to admit. The very idea that Emma might associate him with his nephew’s betrayal filled him with a bitter ache. His presence must be a constant reminder of everything that went wrong. Maybe that was why she’d seemed so eager to agree that their kiss meant nothing.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled back on the road, determined to focus only on the road but even as he got back on the road, his mind drifted back to her.

Had the kiss meant nothing to her? Or was he just deluding himself into thinking that her hesitation was more than awkwardness?

He exhaled sharply. “Focus, Alex. You’ve got bigger problems than a kiss,” he muttered under his breath.

Just as he was convincing himself to shove the emotions aside and focus on work, his phone buzzed. Claire’s name flashed across the screen.

He swiped to answer, his tone professional. “Claire?”

“Good morning, Alex,” Claire’s voice was unusually chipper. “Where are you right now?”

“On my way to the office,” he said, glancing at the time on the dashboard. “Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing’s wrong,” she replied quickly. “Actually, I’m on my way to your house.”

Alex’s brows furrowed in confusion. “My house? Why?”

What was Claire going to do at his place when he had clearly told her he was on his way to the office? If she needed something, why not just come meet him at the office? He mused, waiting for an answer.

“I need a change of scenery,” Claire said, her tone casual. “Last night was too lonely here. Thoughts of Margaret had filled my head and I’m scared I might develop a heart attack if I continued staying at my house. I thought staying at your place for a few days might help.”

A few days? What about Emma? How was she going to feel? Would she be okay with Claire in the house?

Alex’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Claire, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said thinking about Emma.

“Why not?” Claire asked, her tone light but with a hint of stubbornness. A part of her wondering why Alex was trying to stop her.

He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Emma is still trying to get over everything. Your presence might make her uncomfortable. You know considering our relationship with Jake and how you treated her when you didn’t know the whole story,” he explained, not wanting Claire to misunderstand.

“Nonsense,” Claire said breezily. “I’ll make sure she’s fine. I’m not here to step on her toes or cause her troubles. I just need a break, Alex. Don’t overthink it. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“Would she? I didn’t even tell her. Do you think she would be okay seeing you at the house just like that?” Alex asked and Claire smiled.

“You can just call her and let her know…..”

“Still it’s too sudden and…..”

“Just call her and leave the rest to me. I won’t let her feel like I’m bothering her or anything. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to keep her company for this few days while you’re at work? I just want to get my mind off everything that has been going on. That’s all,” Claire said and Alex sighed in resignation.

The call ended shortly after, leaving Alex feeling uneasy. Though he had agreed to let her stay, her decision struck him as odd.

Why did she want to stay with him and Emma? Last he checked, she wasn’t one to act impulsively, and her excuse seemed… off.

He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, mulling over her words. “Lonely thinking about Margaret?” he echoed aloud.

Claire was sad about everything, no doubt, but her sudden desire to stay at his house for days felt suspicious. Almost as though she had been waiting to use this as her perfect excuse.

What are you really up to, Claire? He wondered, his stomach knotting.

Between Claire’s unexpected visit and his unresolved feelings for Emma, Alex felt as though the ground beneath him was shifting in ways he couldn’t control.

After he arrived at the office, Alex went straight to his desk while George followed him.

“Sir, are you okay? You seemed worried,” George asked as he stood and watched Alex go around his desk to take his seat.

Alex frowned. “Yes. Why?” he asked curiously and George shrugged.

“You just seem to be worried about something,” he said and Alex waved it off.

“I’m fine. Just get me my coffee,” he said and George nodded before stepping out to get Alex’s coffee.

Alex sighed. If George could notice his worry then it must be that he was really giving too much attention to everything happening.

He wasn’t supposed to. None of this should be affecting his mind but it seemed like the more he tried to brush it off, the more it occupied his mind. What was he supposed to do?

When George returned with his coffee, Alex forced his mind to focus on what was going on around him.

A while after, Alex leaned back in his chair, his office bathed in the golden light of morning as he watched the door close.

George had just left, his usual efficiency leaving a hot cup of coffee and a detailed rundown of Alex’s packed schedule.

Despite the whirlwind of meetings and calls he had ahead, Alex found himself staring at the steaming cup, his mind elsewhere.

Should I call her?

The question had been circling his head since the moment Claire hung up. On one hand, Emma deserved to know Claire was coming.

She might not appreciate being caught off guard by an unexpected guest. On the other hand, Alex hesitated, afraid his reaching out might make her uncomfortable after their strained exchange that morning.

He rubbed the back of his neck, frustration prickling. You’re overthinking this, he told himself. It’s just a courtesy call. Nothing more. But the weight of their earlier interaction still lingered, making every decision feel heavier than it should.

A sharp knock at the door broke through his thoughts.

“Come in,” Alex called, sitting straighter.

George poked his head in. “Everything all right, sir?” he asked when he noticed that Alex seemed to have been startled.

“Yes, George,” Alex replied quickly, waving him off with a polite nod.

“The meeting is in five minutes,” George reminded him and he nodded.

“Alright. Once it’s time, send him in,” he said and George nodded before leaving.

As the door clicked shut, Alex sighed deeply, picking up his phone. You’re doing this for her sake, he reasoned. She needs to know. Yet as he dialed Emma’s number, he couldn’t help the flicker of unease that came with hearing her voice again.

The line rang twice before she picked up. “Hello?”

“Emma, it’s Alex,” he said, his tone careful and then he shut his eyes in embarrassment. Why did he have to say that when she already knows?

Her breath hitched slightly on the other end, though she masked it well. Is he calling to tell me he lied? She wondered, her heart racing. To admit he feels the same way? But as Alex spoke, her hopeful thoughts crumbled.

“Is everything okay?” she asked and Alex took a deep breath.