Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Love?

The evening air was heavy with unspoken words as Alex walked into the kitchen from work, where Claire and Emma were chatting lightly with the chef.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables filled the space, but even that warmth couldn’t dispel the tension that seemed to thicken the moment Alex stepped in.

Emma glanced at him briefly before looking away, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the countertop.

Even though Ivy and Claire had told her what to do, she still couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye.

How was she even supposed to do it when things are this awkward? Maybe going along with their plan wasn’t the way forward after all. She told herself as she looked at everywhere else but at Alex.

Alex noticed so instead he focused on the chef whom he gave a polite nod. No matter how hard he tried to stop himself, his gaze flicked to Emma and it remained on her for a split second longer than he intended.

Claire, ever the perceptive one, caught the awkward exchange but chose to act oblivious.

“Well, look who finally decided to come home!” Claire teased, her voice playful as she tried to ease the tension.

“Go freshen up, Alex. Dinner will be ready by the time you’re done,” she said not wanting the chef to notice the awkward tension between Alex and Emma.

Alex nodded, grateful for the excuse to leave. “Alright. I’ll be down shortly,” he said and then glanced at Emma.

Both their eyes met but Emma quickly averted her gaze. Alex glanced at Claire before leaving.

As he left, Claire and Emma exchanged a glance. Emma’s cheeks flushed slightly, but neither said a word. The tension lingered, but they both busied themselves helping the chef arrange the table.

“You should relax,” Claire whispered to Emma as she went about arranging the table.

“I’ll try but please let’s not do any of what you said,” Emma said and Claire raised a brow but said nothing.

There was no way she wasn’t going to fight for this thing Alex and Emma have. Claire told herself, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes.

By the time Alex returned, dinner was served. He took a seat at the table, his movements measured and deliberate, as if trying too hard to appear unaffected by the tension between him and Emma.

Claire poured herself a glass of wine and smiled before glancing at Alex.

“So, how was work?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Fine,” Alex replied curtly, focusing on his plate. “I had quite a lot of meetings today.”

Claire raised an eyebrow. “I see. Still having issues with the board over that scandal?”

Alex shook his head. “No, not anymore. Everything seemed to have been resolved yesterday.”

“Well, that’s good to hear,” Claire said, smiling. “Can’t have the great Alexander Sterling bogged down by such trivialities.”

Alex managed a small smile and then, after a moment, glanced at Emma before returning his gaze to Claire. “And your day? Hope you didn’t trouble Emma too much.”

“Did she?” Alex asked and Emma’s heard snapped up at the sudden mention of her name.

But before she could reply, Claire gasped in mock offense.

“Trouble? Me? That’s not fair, Alex!” She pouted dramatically, causing Emma to smile despite herself.

Alex chuckled lightly. “I thought you’d left that side of yourself behind, Claire. I didn’t think I’d come back to it,” he said amused by how Claire could switch from a strict elder sister to the role of a younger sibling.

“Never,” Claire said, tossing her hair with an exaggerated flourish. “Anyway, my day was fun. Emma and I had so much fun today, but it almost got ruined.”

“Ruined?” Alex asked, his brow furrowing as he looked from Emma to Claire wondering what happened.

Claire leaned forward, her tone conspiratorial. “Yes, by someone who happened to be Emma’s old friend and admirer from college,” she said watching Alex closely.

Immediately after he heard that, Alex froze, his fork hovering in mid-air as he gulped. “What? Admirer?”

Claire nodded, clearly enjoying his reaction. “Oh, yes. Emma and I went shopping and on our way back he bumped into our car at a traffic stop. Imagine my surprise when I found out he’s not only an old friend of Emma’s but also quite smitten with her. Could you believe he even asked her out on a date tomorrow?!”

Emma flushed deeply. “Claire, that’s not—”

“Oh, don’t be shy!” Claire interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. “You deserve all the good things, Emma. You deserve a man that genuinely loves you like Chris does. And since this is just an arrangement between you and Alex, he won’t be mad that you’re going out.”

Alex’s jaw tightened as a wave of jealousy hit him. “Love? How are you so sure he does? I mean you just met this guy today. What did he do to convince you that he’s totally in love with her?” Alex asked unable to hold himself.

“How could I not know? I know love when I see it. Or don’t you think he loves you and is ready to take things serious with you, Em?” Claire asked and Alex found himself anticipating Emma’s reply.

Emma glanced at Alex and when she saw how expectantly he was looking at her, she smiled and nodded. “Yeah. From the look in his eyes, I can tell he still very much loves me. Besides, he’s not married yet,” she said looking directly at Alex.

“You talked that much?” Alex asked and before Emma could respond, Claire did.

“What is most important is that our Emma is finally about to get that life you wanted for her,” Claire said with a smile. “You should be happy, Alex.”

Alex nodded slowly. “I am but I can’t help being worried….”

“Worried? About what?” Claire asked and Alex shrugged.

“I mean people already know she’s my wife. What if people see you them?” he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Claire shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. No one would know they’re rekindling an old flame.”

Emma shifted uncomfortably, seeing reasons with Alex. “Even if they don’t know, the media could spin it and say I’m trying to jump from one rich guy to another. They’ll always look for a way to make me look bad.”

Claire grinned mischievously. “True but that won’t happen,” she said and both Alex and Emma looked at her.

“How?”