novelnext Chapter 812: Come Empty Me Out
Chapter 812: Come Empty Me Out
"No, it’s not." She hastily said, after all, she did hurt him. She didn’t want to ask like this, but she was genuinely curious. She knew nothing about him, nor about herself.
"I’m very upset, Avery." Joshua Hughes no longer looked at her, his eyes focused on the road ahead, withdrawing his hand as he seriously drove the car. He was gambling on her soft heart, betting on her kindness and innocence.
Indeed, Avery Jane was anxious. She tugged at his clothes, "Don’t be angry anymore, I just, I just..." She didn’t really know what to say, but she knew he was really angry.
"I won’t ask anymore in the future, alright?" Avery Jane said cautiously, knowing there would be a day when she would be better, and everything would become clear then.
The two people in the car were thinking opposite things. One was hoping she would quickly recover and remember everything from the past, while the other was praying that she would never recover, never remember the past, which would be best.
Back at the apartment, to show her apology, Avery Jane proactively suggested she would cook.
"Take a shower first, and when you’re done, the meal will be ready." Avery Jane pushed him into the bathroom. Opening the refrigerator, despite forgetting some things, basic survival skills were thankfully instinctual and not forgotten.
When Joshua Hughes finished showering and changed into casual clothes, the young lady had already prepared three dishes and a soup, appearing quite presentable. Joshua Hughes ate without exchanging a word with Avery Jane. Sometimes, the silent person holds the upper hand, as was true now, seeing her a bit uneasy made him pleased.
"What do we usually do after dinner?" Avery Jane asked in a flattering tone. She really seemed paranoid, but considering how outstanding he was, if it wasn’t true, why would he pretend to be her husband?
"Watch a movie or do other things we love." Joshua Hughes hinted, causing Avery Jane’s cheeks to instantly flush red. He spoke casually, recalling yesterday when he playfully teased her until she fell asleep, without taking things further, probably because she just got out of the hospital. But now, hearing him say that made her feel terribly embarrassed.
Joshua Hughes’s expression did not soften; after dinner, he went into his study. Actually, he knew well in his heart that he dared not linger with Avery Jane too long, fearing she might ask more troublesome questions, hence maintaining a distance might be the best option.
After Avery Jane tidied up, she felt a lingering smell of grease on her; she frowned, wondering what husband would like a wife like that.
She enjoyed a comfortable hot shower, put on a nightgown, dried her hair, made a cup of tea, and walked into his study.
The study was brightly lit, and though he wore casual clothes, the slender, muscular outline couldn’t be hidden. His features were sharply defined, like carved stones, and upon seeing her, his thin lips curved subtly, his deep, ink-black pupils revealing none of his emotions.
Placing the tea lightly on the table, he didn’t respond, so Avery Jane turned to leave. After all, he seemed to have work unfinished, perhaps not wanting to be disturbed.
His large hands held her small ones, pulling her against a broad, warm chest. His warm breath lingered above her head, followed by a resigned sigh, "Avery, what should I do with you?" His voice was so rich and attractive, like the purest of spirits, intoxicating.
Avery Jane’s small hand lightly glided over his firm chest, "I’m just scared, I only seem to know you." She truly began feeling afraid; he was her whole world, and she had no idea what she would do if he didn’t want her anymore.
Holding her, he sat in his swivel chair, pointing out details and important numbers in the files, making the little girl utterly admire him.
"You’re really amazing." Seeing the Hughes Clan’s vast scale shocked her today, no wonder so many women wanted to seduce him. What she overheard in the restroom today made her feel very uncomfortable. Are foreign women generally more open-minded? Yet she seemed to remember nothing about this sort of thing.
"What are you thinking? Distracted." Joshua Hughes lightly bit her pale fingers, causing Avery Jane to withdraw her hand. "I heard today that a foreign woman tried to seduce you, even putting her foot up there." Avery Jane grabbed his chest with his shirt, frowning as she questioned him.
Who told her? Damn...
"Did you sleep with her?" Avery Jane suddenly snapped out and pushed Joshua Hughes away. This man was truly terrifying, even daring to make comparisons.
"Where’d you get that idea? No. She smells like foreign musk, nothing compared to you, so fragrant." Joshua Hughes almost bit off his tongue. Speaking to her now required extreme caution because at this time, Avery Jane was incredibly sensitive, not just about her past but about everything around her.
"You’re not lying, you really weren’t seduced by her today?" Avery Jane suspiciously eyed Joshua Hughes, as the foreign woman was indeed very pretty: tall, slender, and very curvy – aren’t all men fond of this type?
Joshua Hughes was already awake when she moved even slightly, watching her as she lulled about drowsily before sinking back to sleep, feeling utterly moved. She trusted him so much, laying down her defenses, and rested peacefully in his arms, which felt so magical. That morning, he felt like he owned the whole world. So he really should give her a status, not the false marriage certificate lying in the drawer.
Embracing her soft body, his gaze grew icy with resolve; many matters demanded his attention, but urgency would solve nothing. At least he must wait for the greedy woman to bear the Hughes Family’s child. He had enough evidence proving the child wasn’t his but Luis Hughes’, meaning no one could force him anymore since Luis Hughes and his father are the biggest obstacles among those people. By then, they would be too busy to interfere with his affairs, giving him the chance to cleanse the corporate board of those stubborn old coots once more, as the Hughes Family rules should change; his child shouldn’t live that kind of life.
Avery, give me some time until I set everything straight.
The phone alarm joyfully sounded, prompting Avery Jane to move slightly, not wanting to get up, though work called. Taking advantage of Joshua Hughes not yet leaving, she could catch a ride with him. She made an effort to rise from the bed; in standing on the floor, her legs felt weak, nearly collapsing. Who could empty out whom? Surely she was the one emptied.
Trembling a bit, Avery Jane entered the bathroom swiftly, washing up quickly, choosing a turtleneck sweater, donning pants, and left the bedroom.
In the morning light, the man stood at the kitchen counter, his tall, imposing silhouette already offering her ample security, slowly approaching him. The air filled with his masculine presence mingled with the aroma of food, marking the best moment of the day.
Breakfast was simple yet nutritious: her meal was hot milk, a sandwich, and a small portion of cut fruit. His was simpler: a cup of black coffee and a few pieces of toast.
"You’ve still got the energy to get up, guess I wasn’t vigorous enough." The morning sunlight filtered through vast glass windows, landing on him, with a gentle smile at his lips and an imposing air between his eyebrows, making Avery Jane feel she was swooning, finding him hopelessly attractive.
His words brought a blush back to her cheeks, "Hurry up and eat, do you want me to approve leave for you?" Joshua Hughes tested the milk’s temperature; it was just right.
"How could I just take leave?" Avery Jane bit into her sandwich, surprised at the serious man’s hidden talents.
"Last night you pleased your superior, making the boss extremely happy; isn’t that reason enough?" Joshua Hughes looked at her little face, though a bit tired, she appeared enchanting, like a flower graced by raindrops, dazzlingly charming.
"Is there such a saying?" Avery Jane shyly muttered.
"Avery, you can come find me anytime; I’ve already instructed the secretary outside." Joshua Hughes drank his coffee, sharing with her. Although the administration department assigned less than half the workload to her, he still worried. This situation was daunting; everything seemed like acting, yet it was real life. The workload was too exhausting, and he feared she’d buckle under the strain; too little, and fear she might be suspicious or upset. Thus, now each step he took was cautious, fearing a misstep would leave him in endless despair. Having her now, he feared if the truth ever came out and she turned away, he would lose his sanity, would use every means to keep her, but would that be happy? She wouldn’t be, and neither would he...
"I don’t want that." Avery Jane shook her head. For her, a small employee, Joshua Hughes, such a big boss, seemed celestial. Now, she had fortunately gotten along with a few colleagues in the office, with potential to expand outside, revealing her identity as the boss’s wife, who would speak with her then? Downstairs, it’s easy to hear little snatches of gossip about bosses.
As Avery Jane thought about it, she laughed happily. If one day her identity was discovered, her colleagues would surely dare not joke around anymore. Life now was so sweet; she didn’t want anything to change.