[Twenty-Three]

|Chapter 23|

🤍📸

Entering the building, I am met by stares coming from every direction. I then look straight ahead to see Isa signaling me over. I quickly walk towards her and ask, "What's going on?"

She shows me her phone and my jaw drops. It's a photo of when I was hugging Seb outside of the mall and he didn't hug back. His face had no emotion which kind of makes me sad, but we've overcome that. "Isa, who sent you this?"

"Elara it wasn't just sent to me. It was sent to the entire office from this email. It might've been sent to you too. I hope whatever it is, you guys can fix it quickly because this isn't good," she says sincerely.

I am internally freaking out. "You're right, thanks, Isa and could you please try to keep anyone from the top floor as long as possible?" I plead.

She smiles and nods her head, "I'll try."

I rush to the top floor avoiding eye contact with anyone and enter his office to see him working casually. I guess he hadn't seen the photo as yet.

I lock the door silently and immediately show him the photo. He furrows his eyebrows. "Baby, where did you get this?"

"I don't know Seb. Someone is sending this around and everyone stared at me as I walked in. It was humiliating, Seb." Tears threaten to leave my eyes but they finally flow out when he embraces me.

"Baby, it's going to be ok. We will fix this ok?"

"How Seb? How!? Every employee now knows about our relationship, and what's even worse is that the picture is making it look like I'm a desperate girl that craves your attention."

He gently lifts my chin, "Elara, look at me." I look into his eyes and he continues, "I understand that you wanted a private relationship, which I respect but, right now we need to focus on who did this and why. And I think we should announce our relationship so, that they know that I genuinely love you and that I'm the desperate one," he smiles.

I giggle, "Ok, maybe you're right."

"Now, you stay here and take a minute, whiles I sort everything downstairs."

He sets me into his chair and exits his office. I have no idea how we will handle this without causing any complications.

He strolls back in 5 minutes later with a smirk on his face, "Well, that was quick. What did you do?"

"Don't worry," he signals me to come to him. I walk up to him not looking at his face and he tilts my head up by placing a finger under my chin, "Baby, I can see that you don't want to be here so, we will work from home until this is sorted. Plus, I just want to cuddle you, kiss you, and make you feel better."

I giggle at him and lean into his lips but, there's a knock on the door. We step away from each other and he goes to answer it.

I instantly roll my eyes at the sight of Wren. "Hey, Emilian. I'm sorry about everything that just happened. Although, it's mostly embarrassing for Elara." She lets out an obnoxious laugh. "She is so desperate to be with you when you're obviously interested in someone else." She bites her dry lips and twirls her hair.

This is hilarious. Emilian speaks up, "It's Mr. Moldovan to you and I'm interested in nobody other than my woman so, could you please go downstairs and do the work that is assigned to you." With that, he slams the door in her face and turns to me.

"I'm sorry, love. Don't listen to a word she said because all I want and need is you. You should also know that nothing about you is desperate. Ok?"

I try to assure him, "It's ok baby, let's just go home. And I mean our home."

He smiles down at me and kisses my forehead. "Whatever you want love."

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I've been working in Emilian's bedroom for the past 4 hours and I'm finally done. His home is much more peaceful than the office so, I got quite a lot of work done.

I decide to make sandwiches for us because food is definitely what we both need to relax right now so. I pull out the ingredients for a cheddar cheese biscuit lobster sandwich with cheesy fries.

I prepared 4 sandwiches and loads of fries because I know we're both starving and he has a bigger appetite than me. I plate our food and go to carry his portion along with a glass of lemonade.

I enter the room and he immediately looks up smiling. He stands up and comes towards me, gently kissing my cheek. "Hey, baby. What's this?" he points to the sandwiches.

"That's a cheddar cheese biscuit lobster sandwich. It's something new." I place the food on his desk. "How's work been?"

"Excellent. I'm considering working from home."

"What about your meetings,Seb?"

"I can host them virtually which will be better for those who don't want to leave their country."

"Then, who will supervise the office?"

"We'll hire a supervisor or promote someone to do the job. Plus, we'll check in every other day. Don't worry. But speaking of promotion," he pulls out a stack of papers from his desk. "I'd like you to become my business partner. I will no longer be your superior, instead, we will be equals."

I stood there in shock, "What? What will the employees think?"

"What do you mean? Almost every C.E.O. shares their company with their wife."

I wiggle my left hand in front of his face, "Where's my ring?"

"That can be fixed. Give me about 2 days."

I hit his arms and speak to him sternly, "You will not!"

He pulls me close and says, "Who's going to stop me?" He leans in to kiss me.

I push his lips away, "Me. Now back to this partnership thing. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, love I have no doubt. I love you and trust you with all my heart."Awww cute.

I stare at his facial features for a while before looking into his eyes. "Ooooo your beard is growing back and I think it looks sexy as hell."

He grins widely, "Yeah?"

"Mhm," I peck his lips a few times and I pull back. "Do you think we show too much affection to each other?" We're literally always all over each other when we're together.

"No, love. It's not enough for me. I need more," he smirks.

"Yeah, no." I kiss him once more and walk towards the door. "I'm going to be downstairs eating and watching Doctor Strange, you can join if you want."

"Ok love, I'll be down in about 10 minutes."

I suddenly remember the date Emilian and I were supposed to go on with Sara and her boyfriend so, I message her to cancel it.

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Me: Livvy, sorry we can't make it to dinner tonight because we have to sort a few things out with

work and it might take a few days.

Liv🍭: It's fine because Gabriel just had a family emergency come up so, he won't be able to attend. Maybe another time.

Me: Definitely x

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Emilian taps my butt twice, signaling me to move off of him but, this position is quite cozy."Seb nooo, I'm comfortable," I whine staring at the tv that is now playing WandaVision.

"I'm just going to get a cup of coffee."

I lazily stand up and ask, "How do you want it?"

He smiles, "Two sugars and no cream."

"Ok."

As I stroll towards the kitchen he shouts, "Thakllk kkkkl nk you baby!"

I reply, "No problem hun."

While I prepare the coffee, my phone rings and it's Eliza face timing me. I prop my phone up so she can see my face.

"Hi sis, are you ready for your flight tomorrow?"

"Yup, I actually just got done packing. Is that your kitchen? It looks different."

Without thinking, I say, "No it's Emilian's kitchen."

She gasps dramatically, "Elara, who's Emilian!?"

Oops. I forgot I didn't tell her about him. Just as she says that Emilian walks into the kitchen. He's standing near the fridge which is behind me and ends up in the camera's view.

"Is that him?" she asks.

"Yes, he's my boyfriend," I respond.

Emilian turns and look into the camera then asks, "Love, is that your sister?"

"Yes, Seb this is Eliza." he walks up behind me with fruits in his hands and waves.

He smiles and says, "Nice to meet you, Eliza. I can't wait to finally see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, me too," she says awkwardly.

"Ok Seb, I'll bring your coffee in a second." He kisses my forehead and walks away.

"Lara! Why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend!?"

she whisper shouts.

"I was going to tell you after your arrival. But since we're on the topic, I plan on moving in with him this week and I wanted to know if you mind being in my apartment on your own."

"Of course I don't mind Lara. Plus I don't think anyone wants to live with their sister and her boyfriend."

"What about you? Do you have a boyfriend that I don't know about?"

"No. It's really hard out here especially not having many friends," she sighs.

"Well, do you want a boyfriend?"

"I do want one but there's no rush. Maybe I'll meet someone in New York."

"Sis, I got you. I already know someone you might like."

"Really? Who?" she asks curiously.

"Emilian's bestie. I'll ask Emilian to text him for me. He's cute, I think you'll like him."

"Ok, ok, I trust you. He better look good for real."

I chuckle, "Alright, I promise you he's handsome. I'm going to finish making his coffee. See you tomorrow and text me when you land, so I can pick you up. Love you!" I make kissy noises.

She giggles, "I love you too," and she hangs up.

Once I'm done with the coffee, I carefully carry it to Seb who's chilling on the couch and snuggle into him. I turn on my phone going on google, "I'll rent a moving truck and some guys for tomorrow because I am not lifting boxes."

"Baby, have you forgotten that you have a man to do that?"

"I don't need you to break your back, old man," I giggle. "Plus its too many things for one person."

He slaps my thigh, "You weren't complaining about my age earlier so, don't start now," he mumbles in my ear seriously.

Looking at his face, I see he's avoiding eye contact which means he's annoyed. I kiss his lips softly. "Baby, you know I don't mean it like that. I love you and I don't care about your age."

"Yeah, I'm calling it a night," he stands up. I attempt to pull him back on the couch, but it doesn't work so I stand up and wrap my hands around his torso.

"What do you want, Elara?"

"I want you to talk to me."

He sighs, "Goodnight, I love you. Don't stay up too late." He kisses my forehead and walks out of my embrace.

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