Chapter 408 No Probing
Nicholas sounded calm as his eyes were locked on me.
When I recalled how I was reminiscing about my past with Michael, my mind panicked even more. I lowered my head and avoided his eye contact because I didn’t know what to say.
“Well, do you have something you want from me?” In the end, I lifted my head guiltily and pretended to be composed.
“It’s nothing. I only want to check on you and ask you what Michael said to you. It seems to me you’re pretty shaken. Did he say something to upset or anger you?” He was carefully observing my expression as he spoke.
It was as if he was afraid he was going to miss out on any details.
I’ve always disliked how he always tried to read me like that. It made me feel suffocating. Our partnership was supposed to be that of an equal one, not one where he controlled me. I didn’t want him to govern what I thought.
“It’s nothing. We’re only talking about how our company is going to snatch the partnership with Red Star. He learned about what we were trying to do, which was why he came to warn me about it.” Of course, I didn’t tell him about how Michael forcefully kissed me or that I would be visiting my child at Birchwood later tonight.
That was my private matter. Since both of us were simply working with each other, there was no reason for me to tell him all about that.
“Is that all? You looked really shaken earlier. I feel like he talked to you about other things.” Nicholas took two steps toward me as he probed.
I furrowed my eyebrows. I knew what he was thinking, but what he was doing only made me feel even worse. Words escaped my mouth coldly. “What do you mean by that? If you don’t believe me, then you shouldn’t have chosen me as your partner. What are you trying to do by questioning me again and again?”
Ever since I returned, he would probe me every time he saw me talking with Michael. I was really annoyed by that because I greatly disliked being doubted by someone.
Sure, every time I met with Michael, both of us would talk about our past, but I never forgot about my partnership with Nicholas. I especially had no intention of getting back with Michael, but Nicholas didn’t stop suspecting me.
His expression froze. It was probably because he realized I was getting mad for real. Then he walked to my back and placed his hands on my shoulders.
“All right, all right. No need to get mad. I wasn’t doing it on purpose. I’m just worried that you still can’t forget about Michael. It’s not like I don’t believe you. I only wanted to make sure my future woman’s not going to keep dancing around with her ex-husband.” While it sounded like he was comforting me, he was actually reminding me about our relationship.
Of course, I was able to tell what he was saying. I wasn’t an idiot. Still, it hurt me a little when he said Michael was my ex-husband.
Obviously, I would never wear that emotion on my face in front of him.
“I know what I should do. You don’t need to keep reminding me about my relationship with Michael! Also, if you don’t have anything you need from me in the future, please don’t come here and disturb my work!” I was still pretty furious.
Nicholas was a scheming person. I noticed that about him ever since we first met, and it was why I decided to work with him.
“Okay, I won’t say anything you don’t want to hear anymore.” Instead of being angered by my attitude, he smiled.
When I heard that, the rage in my heart managed to die down a little. Still, not only did I have no good impression of him, but I also felt a little disgusted by him. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had met Michael again.
“What’s wrong with your mouth? Why does it look so red?” His eyebrows furrowed with curiosity when he stared at my lips.
My heart shook when I recalled how Michael forcefully kissed me. It would be weirder if my mouth didn’t turn red from how forcefully he was kissing me. “I-It’s nothing. It’s probably because of the weather lately.”
It was a terrible lie, but there was no way I would tell him about what Michael did to me.
Nicholas was already quite suspicious of me. If I told him about that, he probably wouldn’t trust me anymore.
“Is that so?” His sight was still locked on my lips as a complicated look flashed past his eyes.
It was clear he didn’t buy my answer, but he didn’t say anything either. Perhaps my strongly-worded statement from earlier had worked.
“You don’t believe me?” I pretended to look at him resolutely.
My composed expression was an attempt to hide my guilt.
“Of course I believe you. It’s probably because you haven’t been resting well lately. I think you should head back home to rest after lunch. There’s no need for you to work in the afternoon. Since we’ve only started our company, there isn’t much to do here. You have to take care of yourself, all right?”
I knew he was only pretending to believe me, but frankly, I didn’t care what he was really thinking. From my perspective, as long as the both of us were working toward the same goal, I would say our partnership was successful.
“Got it. Thank you.” I then proceeded to ignore him and resume my work.
After lunch, I headed back home instead of the company. I was finally going to meet my son again. It had been a year since I last met him. Thinking about meeting him later at night was making me emotional.
When I arrived at the mall, I bought a bunch of clothes for a one-year-old as well as simple toys. Since I failed to take care of him and watch him grow over the past year, I wanted to use those to make up for some lost time.
I was still quite worried because there was a chance that he would treat me like a stranger after I disappeared from his life for a year.
When I returned to my room, I looked over the things I had bought again and again, concerned that they might not be appropriate for him.
My impatience was starting to get a hold of me when it was eight in the evening. Time felt so incredibly slow, even though it was only two hours away. It was probably because I wanted to meet my child very badly.
Then, with half an hour left at the clock, I stopped hesitating, put all the things I bought into the car, and drove toward Birchwood.
