While she admired him, it did not mean she could attain his heart.
To keep myself entertained, I randomly picked up a book to read but unknowingly, I fell asleep after some time.
When I woke up from my nap on the sofa, I found a blanket over my body. The room was dim, as though someone had adjusted the lights.
Scanning the room, I did not spot Ashton. He is probably still in the meeting. For some time, I continued to lie there before I willed myself to sit up. It was chilly, and I wrapped the blanket around my body tightly for more warmth.
While I was still in a daze, someone pushed the door open.
It was Joseph. Seeing that I was awake, he quickly fussed, “Mrs. Fuller, are you hungry? Do you crave anything? I will order it for you this instant!”
“What’s the time now?” I curiously asked. Looking out of the windows, I noted that it was already dark outside.
He promptly responded, “It’s eight.”
“Is Ashton still in the meeting?” I frowned.
“The international conference ended, but there is still more to discuss over the AI. Mr. Fuller wants you to have a bite first,” Joseph reported.
“Has he eaten?”
“No.” Joseph shook his head.
With some thought, I requested, “Can you order two sets of steak and two glasses of milk? I would like it to be hot. Additionally, please get one portion of dessert too.”
Then, I paused to look at the man standing by the door. “Mr. Campbell, have you eaten?”
Although he was stunned that I was referring to him, he answered honestly, “No.”
Clicking my tongue, I changed my order. “You poor thing. In that case, please order three sets of steak. If you want anything else, please feel free to order them for yourself. Mr. Fuller will be paying for it.”
Laughing, he nodded and left.
Following that, I went to the bathroom to wash my face and pick out one of Ashton’s clothes from his closet in the lounge to wear.
By the time I came out, Joseph was already there with the meal boxes.
I glanced at the clock again. It’s getting late, but Ashton is still in the meeting.
Huffing, I decided to make a trip to the conference room.
Joseph followed behind me without the intention of stopping me.
At first, it felt normal, but halfway there, I realized that something was not right.
Turning to look at the man trailing behind me, we exchanged looks, and he meekly chuckled.
Something must be up. “How many people are there in the meeting?” I probed.
“Two!” He chimed.
“Who are the two?”
“Mr. Fuller and Ms. Zimmer,” he revealed.
“Rachel?” I raised my brows.
Joseph nodded, confirming my guess.
Ashton’s meeting dragged on for so long because he had to meet with Rachel.
Standing before the conference room, Joseph opened the door even before I raised my hand to knock. It caught me off guard.
Soon, I heard the heated discussion that was going on.
“I don’t agree!” Ashton exclaimed.
“Mr. Fuller, we are using AI to make life easier for humans and to push for the world’s technological progress in this area. If we worry about how it will evolve and pull the plug on it, there is no point in adopting it in the first place,” Rachel protested.
Ashton looked like he had lost his patience. However, when he lifted his gaze and spotted me, his expression eased a little. Without bothering to rebut, he approached me.
Rachel also turned to look in my direction, given the sudden change in his attitude. At the sight of me, a frown appeared on her face.
She was clearly displeased.
Meanwhile, Ashton could not be bothered about the others in the room. He looked at me tiredly and hugged me.
Taking a deep breath, he moaned, “You are finally here. My energy is about to be depleted.”
Looking at Rachel, I hugged him and declared, “Alright, I’m here to help you recharge. Come, let’s go.”
Joseph was quick to pick up on the cue to leave.
On the contrary, Rachel stayed in the conference room, with an unhappy expression plastered on her face. She demanded, “Mr. Fuller, we are not done with the meeting. How is it alright for Mrs. Fuller to barge in like that?”
With his arms still around me, Ashton growled, “It is way past the working hours, and it’s time for you to go home. We can look through the things we have yet to settle tomorrow.”
Evidently, she was frustrated and wanted to continue, but Ashton stopped her.
“Ms. Zimmer, I know that you don’t have to worry about your parents or loved ones since you live alone. However, I’m not like you. I have a wife and a child, and I want to spend time with them after work. Thank you for all the effort that you put in at work. Regarding your overtime hours, Joseph will settle all the overtime pay with the Finance Department. You really should head home since it’s getting late.”
He left no room for discussion.
I could not care less about her either. My stomach grumbled, and I nudged Ashton. “I asked Joseph to order some steak. Aren’t you hungry? Let’s go have dinner.”
With a bright grin, he cooed, “My wife knows me best!”
Afterward, we headed back to his office without looking back to watch Rachel’s reaction.
Joseph had already taken his portion to his own office, and I was left alone with Ashton.
Cutting the steak, he looked at me and apologized, “There will be no next time.”
His abrupt statement made me confused. “What do you mean?”
“I meant that I would make sure my meetings will not run so late in the future,” he clarified while placing a piece of sliced steak on my plate.
I shrugged. “It’s okay. It was part of your duties at work.” Recalling what I heard in the conference room, I changed the topic, “Do you not plan to expand on the AI project?”
