James left for his meeting on Saturday early morning. He told me he would be leaving around six in the morning after we came back from the party. I was extremely pissed at him regarding the entire Amy situation so I kept our conversations short and to the point. He didn't try to discuss the issue though, and I was never going to bring it up on my own.

He told me that he'll be back on Sunday evening so I spent the entire Saturday in my room, catching up on the assignments and the study material I had missed in the time I didn't join. There were some notes still missing so I called up Ashley who told me that I should come over to her apartment to collect and sort on Sunday. Mark was home so I asked him if he minded driving me till Ashley's apartment because I had no clue about the parking system near her place and I didn't want to get a ticket on a car that wasn't even mine.

It's now three in the afternoon and I was lounging on the couch, eating popcorn while Austin and Max were playing Fifa. Caleb was sitting by my side as we both looked at Ashley and Natalie working on their laptops to finish the assignment that was due in an hour. Different assignments, of course.

"Can the two of you keep it down?" Natalie hisses at Max and he doesn't pay heed to her because he's too focused on the game.

"Just let me get an idea, c'mon Caleb. It's not like I'm gonna copy paste." Ashley looks at him and he just shakes his head.

"No can do. I did my own work back then, you do your own." He told her before popping popcorn in his mouth and I couldn't help but be amused. "Ask Lil, no? What's the big deal?"

"Well, Lil and I have the same professor. We cannot propose same idea through the assignment. You however, can give me the idea. I just need a few suggestions, I'm almost done with the rest. Don't be a bitch." She huffs and he just shakes his head before focusing back on eating.

"C'mon. Here. Give me the laptop." I tell her and she obliges quickly, and I go over her assignment. I make a few changes and put a few pointers in the sticky note so that she can follow through with it. "There ya go. Just stick to the pointers."

She engulfs me into a big hug before rushing back to the floor to continue typing. Caleb shakes his head at us, "Those marks won't be well deserved."

"Are you always this annoying when it comes to studies?" I ask him and Austin scoffs.

"Yes. Always." He answers for him. Caleb is about to protest before Austin cuts him off, "Don't even get me started, Cal. You know he used to be my project partner and he wouldn't share notes, man. I mean, we both were supposed to be working on it for fuck's sake."

Caleb flushes a little, "Babe, come on. I apologised for having a stick up my ass back then."

"Yes, by taking up his dick up your ass." Max mumbles and I can't help the loud laugh that escapes me at his comment.

Austin and Caleb are dating. I mean it didn't come as a surprise because they were too affectionate around each other so it was a little obvious to the eye but I've never had this much friends, or known four people at a time. It was surprisingly pleasant actually. There was absolutely no judgment between these people, which made me wonder if I could ever tell them about James without them judging me. I had known them for such little time, so I was going to go slow. They might not judge each other but they might judge me, considering they didn't even know me.

"Lil, why don't you stay for dinner? We might order chinese." Max offers after he lost the game to Austin and both the girls had submitted their assignment.

"I can't. I mean, I would love to but I have to go do laundry and then we have classes tomorrow." I lie and Ashley pouts a little.

I want to stay, I really do and I would've if James wasn't coming back home in a while. Sunday night counted as one of those nights when the entire family ate together, meaning Chloe and Carrack would be joining us for dinner too.

"Next time then." Caleb smiles at me and I return it.

"You should ask Jer to visit us on a college party with his girl, yo!" Ashley shouts from the kitchen and I immediately dismiss the idea.

"We can meet them sometime, but I'm not inviting two teenagers to college party. That wouldn't end well."

It's true. Jeremy had been on my back to take him to a college party ever since I joined college in freshman year but I know it would be a disaster. I told Ashley about Joan because I didn't know who else to share such stuff with. While Mrs. George made an excellent company, I'm sure she had no interest in Jeremy's dating life.

My phone pings in my pocket and I pull it out to check a message from James which makes me frown because we haven't spoken at all since Friday night.

"Are you home?"

I immediately type back a reply while sipping on Dr. Pepper Max got me. They seem to be discussing what everyone wants to have for dinner so it doesn't require my input at all.

"No."

I know my reply would probably piss him off because it had no explanation but well, I'm pissed off too. He doesn't know that but I do. And I'm not going to let him define how I feel. In this weekend with the lack any interaction or even seeing him, I've realised that my nerves have been resolving when it comes to James. I mean, he still makes me nervous, he still intimidates me but I'm getting used to it. I'm getting used to our curt conversations and it was weird to not see him for two days.

"Do you want me to pick you up?"

His text leaves me so surprised that I stop chewing on my forefinger which was between my teeth, a nervous habit which surfaced time to time. If he picked me up and any of these people saw him, they would immediately know what's going on in my life and I'm not ready for that yet. Before I can even type a reply, there's a new text.

"Meet me outside your friend's apartment building in fifteen minutes."

I don't even want to know how he knows where I am, or possibly where Ashley's apartment is. I'm sure he must've asked Mark and he would've given the information without thinking twice. I start packing my bag and put the notes that Ashley gave me along with my laptop because I need to return them to her in a week. I would hate to put even a slight dirty mark on it.

"Are you leaving?" Natalie asks and I nod, seeing that it has already been ten minutes since James texted me.

I have to put on my ring but I decide to do that in the elevator because I don't ever want to see James react to my bare fingers. It just isn't pleasant to even imagine about it. After bidding them all goodbye, Max and Ashley give me a quick hug after which I make my way to the elevator. While waiting for the elevator, I put on the wedding band and the engagement ring, taking a deep breath.

Just as the elevator comes and I step in, I hear a voice behind me, "Hold up. We're coming too."

It's Austin and Caleb and I visibly pale. This is not happening right now. I just have to say goodbye as soon as we exit the apartment building and then enter the car without either of them noticing James. I can do this. I keep my hand hidden by my bag so they cannot notice my ring because the big rock is kind of hard to miss.

"Are you guys not staying for the dinner?" I ask, confused.

"We're just going to get some beer. Max ran out." Caleb answers and I nod.

"Where do you put up again?" Austin asks me.

"Just fifteen minutes from here. It's near my parents's house." I speak and he nods in return, understanding that he won't get a clearer answer than that.

When we reach outside apartment building, I immediately spot James's car. He hasn't noticed me yet which is a good thing. I turn towards the couple and smile at them, "See you around."

I hope they are going in different direction than where the car is parked. Taking me by utmost surprise, Caleb gives me a side hug followed by Austin.

"See you kid." Austin winks, making me roll my eyes as I laugh and notice that they are indeed moving in different direction.

When their back is to me, I make my way to the car and notice that James is looking at me through the glass, his eyes following my every move. I open the door and immediately slide in, my breath caught up and realise that I'm nervous all over again, yet my anger is still present, not as strong but still there.

He's wearing black jeans and a cream coloured full sleeves v-neck, the sleeves are rolled up on his arm. He doesn't say a word to me as he silently drives towards the Clark's mansion. I wonder if there ever will be a day that I'll call it home because it doesn't feel like home even though I've been staying there for almost a month now.

"You could've told me about your friends." He says, parking the car in the driveway.

I look at him and his jaw is tightened and his knuckles are white from holding the steering wheel too tightly.

"I didn't think you would be interested to know." I say before getting out of the car, taking my bag along with me.

"I don't think we know each other well enough to decide what we would be interested in." He says as he catches upto me, his tone harsh as I reach the stairs.

The need to ignore him is so strong but I turn around, three stairs above him as I look at him, "Clearly."

My tone is sharp and it takes me by surprise that I could talk to him in that harsh tone because I'm not the one to lose my calm and patience. I usually keep my mouth shut until the other person is done talking and then just let it go because arguments according to me, resolve nothing.

He doesn't respond as I hurriedly make my way upstairs and shut the bedroom door behind me before he can enter. I don't know whether this is the anger from the Amy situation or because being married is not what I wanted for myself until next decade. This entire situation claws at my mind at night and I've been trying so hard to keep a lid at it.

I know he told Amy to meet him at the meeting but that doesn't change the fact that she's his assistant and was by his side for the entire weekend. The thought only pushes my nerves more and I take deep breaths.

I'm extremely glad when there is no knock on the door and I get to lie down for a while. After half an hour I gather up the courage to get up from the bed and look into the notes I got from Ashley. There are so much that my brain becomes fuzzy after a point and I make my way downstairs to get some water for myself.

Mrs. George and Shanley are preparing the dinner when I enter the kitchen. I give them both a small smile as I make my way to the refrigerator and pull out cold water for myself. I'm hoping that the cold water would help with the nerves that seem to be knotting in my stomach.

"Is there anything I can help with?" I ask, hoping they'll say yes and I'll be distracted.

"Oh no, dear. We're just about to set up the table." Mrs. George waves off her hand.

"I can help. C'mon." I say as I look for plates. I don't know my way around this kitchen and I'd really like to know more.

Shanley helps me pick out the silverware and I make my way to the dining room as I start setting up the table. I hear shuffling behind me and turn around to see a smirking Chloe.

"I didn't know that when James got married we were also getting extra help." She taunts.

"Of course, your highness. What can I do for you?" I snap back, already on the edge with my annoyed mood.

She seems to be taken aback with my tone but just as she's about to speak, Carrack joins us. We barely see each other around the house and sometimes it's just James and I having dinner silently. Which is why on Sunday it's mandatory to eat together.

"Lillian, how's college?" Carrack asks, taking a seat at the table and Chloe takes her seat.

"It's good, Carrack. How's the company?"

After the dinner table is set, I take the usual seat but then I frown because James still hasn't joined us. He's usually not late to dinner. I brush it aside thinking he'll join in a while, keeping up the conversation with Carrack.

"It's good. James did good on the offer we made yesterday." He tells me, as if I would know what the deal was about.

"That's really good."

Mrs. George and Shanley bring out the rest of the food and just on time, James takes a seat beside me. I put little boiled chicken and pasta on my plate before handing the bowl to him.

"Why aren't you eating more?" He's looking down at my plate, surprising me because I didn't think it was noticeable.

"I'm not hungry." I tell him and he gives me a look, the same look he gave me when he made me order food on our honeymoon. "I had lots to eat in the afternoon."

That seems to piss him off more than reassure him as he huffs before serving himself. It's true though before popcorn we had tacos and I was mostly full.

"How was the weekend, Jim? Amy said she had a nice time." Chloe speaks up, her eyes on me.

It's like she brings up Amy to drive me to annoyance, to see how I would react so I don't give her the satisfaction. I don't react, rather I wait for James to speak up. He seems to be giving his sister a look, as if for the first time observing that she brought up Amy unnecessarily.

"It was good. Dad you need to sign the paperwork too and a few more documents tomorrow for the official paperwork to go through." He tells Carrack who nods.

"No more business discussion." He reprimands.

We eat the dinner is silence mostly unless it's Chloe whining about one thing or another. I can see that both men care deeply for this girl, however I don't understand what has she ever done to deserve that care and love.

After I'm done eating, I clear my plates and wash them before heading upstairs. "We need to talk." James speaks from behind me, almost making me trip on the stairs from surprise because he genuinely came out of nowhere.

I nod, not daring to argue back after snapping at him earlier. A part of me regretted being so harsh because he just wanted to know about my friends. We make our way to our floor before he moves towards his bedroom. Isn't he always full of surprises?

"Come." He motions towards the bedroom, eyeing me curiously.

I've only been here once before so with a shaky breath, I enter his bedroom. It looks exactly how I remember it to be. White walls covering the entire room with dark cherry furniture. There are dark blinds on the right side of the room, matching the furniture. There's a loveseat in front of it. His room is bigger than mine but I already knew that. I don't understand why I'm here though.

My eyes roam around the room as I stand awkwardly, wondering where should I even sit to begin with. He clears his throat behind me and I feel the warmth of his body because he's standing too close.

"Make yourself comfortable." He says and I move to sit on the settee.

He takes the rolling chair by the desk and sits down, facing me and I take in a nervous deep breath, waiting for him to speak.

"Why are you mad?" He asks, his voice extremely calm, way too somber for my liking and I meet his emerald eyes.

"I'm not."

I mean, will it do any good if I tell him how I feel? It will only make me look dumb for caring about his relationship with Amy so much when him and I share absolutely no connection.

"I meant what I said earlier, we don't know each other well enough." His voice is steady as he studies my features.

My hair are pulled up in a high ponytail and I know that only makes me look my age, but that's because I was hanging out with my friends. I don't need to look mature and pretend that I have it all together.

"And whose fault is that?" I retort.

He arches an eyebrow, as if testing that I'm putting the blame on him. I am. I might be socially awkward but I am a nice person to talk to, I can be a good listener and even though my only real friends are Jeremy and Ashley, I know I can be a good friend too. If given the chance.

"Mrs. Clark, I told you the day we met for the first time that I'm not very good with getting to know people. I know business, I deal with colleagues and clients. Other social interactions are a little out of my boundary."

I breathe in and out, telling myself that this is probably equally hard for him as it is for me. "We both got married out of our choice, and I really understand that you blame me for not being able to get out of it. But I think I deserve a little respect even in the absence of a third party, Mr. Clark."

He opens his mouth to speak but immediately closes it before running a hand through his hair and meeting my eyes again, "You think I don't respect you?"

"Do you?" I scowl at him.

"As a matter of fact, I do. The blame is not yours to take. I understand what I said on the wedding day was a little harsh but it has taken me a couple of weeks to accept the reality. It's no one's fault but the situation's." He explains, and I'm so glad that he's finally being a little vocal instead of just shutting me out. He doesn't owe me explanation but we cannot live the rest of our lives like this.

"Okay." I nod, not knowing what else to say.

"Can I know about your friends? Just so I know where you are and who you're hanging out with in case Dad asks."

So that's why he's interested to know. Of course. Why did I ever think that there could be some other reason to this?

"I have just one friend, or two. Ashley was my roommate in the dorms before I left the degree in between. We caught up when I joined, she's now friends with Max, who is kind of my friend too? I don't know. He introduced me to three of his friends. Natalie, Austin and Caleb." I explain, not going into details because he's clearly not interested.

"Who were the guys who exited the building with you today?" He asks, sounding a little bit pissed but I don't understand what have I said to piss him off. God, he makes me so nervous.

"Austin and Caleb."

"Something I should know about either of them?" His tone is clipped and the realisation hits me, he's asking if I have something for either of them.

"They are dating."

"Huh?" He looks confused for a second then the realisation dawns upon him and he visibly relaxes, making me frown, "Oh."

"Yeah." I look away from him, my eyes roaming around his room as I realise that there's not even a single photo in his bedroom, which is a little weird. Because I had so many photos of myself back at home and even in the dorm room.

"Are you sure there isn't something you want to talk about?" He asks, hinting at something as if he knows.

Oh, god. He knows. Of course he knows. The way I held his hand at the party the other day, and the way I left after Amy introduced herself. I've always been so easy to read, and I hate that about myself. My nerves kick me in the stomach as I look at him, fumbling with my fingers because I don't know how to speak without sounding like a jealous girlfriend when in all honesty we aren't even close to dating.

"I didn't know Amy was your assistant." I speak, trying my best to keep my tone neutral and I think it went out okay.

He nods, as if expecting me to bring it up, "She is. I should've mentioned it the other day, I didn't think it was essential information, but seeing how you reacted, it apparently is."

I purse my lips when he brings up my reaction. God! My cheeks flush in embarrassment because I didn't know what to say to that.

"Carrack said that the deal went well." I say, changing the topic.

He looks almost amused by my words but nods, "Yeah. We've invested in real estate of a factory just outside the town. It's for producing of eco-friendly cloth items, since the partner holds the major shares, we got 40% of it."

I'm taken aback he shared so much details with me. I wasn't expecting him to. Maybe the standards I've set for James are too low, that's why his behaviour keeps on surprising me. But I'd rather be surprised than disappointed.

"Your father seemed proud." I say, a small smile on my features as my hand goes upto play with the rose pendant he got me in Paris.

"I would hope so. I've been working my ass off for this one." He says, and his thick british accent a little more evident. His features are more relaxed than I've ever seen before as he looks at me. "You should come to the office, I know you don't want to join right away but occasional visits will be good for you."

I nod, understanding where he's coming from and honestly I would personally love to go see where the business actually takes place. I had always visited my father's office but I know Clark Enterprise is a whole new world.

"Maybe I can drop by tomorrow after classes?"

"Yes, of course."

•••
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