Chapter 3

"Chloe, what is so great about that trash, Liam?"

"We've been secretly dating for six years, since college, and you still won't make us public."

"He's only been at the company for a few months, and you're leaving me to be with him? You even took him home to meet your family for the holidays."

"The company has a strict policy against workplace dating..." The man got more worked up as he spoke. "Do you want me to fire him tomorrow?"

"Asher, stop playing around." My neck tickled. I couldn't help but turn my head to rub against his.

"You're always like this. You never tell me what's on your mind. You always try to solve everything by yourself."

Dissatisfied, Asher turned me around to face him, and his hot lips immediately covered mine.

He kissed me so deeply that my face flushed, and I could barely breathe. But having been apart for over a month, I missed him terribly. I stood on my toes and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck.

He lifted me up, kissing me all the way from the elevator to the backseat of his car in the underground parking lot.

He pinned me beneath him in the cramped space, leaving me with nowhere to run.

"Where did he touch you?"

"I didn't let him touch me."

Hearing my answer, Asher's mood improved significantly.

His voice softened. "Can I?"

"Mmh... be gentle."

After so many days of separation, being united with the one I loved made us both let out sighs of deep satisfaction.

Afterward, Asher held me contentedly. "Chloe, you've always been independent. I won't get in the way of your plans, but how much longer do I have to play the secret boyfriend?"

I narrowed my eyes lazily, teasing him on purpose. "What? I told you when you first pursued me—if you want to be with me, you have to be prepared to stay in the shadows forever."

"...I've already waited six years."

Asher went silent for a moment, then leaned down and gently bit my neck. "I don't care if I have to stay in the shadows forever. I'd gladly be your secret lover for the rest of my life."

Seeing how adorable and pitiful he looked, I couldn't bear to tease him anymore. I leaned up and kissed the corner of his mouth to soothe him. "Soon, babe. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Just wait for me a little longer."

Asher didn't say anything, accepting my promise with a sigh. But he grabbed my waist and pulled me onto his lap. "I'm dying of jealousy here, Chloe. You need to compensate me more..."

A night of indulgence finally calmed Asher's anxiety.

Extremely exhausted, I took a day off to rest at home. I didn't receive any messages from Liam, but Hailey sent me more updates.

The photos were so explicit they were almost disgusting. I grimaced and saved them anyway.

Then I played the voice message she sent. The voices of Hailey and Liam echoed in the quiet room.

"Liam, you didn't go home last night and left Chloe alone. Won't she be mad?"

"That boring workaholic? She's probably still working overtime at the office!"

"You said last night she wouldn't even let you touch her. As a girlfriend, how can she be like that?"

"Exactly. She has no idea how to please a man. You're much better, Hailey..."

What followed was a series of suggestive and inappropriate noises.

I curled my lips. Sorry to burst your bubble, but I definitely wasn't alone last night.

Thinking of last night's wild session, my waist started to ache again.

I rolled over uncomfortably, and Hailey's provocative text popped up: "Sorry, cousin, but your boyfriend is officially mine."

I pretended to be desperate and replied: "No way! Liam is my boyfriend! Even if he did these foolish things with you, he will still choose me in the end!"

After sending the message, I turned off my phone and slept until I woke up naturally.

In the days that followed, I continued working overtime at the company as usual.

And Hailey indeed had some skills. She kept Liam wrapped around her finger day and night, which made my life much more peaceful.

Asher noticed this too. Before, he only dared to arrange "accidental" late-night encounters. Now, he had become bold enough to call me into his office lounge under the guise of "work reports."

"Chloe, how long has it been since you last gave me that promise?" Asher grumbled, pressing his weight against me as he worked hard.

"How much longer are you going to let that trash Liam hold the title of your boyfriend?"

"Ah... it's not up to me..." The intense movement made me feel like I was floating. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, letting out soft gasps.

"Just wait a little longer..."

"What exactly are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for..." My vision blurred, and before I could finish my sentence, my phone on the sofa rang.

Seeing the familiar caller ID, I pointed at the phone and smiled. "If I'm not wrong, this is what I've been waiting for."