Page 33 of Behind Frenemy Lines

If anything, the denials I’d issued had probably cemented it as truth to Arthur. I could see everything I’d said to the contrarywas exactly what Iwouldsay if I were dating Charles and didn’t want him to know.

There was no way to win. Even if I’d agreed to surrender my office, that would simply have confirmed for Arthur that he was right. And it would have left me out of an office, simply because Arthur had decided to go on a weird interfering rampage.

“Are you sure?” I said. “People might gossip.”

“They won’t to me.”

I could see people wouldn’t. There was a kind of natural severity about Charles’s manner. You felt that if you were to talk about anything other than work, he’d judge you.

“But they might talk behind your back,” I said.

“So?”

That was hard to counter.

Charles looked away, at his screen. I thought he was about to wind up the conversation so he could get back to work, but instead he said, quietly, “I’d like to help, if I can. It seems to me you’re in a difficult position.”

My eyes stung, my vision going blurry. I bent my head, glad Charles wasn’t looking at me. He’d dealt with enough drama for the day. He didn’t need to have me dripping tears on my desk, on top of it all.

“It would help,” I said, when I was sure I could speak without my voice going wobbly. “Just till Arthur’s through this phase. I’m sure he’ll get over it and things will go back to normal.”

I wasn’t sure. But I wasn’t ready to look at what it would mean for my life if Arthur kept acting like this and made it impossible for me to continue working for him. I had to hope he’d get… whatever this was out of his system, and go back to being the guy I knew.

“Hopefully it won’t take long,” I said. “But if you start feeling uncomfortable about it, or if you change your mind, for whatever reason, I can let him know we’ve broken up. Does that work?”

Charles nodded.

“Thank you.” I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Sorry for all the drama.”

“Really,” said Charles. “Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.”

It was fine. It would be fine. I just had to believe that.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Charles

Was in thethick of drafting a complex piece of advice, three days before Loretta’s wedding, when the phone on my desk started ringing. Assumed it was a client: Everyone internal sends Teams messages when they want a call.

CG: “Hello, Charles Goh.”

Got a start when Loretta’s voice issued from the receiver: “Charles, are you avoiding me?”

Didn’t think Loretta would notice. Hayley arrived from the States last weekend. Staying with us until the day before the wedding, when she and Loretta will be going over to spend a couple of nights at the hotel where it’s happening. They’ve been floating about in a haze of romantic bliss, and I’ve been busy at work.

That’s my excuse, anyway. Been keeping away so Loretta won’t hassle me about bringing a date to the wedding. Only need to survive a few more days. Should have known Loretta would track me down.

CG: “I’m in the middle of something. Can we talk later?”

Loretta: “Who’s the girl you’re bringing to the wedding? Ma’s asking.”

I shot a surreptitious glance at Kriya, sat across me at her desk. She was working, of course, her eyes fixed on her monitor.

Lowered my voice, switching to Cantonese.

CG: “I’m not bringing any girl. I told you. Why’s your mother even asking?”

Loretta: “Why are you speaking Cantonese—oh.Kriya’s there, isn’t she? Have you asked her?”

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