Page 17 of Christmas with Billionaire's Runaway Bride

"What's the best way for me to exit without anyone noticing?" I ask with a hint of concern. "I'd rather not have this become the office gossip on my very first day. Can you please assist me in finding a way to leave inconspicuously?"

Michael smiles, a hint of smugness in his expression, and I can't help but wonder what he has in mind. His response might provide the solution to my predicament and help me navigate this situation gracefully.

Michael's smug smile lingers, and he leans in a little closer, as if sharing a secret. "I can help you slip out unnoticed," he says in a hushed tone. "Follow me."

I follow his lead as he guides me through a discreet route, avoiding the main office area and any prying eyes. We move with stealth, carefully navigating the office corridors, and within minutes, we find ourselves at a side exit. Michael opens the door, checking for any potential observers, and then gestures for me to go ahead.

"Go quickly," he advises. "And remember, this stays between us."

"You don't have to remind me that. I am that last person who wants this to get out." I say sharply feeling frustrated. This exactly the kind of thing that I was afraid of. I can't help but feel disappointed the quickly followed by contentment and a surge of triumph.

'He was under my mercy.' I think and smile at the thought of our previous activity

With a nod of gratitude, I slip out of the office and into the anonymity of the hallway, silently thanking Michael for his assistance in avoiding an awkward situation on my first day at work.

As I step out of the back door, a sigh of relief escapes my lips, and I silently thank Michael for facilitating my discreet exit. Just as I start to feel a sense of accomplishment for evading an awkward situation, my heart skips a beat when I come face to face with a familiar figure.

"James?" I call out, my voice stuttering, not sure how to react. My brain races to come up with a plausible explanation for my sudden appearance, realizing that he must have seen everything.

James, with an enigmatic smile on his face, greets me, "Claire, how are you today? You look... beautiful." His words catch me off guard, and I struggle to find a response to his unexpected compliment. It's clear that he has questions, but his tactful demeanor keeps them unspoken, leaving me in a state of uncertainty about how to handle this unexpected encounter. My cheeks flush with a mixture of embarrassment and confusion as I fumble for words in response to James's unexpected compliment.

"Thank you, James," I manage to say, still trying to regain my composure.

His warm smile remains, and I can sense that he's trying to put me at ease. "Is everything okay?" he asks, his tone genuinely concerned.

I take a deep breath and decide to be honest with him. "Well, it's been an interesting first day at the office," I lie through my teeth. James nods in understanding as he processes the information that it's my first day at work. I feel a sense of relief that he seems to comprehend my situation, even without me having to explain further.

I share a polite smile and say, "Well, I think I need to head back to work. Have a nice day."

With a parting nod, I turn and make my way back into the office building, hoping to put this unexpected encounter behind me and focus on my responsibilities. It's clear that today has been a memorable day on the job, but I'm determined to continue my journey at the company with a sense of professionalism and determination.

As James wishes me a nice day, I offer a quick and somewhat awkward, "You too," before hastily making my way back into the office building. In that moment, it might seem like a cowardly way to handle the situation, but I'm flooded with a mix of emotions and uncertainty.

I know that running away from him may not be the most mature approach, but I also remember why I've been avoiding him. Our past is a complicated, unresolved chapter in my life, and I'm not ready to face the questions and emotions that discussing it might bring.

In this vulnerable moment, my only instinct is to keep my distance and focus on my new beginning at work. I'm not prepared to revisit the past just yet.

Back inside the office, I take a moment to catch my breath, my heart still racing from the unexpected encounter with James. I can't help but feel a sense of unease, but at the same time, a wave of relief washes over me as I distance myself from the possibility of discussing our complicated history.

As I return to my desk and the familiar piles of documents, I try to refocus on my work, pushing aside the memories and emotions stirred up by the encounter with James. It's clear that today's events have taken a toll on my emotions, but for now, my best course of action is to immerse myself in the tasks at hand and put thoughts of the past on hold. The morning's compromising situation with Michael and the unexpected encounter with James continue to weigh on my mind, making it difficult to concentrate on my work. My heart races, and my thoughts are scattered, making it a struggle to regain focus. I steal a quick glance at Michael, who appears composed as he engages in a meeting with Mr. Johnson. It's as if nothing out of the ordinary happened earlier. I also look at Sarah, the receptionist, searching for any signs that she might have witnessed the morning's events, but her expression reveals nothing.

For about an hour, I remain in a daze, unable to shake off the unsettling experience. However, as time passes, I gradually manage to regain my composure and dive into the daunting piles of documents on my desk. With determination, I begin to work through them methodically. Despite my commitment to completing the tasks at hand, a part of me is apprehensive about staying late in the office, especially with Michael. The events of the morning have left me with a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability, making it a day at work I won't soon forget.

As the day progresses, I throw myself into the sea of paperwork, trying to make up for the lost time and the distractions that plagued the morning. The hours tick by, and I find a rhythm in the mundane task of sorting and organizing documents. It becomes my refuge, a way to escape the complications of the day. While my determination to finish the work before me drives me forward, there's a lingering sense of anxiety about the possibility of another unexpected encounter with Michael. My mind wrestles with conflicting thoughts, one part urging me to stay late and complete the tasks, while another part is concerned about being alone in the office with him.

As evening approaches, I resolve to stay committed to my job and complete the outstanding work. However, I also decide to exercise caution and ensure I'm not alone with Michael, should any further unexpected developments arise. Today's events have left me on edge, and I'm determined to navigate my new workplace with care and diligence.

As I continue diligently working, I hear the distinct sound of Michael's office door opening, and he steps out. I keep my head down, focused on the documents before me, hoping that he'll simply walk past. For a moment, it seems like he will, and a sigh of relief washes over me.

However, my relief is short-lived. Soon enough, I hear his footsteps approaching again. The office is now eerily quiet, and it becomes evident that I'm the only one remaining with him in the office. I try to maintain my concentration on the computer screen, attempting to ignore his presence. But when he stands directly in front of my desk, I freeze.

I can't help but wonder what he wants now, my thoughts racing. I continue to look down at the computer, pretending to be engrossed in my work, completely ignoring him. However, he doesn't move, and I can feel his presence looming over me. As my anxiety grows, I gather the courage to look up and meet his gaze, not knowing what his expression might reveal.

When Michael calls my name, a shiver runs down my spine, and I remain silent, unsure of how to respond. I finally manage to answer him, my voice trembling, "Yes, sir. Can I help you?"

He looks at me once more, and for some reason, I feel compelled to stand up to meet his gaze. Sitting down suddenly seems disrespectful. As I finally lock eyes with him, I notice a subtle intensity in his expression. It's as if he's expecting something more from me, and I can't help but wonder what he has in mind. He smiles and with one stride, he reaches me. He then pulls me to his hard chest and place his hand behind my back. I then feel his soft, warm lips on mime. I am completely covered with a sweet feeling, my chest full of contentment but I quickly remember how someone almost discovered us in the morning. I kiss him back but as soon as we pull apart to catch our breaths, I push him away.

"It has been a long day, Claire. Allow me to take you home," Michael says, still holding onto my waist. Our faces are flushed, and our hearts are still beating erratically. I take a moment to think about the offer, but I remain unsure of whether I should or not.

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