The smile on Chris's face soon disappeared. Aha. Well, it's expected. If she were such an easy target, then she wouldn't be able to have Scott Anderson falling for her. He thought, then he resumed his smiley face and said, "I don't give up easily, Mr. Anderson."
"She's mine. We are married."
"Well, people divorce."
"You think you can take her away from me?"
"I can take her anywhere as long as she wants to."
"Ha. I'd suggest you stop your unrealistic fantasy."
"How come you are so confident?" Chris sneered.
"Shouldn't I be? She's my woman, utterly, completely, both body and heart. Even if I dump her one day, I won't allow other men to touch her either." Scott said in an unquestionable tone. "Mr. Butler, I don't know what your intention is, but I can assure you that as long as I live, she can never be yours."
"It seems like Mr. Anderson has fallen in love."
"I just don't like people to have what's mine, simple as that."
"What if I insist?"
"Then it means you don't want to live." Scott snapped and got up to leave. He didn't like Chris at all. He agreed to collaborate with him mainly for the sake of knowing him, as a competitor or even an enemy, better. He wasn't certain how competitive Chris was, but he was certain that even if he had to sacrifice a lot, he would not let Chris win.
When he got back to his office, he sat down in his chair and watched Brianna for a while. Brianna tried to ignore him and kept her eyes on her laptop.
Scott tapped on his desk. Brianna looked up and saw Scott beckoning her. She was worried. Reluctantly, she got up and walked up to him. "Yes, Scott?"
Scott stared at her silently.
Brianna held his stare for a few seconds, and she looked away, finding it unbearable. "I didn't expect that Chris Butler would send me flowers. There's nothing going on between him and me. I can't control what he does, but what I can do is to refuse him." Brianna finally spoke.
"This is probably just one of his tricks. Can you be sure that no matter how he tempts you, you can resist?"
"Yes, I can." Brianna nodded.
On hearing so, Scott seemed a bit more relaxed. "Can you tell me what has actually happened between you two?"
Brianna nodded again and told him briefly about the time Chris saved her, and they met two more times since then.
"It seems that he respects you and really likes you," Scott said with a sneer.
"Perhaps he just wants to use me to harm you, but obviously, he doesn't know me well enough because whatever his intention is, he can't use me against you," Brianna said cautiously.
"Good to know."
"Don't worry, Scott. I'm not ambitious, and I don't want a lot. My heart is only big enough for those that I care for and love. I hope your true love returns to you soon." Brianna said with a smile while thinking I'm afraid I'm going to fall in love with him deeper the longer I stay with him. The only way out is to leave him, not to see him again so I can forget him.
Scott knitted his brows. "Do you really want her to come back so you can leave?"
"Right. Isn't that what you want anyway? And only after I leave you can I forget you sooner."
"Didn't you just tell me last night that you love me?"
"But you don't love me."
"Have I said that?" Scott retorted, feeling irritated again.
It took Brianna a while to react. "Huh? Do you... do you mean...you, you love me too?"
"You wish. I don't dislike you. Let's leave it like that." Scott said sternly. "Brianna, like I've told you, you have my permission to love me and me only. If you ever have feelings for other men, then you are asking for trouble."
"Aren't you too selfish and controlling?"
"Even if I am?"
Brianna shook her head helplessly and said, "As long as I'm married to you, I will do my job as a wife."
Scott didn't seem pleased to hear so. "Does that mean if we divorce, you will date another guy?" He sounded angry.
"I don't know. I don't know who I will meet after we separate. If I meet someone that I love and he loves me, then why not? I will be free. No matter how powerful you are, you can't control me all my life. When we separate, I will have my own life, and I make my own decisions. Well, unless you end my life." She said plainly, looking at him into his eyes fearlessly.
Scott felt more irritated. This is what she talks about all the time! Does she really want to leave me so much?! Damn it!
Suddenly he got up, walked towards Brianna. Frightened by his serious and icy look, Brianna quickly turned around and hurried to the door. Run. She told herself.
However, Scott grabbed her hand quickly and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her tight from behind. "Are you trying to escape now that you have irritated me?" He whispered to her ear.
"Ha-ha." Brianna smiled awkwardly, "Not at all. I'm, err... I'm just going to the bathroom."
"There's a private one here. Why are you heading outside?"
"Hmmm. I thought it would be good to go for a little walk as well."
"Go for a walk?" Scott questioned.
"Yeah. Oh, do you fancy some dessert? I can bake you some cookies." Brianna muttered, trying to change the topic.
"I can have you for dessert. Now." Scott lifted her chin up and said with a cheeky smile.
"It's the office hour. We are working." Brianna shook her head immediately.
"So we can wait after work then. Sure. Wait for me in my room tonight." Scott said and winked at her.
Brianna thought she'd better obey, hoping that he was not angry about Chris Butler sending her flowers anymore. She wanted to get back to her seat, but Scott held her still and went on, "I was talking to him earlier this morning about collaborating in the games market."