Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Ruby and Elara pressed the doorbell, bags in hand. Alex opened the door.
Ruby said excitedly, "Alex, I brought a bottle of wine for tonight. We're gonna party!"
Alex in an apron took the wine. "Thanks, Ruby. Cool. I'm off tomorrow, so I can drink more."
Elara handed Alex a bag. "I got you a gift from my trip."
Alex gave a warm smile that made hearts melt. "Thanks, Elara. Come in. It's cold outside."
The two walked in and changed into slippers. Inside, Julian sat on the sofa replying to work texts. He wore Alex's white tee and casual pants, looking like a high school kid again. When he saw them, he put down his phone.
Ruby flopped down beside Julian. "Why are you here so early?"
Julian replied, "I crashed here last night and never left."
"Oh."
Julian scooted over and waved for Elara to come. "Elara, come play video games with me."
"I don't know how," Elara said as she sat down and took something from the bag.
Julian leaned close, blocking Elara's view. "What's that?"
Elara nudged his head away. "A gift for you."
"What's inside?"
Elara opened the stylish box. Inside was a navy blue tie with a subtle pattern. "Ruby told me you joined the family biz. Didn't know what to get, but a tie's always safe."
She held it up to his neck. "It's from a little-known brand. The pattern's unique. No one else will have it. Plus, the color really suits you."
Julian grinned and said proudly, "Put it on me."
Elara frowned, "Why? You're not even wearing a shirt."
"How else am I gonna know if it fits?"
Elara knew she couldn't win the argument, so she started tying it patiently. She leaned in, head down a bit, her fingers working at his neck.
Julian looked down at her forehead, his Adam's apple bobbing, his ears turning red. "Elara..."
"Don't move."
"No, Elara, I can't breathe..."
Ruby was sitting on the carpet, leaning against the coffee table, munching on cherries. She heard Julian and looked up, seeing Elara pulling the tie tight, choking Julian. His face went bright red from neck to cheek.
"Elara, are you trying to kill him?" Ruby was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
Elara looked up, gasping, "Did I choke you?" She'd never tied a tie before. It looked easy, but she just couldn't get it right.
Ruby teased, "Julian, are you sure it's just the choking?"
Julian's ears turned bright red, clearly embarrassed.
Elara kept trying, pulling harder on the tie.
Julian got pulled forward, close to Elara. She said seriously, "Don't move. I'll look up a tutorial."
She put her phone on her thigh, one hand on the tie, the other swiping the screen. She looked down at the tutorial, and then looked up to adjust the tie.
Elara's faint hair smell drifted into Julian's nose, making his heart race. He froze, not daring to move.
Alex came out of the kitchen to grab something and saw them on the couch. He glanced at Elara's hand for a moment. Then he said softly, "Elara, there are a few more dishes. Want to help me in the kitchen?"
Elara used to rush to the kitchen to help Alex, washing veggies, passing plates, and serving food. When she was abroad and Alex had free weekends, she'd visit his apartment. Alex was a great cook.
"Okay." Elara let go of the tie and got up from the couch.
Julian, disappointed, took off his tie and glared at Ruby, who was still mocking him.
Ruby hit the nail on the head. "Julian, you never win."
Julian barked, "Just eat."
Elara went into the kitchen, picked up the unwashed veggies from the bag, and put them in the washing basket. Distracted by the sound of boiling water, she rinsed them with cold.
Alex had just taken the ribs out of the pot. He glanced at the sink. "Why not use warm water?"
Hearing that, Elara snapped back. "It's fine, not that cold."
Alex shook his head and set the ribs aside. He walked over to Elara and turned on the warm water. His warm hand covered hers. "Your hands are freezing. Still say it's not cold? Your period's coming soon. You should be more careful."
Elara pulled her hand back. "It's nothing. My cycle's been off lately." She turned away and kept washing.
Alex's hand hung there, empty. Since she saw him hugging Nancy last night, she'd been distant. He'd texted her several times today, but she hadn't replied. This had never happened before.
Alex wanted to explain. "There's nothing going on with Nancy. I asked her for help yesterday—"
At Nancy's name, Elara flinched. She cut him off, "Should we wash the eggplant?"
"Yeah." Alex knew she was changing the subject, so he played along. "I'm making your favorite eggplant dish. You always say the eggplants abroad aren't as good as at home. "
"Sure, I'll wash a few more." Elara put the clean eggplants in the colander.
"What'd you get me?" Alex saw the tie she'd bought for Julian and wondered what she had for him.
"A watch."
Alex nodded. "A good gift. My current one's not keeping time."
Thirty minutes later, the meal was ready—six dishes and a soup.
"Wow, Alex made my favorite ribs. I'm gonna eat all of them." Ruby cheered first.
"Ruby, aren't you gaining weight now? And you're still eating without restraint?" Julian teased.
Ruby tattled on Julian "You! Alex, he's picking on me."
Alex smiled. After being back for a month, he felt like himself again. The lively bustle was great.
Seeing Alex wasn't backing her up, Ruby grabbed Elara as she came out of the kitchen. "Elara, Julian's being rude again."
Elara smiled, "What'd he say?"
Ruby complained, "He thinks I'm fat."
Elara glanced at Ruby's waist. "Julian's right. You've put on some weight."
Ruby stomped her foot in anger. "Elara!"
Julian smirked. "Look at how disciplined my Elara is. Now look at your waist." But Ruby wasn't really fat; they just loved teasing each other.
Elara popped open a beer and chugged half the can. "Watch your mouth. Who said I'm yours?" She was thirsty in the kitchen, but today, she wanted a drink, not water.
She was about to take another sip when Alex grabbed the can and tapped her head gently. He blamed softly, "Not even touching your food, and you're already downing beer?"
Alex set her beer aside and moved the eggplant toward Elara.
Elara didn't argue and just ate her food obediently. Alex drank the rest of her beer.
Elara thought, 'It's always like this.' They had so many intimate moments that blurred the lines. He'd finish her drinks and eat her leftover cake. On weekends abroad, they'd cuddle under the same blanket, watching movies. In the kitchen, he'd ask her to tie his apron strings.
But nothing more happened. When she wore sexy pajamas, he'd tell her to change into comfortable ones. When she leaned in for a kiss, he'd pull away. When she tried to hold his hand in the park, he'd quickly let go.
Elara felt special and thought it was love. But for six years, they never became a couple. She had done almost all the chasing. She waited for Alex to take the last step, but he never did.