Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Elara almost spit her yogurt all over Ruby. "Ruby, what the hell are you saying? Are you trying to get me killed?"
Ruby just laughed. "So what is it? You don't believe in yourself, or you're not over Alex?"
Elara rolled her eyes.
Ruby leaned in a little closer, narrowing her pretty eyes. Elara could tell she was up to something and immediately wanted to run—but before she could move, Ruby reached out and pinched her chin.
"Look at those eyes, that face," Ruby said. "Elara, you're absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. It's such a waste to keep pining over that clueless guy Alex.
"I'd love to see you try seducing someone like Adrian. Imagine that cold, arrogant trust fund guy losing his mind over you. I'm dying for that love story—an icy-hot psychologist and a scheming lawyer? Yes, please."
Elara swatted her hand away. "You've been reading too much fiction."
"And you should start reading more," Ruby replied. "Otherwise you're never gonna figure this stuff out. Let me recommend you an app—"
Elara cut her off. "Figure what out? I'm literally the youngest certified psychologist around. If I wanted to seduce a guy, I'd succeed. Every time."
"Oh yeah? Then what about Alex? Did that work out for you?" Ruby teased.
Elara's face twisted with frustration. "I never even tried to seduce him."
"Oh? So what you're saying is, if you did try, you could get him?" Ruby kept poking.
"I—" Elara didn't know what to say.
The truth was, she couldn't flirt with Alex. He'd always acted like her protective older brother growing up. In her mind, he'd been this untouchable, almost saintly figure. The idea of flirting with him just felt wrong.
That was why every time she used her toys, she ended up drowning in guilt and shame. She was afraid that if she and Alex ever really got together, and he found out how intense her desires were, he would think she was gross.
"Honestly, someone like Adrian makes way more sense for you," Ruby said. "I mean, if you ignore all the messy stuff with his family."
"Seriously? Him?" Elara nearly shouted.
"It's kinda funny," Ruby said. "You study psychology, but you're totally blind to your own feelings.
"Elara, you've always been someone who likes a little chaos, a little thrill. Alex, though? He's like a monk—calm, collected, and emotionally reserved. You two just don't fit.
"I mean, yeah, Alex is a great guy. We all like him. But love? Love's supposed to come with sparks. And that spark just isn't there between you two. You know what I mean?"
Elara wasn't sure she did—but maybe.
"Also... does he know about your toys?" Ruby asked.
"Of course not." Elara shook her head. They were nowhere near that level.
"So, would you ever be able to tell him?" Ruby asked again.
That hit a nerve. Elara froze.
"The night at the hotel," Ruby said with a sly grin, "Adrian didn't just see your body, did he? He saw the toy, too."
Elara's face went stiff. She covered it with her hands. "How do you know that?"
Ruby smirked. "At the Aurora Club, I noticed the way he looked at you—it was... weird. At first, I thought he was just a flirt. But yesterday at the café, it clicked. He only looks at you like that."
"What? Like how? He just looks like a smug jerk all the time," Elara muttered, already annoyed.
"He was eating when you stepped out to take a call," Ruby said. "The second you walked out, he put his fork down and followed. Didn't even finish his food. Just wanted to catch you in the courtyard."
"You're reading too much into it," Elara said quickly.
"Am I?" Ruby raised an eyebrow. "You don't have to trust me on everything, but if there's one thing I do know, it's men. And girl, Adrian's definitely into you."
"You're insane," Elara said.
"So... after he finished watching you, what was his reaction?" Ruby pressed on.
Elara's mind was instantly filled with a vivid picture. She said awkwardly, "Do best friends really need all these details?"
Ruby gave her a mischievous smile. "What do you think?"
Blushing, Elara described what had happened that day. Ruby exclaimed "Damn!" at least ten times in a row.
"So you're saying... he just stood there and kept staring at you?" Ruby said. "No wonder the way he looks at you isn't normal. So that's what it was—"
"Shut up!" Elara cried.
"Seriously, you two make a perfect match, just based on your faces alone," Ruby said.
"Isn't Alex handsome?" Elara challenged.
"To be fair, he is. But it's a completely different kind of attraction. Alex is marriage material; Adrian... Adrian is the kind you have a wild love affair with. Who wouldn't want a piece of that?"
"I don't," Elara said. "If you're so into him, go for it."
"I'd never pursue an ex, much less a friend's man." Ruby paused. "Besides, you're not curious what it'd be like with Adrian? Guys like him put sex toys to shame. Trust me."
"Aren't you already busy texting back and forth with your ex?" Elara said. "So you might as well try it with Adrian. Once you win him over, I'll get to enjoy some of the benefits, too."
"That's because Adrian is into you." Ruby grinned. "Once you're together, I'll hang on to you, not his wallet."
Just then, the doorbell rang. Elara got up from the sofa to answer it. To her surprise, it was Alex.
"Alex?" Elara said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"Ruby told me you were moving into your new place today. I came to check it out." Alex was still in his suit, briefcase slung over his shoulder. He must have come straight from work.
Ruby hopped up from the sofa, clearly seeing Alex had something to say.
"Elara, I have plans. Gotta go. Bye!" Ruby called back and rushed out.
The door closed. Alex walked in and put his briefcase down on the sofa.
He picked up a glass of water Elara hadn't finished and took a sip. "How come you haven't gotten back to me?"
Elara sat on another sofa and answered coolly, "Got busy. Forgot."
"Did you go to Aurora Club again yesterday?" Alex asked.
Elara felt guilty, but she nodded anyway.
"That kind of place is messy. It's full of rich guys looking for fun. It's trouble you shouldn't get into," Alex said. "Don't go there so much."
"Okay," Elara said.
Alex seemed to realize his voice was a little harsh. He softened it. "If you really want to go, take Julian with you. It's safer that way."
"All right," Elara said quietly.
She seemed to not want to say a single word more to him. She had already turned down his invitation to look at a new home together. It was the first time Alex had been refused by Elara.
After he got the message, Alex was a little distracted at work. He rushed over to find Elara after hours, without even finishing his presentation.
Alex was the person Elara, Ruby, and Julian listened to most growing up. Even Julian, who was born rebellious, acted like an obedient little puppy in front of Alex.
This was Alex's charm. He kept them safe, and they kept him close. Even though all four were adults now, with their own lives, their bond stayed strong.
But Elara started to feel things were different between her and Alex. Or maybe she just didn't want to keep it up.
Alex glanced at Elara's new home. "Want to move in with me?"
"What?" Elara looked confused.