My Coworker Asked About My Secret Husband, I Said Strangers Chapter 04
Before I overheard that conversation, I used to send him updates about my day. What I ate, what I did. He’d reply with a few words at most.
[Okay.]
[Got it.]
So this time, I typed back: [Okay.]
When I got home, the lights were already on. Brandon was back, wearing loungewear, looking relaxed and freshly showered.
“You didn’t come to the airport to pick me up today?”
For some reason, I asked, “Why would I?”
We both paused.
The corner of Brandon’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Chris said the dried mango from Arizona is pretty good. I brought some back. Try it.”
He handed it to me. I looked but didn’t reach for it.
Truth was, I’m allergic to dried mango.
His eyebrow went up. “You don’t like it? I thought you liked mango cheesecake.”
I only ate mango cheesecake because he bought it. I didn’t want to refuse.
He remembered Elena’s shrimp allergy, but he never knew I was allergic to mango.
“Just put it on the table.”
The next day, I gave it to our housekeeper and brought the rest to the office.
The gossip about Elena was still going around.
“I found out. Elena Vance is Brandon Cole’s ex.”
“No way. I’ve seen Brandon at a conference. He’s gorgeous, tall, too. I was expecting some bald guy with a beer belly, but no. He’s unfairly hot.”
“It’s true.”
“Figures. Hot guys don’t stay single long.”
“It takes someone special to land Brandon Cole. Elena must be something else.”
In the elevator, listening to them talk about Brandon and his ex, my heart still clenched.
Elena reported to the office that afternoon. People from my department saw her and ran back with the latest gossip.
“Guys, I just came from Creative. Elena’s here.”
“What does she look like? Is she pretty?”
The coworker who’d seen her said, “She’s tall. Long legs. Total knockout. She could be a model or an idol.”
“About the same as Madison.”
I paused.
Elena was beautiful. Bright and striking, with refined features.
My coworker sighed. “No wonder she landed Brandon. And he’s clearly still hung up on her. I think they’ve got a real shot.”
Near the end of the day, I was delivering some documents. While waiting for the elevator, I came face to face with Elena.
She recognized me and smiled. “Madison.”
I nodded and offered a small smile.
“I didn’t know you were at Apex,” she said. “I just started today. I’m the Creative Director.”
All I said was, “Welcome to Apex.”
My department was working late that night.
“Hey guys, it started pouring out there. I grabbed coffee and saw Mr. Cole on my way back. I even snuck a picture. Check the group chat.”
In the rain, Brandon held a black umbrella, tilting it toward Elena. His own shoulder was getting soaked.
His own shoulder was getting soaked.
“That’s so intimate. He’s such a gentleman.”
“Honestly, the ‘almost together’ phase just feels different.”
Yeah. If I weren’t his wife, I’d be rooting for them too.