I was screaming, internally, obviously; I wasn't about to let anybody think I'd gone mad. I had assumed my humiliation would be complete and would have died in the conference room, but he'd just had to mention it, hadn't he? I straightened my lips that were curving into a smile. What was so funny that my lips were behaving like that?

I sat down and peeked at his window. Why was I worried about him, and why did my mind take that chance to do stupid things like the stupid thing I'd done in the hall? He didn't need to tell me I shouldn't do it again. Nothing would make me act like that ever again.

I pored over the files on my desk, looking for what to do. Now that I'd written the minutes of the meeting as well as the report for the meetings, I didn't know what else to do to keep my wayward thoughts at bay.

Jonathan's door opened, and he came out, looking smart. While he always looked smart since he was always in a suit and, no matter the weather, didn't even remove the first layer. I don't know how he did it. Anyway, why was he looking even smarter now to me? I needed my eyes and probably my head checked.

"Did you hear what I said?" Jonathan asked, and I flushed. Please don't tell me I was in my head and had been staring at him the entire time, that I didn't know he had been talking to me. Jeez, just kill me now.

I smiled in a bid to cover my embarrassment. "What did you say?"

"I have a meeting with someone after the press release, so I'll be getting home late. I'll tell the driver to drive you home when work is over."

I nodded. "Alright. I should be taking my car out, then. These days we've not been going home together, and you having somewhere to be means you are calling another driver since you insist on the one that brought us taking me back."

He shook his head. "Your car isn't in any shape to be driven. It's no bother, and I can tell you the drivers enjoy their job."

I flushed for two reasons. First, he didn't have to mention how my car had thoroughly embarrassed me a week ago. I'd insisted on having my way and taking the car to work, but it had broken down in the middle of the road. Out of embarrassment, I'd called a mechanic and refused to call Jonathan, even though he must have been expecting me since we left the house almost tailing each other. He had driven to find me still on the road, the car stuck, and the mechanic I'd called nowhere to be found. Secondly, as someone that enjoyed having conversations, it hadn't taken time for me to get close to Jonathan's drivers. Had they told on me?

"Right." I said, and he simply smiled and left.

I slumped back into my seat. What was wrong with me?

I found a file and a reminder to send an email and draft a report I'd forgotten to do from earlier after the board of directors had arrived, and I poured all my focus into that. How would the press conference go? I'd not checked social media because I was scared of what I was going to see. What would people's reactions to his press conference be? Will he be okay?

I shook my head. Why was I so worried about him? It wasn't like he was a kid.

My phone dinged with a message, and I quickly went through it, my excitement at getting something that could distract me turning to confusion.

"We should meet. I'm waiting in the café in front of your office. I saw your husband leaving, so there should be nothing to stop you, right?" The text read.

I contemplated texting him back or just going there, but there was something stopping me. There was probably nothing there, but the way he had constructed that text irritated me. It sounded like I did things at Jonathan's command rather than because I wanted to, but I hesitated on ignoring him. I was curious about what he wanted to say. He had probably realized how wrong he was and wanted to apologize.

It was way past lunch hour, but since I hadn't been able to use it because of how the day had been, I was able to justify my leaving to myself. It sometimes felt like I took great pain in making life difficult for myself with my insistence on doing the right thing.

**************************************************************************

I entered the café and looked around, not seeing Lucas. Where the heck was he now? I was using my office hours to see him, so he'd better not waste my time.

My phone dinged as another text came from him. "I'm in the other one. The one farther from your office. After all, it wouldn't be good for a married woman to be seen with another man outside." I rolled my eyes. Really?

I knew the café he was referring to, so I headed there, calling him all sorts of names in my head. After the emotionally draining and anxiety-filled day I'd had, I didn't need any more stress, but something told me that was exactly what I was going to get when I arrived. I entered the cafe, and as usual, Lucas was seated in the middle. I shook my head and went to meet him.

"Hey." I greeted him, and he looked me up and down.

"You look tired. Well, what do I expect from the secretary of someone that just had a big scandal come out?" He replied, his voice filled with laughter.

"And the best thing you could think of was telling me to come out?" I asked sarcastically, making my voice sound sweet. "What did you want to talk about? I have lots of things to do, as you are well aware."

He shifted closer to me. "I wanted to see how you are holding up. When I was warning you about this guy, you refused to listen to me, saying I was being irrational. Do you see what I was talking about now?"

I shook my head, feigning my face to one of confusion. "Not really. What are you talking about?"

Lucas looked annoyed. "Are you acting dumb now? Didn't you see the news? The video of him battering that guy? I wonder if the guy even made it."

Wow, I really was way out of my level here. I had been expecting him to apologize for what he had said to Jonathan the other day, not for him to bring this up. "Are you telling me you've never been in a fight? You've never been drunk? You don't have anything you would rather remain in the past? What's the difference between that and the video that was shown in the news? I don't appreciate you bringing me out only to tell me this."

Lucas looked surprised at my outburst. I couldn't really blame him; I'd forgotten how self-centered he was and how he always wanted to be right.

"Alright. Dani. I'm sorry. You must be more exhausted than I thought. I was just kidding with you."

I stared at him. "It's just that none of these warrants this reaction. What did he do so wrong that everyone suddenly is interested? Is there any young man that hasn't been in a fight or gotten drunk. People do worse things every day."

He nodded. "You're right. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted to know how you were holding up. Did you see the video and the comments? It has spread through social media."

"Yes." I lied. "He will take care of it. It really was just exaggerated." I had no idea why I was defending Jonathan to Lucas, or maybe I did. Lucas already believed that Jonathan had been involved in his brother's death, and while he may not know the truth right now, I didn't want him believing another ridiculous notion.

He smiled. "Have you eaten? I doubt you would have, with how busy you had to be. What do you want to eat?"

I surveyed the menu and arched my eyebrows. "They also make burgers?"

He nodded, looking excited. "Yep. In addition to the coffee. It's perfect for office workers, which was why I chose it."

"Thanks, Lucas. You're the best." I knew I had adoring eyes, but I couldn't help it. Even if I didn't have a husband who loved me, I had a best friend that did. Sure, we could misunderstand each other but at the end of the day, we cared about each other and showed it.

LUCAS POV

Whew. That had been close. From the way she had reacted, it was obvious she was beginning to be more proactive in her defense, unlike before, when she tried her best to turn my attention from the matter rather than singing his praises, and I absolutely couldn't let that happen. If I lost her now, there was no assurance I would ever have her.

Our orders arrived, and Danielle took a bite of the burger and moaned. "Wow. I'd been so hungry. Thanks."

"Don't mention it." The fact that she was happy also made me happy. How could I allow her to go that easily to her damn husband? I hated even thinking about him as her husband. That meant he had gotten a part of her I haven't. He got to call her his own, and for that I was going to make him suffer. After I made her mine.

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