Chapter 9

~Sophia

The massive glass doors of the James Corporation opened with a soft whoosh, and I stepped inside, my hand resting lightly on Nathaniel’s arm. The lobby was a blend of elegance and modernity, with marble floors gleaming under the natural light that poured in from the skylights above. Employees in sharp suits and pristine dresses moved about with an air of purpose.

Nathaniel, as usual, radiated authority. His calm demeanor and confident strides drew attention as soon as we entered.

“Good morning, Mr. James ,” several employees greeted him, nodding respectfully.

Nathaniel acknowledged them with a smile or a polite nod, his charm never wavering. But as we walked deeper into the building, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of attention directed toward me.

I wasn’t expecting a red carpet, but the fact that no one even spared me a second glance stung. Did I look so out of place? Was I just a shadow trailing behind him? I tried to shake off the unease and focus on Nathaniel’s warmth, but the feeling lingered.

Nathaniel must have sensed it. His hand slid down to mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “They’re just not used to seeing me with anyone,” he murmured, his voice low and reassuring.

I nodded, trying to smile, but I couldn’t shake the knot in my stomach.

We walked into the open-plan workspace on the second floor. The sound of keyboards clacking and low voices filled the air. Dozens of employees sat at sleek desks, their heads buried in computers. Nathaniel stopped abruptly, clapping his hands together to command attention.

“Good morning, everyone!” His voice cut through the noise, and all heads turned toward us.

Silence fell over the room, and I suddenly felt very small under their curious gazes. Nathaniel didn’t seem to notice my discomfort.

“I want to introduce someone very special,” he continued, his tone warm. He gestured toward me, his smile broad. “This is Sophia James , my wife.”

The room erupted into a flurry of murmurs. A few employees exchanged surprised glances, while others whispered to their neighbors. Slowly, some began to approach.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. James ,” one woman said, her voice kind as she shook my hand.

Another man grinned. “Welcome to the James family.”

The greetings came steadily, one by one, and I found myself relaxing. Their words were kind and welcoming, and for the first time in a long while, I felt important.

But as the initial greetings died down, the whispers grew louder.

“Didn’t he already have a wife?” someone murmured, barely audible.

“What happens to Ethan now?” another voice chimed in. “His stepmother’s younger than him.”

Nathaniel leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. “Ignore them,” he said, his voice filled with amusement. “You’ll deal with them soon enough when you’re their boss.”

I blinked, taken aback. “Their boss?”

“You’ll see,” he said with a teasing smile, guiding me toward the elevators.

We rode up to his private floor in silence, his hand never leaving mine. The elevator doors slid open, revealing his office, and my breath caught.

It was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the city skyline. A sleek black desk sat in the center, flanked by leather chairs and bookshelves lined with neatly arranged volumes. The décor was minimalist but exuded luxury.

“This is… incredible,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Nathaniel leaned against his desk, watching me with a satisfied smile. “Very soon, you’ll have an office like this,” he said casually. “When I make you my COO.”

My head snapped toward him, my eyes wide. “Me? COO?”

He stepped forward, brushing a tear from my cheek as it slid down. “If you’re this emotional now, I can’t imagine how you’ll react to what I have planned for you next.”

I laughed, wiping my eyes. “Nathaniel, you can’t just say things like that!”

He pulled me into his arms, his embrace warm and steady. “Get used to it, darling. I have big plans for us.”

The moment was interrupted by the door bursting open. I turned, my heart sinking as Ethan strode in, his expression cold and unforgiving.

Beside him was Sarah, her presence like a slap to my face. My ex-best friend turned enemy, she looked at me with thinly veiled disdain.

“Well, well,” Sarah drawled, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Look who landed herself a golden ticket.”

I glared at her, my voice steady. “Still clinging to someone else’s coattails, Sarah? Some things never change.”

Her smile faltered, but Ethan cut in before she could respond. He walked straight to Nathaniel, slamming a stack of papers onto the desk.

“Sign these,” he demanded, his tone clipped.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, unperturbed. “What is this?”

“Just sign the damn papers!” Ethan snapped, his voice rising.

Nathaniel’s expression darkened, but his movements remained calm. He picked up the papers, glanced at them, and then, with deliberate care, tore them in half.

“Next time,” he said, his voice cold, “come into my office with some respect. And don’t bring her with you.” He nodded toward Sarah, his tone dismissive.

Ethan’s face turned red with anger, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he grabbed Sarah’s arm and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

I let out a shaky breath, still reeling from the encounter.

Nathaniel turned to me, his expression softening. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m fine. I just didn’t expect that.”

He pulled me close again, his arms wrapping around me protectively. “Don’t let them get to you. Ethan will come around, and as for Sarah…” He smirked. “She’s not worth a second thought.”

The knock at the door came softly, interrupting the tension in the room. Nathaniel and I both turned toward it as it opened to reveal a young woman dressed in a sleek navy-blue suit. Her clipboard was clutched tightly in her hand, and her sharp heels clicked softly against the floor as she stepped in.

“Sir, I have the files you requested,” she said, her voice formal. She paused briefly, glancing at me before returning her gaze to Nathaniel.

I stood up, smoothing my dress. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”

Nathaniel’s hand shot out, gripping mine before I could take another step. “Sit,” he said firmly, his eyes locking with mine.

I blinked, caught off guard. “Nathaniel, I—”

“You’re my wife, Sophia,” he said with a gentle but unyielding tone. “You’re part of my life now—every detail of it. There’s nothing here you shouldn’t be involved in.”

His words made my heart skip a beat, and I slowly sank back into my seat, my cheeks warming under his intense gaze.

The assistant, clearly uncomfortable, glanced between us. “Should I come back later, sir?”

Nathaniel waved her off with a smile. “No, carry on, Amelia.”

Amelia nodded and began her report, detailing the progress of a project, quarterly revenues, and a few upcoming meetings. I tried to focus on her words, but my attention kept drifting to Nathaniel.

He leaned back in his chair, his expression attentive as he listened to Amelia, but his fingers grazed mine on the armrest, a silent connection that made my pulse quicken.

“Sir?” Amelia’s voice brought him back to attention.

Nathaniel broke his gaze from mine, chuckling softly. “Yes, Amelia, continue.”

I smiled to myself, feeling a little giddy. It was as if the world outside of this office didn’t exist when Nathaniel looked at me like that.

Amelia pressed on, her voice steady as she flipped through her notes. But as I watched Nathaniel, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. This powerful, intelligent man—the man who commanded an empire—was also the same man who insisted on including me in every part of his life.

When Amelia finished, she looked at Nathaniel expectantly.

“Anything else, sir?”

“No, that will be all for now,” Nathaniel said, leaning forward slightly.

Amelia nodded, casting me another curious glance before turning to leave. Once the door clicked shut behind her, Nathaniel turned to me, a sly smile on his face.

“Well, Mrs. James , what did you think?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I think your assistant was a little startled to see me here.”

“She’ll get used to it,” he said, reaching over to take my hand. “They all will. You’re not just part of my life—you’re the center of it.”

My heart swelled at his words, and I leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss against his lips.

“And you,” I murmured, “are completely impossible.”

He grinned, his eyes sparkling. “But you love me anyway.”

“Always,” I whispered, my voice filled with sincerity.