CHAPTER 68

Paul took a deep breath. "Axel is terrified of losing you, Claire."

Claire snorted. "Sure. That's why he's been acting like a big dickhead all day?"

Paul gave her a slightly annoyed look. "You've been swearing since I came in, Claire. Is there something I've done wrong?"

She rubbed her face with her hands. "I'm sorry, Paul, it's just… even Lisa has not driven me to wits end like Axel has today. Nothing I do is ever enough."

Paul smiled. "I understand. He is a very tasking employer, but you should learn to take it in stride." He tilted his head towards her. "Could it be, my dear, that you have been expecting some kind of preferential treatment simply because you are his self proclaimed woman?"

Claire turned crimson. She puffed her cheeks and blew out a breath.

"I just didn't expect him to be so real, so serious, you know."

Paul placed a hand on her shoulder. "If he treats you this way at home, by all means, complain. But out here, you two are strangers, Claire. He's your boss, a CEO, a