To Color Your Life

Justin looked at the lonely sandwich that Emily had left on her plate, "Are you sure you're full?"

The girl nodded, "Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure."

The man sighed, clearly not pleased with the girl's appetite. Emily was sure that if the boss had really wanted it, he would have fed her a dozen more sandwiches.

But now she had more important things to do than stuffing her stomach. She wiped her lips with a napkin and remembered that it would be nice to check herself in the mirror.

It's good that she was smart enough not to wear makeup in the morning. Otherwise, she would now definitely resemble a painting of a three year old debutant artist, who used her tears and mascara instead of a paint and spread this "soot" all over her face .

The girl smoothed her hair with her hands, straightened her top. That's better. Now she can continue the conversation.

"I think you have something to tell me." Emily looked closely at Justin, who looked depressed. His face expression would be perfect to play a lead role in a movie like "Half an Hour Before the Death Sentence".

Such a small, lost puppy. She supressed the urge to hug the man. Let him first answer a few questions, and then we'll see.

Evans got up and walked to the door, "Stephanie, I'm not there for anyone. I'll let you know when I'm free," he gave instructions to the secretary and closed the door from the inside with a key.

Oh, an hour ago Emily did the same. But now the sensations are completely different. Hmm, Hayes, rage is a great blocker of unnecessary thoughts. Somehow, her resolve was not so strong anymore.

And if everything became clear with a non-existent wife, then, he won't get away from talking about that kiss which had happened seven years ago.

"Let's move to another room," the man suggested and gestured toward the rest room, "It's too businesslike here for a personal conversation."

Strange, it didn't stop you before, my dear boss. Emily was surprised but silently nodded and followed him.

Evans was right. This room was much more comfortable and warmer. Either because it was intended for other purposes, or because a huge window from ceiling to floor let in the rays of the sun, which was already at its zenith.

But the girl somehow felt better at once. She stopped being afraid of what she would hear. After all, some of the information was already known to her. She decided to accept the rest with a calm heart.

The past cannot be changed. You can only change your attitude towards it. But the future is at her complete disposal.

And that already means a lot.

"I met Peter Miller yesterday." Emily didn't bother to explain who it was. If Evans was involved in this case, then the name was familiar to him. Unless, of course, that blackmail game had any meaning for him.

"I know."

"You know? How?!" the girl was surprised. "Are you… are you really stalking me? Justin, this is too much!"

"God, Em, don't make me look even a bigger complete nothing than you already think of me. I can perfectly cope with keeping ruining my reputation by myself," the man said bitterly and went to the window.

"I don't think you are a complete nothing," she objected.

Evans chuckled, "I really hope so." He put his hand on the glass, his index finger tapping nervously on the smooth surface, betraying the boss's tension. He exhaled loudly and slipped both hands into his pockets.

"No, I'm not stalking you. Although I honestly admit, I would not refuse such an opportunity." He cast a quick glance over his shoulder at the girl's frowning face. "Sorry but I am what I am. I called you several times during the evening, but your phone was turned off. I decided that you were already asleep. It was too late when I finished my work."

Justin took off his jacket and threw it over the back of the sofa where Emily was sitting, loosened his tie. "I just got behind the wheel and didn't notice how I arrived at your house. I was surprised when I saw that the light in your window was on. I became very happy and thought that I could get up and make a surprise. You were definitely mad at me because of the forced day off, I thought it would be a good idea to talk to you. And then this guy came out of the entrance."

Emily would have liked to see the boss's face, but the sun was too bright and the man's reflection in the window could not be seen. But she saw his palms curl into fists at the mention of Peter.

It's good that he didn't come yesterday, Emily thought, as she wasn't emotionally ready to talk all the things out. It would definitely turn into a scandal. Though, she made a great scandal today too.

"And why didn't you come to me?" she asked cautiously.

Justin remained silent for a few seconds and then replied, "I was scared."

Scared? She had not expected such confession. In her mind, Justin Evans was not a person who could be scared of something.

"Yes, that's right, I got scared. When we started communicating together, I realized that you were not aware of what had happened. And then I see him coming out of your house. It does not sound like a coincidence, right? I was scared that if Miller saw me next to you, he would decide to tell you everything. To be honest, I'm shocked how he had the gall to keep quiet about this for so many years. He's just a selfish coward!"

"Aren't you like that?" Emily interrupted him, "Haven't you been silent all this time? Haven't you been pretending that we just met, although you knew who I was from the very beginning? Justin Evans, were you even going to tell me the truth?"

"Hmm, you're right. From the outside, I am no different from him in this situation. Hmm, no, I guess I'm even worse. Miller confessed after seven years, I would have waited for seventy years." The man nodded to himself with satisfaction, confirming some inner thoughts, and even somehow cheered up.

"What?!" Emily was taken aback.

Justin turned to face her. There were no signs of sadness, as if they weren't there. On the contrary, the man looked pleased.

What the hell is with the boss's mood swings? Even in my PMS this does not happen! Emily's flaring indignation was quenched by Evans' disarming smile.

It is forbidden to use such a technique on a woman's sensitive heart!

Justin leaned his back on the window, continuing to smile at the girl, "You wanted the truth? So, I would confess to you when you turned gray and all your teeth fell out. Then you wouldn't have been able to send me to hell. And even if you did that, then ten of our grandchildren would stop you. Because such an amazing man can be forgiven for one unfortunate slip that he had made in his youth at the call of his heart."

"What kind of call of the heart, Evans?! We have a serious conversation, and you are joking again?!"

Emily wanted to go back to the next room for a pillow so she could use it to strangle someone. Maybe there's a second one lying around here?

"Oh, my dear beautiful dragon, you have no idea how serious I am now." The man pushed his back against the glass and walked towards the girl.

"Well, stop where you are!" Emily put her hand forward and jumped off the couch.

Her brain has finally recovered its functions. Well, not the brain alone. Damn hormones and physiology decided to keep up.

The red "danger" light blinked in her head faster and faster, in time with the steps of this very approaching danger.

"Or else what?" The boss stopped a step away from the girl, her hand rested on his chest.

"Your pheromones don't work on me anymore, Justin Evans!" Yeah, right, who are you kidding?

The man grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.

"Hey, let me go!" Emily tried to pull away when his hands closed around her body like forceps.

"I won't let you go," Justin pulled her closer to him, "You can try to escape as much as you want, but I won't let you go. Never in my life."

"We haven't finished our conversation!"

"Uh-huh." The man buried his nose on the top of her head. "Let's continue like this."

"Can we do it in a normal way?!"

"We can't. I really missed you."

Emily's attempts to break free have ceased. It was useless to argue with this stubborn fool. The girl sighed resignedly and buried her forehead in his chest, "You are acting like a child. Really."

A satisfied chuckle breathed through her hair, "You're right.. But what can I do? I love you."