His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 53

My first day at work was going okay. All the employees- at least on my floor- were so focused on the fact that their boss had returned after weeks and was demanding a summary of all the work done in his absence that they couldn’t give two f*cks about who I was.

Gabriel introduced me nonetheless, and as Sofia Baker, a new member joining their team.

The first half of the day passed by okay, until it was lunch and one of the guys on my floor stopped by my desk. Tm Baylen. Everyone on the floor calls me Benny. Long story, but spoiler alert: it involves eggs Benedict with salmon.” He flashes me a cheshire grin, “So anyway, a couple of us were heading out to lunch and were wondering if you wanted to join.

He points at a couple others standing not very far behind, and one of the dark skinned brunettes with curls I was so jealous

of waves.

I wanted to. But I couldn’t, because I didn’t bring my bodyguard, and I wasn’t allowed to go out of this building without him. Gabriel had promised he would be discreet, always at a distance, but I just needed one normal day before adapting to the new crazy in my life.

“I want to, but I can’t.” I give him a sorry smile, “I just joined and I’m swarmed with all these files to read. Tomorrow, maybe?”

“Yeah, of course,” He nods, “But we were just heading to the cafe upstairs for half an hour max, because we all have to finish work. Deadlines and all, since boss is back.”

“Upstairs, you say? Like in the building?”

“Yeah?” A confused nod.

I smile. “I think I can spare thirty minutes, yeah.

He grins again, showing his friends a thumbs up while I shut my files and go to join them. I’d never been to Gabriel’s office building, but if the cafe upstairs was anything to judge by, I really was missing out.

We took one of the corner tables, and one of the two girls, Eve, tells me how good the sandwiches here are while tying her

shoulder blonde hair into a small ponytail. Olivia, the brunette who had waved at me earlier, fills me in on some floor

whom to not trust, and

did order a meatball sandwich, courtesy of Eve’s recommendations, and

a text from Gabriel: Where are

texted back: Having

cleared his throat, and I looked up, keeping my phone away. “I have a question for

“Hm?”

or are you

stuck in my throat, and then I long sighed. So much for not

Mike’s lips. “Told you. Pay up,

bet

before I invaded,

1/3

back of Mike’s head, who yelped.

idiots wouldn’t believe me when I said you

invite you to have lunch with us any way. Eve was the one who first spotted you when you entered the

give him and then

nodded as it in agreement. And we could make

He’d fire us all if he knew we were breaching the whole no sex at work clause,

not a thing” She mumbles, “It

rounds involved?” Mike

worry, your secrets

room go so silent

boss, and

My husband.

me, his eyes rounding to

overcome his shock, and then get up, holding up his half eaten meatball sandwich. “Would you like

“No thanks.” Gabriel frowned.