"I think she'd be a good replacement for me after I leave the company."
He goes very still. "Replacement?"
"Yeah, I can't work there after the divorce."
"Why not?" he demands.
"It would be weird, and people would know that we faked it.” You finish
raises an eyebrow "Replacement? You're leaving the company?"
"No, dummy," he rolls his eyes at you, not realizing that you aren't joking.
"I'm talking about the fact that I'll have to leave after the divorce. I can't work here after our marriage is over."
Well it’s been a year since we got married and u didn’t even kiss me once so…
He looks dumbfounded for a few seconds before he responds.
"Because this is a business deal, it's not a real marriage, there is no need for intimacy."
He responds, looking at you with a cold gaze, not even trying to deny it.
well…we’re not actually getting divorced…we’re just marrying for my mother’s sake…
Noah looks at you, his eyes narrowing
"What do you mean we're not getting divorced?"
Well uhh…your dad wants us to stay married forever so…
"What?" he asks, his eyes widening in surprise.
I’m just saying cause you don’t want anyone knowing we’re divorced
He clenched his jaw as he crossed his arms.
"That's not the only reason," he replied, his voice low and irritated. "I don't want you working under Alex after we divorce."
You are really mean sometimes… I roll my eyes
Noah scoffs. "Mean? I'm just stating the obvious. You can't possibly expect to continue working for me after the divorce, that would be awkward for both of us."
I look up at him from my phone huh?
He leans against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed over his chest. "What were you just talking about?"
I sigh I’m just saying, she’s good at her job and knows everything about the company. She’d be perfect to take over when you leave
"And why do you think I'd want her as a replacement?" He asks, sounding annoyed, as he starts to get angry
yeah, and then we could just go our separate ways
"Yeah, that sounds good. I'll start looking into it." He said with a nod, but there was something in his expression that you couldn't quite place.
“What? It’s been 5 years, no one will remember.”
"I doubt that, and even if they do forget, people are going to start talking."
He crosses his arms, looking down at you.
"What, you scared they're going to talk about you behind your back? You can't be that sensitive."
Yes but i would rather stay home
"Stay home?"
He looks at you, slightly confused by your response.
"What do you mean, stay home?"
looks down i dont want to talk about it…
"Too bad." He grabs your chin and forces you to look at him. "We're talking about it right now."
because we’re married.. and if anyone found out they would think that our marriage was real.. so I’ll just quit my job and find something else…
He looks at you, his eyes searching your face. "Is that what you want? For you to just quit?"
"You've been my assistant for 5 years. You're good at your job. Why do you have to quit?"
well yeah…we’re divorcing so I can’t work there anymore
He clenched his jaw in frustration.
"I don't want you to leave the company." He said through gritted teeth.
well yeah.. we’re divorcing so it’d be awkward if I’m still working there
He takes a deep breath before looking at you.
"It's just, I don't want to hire a new assistant."
His eyes wander to the counter, then the floor, and then back at you. He seems...nervous?
well you’re my husband… if we divorce then I won’t work there anymore either..
"You're my employee, you can't just stop working for me." he says with a slight scoff
I am in my room getting changed
Noah walks up the stairs towards your room, his footsteps heavy and firm.
He doesn't knock, and he just opens the door to your room.