Chapter 55

Amaris' POV

I let out a small sigh. I didn't want to argue with Miranda....Caleb might have been sweet to her but he was horrible to me. Completely horrible....but I wasn't going to say that to her. I just hope she never finds out the things her son did behind her back. "I know." I sighed again. "I've tried working with him. I really have but he always finds one way or another to get on my nerves." She dropped her hand to her side as she listened. "And it's so freaking annoying. I've even tried resigning but he won't let me. Maybe one of these days I'll probably lose it." I pinched my nose bridge. "That is if I haven't lost it already." I didn't know why but I couldn't help but feel like a woman who was complaining to her mother-in-law about her husband which was really weird.

"I'm sorry dear. I wish there's something I can do to help." The light in her eyes dimmed and I felt a pang of guilt in my chest.

"It's fine. Like you said he's not that bad..." I said, trying to cheer her up. "Besides, it's not like I'm with him 24/7." I shrugged. I probably would have died if I was with him 24/7. She flashed me a weak smile before lifting her basket from the table. I didn't understand why she was so sad. She already knew how Caleb was so there was no reason for her to look so gloomy.

"You wanted to see Caleb?" I asked, trying to switch gears. Well I wasn't exactly changing the topic but I at least wanted her to talk to me.

"Yes." She dipped her head in a small nod. "I was told his office was on the top floor but I wasn't told which one it was." She said and I immediately moved around my desk so I could lead her to the door.

"Don't worry." I told her. "I can show you his office." I moved towards the door. "I'm guessing the cookies are for him?" I twisted the door knob pulling the door open before turning to her.

"Yes." She answered. "I already stopped by Kian's company. If not , I would've been here earlier." I waited for her to move out before closing the door. She let out a small chuckle before saying, "If I didn't stop him, I don't think there'll be any more cookies left for Caleb." A mental image of Miranda batting Kian's hand away from the basket flashed in my head and I couldn't help but smile.

"Kian can be stupid at times but he is very sweet." I said as we walked towards Caleb's office.

"You're friends with him aren't you?" She asked with an eager look in her eyes.

"Well...I wouldn't say friends...yet." I let out a small laugh. "More of....acquaintances, I guess." I said, earning a smile from her.

"Oh that's lovely. It would be nice if you could stop by some time..."

"Huh?" I jerked towards her. What on earth did she mean by stop by some time?

"Oh you know....visit. Or maybe you can join us for our monthly dinner. Oh watch out..." She pulled me out of the way just in time before I crashed into a flower pot. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I didn't even pay attention to where I was walking.

"Oh..." I froze, batting my lashes. It took me a few seconds to realize that she just saved me from hurting myself. I guess my brain actually worked slower than I thought....it wasn't any surprise what was causing it though. I thought to myself as I glanced at Caleb's door. I so need a break from all of this. "Thank you."

"It's nothing. I was the one who distracted you so it was only fair I helped you out of the way." We walked closer to the door. "So what do you say?" She raised her eyebrows and that was when I realized I didn't say anything about her request earlier which was even the reason I almost bumped into the flower pot in the first place.

"Oh...." I shifted my gaze to the path in front of me. "Family dinner? Are you sure you want me there? After all it's your family dinner....is there any need for me to be there?" I lifted a brow. "I can come some other time right?"

She pressed her lips into a thin line as we arrived at Caleb's door. "You're right. I guess you can visit some other time." She tried to hide her disappointment with a smile and I couldn't help but feel guilty for the second time today but what could I do? It wasn't like I was one of her son's girlfriends that I could join them at their family house for dinner. A mental image of Caleb in a somewhat casual attire and me wrapping my arms around him as we walked into the house flashed in my head and I couldn't help but shudder at the thought. Kian on the other hand....he wasn't so bad but he already had a girlfriend.

"I promise I'll visit when I can." I placed my hands on hers reassuring her. "Then maybe we can bake cookies together." I told her and her eyes suddenly lit up as she smiled at me. A satisfied smile formed on my lips as I dropped my hands to my side before turning to the door. At least I got her to smile before we got to his office. Oh right. My lips twisted into a frown. His office. I sucked in air before letting it out. I then muttered a little prayer to myself before knocking on his door. I leaned in, pressing my ear against the cold wood. No answer.

I rolled my eyes annoyed before hitting my knuckles against the door again. "What is it?" I heard from the other side of the door. A simple come in would have been much nicer but I guess I'll go with that. I let out another exhale before saying.

"Mr. Thorne you have a visitor." I spoke loud enough for him to hear. I leaned in again waiting for a response but it never came. "It's your mother." I said impatiently. I couldn't wait any longer. I was wearing heels for fucks sake and I definitely didn't want to spend more than a minute here with his royal jerkiness.

"Sorry..." I turned to Miranda. "He's always like this." I shifted my gaze back to the door before letting out a small groan. I was about to knock again when the door swung open with surprising force, causing a sudden shift in balance that sent me stumbling forward. I tried to regain my footing, but my heels only added to my instability. Before I knew it, I had tripped and fallen into his arms, barely catching myself before hitting his hard chest. I lifted my head slowly meeting a pair of dark orbs staring back at me and I couldn't stop the cold chill from running down my spine. I definitely should have stayed in my office today.