Chapter 21 A Gift
Leon excused himself with a respectful nod and smile, slipping out and leaving the two alone.
Emily moved closer, standing before him, teasingly arching an eyebrow. “So… if I spend your money, it makes you happy?”
Sebastian chuckled lowly as he rose, moving gracefully around the table to stand in front of her.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering. His deep eyes met hers with a soft intensity. “Spend as much as you want,” he murmured, his voice husky. “I have enough money to last seven lifetimes.”
Emily’s heart gave a little flutter at the softness in his tone. Smiling, she lifted the bag between them. “I also brought a gift for you.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened like a child’s, his curiosity spilling through his calm facade. “Really? What is it?”
From the bag, she pulled out a small box and opened it to reveal a pair of silver cuffs. They gleamed under the light, elegant with delicate star-shaped engravings. She held them up. “See, do you like them?”
Sebastian took the cuffs, turning them in his hands. The silver caught the light, reflecting across his face. “Here—make me wear them. Let’s see how they look.”
With careful, loving movements, Emily removed his old cuffs and replaced them with the new ones, placing the worn pair gently on the table. Her fingers lingered briefly on his wrist as she fastened the last cuff.
“All done.” She stepped back and smiled softly. “I’ll let you get back to work now.”
She turned to leave, but he seized her hand, pulling her close.
She turned slightly as if to leave, but before she could take a step, Sebastian caught her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
He wrapped her in his arms, pressing her against his chest. His face lowered near her ear, and his voice dropped into a husky whisper: “Since you brought cuffs for me… tonight, you’re going to wear some too, baby.”
Emily’s cheeks flamed instantly, her body stiffening before she relaxed into his hold. She hugged him back shyly, hiding her burning face against his chest.
When she finally pulled back, she bit her lip and whispered, “This is the first gift I’ve given you. I thought you would like it since you always wear cuffs but they’re not as expensive as the ones you usually wear.” Her eyes flicked to the pair she’d set on the table, then returned to his.
Still holding his hands, she traced the smooth silver of the cuffs on his wrists. “But the ones I bought… they’re expensive in another way. I bought them with money I earned from my work.”
Sebastian’s brows arched slightly, though his lips softened into a smile. “You didn’t use my card?”
Emily’s eyes widened as if insulted, her tone mock-indignant. “How could I buy you a gift with your own credit card? That wouldn’t be a gift at all.”
Sebastian chuckled under his breath, his shoulders shaking with laughter as he pulled her flush against him, hugging her tightly.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Both of them glanced toward the entrance. Harold stood there, a confused look on his face, dressed sharply in a suit.
Sebastian lifted two fingers and flicked them, motioning for him to come inside.
Harold stepped into the office and walked closer, his eyes flicking between Sebastian and Emily.
Sebastian deliberately lifted his wrist, letting the silver cuffs glint in the light. “Look,” he said, a smug smile playing on his lips.
Harold frowned, leaning against the edge of the desk. His gaze shifted to the cuffs, then back to Sebastian, who was standing with his arm casually wrapped around Emily’s waist. He then glanced back at the cuffs, squinting.
“Oh… new cuffs?” His eyes narrowed as he studied them in detail. “Yeah, I saw these at the mall. Miss Emily bought them?”
Sebastian’s smile grew arrogant. “Yes. For me.”
Harold’s glare immediately shifted to Sebastian. “So… you allowed me to come inside just to show me that Miss Emily personally brought you a gift? And she didn’t for me?”
Sebastian’s grin widened. “Of course.” He then pointed toward the cuffs lying on the table. “You can take my old ones.”
Harold’s glare deepened, boiling into a seething scowl.
Emily tried to suppress a laugh, pressing her lips together, and instead hugged Sebastian tightly from the waist, deliberately avoiding Harold’s eyes.
With a huff of frustration, Harold spun on his heel and stormed out of the office.
Emily let out a small laugh, her body shaking.
Then, she turned toward Sebastian. “By the way, the jewelry project you assigned me with the $1 billion budget is already in the final stages. And that one special jewelry set you wanted… it’s ready.
I’ll talk to your team and put it on the special request list so you can approve it first.”
Sebastian shook his head, his eyes darkening with a possessive intensity. “No. Don’t bring it to the team. Bring it to me directly—that will be fine.”
Emily tilted her head, slightly confused. “Isn’t it better if I take it to your team first for basic checks?”
“No,” he said firmly, his eyes locking on hers. “It’s for a woman I’ve had a crush on my entire life. I love her the most. I want to put it on her myself.”
The words hit her like a punch to the chest. Her fingers trembled as they slipped from his, and her knees felt suddenly weak. Her chest tightened, breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps.
For a moment, she just stared, frozen, her heart hammering. Then, with a choked exhale, she whirled on her heel, her vision blurred with unshed tears, and stormed off.
“Emily!” he shouted after her, but she ignored him, walking out of his office and directly striding toward the elevator.
She jabbed the elevator button repeatedly, her fingers trembling as his footsteps pounded closer behind her.
“Emily, listen to me!” His voice rang out, but she ignored it, her heart racing.
The elevator dinged open. Without a second thought, she slipped inside, slamming the button to close the doors. Her chest heaved as the metal barrier began to slide shut.
He stepped inside just in time, his eyes flickering in relief.
She shifted to the back, putting distance between them. He moved closer, placing a hand on her waist, trying to draw her toward him.
“Are you angry?” he asked softly, his hand warm against her side.
Emily shoved his hand away, putting space between them again. “Don’t talk to me. I don’t talk to cheaters,” she snapped.
Sebastian straightened at once, eyes wide, incredulous. “Who’s cheating on you?”
Emily’s eyes narrowed, sharp and accusing. “How many women do you love, exactly? How many are getting gifts from you?”
Sebastian’s lips curved, though his eyes burned with intensity.
He hid his smile as if her accusations amused him, though his calmness only made her angrier.
“How many women do you think I’ve had?” he asked evenly, his voice smooth but edged with challenge.
“Do you really think your husband has that much time to waste?”
Emily folded her arms tightly across her chest, her nails digging into her skin. Her glare didn’t waver. “You said it yourself—that jewelry is for a woman you’ve had a crush on forever. So why are you lying now? You already admitted it was for someone else!”
In one swift movement, Sebastian’s arm snaked around her waist, dragging her flush against him. She gasped, hands braced against his chest, pushing hard—but he didn’t budge. His strength pinned her in place.
“I didn’t lie to you,” he said. His other hand slid up, fingers gentle as they cupped her jaw, tilting her face up until her eyes were forced to lock with his. His breath fanned her lips. “ You are the woman I’ve had a crush on for years.”
Emily’s eyes widened, fury sparking. “Stop lying already! I don’t like liars.
” Her voice trembled, breaking between anger and pain.
She shoved at his chest again, her words tumbling out in a rush.
“If there’s another woman you like, then go to her.
I don’t want to be with you. I’m not forcing you.
I’ll get a divorce today. Let’s go to the courthouse right now! ”
Her hand reached over and jabbed the button for the ground floor.
Sebastian’s hand shot out at the same time, pressing the red button. The elevator jolted, then shuddered to a halt. Emily’s eyes darted to the frozen numbers.
Sebastian stepped toward her, his presence overwhelming in the confined space. His arm rose, resting above her head against the wall, while his other palm pressed flat beside her shoulder, caging her in.
“Baby…” his voice dropped to a husky whisper, rich with both plea and command, “you are that woman. Don’t you understand that?”
Before she could argue, his mouth brushed hers, a quick, searing kiss that left her trembling. He pulled back just enough to point at his face, his eyes locked on hers with piercing intensity. “You met me when we were young.”
Her breath caught as he turned his hand, showing her the ring on his pinkie. The metal glinted under the dim elevator light. “You gave me this. I have liked you since then.”
Emily’s lips parted, the denial poised on her tongue. “How can you lie abou—”
But her words froze. A memory surged forward—her own voice, weeks ago, when they were buying rings. The ring. Her childhood. That one fleeting moment. Her throat tightened as realization dawned, breaking through her anger.
Sebastian’s eyes held her gaze as a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Do you remember me now?”
Emily blinked, shock spreading across her features. “Wait… you are that little boy? The one I gave the ring to when I was young?”
He tilted her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. His thumb brushed over her skin, softening the intensity of his grip. “Took you long enough, baby.”
Her heart thudded violently in her chest. “Are you serious? You’re him… What happened to you? I… I don’t understand.”
Sebastian’s expression shifted, his features softening. He stroked her cheek, his thumb lingering. His voice lowered, rough with memory.