Emancipation

ten

It's safe to say that I'm too stunned to react or even smile at her in response because I'm still processing her words. She's his assistant, she's the one who picked out the dresses for me, and her name is Amy? It seems too much of a coincidence but I really hope it's not the same Amy who's Chloe's friend and who I'm assuming her to be.

Like she can read my thoughts, Chloe speaks up, "Oh, consider me hurt. You're also my friend." She pouts at Amy.

Holy shit. James had a fling with his assistant. The assistant who picked out this dress I'm wearing. Suddenly I feel uncomfortable in my clothes and feel the need to burn whatever part of my wardrobe was picked out by her. She's his assistant.

The entire situation is so unpleasant that it leaves me pissed off with a bitter taste in my mouth. When he said that things were over between Amy and him, I assumed that he wouldn't be in contact with her anymore. Instead they see each other everyday, spend almost the entire day together while I see him, for what, half an hour in a day?

I don't know where these thoughts are coming from, but I don't like them. Why should I care if he had a fling with his assistant? It's his issue to deal with. Repeating that mantra in my head, I take deep breaths as slowly as I can without drawing attention to myself.

"Ignore her please. I just want you to know it's really nice to meet you since we couldn't meet at the wedding." She smiles at me but it's the same sweet smile Chloe is wearing, so I don't buy it for a second.

"Likewise." I nod at her, trying to muster up a small smile. "I'm Lillian, by the way. His wife, like you would know."

I don't know where the possessive tone came from but it's very evident even though I'm the one who said it. I normally would've been embarrassed for being so upfront because my confidence level has often at times dwindled in social situations but the anger I'm feeling doesn't let it intervene as I pass a fake smile to her.

She looks surprised only for a second before quickly covering up her face with a sweet smile as her eyes roam back onto James. I suddenly feel the need to pull him away to a place where she cannot even lay her eyes on him but I know how stupid that sounds.

"You haven't said a word, Jim. Are you okay?" Chloe asks, looking at him with what looks like genuine concern.

"Yes, I'm good. It's nice to see you guys." He nods at them.

"You said we could discuss tomorrow's plan when we meet here. So tell me what time do you want to leave?" Amy asks him, making me scowl in confusion because I have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.

"Tomorrow?" I ask, looking at James with an arched eyebrow. His jaw twitches at my question but before he can respond, Amy speaks up.

"You forgot to tell her?" She feigns surprise, "Forgive him, he's extremely bad in remembering details. Always have to remind him of the things twice." She rolls her eyes before continuing, "We have a meeting out of town for an estate deal. This one still hasn't told me when he wants to leave since it's a weekend not just regular working hours."

I gulp at the thought of James leaving out of town with her, business or not. Hundred torturing scenarios run in my head, making me squirm in his grasp as he loosens his arm around me a little, probably sensing my discomfort. She mentioned that it's for a business deal so I tell myself that it's just work related and nothing else. However it doesn't calm down my nerves.

My eyes look for Jeremy but he's nowhere in sight so I step out of James's arms, turning to them, "You guys should discuss the details. I'll be right back."

Before any of them can reply, I make my way through the crowd in search for a familiar face either of my parents or of Jeremy but when no one comes into my sight, I move to the bar to get myself a glass of water to calm down a little. I don't like how I'm so affected by something that's related to James. I don't have feelings for him, I would go out and say that yes I am attracted to him, but as soon as we start speaking, that goes out of the window too because our conversations always get me riled up. So I don't understand why I care about him being in touch, or constantly in presence of someone he used to sleep with.