My Husband's Boss

A Troubled Invitation,

Adam only got one more foot in their home before he said, "I would love to stay here a little,"

Max seemed ear to ear and looked at Sarah.

"Sarah? Can you please get Mr Cross a charger?" Max said before Jones came to share a hug with Max.

Sarah looked into Adam's eyes and shook her head in disappointment. Not wanting Adam to look at her she turned away to get an iPhone charger. Getting the charger from one of her kitchen drawers she looked at the girl standing in her kitchen. One look and Sarah knew she was checking out Adam as she opened a beer can.

"God, he is really Adam Cross. At your place, Sarah?" The girl said and Sarah blinked before looking at her.

"Stella? Right? Can you get this charger to Mr Adam Cross? I need to get the cookies out. I totally forgot about it."

That woman shot her brows before she looked at the charger. "Gladly,"

Adam looked at the woman who brought her the charger and turned to stare at Sarah who was a little difficult to look at in the kitchen given all the people gathered around the table where the cake rested.

Adam wonders how his senses were still enveloped in that warm and tight hug Sarah shared with him. He wonder why he even accepted to stay here. He knew he wanted to talk to Sarah but didn't know why. He was never the man to l**t after another man's woman but why all he wanted to do was to hug Sarah again.

He was recalled how it was all how their own apartment used to smell. The freshly baked cookies, the white pasta and her favourite room spray, lavender it was always.

Adam walked to the table and now could see Sarah a little better in the kitchen. Everyone got their eyes on him when he started, "Happy Birthday, Max. And, I didn't thank you enough for you saving me earlier."

"Oh...it was really nothing...you staying here at our home is such a great honour for us. Why aren't you having something? And, give me your jacket I will get it dry." Adam smiled chuckling. He couldn't deny it feels good to see your ex-girlfriend's husband doing a lot less than you. But it was even great that he was working for him. This is what Sarah deserved, right?

Sarah got out and smiled looking at Max. Adam continued looking at Sarah. It seems he didn't want to miss the moment when she would look at him but it made him smile even more when he noticed how she was trying her best to not look at him. Max cut the cake and got the first piece to Sarah making him recall his own birthday when he gave her the piece of the cake. Her smile was the same but the moment Max got down to kiss her jaw Adam's hand got tightened around the beer can.

I don't want her. I don't want her. I can't care.

How the hell she can marry someone else when she had always been in love with him. And, even if she married someone else how can she fall in love again? Did she really move on? While all this time Karen and his friend George were convinced that he destroyed her. She was doing really fine.

He looked at Sarah and found her helping one of the guys get the pasta. She was glowing.

Sarah wasn't like that. Sarah was exactly one of those who would spend their lives lamenting they lost their prince charming.

But that same woman that he thought was stupid, the one who begged him to stay didn't only move on but was living her life perfectly. Sarah ate the cake and he blinked looking at her. His throat was dry in a moment and the walls seemed to narrow on him. He wanted to leave and when all the people were clapping he got away to get his phone.

He messaged his address to his chauffer and get back to see Max for the last time but the moment he noticed Sarah getting into the kitchen again he couldn't help but follow her.

Sarah opened the fridge to get down to breathe in. I can do it. He doesn't matter. I...I am far stronger than this. She whispered to herself.

Sarah got the cartons of the beer out on the floor and was about to get up when she noticed Adam of all the people making his way to her.

"Seriously, Sarah...customer support? And, I thought you can do better than this. You know this...well you know now right, this is why I left you?" Adam had a beer in his hand as he pointed his finger at her. Sarah blinked a little totally shocked at his rude comment. She could see what is changed in him now. He was now more vocal about what he thought of others. Now, he had gotten everything he seemed was necessary to be successful...he sure thinks he can wear any of his attitudes anywhere.

Ignoring him she turned around and walked around their table in the middle of the kitchen to get on the other side but heard him say, "Why you didn't come to Karen's wedding? She invited you, right?"

Sarah looked at him and Adam realized how he should haven't made the comment on her husband's status. But he couldn't help it. In the past, she dated a guy like him and now she had chosen a loser like Max. He could tell the likes of him, the bullshit a*s lickers, even in a single glance he could see what Max was and he wonders what Sarah saw in him.

"I had other things going. I had already talked to Karen about it and who are you again? To ask anything?" She shook her head and was about to leave but stopped the moment she saw Max coming to her.

"What are you doing Sarah? Give me these?" Max got both cartons from her hand before he looked at Adam.

"She makes such an adorable host..." But then Max looked at Sarah.

"You really don't need to serve. I know you don't know these people but they are friends and they know where the refrigerator is as of now." Max got the cartons on the table and held Sarah's hand before looking at Adam.

"Mr Cross you didn't try the pasta. I request you to not leave without having a taste. In fact, I will set you a plate. Honey, you keep him the company. I know you are the best," Max said the last line in a low whisper and left Sarah's hand before leaving. Sarah smiled shaking her head.

"I think I should keep you the company. After all, you are our guest." Sarah got her arms folded.

"Whatever makes you happy Sarah...you really aren't my business and taste anymore." Adam knew he had to show his best. He couldn't lose from Sarah of all the people.

"Yea, good for me...Max is everything I ever wanted from life...Max...is everything you can never ever be..." Sarah loved how he looked all worked up before she whispered his name. "...Adam," And, that breathy name of his through her mouth made Adam recall how she would cry his name when he would do her.

Looking into Adam's eyes Sarah knew she might never get the chance again and she had to say it now. To end every nightmare that she ever bore. "...when life snatched you from me. I didn't know it had planned Max for me. Only if I knew...only if I knew I must have celebrated this day every year," Adam smirked before nodding his head, "I can understand...trying to save your face?"

And, this time Sarah smiled walking closer to him, "Adam Cross who didn't use to have time...is attending someone else's birthday on his birthday...its already telling a lot...happy birthday, Adam." Sarah noticed how his jaw got hard. All she wanted at this point was for him to walk out of this party right away.

And, for a moment Adam almost believed her. He almost felt defeated. And, he wonders why. At this very moment, all he wanted to do was to kiss her. But he was the boss of this game. He had fought the temptations all his life. He knew he could walk away at this very moment and would never look back. She had never talked to him like this. He was used to Sarah who was needy. Who was to be told what to do in her life? And, that very same Sarah was now standing and was showing off her marriage to him.

Sarah looked at Max's coming and was quick to get the plate from his hand and said. "Mr Cross...I hope you are enjoying it." Adam looked at the plate of Pasta and glared at Sarah before accepting the plate.

"Mr Dawson,..." Adam looked at Max while Sarah feared what he was going to do. She hadn't told Max about him. If anything she only told him that she never had any serious relationships in the past.

"...I am really touched by your hospitality. And, not to forget that you saved my life," Max got his eyes narrowed and looked at Sarah suspiciously. He was sure Mr Cross didn't seem grateful when he actually saved him.

"You don't need to thank me really," Max got his hand on Sarah's waist and smiled getting closer to her. Sarah's eyes got locked with Adam's and just for a moment, forgetting everything Sarah looked at the man she thought she would never be able to live without. Of course, he had grown like a fine wine.

"And, I am sure this pasta is great, Max but..." Adam got the plate on the shelf before he continued, "I am on a little intermittent fasting...I hope to see you soon...bye,"

Sarah exhaled and smiled looking at Max getting her hand on his chest all the while. Adam did stare at her hand that rested at her husband's chest for a second before he turned around. Adam was passing their home when Jones shouted, "Did your wife buy you a Patek?" Sarah's eyes darted to Adam's back who stopped in the middle to look at Sarah again. Sarah looked at Max wondering if he noticed Adam's move but relaxed finding him talking to Jones who was trying Max's gift on his own wrist.

Sarah looked away and tried to show her focus on Jones. Only to see Adam leaving from the corner of her vision in a few moments. She tried to get herself busy with her guests and some stayed for the night. At night, she lay with her husband wide awake wondering why she had to see him this day. And, the way she mistook him for Max and hugged him. Nothing of this sort was supposed to happen. But in all of these thoughts for the first time ever she wondered why Adam didn't marry anyone.

The next day, Sarah did go to her job and tried to stay normal but her heart felt heavy. She didn't like the fact that Adam was standing in front of Max last night while her husband was unaware of the fact that his boss was her ex. If anything it felt like cheating. She wanted to tell Max everything but it seems this way she would make Max think Adam is important enough to mention. Either way, it was important for Max to know.

She wonders how Max would react. He never gets mad in general but he had been very expressive about the fact that she is always the best. Getting into the bathroom she shook her head and tried to clear her mind splashing the cold water on her face.

Dabbing her face with the paper towel she recalled how excited Max was for this job. As if he had gotten everything. She wonders how he would function knowing he is working for his wife's ex. But then a small smile spread on her face. She knew exactly how Max would react. He might say how he is the luckiest to get the girl the CEO of his company couldn't.

She got busy with her accounts and almost tried for her mother to share whatever happened last night on Max's birthday. She had to refrain because right now she only wanted to share this burden off her chest with her husband. And, knowing that Max works in customer support she knew there was no way Max would be interacting with Adam. She still remembered how cruel and unreasonable Adam could be. But her Max was not a man like Adam. And, even if Max decided to leave this job she would be there to stand beside him with his decision.

She got to her home and could feel Max's absence right from the entrance. The coffee mug she left on the counter in a hurry was still there. After getting her shoes off and coat hanged she walked into the kitchen and rested her bag before she started cutting the vegetables right away. She wanted to make Max's favourite stew and was trying to prepare herself mentally to tell everything about Adam.

I will tell him how I once dated him. And, there was no way he needed to know how I used to be crazily in love with him growing up. Oh God, what if he really felt down after I told him about Adam. Can I really share with Max ever what really Adam was supposed to mean? It took me a whole life to get over him. It took me a sheer focus to not think about him. It took me forever to learn how to function even if how I lost Adam is all my mind is ringing. Why? Why does Max have to be working for him in this huge New York City?

It was after more than half an hour when the door swung open. She smiled looking at Max trying to get his shoes off and walked to him to help him get his bag from his hand. "You won't believe what I am going to tell you," Sarah smiled at Max's excitement and only hoped it was not about Adam.

"What are you excited about?" Sarah asked,

"I was in Mr Cross's office today. For the straight two hours." All of the colours from Sarah's face drained while she saw Max getting into the kitchen. "Wow...you seem to be finishing." He said and Sarah blinked,

"What it was about? What he talked to you about?" And, this made Max turn around to look at her.

"Honey? I am me. Max Dawson...I can make friends walking with anyone and I saved his life. I think...I think he wanted someone to talk to. And,...you know what he said?" A bitter taste enveloped Sarah's mouth before she asked, "What?"

"He said...I am meant for bigger things."

"And, why do you think he said this to you?" Sarah's voice came more clip but Max was too excited to take notice.

"Because I saved his life...and, honey...these...successful tycoons are always on the lookout for someone who they can be friends with."

"We...and, why we would be friends with him?" At this point, Sarah's knuckles were turning white as she held onto his bag with full force. Her hands were shaking with all this anger consuming her. She wonders why Adam would make advances to him. Adam was not a person to give a f**k then what made him act out of his element and talk to Max. There was everything fishy about this and she had to ask Adam what he was up to before talking to Max.

"Honey, I am almost done setting the table. Why are you stuck there? What..." Sarah shook her head a little before she managed, "I think I need to change my pants. I am coming in two."

"Ok," Max replied,

Sarah walked to their room that was at the left of their kitchen and got his bag on the floor before holding her head.

She wonders what Adam was trying to plot but her mind was stuck. She couldn't think about anything that Adam could get befriending Max.

She got in to splash water on her face and got out wondering how she can manage to get to Adam. As far as she could recall Adam had blocked her number and if she goes to the office there was a chance Max could see her.

Her stomach growled with hunger and she walked out of her room to notice Max getting off of a call. "Honey, honey, honey...you won't believe it. THE MR CROSS!...Mr. Cross...well, I think now we can say...my friend, Adam..." Sarah's heart fell into her stomach. She could feel the anxiety building up after such a long time.

"...had invited us to dinner. Well, to be exact, he said it will be like a double date. He talked about us to his girlfriend and she thinks they should invite us too. Oh my god, I can't believe it. We weren't even prepared to welcome Adam and almost did nothing special for him...but even this had landed us to secure a night dinner with him."

"You...you didn't accept. Did you?" Sarah felt sick to her stomach.

"Of course, I did," And, this is when Sarah could grasp it a little. Of course, he wanted her to see his girlfriend and get back at her to show Max to him. She wonders what stupid game Adam was trying to play.

"Max,...don't you think we don't want a person like Adam as...our friend." And, this made Max stop in his actions before he looked at Sarah.

"Why...what?... Yea, I did get he is my boss. We can't really be friends but just look at it this way. I will be the only person on my whole floor who had dined with the boss. Honey, it is not what you know. It is always who you know. Are you getting me?..."

But Max noticed a reluctance on Sarah's face and had to add, "...no, no, no, no, Sarah...you can't do this. When we get the chance to dine with Adam and his girlfriend we grab it. And, we enjoy it. This is going to be the best weekend. And,...don't focus on who is inviting us. Focus on...what is he inviting us to? Good food, wine and the view. I am sure we are going to enjoy it. And,...give me one reason to deny him...not to forget when I already had said yes to him."

Sarah looked at Max and nodded her head. If Adam wanted to show off his girlfriend to her he could do this. If he wanted her to regret losing him he was only wasting his time. She already has Max.

They started eating and Max wanted to talk about what they were supposed to wear at the dinner when Sarah looked at him. "Max...my head is really heavy. Can we not talk about it? I promise you can choose I don't care." Max seemed a little pissed at her lack of interest and Sarah looked at her phone that chimed,

She clicked on the screen only to pop out an unknown number saying, "See you tomorrow,"

Facebook page: Ashleh queen

Instagram: theashlehqueen

Twitter: AshlehQ