Emma's Situation

"Of course, you're still attractive. Emma, is there a need to ask such an obvious question?"

I answered without hesitation. If I had said no, I would be making Emma sad and lying. Besides, I'm pretty sure she already knows my answer, considering how I respond to some of her actions.

"O-oh you're just saying that; I'm just some old hag. If I wasn't then why would my husband even consider cheating on me?"

Her expression showed a bit of surprise at how quickly I answered that before she gained a gloomy, downcast look.

'Hmm, are you fishing for compliments? Well, I'll give it to you. There's nothing wrong with complimenting a woman.'

I generally don't like seeing people be sad, especially if it's a friend. Of course, there are exceptions, but they don't apply currently.

I sat a bit closer and patted her a few times on her shoulder. 

"Come on Emma, he's an idiot. To think he would leave such a beautiful woman and instead go after another. You're one of the most charming women I've met, you've gotta have more confidence in yourself."

"Really? Didn't seem like I could charm you though could I? Heh, it's alright Ethan, you don't have to go to such lengths to comfort me."

'W-what do you want me to do? You're not asking me actually to show you how attractive you can be to yourself, are you? Are you actually so oblivious to your efforts? Well, it's not like I have to go far in the first place to show it, but I have to hold that back.'

"Emma of course you did, but just think about how much of our lives would be ruined if I were to act. I've already found someone and you of all people should understand scandals more than I, right? 

You're already a married woman and not only that you're my direct superior. You can imagine what would happen if it were to get out. The best way to prevent it was to not even start any kind of relationship like that in the first place."

She used this moment to lean onto my shoulder once again. I had the thought of pushing her away like I did on the other sofa, but I felt that she might not be emotionally stable enough to handle it. So I just let her lean on me for the time being until I thought she would be able to not overreact from me pushing her away.

"Doesn't that just mean we can't let it get out? As long as no one knows we'll be fine, right?"

"Emma, stop. I don't want to do something we'll both regret."

To be honest, I think I would've 100% been on board if Racheal wasn't in the picture. Well, maybe not 100%, but my second head probably would've won over my main head in this situation.

"I won't regret it at all, I swear!"

"Emma, why are you doing this? Is it because of revenge against him?"

"..."

A silence had descended upon us and that was all I needed to know to come to my conclusion.

"Emm-"

"Yes… So what? I want some revenge against him; Is that something I'm not allowed to have after what he did to me?!"

'... Ah, shit! This is kinda intense, I've never been in drama like this before. Even if I tell her the "Right thing to do," that wouldn't really resolve any of the hatred in her heart against that man. Would it really be good for me to tell her to let go of that hatred without any way for her to blow off that built-up steam? 

Ehh whatever, it's worth a shot.'

"Emma, revenge doesn't always have to be the way."

There was a bit of silence before a heavy tone came out.

"...Ethan, I don't think you understand what I'm going through. Do you know how long I've been married to that man? Ten years, ten whole fucking years. 

Do you want to know what he said to me after I confronted him about it? He said, "So what?" So damn what! All these years together seemed like they meant nothing to him. There was no remorse and there was a complete disregard for me."

"What would you even have to do to get that revenge? What would you have to give up for it? Would it even be worth the price? Why don't you just give up on it? Instead, focus on yourself."

"Ethan, it's not that easy to just forget this problem and pretend I never had it in the first place. I don't think I'll be able to do it on my own."

'Is she trying to say she wants me to help? Well, I guess I could help her out if she ceases her plans of revenge, but that doesn't solve the roots of the problem, does it? That scumbag of a husband she married is still in the picture. We could deal with that later, I guess.'

"Don't worry Emma, I'll try and help you along the way too, alright? No promises that it'll work though."

She looked up at me for the first time in a while. Her eyes were a little glossy and had a tinge of red as if she had been holding back tears.

"R-really? Hmm, maybe I'll try it then, but only if you'll be helping me along the way."

I felt the resolve to push her far away wavier. The sad face I was now facing seemed to weaken all my defenses.

I went to pat her shoulder again, but the one I patted before was too close so I opted for the one farther away. 

When I moved my arm she found an opportunity and took it immediately. When my arm reached to pat her shoulder she moved even closer to me, right against my side.

I froze for a second wondering whether to break the atmosphere to draw a line or not.

After some time lunch ended and we went back to work. She gave me a few new tasks which I started diligently working on atop the coffee table.

***

(Emma Anderson POV)

I sat at my desk ruminating about the conversation we had during our lunch.

I had a few white lies here and a little exaggeration there. Whenever he showed me off, he was only ever bragging to people about having me as a wife. He would probably never dare get physical with me since he knew exactly who held the real power in the house. 

If I really wanted to get rid of that useless man then there's nothing he could do about it to stop me. Most of the things we have are due to my work and my money.

I didn't lie about the man cheating on me though, it's just that the difference was that when I found out my reaction wasn't as exaggerated.

I waited for the woman to leave before confronting the man. He fell over with weak knees the moment I came into the room as he still wasn't even half dressed.

I was simply indifferent to what he did, though parts of me did feel an irk and anger occasionally at what I've provided for the man. He was basically living a free life, but he still had the nerve to slight the only person letting him live such a life.

The foolishness of the man seemed to know no bounds as when I left the room that day he neither stopped bringing other women nor did he even try to act upright or improve his behavior. 

It was astonishing to me how that man's brain functioned and how he was able to even live for so long. It was as if he thought that just because I hadn't done anything to him at that moment, there were no consequences at all.

If anything it seemed like he was even trying harder to upset me in any way possible. It was like he was trying to prove something, but I didn't care enough to pay him much mind.

For the rest of the day, I didn't try to do anything that would cross the line anymore. Gaining affirmation for his help to improve myself was enough for the day.

My attempts at the start of the day to speed through our relationship failed, so I could only take it a step at the time.

Luckily, I hadn't gotten rid of that bastard of a husband yet. He provides a good antagonist for me to act feeble from.

I waved lightly at the man who was leaving my office. The rest of the day was very relaxing as the two of us only had a few simple conversations and mostly focused on our work.

He was going to go back to that girlfriend of his, but honestly, I didn't feel too much of a threat from her. If it took her this long to confess, how long would it take for them to do anything significant?

They might even wait a week to kiss, let alone do anything more intimate. 

Suddenly, I started sweating at a prospect I had completely neglected to think about.

'W-wait, perhaps all the teasing I've done on him might propel him into doing something intimate with that girlfriend of his! 

With the countless times I've seen that bulge of his today, he should've held back quite a lot. All that pent-up arousal might be let off onto the very person I was trying to stop him from getting close to!

He's already experienced with that last girlfriend of his, so his chances of actually doing it probably increased too.

No! NO! A-am I the reason he might do something with her tonight?! How could I be so stupid!

I was too focused on the fact I had finally gained ground and completely forgot about the fact that my failed seductions were still arousing him!

…Well it's not like I could've relieved him anyway. The best I could've hoped for was that he would go to the bathroom to relieve himself.

If only I took it slowly from the start! Fuck me!!'

I slammed the desk before slowly plopping my head down on it in defeat.

***

(MC POV)

As soon as I left that office I recalled all the things that we had done there.

A massage that seemed to turn more and more sensual by the second, Emma cornering me while looking for bathroom keys, an oddly fearful conversation about my girlfriend, that same girlfriend happening to call me during our lunch, and finally learning about the real reason why Emma suddenly decided to get drinks with me.

It felt a little overwhelming for it to only be a single day, but it was over now.

Just before I was about to walk away I heard a slam behind me muffled mostly by the door I had just closed.

'What just happened? Is she alright? Well, since she only did it after I left maybe it's something private, so I'll just leave.'

Soon I arrived back home and along the way, I thought about the stupid things Emma tried to do. It still had a bit of a lasting effect, but I didn't have to worry since I knew Racheal, or well hoped that I wouldn't have to worry about it.

By the time I reached the door, I started to have a second doubt she might accept, but I calmed myself down after thinking about the fact that I had some experience. Deciding not to overthink it I tossed the thought in the back of my mind for now. I wasn't going to ask immediately after all.

As I was unlocking the door, I heard hurried footsteps from within, and by the time it opened, I found a woman leaning with her blonde hair tied up in a ponytail behind her staring at me.

Her face oozed smugness from her semi-closed eyes to that grin of hers. Though my eyes gravitated immediately to her face, the next second I realized what the main course was supposed to be.

She was wearing an apron, but she wouldn't be so smug if that was all. Of course, it had to be the classic trope: an apron with nothing underneath.