One night stand with my president(chapter 515)

 

Chapter 515: Endless Affection

Instead of feeling embarrassed, Harrison just laughed and asked, "Do I really look that goofy right now?"

"Very much so," Adeline shot back without hesitation.

She picked up the file he'd just signed with the wrong name, giving him a playful scolding. "See? Because you're in such a daze, now I have to go print a new copy. Are you just trying to make more work for me on purpose?"

"Sorry,' Harrison apologized sheepishly, as earnest as could be.

Adeline pressed her lips together, struggling not to laugh.

The file wasn't even important. She didn't really have to print it herself, and, honestly, anyone in the executive office could handle it.

But she just loved seeing Harrison apologize like a guilty puppy.

He was adorable in this way.

She reached out and ruffled his hair, her fingers running through it until it was a complete mess.

Harrison didn't fight her. He just let her play, totally at her mercy.

"Don't overthink it," Adeline said, "Just post an announcement. I'm sure that within ten minutes, the whole city will know."

Sure, his private social media was mostly close friends and family, but if he made their relationship official, it'd send shockwaves through the entire circle, and word would get out, fast.

Plus, there'd already been plenty of rumors about them.

If Harrison just went ahead and made it public, it would probably set off a firestorm.

"That's not enough," Harrison grumbled, clearly unsatisfied. "A post is fine, but that can't be all."

After a pause, he pulled Adeline into his arms and rested his chin on the top of her head.

"Let's wait a little longer." Adeline blinked, surprised, She'd thought Harrison would be the first to jump at the chance to go public.

But now he wanted to wait.

Seeing her confusion, Harrison gave a helpless little smile.

"Things are probably going to get a little crazy soon. I just don't want you to get dragged into it with me."

He hesitated, clearly choosing his words.

"I just don't want you to be caught up in my mess."

That made Adeline so mad that she pinched his cheek.

"Are you serious, Harrison? Did you really just say you don't want to drag me down? Are you treating me like some stranger?"

She was honestly upset, her eyes even turning a little red.

"Don't be mad. That's not what I meant,"

Harrison said quickly, trying to comfort her. 

"I just... I didn't mean it like that."

"What did you mean then? You seriously used the word 'drag' to describe us. Am I just an outsider to you?"

Harrison bit her lip hard.

"Do you even hear yourself right now?"

Adeline knew she was being a bit harsh, but she didn't want to back down. She grumbled, "You started it."

Harrison hugged her tighter and sighed, "Well, what if it were you in my place?"

And just like that, Adeline was speechless.

If she were in his shoes, facing trouble, she'd definitely want to shield Harrisonefrom it, too.

It wasn't about treating each other like outsiders.

It was because she cared about him.

When one is deeply in love, he would never want his partner to get hurt.

Harrison could read her face like a book, and he smiled, continuing, "And honestly, 'drag you down' is a little dramatic. I know what I'm doing. I'm pretty confident. It's just... 

There might be some rough patches. I can handle it, but I don't want you to get caught up in the gossip."

He squeezed her hand. "You get what I'm saying, right?"

Adeline's nose stung.

Of course she understood.

She wanted to carry every burden with him.

But she didn't want to give him any extra worries, either.

He already had enough to deal with. Why add to it?

"I get it," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "But you have to promise me that if things ever get really tough, you're not allowed to hide it from me. You have to tell me, and we'll face it together."

Harrison laughed softly. "Of course. If I ever can't handle it, I'll call you in to save me."

"You're so full of it," Adeline huffed, rolling her eyes.

Harrison bent down and kissed her, gentle and lingering. In that soft kiss, Adeline could feel all the depth and tenderness of his love.

She couldn't help it and deepened the kiss herself.

That night, Adeline took the executive office crew out for dinner.

With new hires joining, everyone insisted on a welcome party, and Adeline agreed it was a good idea, so she made a reservation.

No one had thrown a party when Amber was hired, but then, Amber had parachuted into the company, and no one really knew why, so they had felt a bit awkward.

The two new recruits this time were genuinely likable.

Harrison skipped the dinner.

He wanted to come-not for the team, just for Adeline.

But things had been hectic lately, and he

was swamped at work.

So Adeline ended up bringing the exec office crew without him.

Truth be told, no one really missed him. In fact, most people were secretly relieved he wasn't there.

With Harrison there, they always felt on edge.

Without him, they could actually relax and have fun.

By vote, Adeline booked the city's trendiest new barbecue place.

She got the biggest private room on the second floor with unlimited dishes.

Once everything was set up, someone shouted for drinks, and Adeline didn't object.

After all, what's a party without a little alcohol?

Soon, the tables were loaded up with beer, wine, and spirits, and the mood in the room turned wild. Adeline hadn't planned to drink much, but it was impossible to escape everyone toasting her.

Before long, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkled, and she was even more dazzling than usual.

A couple of the single guys at the table found their hearts racing, but even tipsy, nobody dared cross the line. The most they did was offer Adeline a drink or steal a few extra glances.

Eventually, feeling a little overwhelmed, Adeline slipped away to the restroom to catch her breath.

She splashed some cold water on her face, feeling herself start to sober up a little.

As she stepped out, she spotted the new hire, Triston Mercado, waiting for her, a drink in his hand.

"Miss Hensley," he said, concern written all over his face, "are you Okay?"

"I'm fine," Adeline assured him with a smile.

"What are you doing out here?"

"You looked like you'd had a bit much, so I asked the staff for something to help you sober up," Triston replied, offering her the drink.

As he handed it over, the tips of his ears were blazing red.