Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 388

“Emmy, are you crazy?” Abriella blurted out the second she saw Emmy reaching for the spicy hotpot. “You can’t handle spice, remember?”

Emmy dipped a piece of tripe in the sauce, trying to sound casual even as she whispered, “You guys make it look so good. I just wanted to try a little.”

Abriella sighed, totally exasperated. “Just don’t overdo it, okay? If your stomach starts acting up again, you’re the one who’s going to suffer.”

Emmy nodded and popped the tripe into her mouth. Instantly, heat exploded on her tongue and shot down her throat, so spicy her eyes teared up and her cheeks flushed red. She grabbed her glass and downed half her milk in one go. Once the burn faded, though, she felt this weird rush—like maybe she could go for another bite.

She reached for the plate again, but Abriella caught her hand, looking stern. “One piece is more than enough. Do you want to end up at the doctor’s? I am not explaining this to your boyfriend.”

With a pout, Emmy put down her fork, but the craving was still there, small and stubborn, burning in her chest. She thought about her sensitive stomach and forced herself to stay put.

Suddenly, Abriella’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Emmy, come with me to that blind date on Wednesday, okay? Don’t forget!”

Before Emmy could say a word, Steve spoke up from across the table, his tone cold. “A blind date in the middle of the work week? Are you serious?”

Abriella shot him a glare, slapping her palm on the table. “I already put in for leave! HR approved it!”

Steve didn’t even look up, just kept swirling beef in the hotpot. “HR might have approved it, but I didn’t. Wednesday, you’re going with me on the business trip.”

Abriella’s face turned bright red. “You’re such a tyrant! I stayed late all weekend, finished the case, and you still won’t give me a single day off?”

Emmy could see where this was going, so she quickly checked her phone. “Abriella, my sister’s still at my place. I have to head out. You guys take your time—I already paid the bill.”

She grabbed her bag and slipped out before things got any worse.

Behind her, Abriella called after her, “Wednesday! Don’t bail on me!”

The next morning, Emmy woke to a faint chill in the air. The sky outside was barely light. Half-awake, she felt a cool, gentle kiss on her cheek—so soft it almost felt like a dream. Before she could even open her eyes, whoever it was had already slipped away into the bathroom.

A moment later, she heard the shower running.

She blinked awake, pushing back the covers. Soon, the shower stopped and the bathroom door opened. James, still in his pajamas, climbed back into bed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. His skin was warm, almost hot from the shower, his embrace solid and comforting.

Emmy looked up at him. “Did you work all night again?”

James rested his chin on her head, his voice low and rough with exhaustion. “Just had a few things to deal with.”

He paused, then added, “I also checked in on that Claudia situation.”

Emmy’s eyes widened. “What happened? Did they catch the people who needed to be caught?”