Chapter 36: Chapter 36

"HEY, Claire. Are you listening to me?"

I blinked when I realized that Marcus was in front of me. "What were you saying again, Marcus?"

"I was talking about the recent Murry project." His forehead frowned. "Seems like you aren't even listening to me. Is there something bothering you?"

I bit my lower lip. "I… You're right, Marcus." I sighed.

"I'm right about what?"

I looked at him. "Remember what you've told me before on my wedding day? That I might fall in love with Adam?"

Marcus raised his eyebrows at me. "What? You're finally admitting to me that you're in love with your husband?"

I sighed. "Yeah. I... I'm in love with him." I swallowed.

I didn't know how it exactly happened. I just woke up one day realizing that I already had special feelings for him. I had thought that everything was just a physical attraction, but I realized it was more than that.

"Wow, I thought you'd never realize it, Claire." Marcus said. There was an amused smile on his face. "The moment you married Adam, I already knew this would happen."

I frowned at him. "And how did you know that?"

Marcus let out a soft chuckle. "Of course, I know you very well, my dear cousin. We've been together for more than half of our lives." He played with the pen in his hand. "When Adam had an accident in Germany, I already knew then that you already loved the guy."

I gave him a small smile. "Yeah. I'm in love with Adam."

Adam really came into my life to change me. He made me experience many things for the first time in my life. He made me fall in love with him.

"But why don't you look happy? You seemed distracted… and worried." Marcus commented.

I bit my lower lip. "Well… you know our situation. Yes, Adam and I are married… but we're going to divorce soon. Our relationship isn't real. He's just my contract husband." A sad smile appeared on my face. "Besides, Adam told me he doesn't do long term relationships."

"I don't think your relationship isn't real, Claire," Marcus said. "I've seen you with your husband. And you know what I believe?"

I looked at him. "What?"

My cousin gave me a smile. "He's also in love with you."

My lips parted. I slowly shook my head. "That's… impossible, Marcus. Adam said he doesn't fall in love. He couldn't be in love with me. He's just a great actor."

Marcus cocked his brow. "Really? That's what you're trying to believe? That he's a great actor?" My cousin chuckled. "Believe me, Claire. That man is in love with you. I noticed how he looks at you whenever you're not looking. The way he takes care of you? The way he prioritizes you over everything? That's a man in love, Claire."

I stared at the engagement ring on my finger. What if Marcus was right? What if Adam also felt the same way about me?

My eyes went up to Marcus. I sighed. "Do you really think Adam's in love with me?"

"I do, Claire. I'm willing to give you my five percent shares here in the company if I turn out to be wrong."

My lips parted. Marcus already owned ten percent of the company's stock. "Are you serious, Marcus?"

He smirked. "That's how confident I am, Claire. Your husband is in love with you."

I could feel my heart racing inside my chest. Just the thought of Adam being in love with me was already enough to make my heart crazy.

"If you're right, then what do you think I should do, Marcus?"

Marcus looked at me as if I'd suddenly gone mad. "Of course, talk to him about it," he said, as if I was a grade school teacher who had been given obvious instructions. "You two are already adults who are capable of talking about feelings. Just be honest with him, Claire. Finding your happiness in love is just like business, Claire. If you want to succeed, you have to take risks."

"Thank you, Marcus. I'd never thought you're good at giving love advice." Now, it's my turn to smirk at him.

"Oh, shut up, Claire." He rolled his eyes at me before he stood up. "Let's just talk later, I guess."

Later that day, I received a call from Adam.

"Hi, sweetheart," his manly voice filled my ears.

Adam was currently in Spain. Arthur had an emergency with his family and Adam had volunteered to come with him. He'd be away for two days.

"Hello," I pursed my lips, trying hard not to smile. I could already feel the loud beating of my heart inside my chest.

Damn. I was really in love with this man.

"I'm fine, Adam. I just had a meeting with a Russian investor and now, I'm already preparing to go home," I said. "I'll stay at my parents' house tonight because Mom invited me for dinner. Dad also said he wanted to discuss something with me."

"Alright. Take care, Claire."

I smiled. "You know I always do. How about you? How's your day?"

I heard him sigh on the other end of the line. "I spent my day here in Arthur's villa missing you, wife."

I bit my lower lip. "Really? You miss me already?"

"I miss you every day," he said in a gentle voice.

I felt like butterflies had invaded my stomach. I couldn't believe this was the exact feeling of being in love. I felt like I was floating on clouds.

"I miss you, too, Adam," I whispered.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll already come home tomorrow."

"Uh… Adam, I'll have something to tell you when you come back," I said, my heart beating loudly inside my chest. Tomorrow, I'd finally confessed to him about my feelings.

Marcus was right. If I wanted to be happy, I had to take risks. And I knew I wanted to be happy with Adam. I wanted him to be a permanent part of my life. I wanted him to be my permanent husband.

"What is it, Claire?" Now his voice was suddenly filled with concern. "Is there something wrong?"

I chuckled a little bit. "No. No. You have nothing to worry about, Adam. I just wanted to discuss something with you. That's all."

"Alright. I'll see you in two days, Claire."

I smiled. "Yeah. Can't wait to see you."

I love you, I wanted to tell him, but then I stopped myself.

I'll wait for him to come back.