I Don't Need Love

The next morning, Clara arrived at the office early, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors of the executive suite. She was greeted by the usual bustle of employees, but her mind was already focused on the day ahead.

As she entered her office, she found Kason waiting for her, a stack of files in his hands. Kason was her most trusted subordinate, a man of few words but impeccable efficiency. His sharp features and piercing gaze gave him an air of intensity, and his ascetic lifestyle was the subject of office gossip. But Clara admired his dedication and cunning—qualities that had made him an invaluable asset to the company.

"Good morning, Clara," Kason said, his voice calm and measured. "I've compiled the reports you requested. The numbers look promising, but there are a few areas that need your attention."

Clara nodded, taking the files from him. "Thank you, Kason. Let's go over them."

They sat down at the conference table, and Kason began to outline the key points. As he spoke, Clara noticed the way his eyes flickered with intelligence, always calculating, always two steps ahead. It was one of the reasons she trusted him implicitly.

"The merger with the Tanaka Group is progressing smoothly," Kason said, "but there's been some pushback from their legal team. They're trying to renegotiate the terms."

Clara frowned, leaning back in her chair. "Of course they are. They know we're in a strong position, and they're trying to claw back some leverage. What do you suggest?"

Kason's lips curved into a faint smile. "I've already drafted a counterproposal. It's firm but fair. If they refuse, we can always explore other options. There are other companies that would be eager to partner with us."

Clara nodded, impressed as always by his foresight. "Good. Let's move forward with that. And what about the internal audit? Any issues there?"

Kason's expression darkened slightly. "There's been some… resistance from certain departments. I suspect there may be a few individuals who aren't entirely on board with the changes you've implemented."

Clara's eyes narrowed. "Do you have names?"

"Not yet," Kason admitted, "but I'm working on it. I'll have a full report for you by the end of the week."

"Make it sooner," Clara said, her tone firm. "I won't tolerate any dissent, especially not now."

Kason inclined his head. "Understood."

There was a moment of silence as Clara flipped through the files, her mind racing. She knew the company was at a critical juncture, and she couldn't afford any missteps. She needed people she could trust, people like Kason.

"You've done excellent work, as always," she said finally, looking up at him. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Kason's gaze softened, just for a moment. "You'd manage," he said quietly. "You're stronger than you think, Clara."

Clara chuckled lightly, "Thank you," she said, her voice softer now. "That means a lot."

Kason nodded, then stood up. "I'll get started on the counterproposal. Let me know if you need anything else."

As he left the office, Clara glanced up briefly, then lowered her head and continued working.

-

Meanwhile, at the mansion.

Aiden lounged by the pool, a glass of whiskey in hand. He had spent the morning catching up on emails and making a few calls, but now he was enjoying some well-deserved downtime.

As he gazed out at the garden, his thoughts drifted to Clara. Their arrangement was working better than he had expected, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye. She was strong-willed and independent, yes, but there was also a vulnerability beneath the surface that intrigued him.

He wondered what she was doing at work, whether she was thinking about him at all. The thought made him smile. He had always enjoyed a challenge, and Clara was shaping up to be the most interesting one yet.

-

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Aiden left his office and made his way to Clara's company. He thought it would be a good idea to maintain the illusion of a happy marriage in public. After all, appearances mattered, he believed, especially when it came to their social standing and the expectations of their friends and family.

He parked his car and waited outside the building, leaning casually against the hood. The cool evening air was a welcome change from the stuffy confines of his office. He checked his watch, wondering how long Clara would be.

Not long after, he saw her walk out of the building, her stride confident and purposeful. But she wasn't alone. Beside her was Kason, her trusted subordinate. They were deep in conversation, and Aiden couldn't help but notice the way Kason's gaze lingered on Clara, a subtle intensity in his eyes.