Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 95: The Slow Hours

Chapter 95: The Slow Hours

Damian Sterling observed Emma Hart’s despondent expression, puzzled by her decision to send Bailey away.

The tough choice she made to part with Bailey might have been challenging for her. Was it because of his authority, or was there another reason?

Damian sighed, letting go of those thoughts, "Leave the rest to me."

Mrs. Harris’s voice came from outside, "Mr. Sterling, Miss Emma..."

Their voices filled with urgency, both Damian and Emma went to investigate.

Descending the stairs, Emma caught sight of Bailey trailing behind Mrs. Harris, no longer the pristine dog that was sent away in the morning.

Now, Bailey was covered in dirt as if he had traveled a long distance.

Upon seeing Emma, Bailey excitedly ran towards her.

Emma knelt down, and Bailey immediately burrowed into her embrace.

"Bailey..." Tears rolled down Emma’s cheeks as she picked up the muddy Bailey, overwhelmed by the morning’s events and the uncontrollable sadness that followed.

Damian watched Emma, commenting dryly on her excitement over a dog, yet a slight smile crept onto his face without him noticing.

Mrs. Harris, standing by, smiled at the scene before turning to Damian, "Mr. Sterling, it seems you’re not sneezing anymore."

Damian casually took out a spray from his pocket and used it, "Of course, this thing costs a fortune per milliliter, specifically for dog allergies."

Hearing this, Emma looked up sharply at Damian, seeing only cunning on his handsome face.

"You already bought the spray, yet you insisted I send Bailey away!" Emma, recalling the agreement she made with Damian, declared, "The deal we made earlier is off!"

"Of course not!" Damian stated firmly.

"Bailey came back on his own, not because you found him. Besides, you never intended for me to send Bailey away!" Emma argued, her guard up against Damian’s demand, determined to nullify their agreement.

"It was you who acted too hastily!"

Bailey affectionately licked Emma Hart’s face, causing Damian Sterling’s patience to wear thin once more.

"Later, you’re going to clean yourself up properly! And this spray? It was merely a casual gift from a friend. I never intended for you to feel obligated to keep the dog because of it!" Damian stated emphatically, hands in his pockets, each word deliberate.

"Sly! Devious!" Emma muttered under her breath.

Damian, standing before Emma like a sovereign making his descent, his tall and imposing figure almost entirely overshadowing Emma’s petite form.

Hearing Emma’s murmured insults, Damian sharply reprimanded, "Emma Hart!"

Emma, choosing discretion as the better part of valor, silently picked up Bailey and headed towards the bathroom, pretending not to hear, "Come on, Bailey, let’s go take a bath."

Bailey’s return brought a smile back to Emma’s face, while Damian, as always, kept his distance from Bailey.

On the weekend, Damian decided to stay at home, having delegated his work perfectly.

Even Mrs. Harris, who had worked for the Sterling family for many years, had never seen Damian spend a weekend at home, considering he’s the type to be on a plane even on New Year’s Eve.

For Damian, holidays were practically non-existent.

Since acquiring that miraculous spray, Emma and Bailey became even more unrestrained around the villa.

"Emma Hart, bring me a cup of tea," Damian called out.

"In a minute!" Emma, busy playing with Bailey and a ball, responded nonchalantly.

Damian’s stern gaze fell on Emma, unaccustomed to being made to wait. Was this woman truly daring to defy him?

"Emma Hart!" he called out again, this time his tone laden with a barely concealed irritation.

Emma, sensing the urgency in Damian’s voice, paused her play, gesturing with her hand, "Just a moment, Mr. President..."

Whenever she handled the dog, Damian insisted she wash her hands thoroughly.

And now, Emma found herself bathing more frequently. She couldn’t help but wonder, if he found her so disagreeable, why didn’t he simply choose not to share a bed with her?

After washing her hands, Emma Hart made a point to show Damian Sterling just how thoroughly she had cleaned them, almost as if performing a 360-degree no-blind-spot demonstration.

Damian Sterling nodded slightly, and Emma Hart turned away, dropping the forced smile from her face.

Soon, Emma brought over a cup of Pu-erh tea. "Mr. Sterling, your tea."

"Sit down," Damian commanded, his eyes glued to his tablet, not bothering to look up.

Emma, who had started to walk away, retracted her step and sat on the sofa, watching Damian, waiting for any further instructions.

Minutes passed without a word from him.

Emma began to feel restless. Bailey stayed away, not daring to approach Damian despite its usual indifference to him.

It seemed even the dog sensed Damian’s icy aura, deterring any life force from getting too close.

After more than ten minutes of growing unease and Damian still engrossed in whatever was capturing his attention, Emma questioned the point of her sitting there silently.

Half an hour later, unable to stand the silence any longer, Emma finally broke it. "Mr. Sterling, why did you ask me to sit here?"

"If you remained silent, it would be preferable," Damian responded, sipping his tea before frowning, "The tea has cooled."

Of course, It’s been half an hour! Emma thought despairingly, wondering what new whimsy was seizing Damian.

The afternoon stretched slowly, bathed in the warm glow of sunlight that highlighted the rich color of the Pu-erh tea in the transparent glass cup on the light grey marble table.

Damian Sterling, with the looks of a celestial being, relished the tranquility of the moment on the sofa.

"Mr. Sterling, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go play with Bailey," Emma said, attempting to rise but was promptly stopped by Damian, "Sit down."

"You don’t have anything for me."

"Does that dog have something urgent?" Damian’s tone was icy, his glare at Emma sharp.

"Are you jealous of the dog?"

Though the word "jealous" seemed more suited for couples, and Emma and Damian were far from that, Emma couldn’t think of a better description for his behavior.

"Emma Hart!"