Standing Right Next To You - Chapter 345

Lina was cursing her assistant on the inside but was all smiles as she turned her head to face the man who sat by her side.

The car was still parked in the basement parking lot and the temperature inside the car was dropping with every second.

“What episode?” Reuben questioned as he looked into those hazel eyes that he loved to gaze into.

Lina put on a smile as she tried to keep her calm and answer his question.

“It was nothing at all-” She began but found his eyes narrow further which made her stop her explanation.

“Benji?” Reuben did not waste time as he tossed the question over to the one person who could give him truthful answers.

The assistant was precise and did not waste much time in giving them a brief summary of what had happened to Lina in the cab.

Hearing the other assistant’s account, Mathew was beginning to comprehend what the situation was.

As he glanced at his boss’ stoic face which did not have any hints of surprise on it, he could deduce that the Emperor had already been knowledgeable about Lina’s condition.

“I am fine and I mean it!” Lina’s loud exclamation was heard in the car which made everyone stop what they were doing.

‘I am being treated like a fragile glass sculpture who will shatter at any instant.’ She scowled when she saw the concern and worry in everybody’s eyes.

“I was surprised by the sudden brakes, nothing to worry about.” She elaborated to ensure they believed her.

Reuben knew that she hated it when people looked at her as though she was weak and needed their pity.

Hence, he decided to drop this matter for now but would not let it be forgotten.

“Mathew, drive slower and be careful.” He commanded the assistant who was in the driver’s seat.

‘He only calls me with my first name when he gives out absolute orders that should not be disobeyed or questioned.’ Mathew recollected and nodded in admittance to the orders he had received.

Reuben always called him Assistant Kim, never his first name so the assistant was confident that his words had a hidden meaning to them.

“Do not leave without your driver. If you need it then I can arrange one for you.” The worried boyfriend offered.

‘I can have Trigger arrange a bodyguard cum driver for Kitten.’ He planned to contact the Head of his security once their lunch date came to an end.

Benji sneered as he was able to discern the thoughts that were swirling in that man’s head.

“There is no need for that.” He rejected Reuben’s offers before Lina could say so.

Mathew Kim had begun driving towards the restaurant that he had booked the private room in when he heard the huge assistant’s bold reply.

‘You want to get killed!?’ He shot his neighbor an incredulous glance before turning his attention back on the road.

“I’ll get my driver’s license and a car once I drop Nana at her hotel and I am sure you of all people know that I can keep her safe.” Benji smirked while looking at Reuben through the rearview mirror.

‘That was a cheap shot!’ Reuben growled after being reminded of a memory in the past.

This was because the assistant had hinted about the time when he had punched Reuben after overpowering him with ease.

The muffled laughter he heard from his left made his eyes widen as he stared at his Kitten.

Lina covered her mouth but the chuckle had leaked out, alerting her Ruby as he now looked at her with pitiful eyes.

‘You keep getting me in trouble!’ She glared at her assistant who shrugged away the accusations she had placed on his head.

Having made his point, he did not mind their glares and turned around to enjoy the ride.

Mathew was the only one who was having the time of his life as he had found one other person who could get away with mocking and enraging their Emperor.

‘Boss is already so whipped that he cannot deal with anyone whom Lina protects.’ He snickered but soon shut up when he was at the center of the same glare.

He had not yet fallen under the list of Lina’s ultimate protection umbrella so he had to tread lightly until he could.

‘Soon! Soon even I will be untouchable after hugging Lina’s thighs!’ He schemed and the evil smile that came across his face proved that he was up to no good.

Lina was ignorant to the fact that she was now at the center of an elaborate scheme to accept Mathew into her protective circle.

However, the man had no clue that she had already brought him into that circle and was willing to save him from the Emperor’s wrath if ever it was needed.

Reuben was kept out of the loop about her minor episode, he wasn’t given a chance to arrange a guard for his Kitten and was also laughed at.

It was not surprising that his mood had dropped as he stared out of the window, away from the woman who had laughed when Benji had mocked him.

‘How come I did not realize that Ruby is such a drama queen?’ Lina tilted her head as she watched the side profile of the man who refused to look at her.

‘A cute one at that!’ She giggled at his adorable attitude.

Reuben narrowed his eyes as he stared out of the window and never once did he turn even after hearing her clear-sounding laughter.

Rolling her eyes, Lina patted his shoulder to get his attention but the brooding man shrugged her hand away.

The two assistants were left speechless with their jaws dropped after witnessing this childish behavior of someone who was known as ‘Ice Emperor’ by the general public.

‘This guy has no shame.’ Benji shunned this difference in his behavior when he was with others and when he was with Lina.

‘I know just how to get him to turn my way!’ Lina’s eyes brightened when a brilliant idea popped up into her mind.

“Ruby, won’t you give me a kiss?” She requested in a saccharine voice and scratched his shoulder with her well-manicured nail.

Mathew almost slammed on the brakes when he heard her coquettish voice while Benji was on the verge of puking blood.

Lina blushed when she felt the two pairs of eyes on her but the one whom she had been waiting for was still looking out of the window.

She had never once used that seductive voice before and was embarrassed that she had to use it when there were others present in the car.

Reuben wanted to persist in his sulking ways but the finger which continued scratching his shoulder made it impossible for him to stay mad at her.

‘I cannot turn around immediately!’ He reprimanded his eager heart which was urging him to look at her.

‘Maybe I was too mean to laugh at him…’ Lina surmised as she took her hand away from his shoulder.

That very moment, Reuben turned around and glimpsed at her just as she was about to look away.

After noticing his movements, Lina’s pout turned to a wide smile as she looked into his dark eyes.

Without saying a word, Reuben leaned closer to her with the intention of planting a kiss on her lips.

Another inch and their lips would have touched but it looked like luck was not on their side as they were interrupted once again.