By the time the staff cafeteria filled up with the buzz of chatter and the clatter of utensils, I had already eaten half of the lunch Kieran packed for me. I wasn't sure what shocked me more,that he had this much culinary talent or that he cared enough to make it look this pretty. It was… intimate. Unnervingly so.
I was still trying to process the reality of waking up that morning to the sound of pans clinking softly in the kitchen. I'd tiptoed from the empty sitting room to by room to get ready for work and then out of my room, thinking I'd see an empty space. Maybe him gone. But no. He'd stood there barefoot and shirtless, calmly whisking eggs like he belonged there. Like we belonged.
And instead of teasing me like I expected after I curled up like some pathetic creature at his feet the night before, all he did was ask, "You okay?"
Like he meant it.
I couldn't even look him in the eye. I tried to sneak off to work in a fog of embarrassment, but he blocked the door with a damn bowl of oatmeal and told me to sit. I sat. And now I had this gourmet lunch box on my desk like some pampered princess. It all felt too strange. Too kind. Too… dangerous.
I took another bite, chewing slower this time as conversations around me blurred into a vague background hum. Until I heard it.
"The CEO."
The fork froze halfway to my mouth.
"Huh?" I blinked and glanced sideways, trying to look casual.
A girl, one of the interns, I think, was leaning in, wide-eyed with juicy news glittering in her voice. "I swear, I saw him yesterday. Aaron. At Sable & Thorn."
A wave of surprised gasps and chatter erupted from the nearby table. Even I perked up. Sable & Thorn? That place was a jewelry fortress. You couldn't even breathe in there without signing a credit check.
"What? Are you serious?" someone asked, half-laughing.
"My cousin was picking out her wedding ring," the girl said, flipping her hair. "And while we were waiting, guess who walks out of the private suite. Alone. Looking all broody and tall and expensive."
"Did you see what he bought?" another asked, leaning closer.
She shook her head, disappointed. "No. It was already wrapped. Small box though."
A collective oooooh spread like wildfire.
"Maybe for his girlfriend," someone giggled. "Or, maybe… secret lover?"
"I didn't even know he was seeing anyone," a guy chimed in, rolling his eyes. "Unless you count his car."
"Or himself."
Everyone laughed.
I didn't.
I sat there like a statue, heart pounding. My cheeks started to warm, and I immediately ducked my head to hide my smile. I shouldn't have been smiling. But I was. Because what if?
What if he was buying something for me?
A ring?
Oh god. No. No way. Calm down, Kina.
Maybe it was earrings. Or a bracelet. Something light. Chic. Probably nothing serious.
Still… I reached for my water bottle and took a long sip to cool down the heat blooming across my chest. The smell of Kieran's five star dish rose up to meet me again, grounding me back in the moment. I poked at them with my fork like they were to blame.
What the hell was I even doing?
I had a near-murdered stranger in my apartment cooking me breakfast. A rich, aloof boyfriend who may or may not be buying me jewelry. And a uterus currently twisting like it owed someone money.
I needed to get it together. But damn it, that lunch? That lunch was better than most therapy.
I pulled out my phone on impulse and took a quick, awkward selfie, hair still messy, eyes still puffy from my morning fog, and added a silly caption:
"Should I be worried you're spoiling me too much? 👀"
Sent.
I couldn't help it. My heart was fluttering.
But then the conversation took a cruel little turn.
"Ohhh, maybe it's for Katherine Cho," one said casually, and just like that, the heat drained from my body.
My eyes stayed locked on my phone screen, but I wasn't reading anymore. My ears were doing all the work.
"You think so?" another asked, her voice eager. "Actually… that makes a lot of sense. They're always together at those private events, right?"
"Duh," someone else chirped. "She's practically the most stunning woman in the city. Have you seen her body? The way she dresses? Total boss bitch vibes."
My stomach flipped.
"And don't forget who her father is—he's the biggest investor in the company. It makes perfect sense they'd be together. A power couple."
"They look good together too. Wait, wait, I have a photo of them—look!"
They all leaned in, gasping and "aww"ing like it was a goddamn wedding album. I could hear one of them mutter, "They'd make such a pretty baby."
I stopped chewing. The food had turned to dust in my mouth. My stomach knotted, the cramps returning, and something heavy settled in my chest. The cold from the room felt too warm now. My hands were clammy.
I shut the container and stood abruptly. The scrape of the chair was loud. Too loud.
"Kina?" someone called, laughter still clinging to her voice. "Why're you leaving so early? You okay? You look kinda pale."
I forced a small laugh. "Still recovering from that cold."
Lie.
They giggled behind me, and for some reason, it felt like they were all laughing at me. I could feel my heartbeat rising. My throat was closing in. The room was spinning just slightly, and suddenly, I couldn't breathe.
I rushed out.
I didn't stop until I pushed open the restroom door and locked myself inside one of the stalls. My chest heaved. I pressed both palms against the cold metal walls, trying to ground myself.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
But all I could see was Katherine's perfectly lined lips and Aaron standing beside her, his usual cold, unreadable face. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
Was I… just a distraction?
Was last night just a one-time pity party?
And why the hell did it hurt so much?