The clock on the wall had just struck 6:00 PM. The office was quiet, the day's frenetic energy now settled into a soft stillness. Most employees had quickly packed their belongings and departed, leaving behind a familiar silence.
"Okay, bye, Huan Jing!" Aanya called out with a cheerful wave.
"Bye!" Huan Jing returned the farewell, and the light sounds of their voices faded into the emptying corridor.
After the others had gone, Aanya and Huan Jing were meticulously putting their files and laptops into their bags. Huan Jing paused, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Dinner yesterday was so much fun, wasn't it? We really had a good time."
Aanya let out a soft sigh, a faint blush warming her cheeks. She was recalling her interactions with Zain, a nervous question echoing in her mind. "Did we... did we do anything last night?"
Huan Jing turned to her, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "To be honest, I don't remember much after our dance. But why do you ask?" She adopted a teasing, conspiratorial tone. "Did something happen between the two of you?"
Aanya lightly swatted her friend's shoulder, feigning indignation while suppressing a smile. "How can you think such a thing, Huan Jing!"
Huan Jing winked and lowered her voice playfully. "An 'irresistibly cute drunken wife' and a 'hot CEO'—something must have happened!"
Aanya was about to retort when Tiang appeared in the doorway. "Huan Jing, it's time to go." His voice was neutral and firm.
Aanya took the opportunity to lean in close to Huan Jing's ear, whispering with a wicked grin. "Go! With your neighbour, Mr. Cool. Be careful, don't let anything happen!"
Huan Jing gave her a look of affectionate annoyance. "We're just friends!"
Aanya's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Fine. Go with your 'friend.' He's waiting for you."
Huan Jing walked towards Tiang. "Let's go, Tiang."
Tiang, however, addressed Aanya. "Sister-in-law, my elder brother asked you to wait here for a little while. He has some work and will be down shortly."
Aanya's initial confusion was masked by a polite, but strained smile. "Alright."
Huan Jing gave Aanya a final, warm look before leaving. Aanya offered a soft "Bye." Huan Jing and Tiang departed.
Aanya sat back down at her desk, her expression turning thoughtful and slightly apprehensive. What does this wolf want from me? She glanced at the clock in her car. It was 6:10 PM.
She waited for Zain, growing bored by the lingering quiet of the office. First, she discreetly scanned the area, making sure no one was around.
Satisfied that she was alone, she put on some soft music and began to move gracefully, improvising a light, balletic dance. Every movement she made was free and ethereal, her hair flying as she spun and glided. In that moment, she looked like a spirit, unbound and beautiful.
It was then that Zain arrived. He stood and watched her. Every fluid dance movement, the sight of her hair lifting and falling, captivated him. He was completely absorbed, a look of profound, silent admiration on his face.
Suddenly, Aanya's eyes met his. She froze mid-step, her body instantly rigid.
A wave of embarrassment washed over her, and her breathing hitched. "V-Voh... Boss, what was the reason you asked me to wait?"
Zain stepped closer, his voice low but teasing.
"You forgot, didn't you? What did I tell you? When it's just the two of us, don't call me Boss. Call me Zain. I'm also your husband, remember?"
Her cheeks turned a faint, tell-tale pink. "Right… I'll remember next time." She quickly changed the subject, her tone a little too hurried. "So, what exactly was the reason you asked me to wait?"
He smiled slightly, picking up his car keys from the table.
"I need to remind you. We're going to the market—to buy the fish you promised."
Aanya blinked, her eyes wide. "What? Right now?"
Zain turned toward the door, that cool smirk returning to his face.
"Yes. You forgot the special moment Mrs. Yan, but at least remember your promise about the fish."
Her eyes widened with a mix of shock and curiosity. "W-What special moment?"
He only chuckled, a low rumble, opening the door.
"Come on, before I decide to remind you again."
Aanya sighed, her heartbeat accelerating as she followed him out. The thought echoed in her mind:
Why does every simple moment with him feel like a challenge?A Unexpected Detour
As Zain and Aanya reached the parking garage, the stark overhead lights highlighted the sleek, black sportscar that was Zain's.
"Get in," Zain instructed, opening the car door with a gesture.
"No, I'll take my scooter," Aanya replied, looking around. But her voice faltered as she scanned the area repeatedly. Her familiar little scooter was nowhere in sight. "My scooter...?"
She looked back at Zain, her eyes narrowing in suspicion and challenge. "What did you do with my scooter?"
Zain's expression was utterly calm. "I simply sent it to its rightful place."
"And why did you do that?" she demanded, her irritation rising.
"I don't know, but now you have no option, Mrs. Yan," he said, the corner of his lip twitching. "Get in the car with me."
Aanya, her fury bubbling over, intentionally scraped her shoe hard against his on the way to the car. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, a sharp edge to her apology. "That was a complete accident!"
Zain's smile didn't reach his eyes. I'll remember this, and I'll return the favour, he thought to himself, his gaze momentarily hardening.
Aanya got into the driver seat side seat. Zain settled in, started the engine, and the powerful car purred to life.
Unseen by them, a figure in all black—a mask covering his face and a dark cap pulled low—watched their every move from a distance. He spoke into his phone, his voice a low, urgent whisper: "I've found them. Follow them. It's the girl from the collision and her black car." With that, he got into his own vehicle red sports car and began to follow.
Inside the car, Aanya was consumed by a mix of sadness and seething anger. My scooter... my partner... she lamented silently, clutching her hands in her lap. This wolf didn't even spare it. What will I do now? She let out a dramatic, theatrical sigh to express her despair.
Zain noticed her little performance and a faint smile touched his lips. He chose to ignore her drama.
"By the way," he said, his voice casual. "You dance very well. Where did you learn that?"
Aanya's mood instantly shifted to defensive calm. "I learned it from watching a drama when I was a child."
Zain raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "At what age did you start watching dramas?"
"I was in 10th grade when I started," she replied quietly. "And I've never stopped. I've watched over 500 Chinese and Korean dramas."
Zain burst out laughing, a sound of genuine surprise. "That explains it! That's why you're so dramatic and crazy!"
He's making fun of me again, and I'm just sitting here silent! Aanya fumed internally, her fingers tightening around the edge of her seat. If I start talking now, he'll just drop me off right here!
Zain, fully aware of her mounting frustration, chuckled softly to himself. I know you're getting very angry, but there's a special pleasure in irritating you.
Just then, the car pulled up to the bustling marketplace. The doors opened, and they stepped out, immediately greeted by the loud hum of the crowd and the pungent, fresh smell of fish and spices.
The black-clad figure also parked nearby and discreetly followed them into the market. Aanya, scanning the crowd, caught a glimpse of him but chose to remain silent.
"So, what kind of fish are you going to make today?" Zain asked, guiding her through the colorful array of stalls.
"Whatever you want to eat," Aanya replied simply.
They eventually settled on a fresh tuna and bought a few vegetables.
"Since we're already out," Aanya suggested, her expression brightening at the thought of shopping, "why don't we go to the mall? I need to buy a few things."
"Fine," Zain agreed easily.
Watching them walk away, the stalker spoke into his phone again, a cynical edge to his whisper. I found him but I found him but he was with girl