Noah was trying his best to stay low-key.
Unfortunately, fate—and the system—had other plans.
> SYSTEM: "Plot event triggered: Corporate Collaboration."
"What?" Noah whispered, staring at his tablet as he rode the elevator. "No, no, no. I'm supposed to avoid Ethan, not collaborate!"
> SYSTEM: "Too late. You have been assigned as project co-leader with Ethan Reid."
"Co-leader?" Noah groaned. "I can't even lead a PowerPoint!"
The elevator dinged. Doors opened.
And there was Ethan.
Perfect suit. Sharp jawline. Zero expression.
A walking anxiety trigger.
> "Wilder," Ethan said coolly. "You're late."
Noah smiled too wide. "Fashionably. It's part of my brand."
Ethan gave him a long, unimpressed stare.
> "Try professionalism instead. It might suit you."
They sat at a long glass table with a dozen staff members. Ethan was explaining market analytics like he'd been born in a spreadsheet. Noah, meanwhile, was busy trying not to drool at how his rolled-up sleeves showed perfect forearms.
> "Mr. Wilder," one of the managers said. "What's your opinion on Reid Corp's new integration model?"
Noah froze. "My opinion?"
"Yes, sir."
"Uh…" He blurted the first thing that came to mind. "It's… sexy."
Dead silence.
Ethan blinked slowly.
> "Excuse me?"
Noah wanted to die. "I mean—it's innovative! Innovative, not sexy! I just… really admire your model—THE BUSINESS MODEL—"
Someone coughed loudly to hide a laugh. Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose.
> "I see this collaboration will be... eventful."
Ethan and Noah were forced to stay behind to finalize some documents. Noah sat awkwardly across from him, signing papers he barely understood.
> "You're unusually quiet," Ethan said finally, not looking up.
Noah shrugged. "Trying not to mess anything up."
> "That's new," Ethan muttered.
Noah looked up. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ethan's gaze lifted, locking with his.
> "You've spent years making a mess of everything I build. Forgive me if I'm… cautious about your sudden 'niceness.'"
Noah leaned forward, smirking a little. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf."
> "Or hiding something."
The tension was thick enough to chew. Noah forced a grin. "Fine, you got me. I'm hiding a secret mission."
Ethan arched a brow. "Which is?"
"Peace," Noah said dramatically, holding up a coffee cup like a white flag. "My only weapon is caffeine."
Ethan stared at him for a long second — and then, shockingly, chuckled.
> "You really are insane."
Noah grinned. "You smiled. That's progress."
> "I didn't smile."
"You totally did."
"I didn't."
"You did."
Ethan sighed, giving up. "You're impossible."
Accidental Coffee Date
When they both left the office, it started raining. Noah's car hadn't arrived yet, and Ethan's driver was running late. They ended up waiting together under the same awning.
A vendor nearby was selling coffee.
Noah glanced at Ethan. "Peace offering part two?"
Ethan hesitated, then nodded. "Just black."
Noah returned a few minutes later, drenched but grinning. "One black coffee for the brooding CEO."
> "You look ridiculous," Ethan said, eyes flicking to Noah's soaked hair.
"And you look like a magazine cover," Noah shot back. "Unfair advantage."
Ethan looked away, but his lips twitched again — the faintest smile.
They stood there in the soft rainlight, coffee cups steaming between them.
For the first time, there was no rivalry.
Just… warmth. And tension.
Noah sipped his drink. "You know, if we weren't mortal enemies in the plot, this would almost feel like a date."
Ethan's eyes met his, calm but unreadable.
> "Maybe it is."
Noah choked on his coffee.
Ethan turned away, hiding a smirk.
> "Careful, Wilder. Don't read too much into it."
Noah's heart was doing somersaults. Too late.
> SYSTEM: "Plot deviation: High. Warning Level — Red."
"Reality stability: 62%."
Noah froze.
"Uh-oh..