Kia stood by the door, briefcase in hand, trying to steady his nerves. Even though he could skip work today — being the boss — he hated the idea of sitting idle while his responsibilities piled up.
"I have to go," he said quietly, trying not to sound desperate. "There's… a lot to handle at the office."
Ryan, seated at the dining table with his usual calm, commanding presence, didn't move. He was cold, measured, imposing — but his eyes flickered toward Kia for just a second, subtle and unreadable.
"So early?" Ryan asked, voice low, controlled, distant.
Kia swallowed, then blurted out the words he hadn't intended to say so soon.
"But… can I come back after work? Please?"
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't soften. He didn't lean in. He just watched him like a predator evaluating whether he should grant permission.
"…Fine," Ryan said finally, his tone clipped, cold. "Come back. But don't expect me to be waiting with open arms."
Kia's chest tightened with relief. He nodded quickly.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Liam, leaning casually against the doorway, smirked faintly, but there was fire in his eyes.
"You letting him come back, huh?" he asked, voice light but pointed.
Ryan glanced at him just once.
"…He asked. I said yes," he replied flatly.
Liam's smirk grew, teasingly. "And you're fine with it?"
Ryan's head tilted slightly, expression neutral. "I'm fine."
Inside, Liam's stomach twisted. He could see Ryan's selective softness — how he granted Kia little permissions — but Ryan remained oblivious to Liam's lingering touches and subtle advances.
Kia, flustered, repeated quietly, "I'll come back. I promise."
Ryan didn't reply, didn't smile. He returned to arranging some papers on the table. But for just a second, a subtle crease formed in his brow — a tiny crack in the cold exterior that only Kia could feel.
---
After Kia Leaves
The moment the door clicked shut, Ryan leaned back slightly, hands brushing over his face. His expression remained composed, but the tension in his shoulders eased imperceptibly.
Liam straightened, a faint smirk on his lips.
"You really are oblivious," he muttered under his breath.
Ryan didn't respond, taking a deliberate sip of his coffee.
A few moments later, Liam tried again, leaning closer as he casually commented, "You sure you're okay letting him come back?"
Ryan unconsciously stiffened — a tiny, almost invisible shake of his head, a reflexive, unintentional rejection of Liam's closeness. Then he relaxed again, completely unaware of the tension he had caused.
"Yeah. He's fine," he said flatly. "Now, stop standing there."
Liam's smirk faltered, but he let it slide, planning his next move.
Max, who had been silently observing the scene, finally shook his head.
Boss is cold… and soft at the same time. How does anyone survive this?
Ryan picked up a pen and returned to reviewing documents, cold and focused. But in the back of his mind, a small, selective warmth lingered. He already knew: when Kia returned tonight, things would be… different.
Author pov
I am so sorry that I posted late once again, and I will not be able to post ten chapters today because by phone will soon die, but I promise to post 15 chapter tomorrow if nothing comes up, good night cutie, have a blissful night 😁😘