Kael sat in his office, elbows resting on the desk, eyes fixed on the laptop screen. For over an hour, he had been scrolling through his contacts, trying to remember anyone who might help him in Canada.
He didn't want to act openly or start asking questions—doing so would attract attention he could not afford. The last thing he wanted was for his mother to suspect something before he was ready.
His eyes skimmed over the names, but there were too many he didn't trust. His brows furrowed, fingers drumming against the desk.
This was harder than he thought.
He clasped his hands together, staring at the endless list before him—names from business, university, private events.
None of them felt right. None of them were safe.
Leaning back in his chair, Kael closed his eyes. Why is this so important to me?
The answer came instantly.
Auren.
Every time he saw her with his mother, there was this invisible, undeniable link between them. And when he'd seen her in the kitchen—with that look on her face, with those words about her mother—
He understood.
She was in pain.
The kind of pain that comes from not knowing.
From watching someone you love suffer and having no idea why.
And it made him angry.
Kael opened his eyes again, gaze sharp. He was not the kind of man who stopped when faced with obstacles. If he decided to do something—he did it.
Then, suddenly, a name caught his eye.
He stared for a moment, lips curving into a faint smirk.
"Maybe you'll come in handy after all..." he muttered, reaching for his phone.
He hesitated before dialing. That person wasn't exactly a convenient contact—but the only one he could trust in a situation like this.
For a few seconds, he just looked at the screen, fingers hovering above the call button. Is it worth it?
Then he remembered Auren's face, her worried eyes when she spoke of her mother.
That alone was enough to burn away the doubt.
Kael pressed call, sinking deeper into his chair, ready for a conversation that might unlock a door to a past Auren didn't even know existed.
***
Auren sat at her desk, her head resting tiredly on her hand.
The air in the office felt heavy, as if it had soaked up all her thoughts and worries. Outside, the sun was setting, spilling soft orange light across the walls—warm, yet somehow uncomforting.
The stack of papers before her was neat, but the words blurred together.
Work, usually her escape, now felt distant.
Something deep inside her wouldn't let go, like an invisible hand closing around her chest.
Her coffee sat untouched. She had poured it out of habit, then forgotten it existed.
A small draft lifted a corner of one of the papers, snapping her back for a second. The office was quiet. Too quiet. She knew that stepping outside would mean returning to the noise and routine—but right now she felt detached, like she was watching life through glass.
Her fingers toyed absently with her sleeve, while pieces of yesterday's conversation with her mother replayed in her mind.
That was when the door opened, and Iris walked in—animated, as always.
"Auren! You won't believe the news I have—"
Her voice faded the instant she met Auren's eyes.
That tired, dimmed look... the spark was gone.
The energy she'd brought in evaporated like a flame doused with water.
Iris scanned her friend quickly—tense shoulders, thin fingers clutching fabric, a cold cup of coffee.
Something was wrong.
"Did something happen?" she asked softly, suspicion threading through her concern.
Auren lifted her gaze, clearly about to answer—but didn't have the chance.
Iris stepped forward and dropped into the chair opposite her, arms crossed. Her eyes narrowed slightly, sharp and knowing.
"It's Mr. Dantes, isn't it?" she asked bluntly, tilting her head. "You two fought?"
Auren blinked, startled, but before she could say a word, Iris waved her hand.
"If it is him, then he's an idiot."
She crossed one leg over the other, her tone firm and confident, as if stating a universal truth.
Auren opened her mouth to respond, but Iris was already on a roll.
"Wait, don't tell me! Let me guess." She leaned forward. "Was he being distant again? Cold? Gave you that 'I'm fine, nothing's wrong' look while pretending everything's normal?"
Iris paused only for breath before continuing.
"Or worse—ignored you completely? No, no—he probably said something logical and detached, didn't he? Ugh, classic."
Auren couldn't help it—she smiled, amused by her friend's righteous indignation.
There was warmth beneath the teasing, genuine care that seeped through every word.
But before she could speak, the director's office door swung open, and Kael stepped out with his phone in hand. His gaze instantly landed on the two women.
The silence that followed was brief, but thick.
Iris's expression changed in a heartbeat. Her posture stiffened, though a flicker of challenge lit up her eyes.
She tilted her head ever so slightly, studying him, then quickly looked away, as if what she'd said moments ago had nothing to do with him.
Still, she moved closer to Auren—standing beside her now, almost protectively.
"You know, Auren," she began conversationally, her tone deceptively casual, "there are people who are smart, powerful, organized—everything in their life under control. But somehow, when it comes to the important things, they completely fall apart."
She paused, staring at her nails thoughtfully.
"For instance, noticing the people right in front of them."
Auren stifled a laugh, trying not to draw attention, but Iris went on, voice smooth and deliberate.
"Or those who think that if they just don't talk about something, the problem will magically disappear. Convenient, isn't it?"
Kael tilted his head slightly, meeting her gaze.
"Are you trying to say something?"
Iris widened her eyes, feigning innocence.
"Me? Oh no, just thinking out loud, Director Dantes."
She shrugged lightly, though the glint in her eyes betrayed her composure.
"But really—some people get so absorbed in their duties that they miss the obvious. Or maybe they see it, but pretend not to."
Auren opened her mouth to interrupt, but Iris's momentum was unstoppable.
"Of course," she continued airily, "maybe we should forgive that kind of blindness. After all, they probably don't even realize how much that coldness gets in their way."
Her tone was calm, but there was fire in her eyes.
Just then, the door opened again—and Diego walked in, holding a stack of documents, looking focused.
But as soon as he caught Iris's last words, he slowed, curiosity flickering across his face.
"Coldness?" he repeated, raising a brow.
Iris smiled sweetly.
"Mm-hm. Some people think acting like they don't care will make everything fix itself."
Diego turned toward Kael, who was now staring back at him with a faintly irritated look.
"Are you saying that about me?" Kael asked, voice dry.
"Oh, how perceptive!" Iris replied with mock surprise.
Auren barely managed to hide her laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. Kael noticed, and his brow furrowed deeper.
"Is this really what we're doing during office hours?" he muttered.
Before Iris could retort, Diego smirked.
"You can't really blame her," he said casually. "If even Iris's noticed, maybe there's something to it."
Kael turned sharply toward him.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Diego just shrugged, calm as ever.
"Just an observation. I can elaborate, if you'd like."
The teasing grin that followed only made Kael sigh, clearly aware that this was not a battle he'd win.
Iris leaned forward again, voice sharper now.
"I'm just saying Auren looks exhausted. And who surrounds her here every day? Oh, right—our esteemed director."
Diego groaned quietly, rubbing his temple.
"Look, I don't know what you think happened, but Kael doesn't hurt Auren. That's impossible."
"Of course you'd say that," Iris shot back. "Friends always defend each other—even when they don't know the full story."
"It's funny hearing that from someone making judgments without one," Diego replied evenly.
"I know enough to see what's going on," Iris countered. "She's clearly upset, and if it's not the job, then it's the person closest to her."
"Oh, come on," Diego exhaled. "Maybe she just had a long day."
"Or maybe you just can't admit your perfect friend isn't that perfect."
"Or maybe you just like to argue."
"Or maybe you just don't like that I'm right."
Auren sighed, glancing helplessly between them.
The argument only grew louder, the tension sharper—until she looked at Kael.
He met her eyes, and for a second, they both shared the same quiet amusement.
Kael stepped closer to her, and she—almost instinctively—did the same.
Now standing side by side, they simply watched the bickering duo.
"They're kind of cute," Auren murmured, tilting her head.
Kael huffed a laugh.
"Never seen Diego argue like this before."
Auren smiled faintly.
"I think they'd make a great couple."
Kael turned to her, eyebrow raised.
"Seriously?"
"Why not?" Auren replied lightly. "Look at them. That's chemistry if I've ever seen it."
He chuckled but didn't comment, eyes still on the two who hadn't yet realized they had an audience.
Then, leaning a little closer to Auren, Kael asked quietly:
"So what started this whole mess anyway?"
Auren folded her arms, smiling.
"Iris saw my face, decided I was upset, and before I could even explain, she concluded that you must have hurt me."
Kael blinked, then let out a short laugh.
"Impeccable logic."
"Oh, you've no idea," Auren murmured, amused.
Still watching Diego and Iris's back-and-forth, Kael finally raised his voice:
"Hey, lovebirds, maybe you could argue somewhere else? This is an office, not a marriage counseling session."
Both froze, turning toward him in unison.
"W-what?!" they blurted out at once.
Auren barely suppressed a laugh, and Kael smirked, enjoying himself far too much.
"What? You're arguing like you've been married for ten years," he added with a shrug.
Both Diego and Iris flushed crimson.
"E-excuse me?!" Iris stammered.
"Who's calling us lovebirds?!" Diego snapped, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Just stating the obvious," Kael said smoothly. "You two are louder than any couple I've ever met."
"Absolutely not!" Iris huffed, crossing her arms.
"Definitely not with her!" Diego shot back—only for their eyes to meet, and instantly dart away again.
Auren shook her head, laughing softly.
"You two really are adorable."
"Don't start," Iris warned, though her flushed face betrayed her.
"Anyway," Kael said, waving a hand, "try to remember this is still a workplace."
He turned to Diego. "So—what did you actually come here for?"
Diego blinked, as if just remembering.
"Right. Good news." He straightened, switching back into work mode. "We resolved that issue from yesterday."
"Details," Kael said.
"The client agreed to our terms. A few minor adjustments, but overall, it's a go," Diego replied.
Kael nodded slowly.
"Better than I expected. So, progress."
Diego smirked.
"Didn't think it would go well, huh?"
"With our luck? I wasn't counting on it," Kael muttered, gesturing toward his office.
From the corner of her eye, Auren noticed Iris glancing at him again, something still unresolved flickering behind her look.
Auren leaned closer and whispered:
"What was that all about? You're not usually this... bold. Especially with him."
Iris shrugged, defiant but not harsh.
"I've been thinking about it for days," she murmured, not meeting Auren's eyes. "And honestly... I just..."
She didn't finish—the conversation shifted as Diego spoke up again.
"You've been a little distracted lately," he teased Kael.
Iris sighed, glanced briefly at Auren, and added quietly:
"I'll tell you later. Just... patience has its limits."
She straightened, a mask of composure slipping back into place.
Auren fought with a smile as Kael shot Diego a lazy look.
"I always make time for work," he said evenly, though Auren noticed the faint twitch of his lips.
Iris let out a soft huff, then took a steadying breath.
"Alright, I'll go. But this isn't over," she whispered to Auren before walking off.
Her eyes lingered briefly on Kael—sharp, testing—before she turned and left.
Diego 's gaze followed her unconsciously. When she paused at the doorway, he almost called out—but didn't. He caught himself, then quickly announced:
"Anyway, problem solved. We'll discuss the rest later."
"Why the rush?" Kael asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Got things to do," Diego said quickly, already halfway out.
He didn't look back—but Kael noticed the way his friend's eyes flicked toward the corridor, where Iris's silhouette had just disappeared.
Kael leaned back slightly, amused.
"Well, that's interesting," he muttered, glancing at Auren. "Think he's got... urgent business?"
Auren smiled knowingly.
"Maybe."
He smirked, watching the door close.
"Maybe indeed."