Back at work, Chloe was doing her best to refocus, but distraction arrived swiftly in the form of news: the next fashion campaign would feature Sabrina Kingsley, a glamorous socialite, heiress to a massive conglomerate, and Ryan's stunning college classmate.
The office buzzed with anticipation.
"She's even more beautiful in person," Agnes whispered. "And she and Mr. Sinclair are so close. Did you see how casually she talks to him?"
Chloe had and she wished she hadn't.
Rina was flawless, confident, and poised, everything Chloe wasn't. The two of them clearly knew each other well, speaking in an easy rhythm that only long-time friends shared. Chloe noticed how often Rina leaned in while talking to Ryan, how effortlessly she touched his arm, and how he didn't flinch away.
Then Chloe overheard it.
"Let's have lunch later," Rina said with a cool smile.
"Sure," Ryan replied casually.
Chloe quickly turned and buried her head in paperwork, pretending not to hear. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she pressed on with her tasks, refusing to show emotion.
Later that afternoon, her heart sank again as she overheard passing coworkers chatting excitedly.
"Don't you think Ryan and Rina look perfect together?"
"Totally! Power couple vibes."
Chloe lowered her gaze. They really do look good together, she admitted silently. She couldn't deny the sting in her chest.
"Worse, she overheard Rina say with a soft smile during a break, "Ryan, let's attend next week's fashion event together. I don't have a male partner yet."
There was a long pause.
"I… actually, I already have a female partner in mind," Ryan replied.
Rina blinked. "Who? Your sister?" she asked, trying to sound amused.
Ryan said nothing.
Chloe quietly looked away.
*****
Back in his office, Ryan sat alone, staring at the contact name on his screen.
Chloe.
He hadn't spoken to her since she told him maybe they weren't right for each other.
But ever since she returned to work, showing up quietly in the office building, his attention kept drifting toward her. She didn't know it, but she was the only person he looked for when he walked through the studio doors. It wasn't about obligation anymore.
He missed her.
******
At lunch, Chloe picked at her food. She had no appetite. Her mind kept drifting back to Ryan and Rina.
Of course they'd make a great couple. That's reality, she thought, sighing.
Just then, the office suddenly fell silent.
Chloe looked up and saw everyone staring toward the department entrance.
She followed their gaze and froze.
Ryan was walking in and directly toward her.
Chloe panicked. What is he doing? Didn't they agree to keep everything secret at work? Is he here for Ms. Yuko instead?
She quickly looked back down at her documents.
But footsteps approached. Then a shadow fell over her desk.
She slowly looked up.
Ryan was standing right beside her. Every eye in the department was watching.
He placed a small paper bag in front of her.
"Miss Chloe, your delivery," he said evenly, then turned and walked away.
The room buzzed with whispers.
Yumi dashed over, eyes wide. "Did the VP just… help to deliver something to you?! OMG! He's soooo handsome!"
Chloe opened the bag cautiously and found a small strawberry cheesecake pudding inside. On top of the container, a sticky note read:
Text me.
*****
After work, most people had left. Chloe stayed behind and doing filing documents for Ms. Yuko's upcoming presentation. She stretched on her toes to reach a top shelf when a hand appeared out of nowhere and took the folder from her.
It was Ryan.
He placed the file gently on the shelf, then looked down at her, standing just inches away.
"Did you see my note?" he asked.
"I did," Chloe replied softly.
"I've been waiting all afternoon for your text."
It was the first time she'd ever seen Ryan impatient. His normally cool expression was replaced with some annoyance.
"I'm sorry," Chloe said. "I planned to text you after I finished work."
Ryan exhaled, his frustration soften. Then make it up to me. Take me to dinner."
Chloe blinked, surprised. "Alright. My treat."
They went to her favorite ramen shop. It was small, humble, and not the kind of place someone like Ryan usually frequented. But he made no complaints. Chloe, however, was full of questions.
Why had he shown up like that?
Why was he acting so differently?
Why now?
As they sat at a table near the window and waited for their ramen, Chloe broke the silence.
"By the way… thank you for the strawberry cheesecake pudding," she said, glancing at him from across the table.
Ryan's lips twitched into a subtle smile. "I hope you like it."
Seeing his smile, Chloe's heart skipped a beat.
"Still, you really didn't have to deliver it yourself," she added, trying to sound casual.
"I wanted to," Ryan said.
Chloe looked down at her water glass, feeling her cheeks grow warm. "Well… thank you. It made my day."
Ryan didn't say anything, but the way he looked at her told her enough.
*****
After dinner, Ryan drove her home in comfortable silence. But as they neared her building, he finally spoke.
"I never planned on dating anyone else."
Chloe turned toward him. "Why? Like Sabrina's a great match. Everyone says you two look perfect together."
"We're just classmates," he replied calmly. "She asked to catch up."
"That sounded like a date," Chloe said, teasing him.
"Chloe… are you jealous?" he asked.
She didn't answer.
He parked the car and faced her more directly. "Do you object to our engagement?"
"I don't object," she said quietly, "But I don't agree that I'm your best option."
He reached out gently and touched her cheek.
Her breath hitched.
Then, Ryan said, "Chloe, even though we're engaged, we can still take time to get to know each other. We don't have to rush. We can start with dating… then move toward marriage."
Chloe's eyes widened. Her thoughts scattered. She was stunned. Overwhelmed.
"If you say nothing," Ryan added with a small, rare smile, "I'll take that as a yes."
She laughed, tears prickling the corners of her eyes, and suddenly threw her arms around him.
Ryan froze for a second, then slowly wrapped his arms around her in return.
"Once you hug me," he whispered near her ear, "You can't think about letting go."
Chloe nodded silently and held him tighter.
And for the first time… she stopped thinking about letting go.