Anya sat at the breakfast table, her plate of toast in front of her. Across from her, Zain tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a subtle sign of his restlessness. His legs shifted under the table as if he couldn't stay still.
This is it, Zain thought. If I don't say it now, I might never get the chance.
He took a deep breath. "So… what are your plans for the day?"
Anya glanced up, smiling softly. "You know me—I watch my favorite drama series every Sunday. So today, I'll watch it again."
Zain nodded, a small pause before he continued. "Oh… I forgot. Well, I'm free today too, so I—" His voice faltered.
Anya leaned slightly closer, teasing, "So… what, boss?"
Zain straightened his back, meeting her eyes seriously. "Anya… I want to be your friend."
For a moment, Anya froze. Her chopsticks hovered mid-air. Did he just say that? she wondered, half in shock, half in disbelief. She repeated the word silently to herself: Friend?
"Are you serious?" she asked finally, a small laugh escaping her lips.
"I am. I really want to be your friend," Zain said, his voice calm but sincere. "We've never really talked properly. We've been living under the same roof, yet like strangers. I can't keep living like this—not as husband and wife, not as strangers. I want us to be friends."
Anya nodded slowly, understanding the truth in his words. Yes… we are strangers under one roof.
"Okay," she agreed softly. "But… you won't change your mind later, will you?"
Zain's gaze softened, a rare warmth in his eyes. "No."
Anya held up her pinky. "Pinky promise?"
Zain smiled, his own pinky linking with hers. "Pinky promise," he said, and they both chuckled.
Anya straightened, a small triumphant smile on her face. "But remember, even friendship has rules—and I make the rules."
Zain raised an eyebrow, curious. "Rules?"
"Yes," she said firmly, "I won't do all the housework alone. You'll help me too, understood?"
Zain nodded. "Fine. How do we split it?"
"Simple," she replied. "You wash the dishes in the evening, I'll do them in the morning. You sweep and mop in the morning, I'll do it in the evening."
Zain's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "Okay. But I'm not cooking. I prefer your cooking anyway."
Anya grinned, a new sparkle in her eyes. "Fine. I'll cook."
After breakfast, there was a brief silence. Anya put down her fork and smiled at Zain.
"So… are you really going to wash the dishes later?" she asked teasingly.
Zain looked at her and gave a faint smile. "Why not? It's part of the deal. Besides, it's a husband's duty to help his wife."
Anya's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Husband? I thought we were just friends!"
Zain chuckled lightly. "People who live together sometimes act like a couple. But don't worry—I won't cross any limits."
Anya covered her mouth, giggling. 'Why is he acting so strange today?' she thought, feeling her heart beat a little faster.
As she carried her plate toward the sink, she accidentally brushed against Zain, and their foreheads bumped.
"Ah!" Zain said, touching his brow.
"Sorry!" Anya said, slightly embarrassed, holding her forehead. "Are you okay?"
Zain laughed and placed his hand on her head. Anya looked up at him. She was tall enough to reach his chest, and looking up at him, her heart raced faster with every laugh of his.
She was about to say something when Zain said, "Careful, Miss Little Cat, or you'll get hurt."
Anya blinked. "You called me a cat?"
Zain nodded. "Your friends call you that. Tinag told me. I wonder who Tinag told about it?"
Anya shook her head. Zain took her plate from her. "I'll wash this. You clean the table." He started washing the dishes right there in his pajamas.
Anya watched him and cleared the table. 'Why does it feel like we're husband and wife, in love with each other? But this is just the start of our friendship,' she thought.
Then her eyes landed on the phone near the sofa. She gave a mischievous smile, quietly picked it up, and started taking pictures of Zain. 'The CEO of Yan Empire washing dishes! How funny!' She laughed.
Zain noticed and realized Anya was taking pictures. "Why are you taking my photo, Mrs. Yan?" he asked.
Anya grinned. "So I can show everyone how the wolf boss washes dishes!" She laughed.
Zain took off his dishwashing gloves and came closer. "Delete the photos immediately, Mrs. Yan."
"I won't delete them!" Anya said, hiding her phone behind her. "What will you do about it?"
Zain reached for the phone. Anya ran, and Zain chased her. They ran around the sofa, and suddenly Zain blocked her path. Anya was about to fall, but Zain grabbed her waist. Her foot slipped, and they both tumbled.
Zain landed on top of Anya but placed his hand under her head to prevent her from getting hurt. Anya's heart raced, and she could feel Zain's heartbeat, which was beating as fast as hers.
They looked at each other for a moment. Anya finally asked, "Will you get up now?"
Zain sat up. Taking advantage of the moment, he snatched Anya's phone and deleted the pictures.
Anya ran into her room, still giggling and slightly out of breath. Zain leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a mock-serious expression on his face.
"Mrs. Yan, I hope you learned your lesson about taking my photos," he said, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.
Anya puffed her cheeks and waved her phone. "I did! But… you're too fast. How did you even catch me?"
Zain stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I've lived in this house long enough to know all your little tricks."
Anya's cheeks warmed. "Oh really? Is that so, Mr. Wolf?" She teased, tilting her head.
He raised an eyebrow. "Yes. And now… I think it's only fair you let me teach you some tricks of my own."
Anya's eyes widened slightly. "Tricks? What kind of tricks?"
Zain grinned, leaning in closer, so close that Anya could feel his presence. "Little lessons in… patience, mischief… and maybe how to survive having me as a friend."
Anya giggled nervously, her heartbeat quickening. "I don't know if I'm ready for that."
"Too late," Zain said with a playful wink. "You already agreed to be my friend. And friends… share everything—including a little chaos."
They laughed together, the tension of earlier dissolving into something warm and light. For the first time, Anya felt that living with Zain might not be so intimidating—maybe even fun.
Zain glanced at her phone lying on the table. "And don't think about hiding your next trick. I'll find it."
Anya laughed again, pretending to be indignant. "I'll get you next time, Mr. Wolf."
Zain shook his head, smiling softly. "I'll be ready. But for now… let's clean up the kitchen together. Friends help each other, remember?"
Anya rolled her eyes but smiled, realizing that this strange, teasing friendship was just beginning—and it already felt special.