The flight attendant smiled politely, her voice smooth as silk. "Miss, what would you like to have?"
Before I could even part my lips, Lu Shiyuan, beside me, answered for me. "She'll take an iced latte, no sugar, and an almond croissant."
My head turned sharply toward him.
He met my gaze, eyes calm but unreadable. "Of course, I would know everything about my wife."
My mouth opened, then closed again. I wanted to argue, but the truth was, he knew things about me.
Still, I wasn't going to let him win this round. "Actually, I'll have a green tea and fruit platter," I said, with a polite smile toward the attendant.
For a second, I caught a flicker of confusion cross his face. His brows furrowed, and when he looked away, his phone buzzed. He typed something quickly, his long fingers moving with cold precision. I saw the corner of the message light up on his screen:
The information was wrong. She doesn't like coffee or sweets.
My chest tightened. Information? Wrong? Who was he asking about me?
The rest of the flight passed in silence. I leaned against the window, pretending to sleep, but I could feel his gaze occasionally drift toward me. Each time I turned my head, he was already looking away.
When we arrived at the resort, the ocean air hit me like a warm whisper. The entrance was elegant—glass chandeliers, soft music, and a faint scent of vanilla.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Lu," the receptionist greeted brightly.
I nearly tripped. He didn't correct her. Instead, Lu Shiyuan just placed a hand on my back, guiding me forward. "Thank you," he said smoothly.
I could feel the burn rising to my cheeks. "You could've corrected her," I muttered under my breath. He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting. "And ruin the fun?"
He was impossible.
Lunch was quiet—too quiet. The waiter set down our dishes while the sea wind danced through the open balcony. I focused on my plate, not on the man across from me who was cutting his steak with the elegance of someone who owned the entire world.
"Eat properly," he said, voice low. "You're just pushing your food around."
I shot him a glare.
Before I could retort, his phone buzzed. His expression shifted immediately—serious, cold. "Excuse me! I need to take this."
He stood, walking toward the terrace.
I shouldn't have followed him. I told myself that. But something in my chest—curiosity, maybe insecurity—pulled me to my feet.
Through the glass door, I saw him speaking softly, his tone sharp yet composed. He looked every inch the CEO—calm, dangerous, powerful. I took one step closer, straining to hear—but then he turned.
I froze. My heel wobbled, and before I could regain balance, I felt the world tilt.
Strong arms caught me.
My hands pressed against his chest; his heartbeat was steady, mine was not. His scent—clean and faintly musky—surrounded me. Our eyes met for a brief second, and everything went still.
Then—"Congratulations!"
I jumped, startled. Confetti exploded above us. The staff from the restaurant surrounded us with bright smiles.
"You are our 100th couple today! You've won a two-day couple tour package!"
"What?" I blinked. Lu Shiyuan laughed quietly, the sound low and surprisingly warm. "Looks like we're lucky."
I stepped back immediately, cheeks burning. "I—We're not—this is a mistake!"But the staff only clapped harder, handing us a golden envelope with "Couple of the Day" written across it.
He accepted it smoothly, thanking them as if he'd been waiting for this moment all along.
When we finally escaped back to our suite, I could still feel the heat on my face. He leaned against the door, watching me with that faintly amused look that made me want to throw something at him.
"Don't look so angry," he said. "I didn't plan that."
"Sure," I muttered. "You probably bribed them."
"Would I need to?" he asked. "You make every room light up when you walk in."
My stomach flipped. I turned away. "You're insufferable."
"I'm honest."
That evening, the sunset poured gold across the room as I got ready. I wore a brown high-neck top with a matching skirt and a long overcoat. My reflection looked… different. Softer. Maybe it was the way I'd started seeing myself lately—less broken, more alive.
When I stepped into the living room, he was fastening his cufflinks. He looked up—and froze. Then, without a word, he turned and went back into the bedroom.
Five minutes later, he emerged wearing a brown shirt that matched mine almost perfectly. I blinked. "You changed your clothes."
He smirked. "Couldn't let you steal all the attention."
I crossed my arms. "So now we're matching?"
"Looks like we share brain cells."
"Or you copied me."
He only smiled, offering his arm. "Call it destiny."
I sighed, but I took his arm anyway. My pulse betrayed me, quickening under his touch.
The "couple tour" turned out to be a sunset cruise. The air was cool, filled with the sound of waves lapping against the yacht. Around us, other couples laughed, clinked glasses, leaned into one another. I tried to stand apart, gazing at the sea.
"Cold?" His voice came softly from behind me. Before I could answer, he draped his jacket over my shoulders.
"Thanks," I murmured. He didn't move away. Instead, he stayed close, his presence wrapping around me like a second coat.
We stood like that, the silence between us thicker than the ocean mist.
After a while, the host announced, "Couple dance! Please, everyone, join us for a slow number!"
"I don't dance," I said quickly.
"Neither do I," he replied, already taking my hand.
He led me to the small dance floor anyway. His hand settled at my waist, firm but gentle. My pulse skipped.
"Lu Shiyuan—" He leaned in slightly, voice a whisper near my ear. "If fate keeps pairing us together, maybe you should stop fighting it."
The music swelled. The world faded. For a few minutes, I forgot the secrets, the pain, the confusion. There was just the rhythm—the warmth of his hand, the way our steps fell in sync, the way my heart matched his.
When the song ended, I didn't step back right away. Neither did he.
Later that night, we returned to the resort. The lobby lights glowed golden, and beyond the glass walls, fireworks painted the sky. I stood by the window, watching them in silence. Each burst of color reflected in the glass—vivid, fleeting, beautiful.
Lu Shiyuan stood behind me, one hand in his pocket, his reflection merging with mine. For a second, it looked like we were one silhouette.
He said quietly, "You keep pretending you don't care."
I didn't turn around. "Maybe I'm just trying not to fall again."
A pause. "Then fall me harder, until I catch you."
The fireworks boomed louder, hiding the thud of my heart.
He took a step closer—but didn't touch me. Not this time. Just close enough for me to feel his warmth, steady and patient.
I didn't move away either.
That night, as I lay in bed, I stared at the ceiling, the echoes of his words looping in my mind.
Somewhere deep inside, I knew—I was already losing that battle.
He said it like a command, but it sounded like a promise.And I hated that my heart wanted to obey.