The next day at the office, it was Monday—the first workday since Elise and Braden had started dating. It was also the first time she'd watched him come into the company as her boyfriend.
She didn't plan to make their relationship public, keeping the ring he'd given her carefully at home. Part of her feared Mylee seeing it; she didn't know why, but she felt this happiness was fragile, teetering on the edge.
She had his promise, and she'd known him since they were kids. She might not know him as well as he knew her, but she was certain he'd never broken a single promise he'd made to her.
Still, she was afraid. Maybe the shadow of Graham lingered in her heart, so she wanted to keep this happiness hidden, only revealing it when they were truly married.
Would this happiness last? She hoped so. It should… right?
But unlike her, Braden wore his ring proudly. Even when he had to present on stage, the ring gleamed on his left ring finger, and he didn't care who saw it.
He would occasionally glance her way, wanting to take a good look at her, but he couldn't help noticing that the ring wasn't on her finger.
He understood her feelings, knew she still carried a hint of insecurity—just as he did. That's exactly why he wore his ring, so she could see that his promise to her was engraved on his heart at all times.
The hour-long meeting finally ended, and Elise gathered her things to leave the room. With Mylee present, she didn't greet Braden or even acknowledge him, keeping her distance.
Braden didn't care whether Elise had greeted him or not. He calmly walked out of the meeting room, searching for her.
The moment he spotted her, he walked over and took her hand, startling her.
He held her hand firmly and asked gently, "Not even going to say hello?"
She responded sheepishly, avoiding his gaze. "Well, no… I mean, we can talk after work, right?"
"But I really want to talk to you," he murmured, rubbing her palm. "I missed you."
"This is the office," she whispered, glancing around nervously. "People are walking by all the time. I don't want to be seen."
He paused, thinking seriously. "Are you really afraid of people finding out?"
She was anxious, her heart in turmoil. "Not exactly… it's just… what if things change?"
"You think I'd leave you?" He cupped her cheek, feeling a pang that she worried so much.
He knew she had once trusted Graham deeply, only to end up hurt. Now, he wanted to be with her, to marry her, and while she loved him too, her past had left her with lingering doubts.
There was hesitation, confusion, fear, uncertainty—a yearning to love and be loved, yet a deep-seated worry of being betrayed by love once she opened her heart fully.
"No." She shook her head. "I'm just… afraid someone else might like you and then…"
He looked a bit surprised but smoothly steered the conversation back to her. "I remember at that gaming expo, Zayne said you and Jakob made a good pair. I didn't like it—I was jealous. But once we got together, none of that mattered anymore. All I care about now is making you happy. Whether he's into you or not doesn't even cross my mind."
"You knew about that?" She blinked, surprised he knew.
"The time I sent you flowers, I'd already sensed it then." He looked at her, his tone soft yet sincere. "But I'm the one standing beside you now. Even if he likes you, it won't change us. I still love you, and you still love me, right? So you don't need to worry about anyone else having feelings for me. It won't affect what I feel for you. It's only ever going to be you, now and always."
"Could you maybe stop confessing every chance you get…" Her face was already flushed. "I don't want to be thinking about you all day at work. It distracts me."
"What do you think my answer would be?"
"Of course, it's a no."
"Then why ask if you already know?" He chuckled, finding her utterly adorable.
"Hey, asking is still a chance." She responded playfully, a shy smile on her face.
"But I should head back to H Technology." He gently patted her head, a soft, warm smile gracing his lips. "Next time we meet… could I see you wearing your ring too?"
Hearing him lay his thoughts bare, she realized she wasn't alone in her fears. Beneath his self-assured exterior, in matters of love, he too longed to be treasured, adored, and held close within her heart.
"Well, that depends on how you act," she teased, though in her heart, she'd already promised herself to show him the ring next time.
"You're really something, aren't you?" He leaned close to her ear. "Are you hoping I'll love you all over again?"
His warm breath tickled her ear, making her blush even more.
As if he'd only loved her once—his mind hadn't been on the hot springs at all.
She playfully tapped his chest, her voice sweetly soft. "You should hurry back to H Technology, or you'll lose your serious streak."
"Then after work, I'll take you out to dinner and play games with you. I've already made a reservation with you, so no other plans allowed," he said, squeezing her hand lovingly, his gaze fixed solely on her.
"Fine, I was thinking about meeting Ruth for dinner," she muttered, pretending to look a bit upset.
"Of course, it's a no." "Nope," he said firmly, repeating himself. "Even if it's her."
"Then you can't hide in your room anymore," she teased, smirking. "Or I'll have to call you a scaredy-cat for avoiding me."
"Me? Afraid? If anything, I'd lock you in there with me," he said, his tone dripping with suggestion, completely unashamed.
He spoke as casually as if they were discussing the weather, without a hint of embarrassment.
But his gaze was intense, as if it could see right through her, so heated that she felt exposed, instinctively tightening her grip on her collar.
"Are you imagining things?" he teased mischievously. "Elise, you're such a little flirt."
"I am not…" She pouted, her voice soft and pouty. "Not at all…" "Of course not!"
In the conference room, Mylee stayed back with Jakob to discuss the progress of their collaboration, wrapping up after nearly half an hour. They gathered their things and left the room together.
After just a few steps, Mylee paused, and Jakob, unsure why, followed her gaze. He then noticed Elise and Braden engrossed in a lively conversation.
Their interaction seemed different from before, warmer than that of mere friends. Every now and then, Braden touched Elise's hair, and he even held her hand.
Mylee's hand clenched into a fist at her side, and without a word, she turned and walked in the opposite direction.
