The sunlight was as scorching as an oven, baking the city all over, with waves of heat flooding the place and making the buildings feel like they were boiling too.
Even with the iciest popsicle in hand, under this intense sun, any chill melted away almost instantly, turning into a mere puddle.
In the office, Elise sat at her desk, staring at her computer, utterly exhausted and just wanting to sleep.
Thinking about Baden's fiery passion from the day before, her heart raced with a hint of panic. Was he planning to keep showering her with this much affection until he left for his trip?
It was only her second day in a long-sleeved top, and she was already feeling unbearably hot.
As much as she felt she couldn't handle it, she couldn't deny that, in those moments of closeness, she… really liked it.
She slumped over her desk, hardly able to believe that she had become so shameless... No, no, it was a longing for love, a yearning to be loved.
She would never admit while fully conscious, in front of him, that she actually enjoyed the way he treated her.
"Here we go!" Evelyn cheerily kept up her routine from the day before, holding two cups of coffee. "You said you were cold, so I brought you another hot coffee to warm you up!"
Elise, feeling drained of all energy, forced a weak smile, "Evelyn, you really don't have to be so thoughtful."
"We've known each other so long. Don't be so formal!" Evelyn, with a charming smile, placed a hot coffee on Elise's desk. "By the way, Killian said she'd like to get to know you better. After all, she's the new girl, and you're the senior."
Elise's eyes filled with curiosity as she tapped her pen on the desk. "Oh... well, she can come to me herself."
Get to know her? Why did that sound a bit strange?
They already ran into each other at work, being in the same department, so why the need for a special introduction?
But Killian hadn't approached her directly—instead, she'd gone through Evelyn?
"Maybe she's just shy." Evelyn tapped her temple thoughtfully. "Anyway, I've passed on the message. We have a meeting soon, so let's talk more later."
"Huh? There's a meeting today?" Elise felt like she'd been struck by lightning, every cell in her body jolted as she jumped up from her seat in shock.
How did she not know there was a meeting today? Oh no, she didn't bring her ring.
Wait, she remembered—she had been staying at his place these past few days, with no chance to grab it.
"Yeah, you forgot?" Evelyn poked her cheek, worry clouding her brows. "You've been acting a bit strange these days—first you're saying it's cold under the blazing sun, and now you forgot about the meeting. What's going on? Want to talk about it?"
"Oh, it's nothing… just been a bit forgetful lately…" Elise feigned nonchalance, the corners of her lips curving up in a faint smile. "Been extra tired these days, too much work."
"True, you're juggling concepts for two stories, so I think it's good they didn't send you on that trip." Evelyn mentioned, somewhat casually, flipping through her planner. "A month-long business trip is tiring, and staying in a hotel is nowhere near as comfortable as home."
Talking about hotels reminded Elise that Braden, during his month-long business trip, would be seeing Mylee every day—for work, meals, meetings…
They'd be seeing each other daily… Somehow, an uneasy feeling began to swell within her, threatening to drown her.
Should she have nudged him into marriage sooner? But would he think she was rushing things… Should she have nudged him into marriage sooner? But would he think she was rushing things…
"Whatever you're thinking, it's about time for the meeting," Evelyn's sweet voice pulled her out of her drifting thoughts and back to reality.
"Alright," Elise responded, clearing away all the tangled thoughts.
She decided not to dwell on marriage, nor the business trip, for now.
When they arrived in the conference room and everyone took their places, Baden's deep brown eyes only saw his Elise.
She was dressed in a gray-brown plaid waist-hugging dress with a khaki puff-sleeved top and brown ankle boots. She exuded an undeniable grace, like a fashion model.
Her soft brown hair, curled inward at the ends, highlighted her rosy, delicate skin, embodying both elegance and romance.
He was mesmerized, though he'd been the first to see her like this. No matter how long he looked, he never grew tired of the sight.
"Before we begin, I'd like to introduce our new screenwriter, Tyree." H Technology's chairman, Gunnar, gestured to the person seated to his left.
Tyree had black hair, wore a pair of thin gold-framed glasses, and dressed in a dark green suit over a black floral shirt, giving off an air of nonchalance.
Elise, however, focused her attention on Gunnar. This was her first time seeing the chairman in person. Previously, she'd only seen him in photos.
Gunnar rarely involved himself in projects, a stark contrast to Zayne, well, Zayne.
"Hello, great to meet everyone," Tyree greeted casually, signaling goodwill to the room.
He was addressing everyone, but his gaze fixed solely on Elise, as if trying to see right through her.
Elise nodded politely in acknowledgment, without letting her thoughts stray.
"Actually, Tyree is quite talented, especially in screenwriting; he's even won several awards for best script in the gaming category. So, we hope that through his skills, we can enhance cooperation between both sides and make the game as perfect as possible." Gunnar introduced Tyree in detail, as if he were grooming him like a son, and his words were filled with praise.
"Tyree is indeed a great talent, even I can't compare," Mylee said deliberately, casting a glance at Elise with a smile that seemed tinged with a shadow. "Elise, if you get the chance, you could interact more with Tyree."
"Alright, thank you," Elise responded naturally with a smile, as if she were simply taking a suggestion.
Even though she felt that Mylee seemed somewhat hostile, with so many eyes on them, she couldn't say anything.
"Oh wow, that's great, you guys have a new screenwriter too!" Zayne grinned widely and started talking about things unrelated to the meeting. "We also have a new writer, named Killian, but when it comes to favorites, Elise still holds a special place in my heart."
"Thank you, Zayne… I'm not worthy of that," Elise said, lowering her head in embarrassment, wishing she could find a hole to hide in.
Phew, she was thankful that Killian wasn't present. Otherwise, there'd be another person feeling awkward.
"Elise is really beautiful, a woman who's both capable and gorgeous is rare in our industry," Tyree teased openly, his gaze fixed on Elise. "I bet a lot of people are after you, huh?"
Elise's eyes widened in surprise; instinctively, she felt he was being overly forward. Unsure of how to respond, she signaled to Evelyn.
Sure enough, Evelyn came to her rescue gracefully, saying, "Just like the heroine of our game, admired by everyone."
"Let's get back on track. For the upcoming fall update, we've added a 'Harvest Moon Couples Set,' a 'Harmony Duet Outfit' for pairs, and new side quests. Plus, if you defeat the seasonal boss, the 'Twilight Songstress,' you'll earn an exclusive reward bundle." Baden's left index finger tapped rhythmically on the tabletop, and the icy glint in his gaze gave him an unapproachable edge.
"The Twilight Songstress outfit is designed beautifully—a woman with long chestnut hair, dressed in a flowing, soft pink gown with wide sleeves and a sheer lavender shawl. It's just breathtaking from every angle." Tyree smiled deliberately, as if challenging something, trying to divert the focus of the meeting.
Especially since his gaze continued to linger boldly on Elise.
"Speaking of which, aren't we having a joint annual dinner?" Mylee played along with Tyree's lead. "We could do some role-playing, get into character. Elise, what do you think?"
"That's not necessary." Baden's displeasure had reached its peak, and he stated bluntly, "I don't like this kind of role-play."
Mylee's beautiful face almost fell. Baden's ungracious behavior only added to her resentment.
Did he think she didn't realize he was protecting Elise? But she told herself it was nothing, to just bear with it, to simply endure.
"Roleplay? Not bad!" Zayne said, clapping enthusiastically. "I actually love historical dramas, and I've been wanting to try some roleplay. I can't believe we're on the same page—this is awesome!"
Clearly, Zayne was completely oblivious to the underlying tensions brewing among the others.
"Alright, alright, the most important thing right now is the content of the update. There's still time before the annual dinner, no need to discuss it now," Madisyn spoke up, quickly trying to mediate.
She was practically on the verge of losing her mind. One oddball Tyree was enough, but adding Mylee to the mix was one thing—and now, even Zayne was part of the fray!
"Anyway, the update for the Mid-Autumn event will go live this week. We'll discuss the rest later," Baden's gaze was icy, like a cold winter wind, devoid of warmth.
"Take a ten-minute break," Gunnar finished his words, as if savoring a good show.
Upon hearing the break announcement, Elise happily ran to the vending machine, bought a pack of milk tea, unwrapped the straw, and took big, satisfying sips.
She could finally quench her thirst. Evelyn's coffee had been scalding hot, heating her up so much that she felt like she was being slowly cooked.
"Don't you feel like you've forgotten something?" Baden's voice was chilling, sounding unexpectedly from behind her.
"I was thirsty, so I thought I'd grab a drink. Evelyn's been giving me hot coffee for the past couple of days, and I'm about to overheat." She turned around to meet his gaze, which was blazing with anger. "I was thirsty, so I thought I'd grab a drink. Evelyn's been giving me hot coffee for the past couple of days, and I'm about to overheat." She turned around to meet his gaze, which was blazing with anger.
His eyes were like fire, seemingly ready to burn her to ashes.
Braden, a bit jealous, asked, "Do you still remember I'm here?"
The thought of Tyree in the conference room saying all sorts of nonsense to Elise and the irritating way his gaze lingered on her made Braden want to throw him out.
"How could I forget?" Elise smiled sweetly, taking his hand, a bit coquettishly. "I was just a little thirsty…"
"Just keep your distance from Tyree," Braden said, his voice steady but tinged with jealousy.
"Why would I have any reason to get close to him?" Elise didn't quite understand, as her contact person was supposed to be Mylee.
"No reason at all, not a single one," Baden's voice was as unyielding as stone, forbidding any objection.
Elise seemed to understand, staring at his displeased face with sudden realization. "Are you… jealous?"
Braden, without the awkwardness she expected, simply pulled her into his arms.
"Yes, I don't like the way he looks at you," Braden admitted without hesitation, his tone laced with melancholy. "I don't want to see him looking at you like that…"
Sensing the timing was right, she spoke with a teasing tone, "Then hurry up and marry me already, so I can… see you every day."
Her endless coaxing finally eased the jealousy swelling within him.
"After this business trip." Braden held her close, feeling her warmth and softness. "When I'm back, I'll take you to register."
Elise's eyes showed surprise. Although she didn't mind moving fast, getting married in just a month was sooner than she'd anticipated.
"In a hurry, are we?" she said, though her face glowed with the happiness of a bride-to-be.
He responded unreasonably, holding her even tighter. "I'm a control freak. If I don't keep you by my side, I can't be at ease."
"Alright." She laughed joyfully, like a girl delighted with a sweet treat. "You said it."
