After taking two days off, Monday morning arrived, and Elise sat in the conference room, head down, working on ideas for the game's plot.
Lately, she always felt cold, bringing an extra jacket whenever she went out in case the temperature dropped even further by evening.
Even though autumn had arrived, Evelyn, who was only wearing a thin jacket, thought Elise was overreacting by bringing a lightweight down coat.
For Elise, today's awkwardness was no less than what she'd felt two days ago at the karaoke. Annoying Tyree hadn't missed the meeting, and Braden, who felt more and more like a stranger, was there too.
This time, however, Mylee was absent due to other work commitments.
"Looking different today, sweetheart. Feeling cold? How about a coffee later?" Tyree's casual attitude was on full display once again.
The same scene again, and it was wearing thin. Jakob decided to step in and correct Tyree, but before he could say a word, someone else beat him to it.
"Can you keep it down a bit?" Baden's voice was calm, barely bothering to look his way.
To Tyree, being spoken to without eye contact was nothing short of an insult.
"What, me talking to her got anything to do with you?" Tyree's tone was pure provocation. "Or are you supposed to be someone special to her?"
"Even if it's not about her, I'd still tell you to stop. This isn't your personal playground, and we're in the middle of a meeting," Braden said, flipping the page, ready to move on to the next agenda.
Elise tried to diffuse the tension. "It's fine, guys, we're just messing around."
Braden chose not to respond further, diving back into the meeting agenda.
After the meeting ended, Elise was just stepping out of the conference room, heading down the hallway back to her office, when Tyree stepped in her path.
"Sweetheart, why the rush?" Tyree reached out and grabbed her wrist, clearly not letting her go.
Elise smiled politely, prying his hand off. "Tyree, you'd better get back to H Technology. I've got work to do."
"What's keeping you so busy? Planning our date after work?" Tyree pressed, still clinging to her.
"Sorry, I really have to go." Elise had no patience left, and she turned to head in the opposite direction.
"It's just a couple of words. You can't spare that?" Tyree pulled her back, this time with more force, refusing to let her escape.
Without asking, he wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Let go of me!" Elise's anger flared, and she began thinking of ways to get out of his hold.
Should she scream, or just kick him?
But in the end, she didn't need to do anything—Tyree was yanked back and thrown to the ground.
Tyree stood up, letting out a bitter laugh. "Oh, not hiding it anymore? Thought you two had nothing going on?"
Braden held back the urge to throw a punch, swallowing his anger. "You really want a hospital visit? I hear you're familiar with doctors."
Tyree didn't get mad, but instead tossed another loaded comment, "You won't be in the clear for long either."
Elise stared at Braden, then at Tyree's retreating figure, questions brewing in her mind.
Was Braden protecting her?
"Thank you, and I'm sorry for dragging you into this again," Elise said sincerely. She wasn't sure what else she could say to him.
Baden's tone softened. "Can't you take care of yourself? Why do you always make everyone worry?"
"Are you…worried about me? I thought…" Elise couldn't quite believe it.
"Thought what? That I'm like you, someone who just walks away, says they don't care? Can you stop making me worry about you?" Braden finally gave in to the feelings he'd been holding back.
"If I didn't care, I wouldn't have given you a ride home. I wouldn't have stayed by your side all night, worrying about you," Elise said, turning her head away, a chill cutting through her heart, leaving a faint ache behind.
Though she knew she had brought this all on herself, being misunderstood by him still hurt a little.
But her sadness seemed trivial when set against him.
After all, she was the one who'd suggested they split up, wasn't she?
"You really… don't need to pity me," Braden murmured, sadness building inside him. "You don't have to say things that put you in a tough spot."
"I don't pity you. I've always loved you. Being with you was real, wanting to stay together forever was real, but sometimes…things just force you to go against what you want." Elise's eyes reddened, her voice fading to a whisper.
"What are you trying to say…?" Braden held her face steady, finally seeing the pain hidden in her eyes.
And his heart couldn't bear it—seeing her like this, he just couldn't let go of his love for her.
"The day you finished your trip, Tyree came to the office. He told me about Mylee, that she's Gunnar's niece, and he said he hates you. If I stayed with you, he'd find a way to take you down from your position…" Elise blinked, and tears fell. "But I know how hard you worked to get where you are. I didn't want you to lose everything you've achieved…"
"And then…?" Braden gently wiped her tears, feeling the sting of sorrow himself, not realizing she'd been thinking this way.
"And… I know I shouldn't think like this, but Aleena got close to Graham, and I didn't think much of it back then… and then they were together." Elise choked up. "I was scared. I really was. I'm scared you'll realize…maybe I'm not the best choice for you. I'm sorry, but the more I love you, the more afraid I get…"
"You've known me for so long, and you still don't understand me…?" Braden wrapped her in his arms, feeling his own sadness swell. "I don't need to stay at Sea Mirror to be successful. I could never like Mylee. Who says you have to be 'the best choice'? You're you, and that's the person I love. Even when you said those things that hurt me, my heart was still with you. Don't you get that…?"
He didn't want to pretend he didn't love her anymore, holding her close.
Thinking back to the hurtful things he'd said to her, his heart ached deeply.
"I'm sorry. Can you forgive me…? I know I hurt you. Please…don't leave me…" Elise sobbed against his chest, barely able to catch her breath.
"How could I ever leave you? Didn't I already break down in front of you…? I told you how much I wish I could stay in a dream with you just a little longer…" Braden, equally choked with emotion, whispered his feelings from these past days.
Even if they were in public, he no longer cared about any notion of pride. What did crying matter? He just wanted her back. He couldn't stand living this life without her anymore.
The pain of those days had become the most agonizing memory of his life, and he didn't want to go through it ever again.
"So you remembered? I thought you'd forgotten…" Elise lifted her face, gently brushing his cheek, not wanting to see him cry either.
"Of course I remember. Those were my truest feelings…" Braden sniffled, trying to joke a bit. "I've never been this embarrassed."
She had really made him see, even at twenty-six, that the words she said back when they broke up had stuck with him.
It turns out, when you truly love someone, your emotions are at their mercy—and even when you part, the tears still come.
"I'm sorry… can you please not be mad at me?" Elise lowered her head, still unsure if he could forgive her.
He cupped her face, starting with a gentle peck, deepening into a passionate kiss, and then, reluctantly, pulled away from her lips, offering his answer.
"Does that answer work for you?" Baden's lips curved into a smile as he gently pinched her cheek.
It had been a long time since he'd smiled so happily; he hadn't realized he could still feel this kind of joy.
"Who does that…? Good thing no one else saw us, or I'd be mortified…" Elise's face flushed, yet she hugged him tighter. "I love you, but I'm also sorry."
Braden responded tenderly, "No need to apologize. Just remember, no matter what happens, you're always my first priority. Let me protect you and handle whatever comes up, alright?"
"Mm!" Elise's tears still flowed, but this time, they were tears of happiness.
These were tears born from the long-forgotten joy of feeling truly happy.
Not far away, Zayne watched them secretly, almost like a voyeur, visibly pleased.
He had truly put in the effort, singing endless heart-wrenching ballads and making sure Jakob never gave Braden a ride.
It seemed he wasn't far from achieving his goal of leaving the matchmaking agency behind.
