These days, Mikayla and Cayden maintained a delicate relationship. At the company, they were superior and subordinate. At home, after dinner, they went about their own activities, though sometimes they found themselves entwined in passionate encounters at night.
Mikayla enjoyed this lifestyle, finding no shame in facing her desires, especially since Cayden was quite skilled once he got a taste of it.
There always seemed to be a distance between them. Even though their bodies melded in intimacy, they couldn't reach each other's hearts.
Mikayla likened their relationship to a marital fuck buddy—familiar strangers who had sex.
After delivering some documents, Mikayla returned to the office, where a heated discussion was taking place. Annie quickly pulled her over, "Mikayla, join us for dinner after work."
"Where are we going?"
Annie took out her phone, "There's a new hotpot place across the street with a discount! And we can go karaoke upstairs afterward. What do you think?"
Cannon chimed in, "Come on, it's rare to have a dinner together, and it's Friday."
Faced with her colleagues' enthusiasm, Mikayla couldn't refuse and quickly agreed. She returned to her desk and secretly messaged Cayden: I'm not coming home for dinner tonight. You go ahead.
Soon, Cayden asked what was up. Mikayla replied that it was a department dinner. Mikayla thought he might have something to say, but all he sent was: Okay.
In the CEO's office, Cayden appeared to be working on documents, but he had been staring blankly at a report for twenty minutes. A knock on the door brought him back to reality.
"Come in."
"Mr. Novak, here's the planning document for the southern district," Assistant Smith placed a stack of papers on his desk.
"Yeah."
Just as Assistant Smith was about to leave, Cayden called out, "Zion."
"Yes, Mr. Novak? Is there something else?"
Cayden twirled a pen nonchalantly, "Do you have any plans after work?"
Zion thought for a moment, "The secretarial department invited me to a dinner. If you need me, I can..."
Before he could finish, Cayden interrupted, "No need. Where's the dinner?"
"Cheers!" The clinking of glasses resonated around them. Mikayla downed half a bottle of beer in one go. Annie, watching, gave her a thumbs up, "Mikayla, you can really drink."
Mikayla modestly waved her hand, "I only drink wheat juice."
"This place isn't bad!"
As the freshly cooked beef hit the table, everyone dove in. Annie, not getting anything, pouted, "You guys are like starving ghosts, not leaving me a bite."
Mikayla was about to share some of hers when Zion, sitting beside her, dipped fresh meat in the sauce and placed it in Annie's bowl.
"Oh~" Everyone at the table teased, making Annie blush and lower her head.
Mikayla whispered to Cannon, "Are they dating? I didn't see that coming."
Cannon shook his head, whispering back, "Not yet, but there's definitely something there." They exchanged knowing glances, and Mikayla understood completely.
Suddenly, Cannon looked up, as if he had seen a ghost, stammering, "Is that Mr.Novak?"
"Ah -" "Huh?" Everyone looked over. Mikayla was so startled that the meat she was holding fell back into her bowl. The lively atmosphere froze, everyone sitting in stunned silence except for Zion, who continued eating.
Cayden unceremoniously pulled up a chair and sat down. Cannon was the first to speak, albeit nervously, "Mr.Novak... What brings you here?"
Although everyone was dressed in business attire, Cayden's presence was overwhelmingly authoritative, starkly contrasting with the small, noisy hotpot restaurant. He loosened his tie and said, "I happened to pass by and saw you all having dinner."
Mikayla wasn't foolish. Cayden had clearly come looking for her. She scanned the room, suspecting Zion of tipping him off. She recalled seeing only his back when they registered their marriage, but it must have been Zion who picked up Cayden.
Cannon hurriedly called the waiter to add another bowl and pair of fork. However, the cheerful atmosphere was gone, everyone eating silently. The delightful team dinner had turned awkward, and Mikayla's resentment toward Cayden grew.
As the meal neared its end, with only a few desserts left on the table, Annie's favorite chicago deep-dish pizza was on the other side. She could only watch longingly as the few remaining pieces dwindled.
Knowing Annie's love for sweets, and whether out of kindness or a desire to irk this CEO, Mikayla deliberately spun the table when Cayden reached out for it, moving the pizza in front of Annie and even placing a piece in her bowl.
"It's the last one, you eat it!"
Annie and Cannon looked at Mikayla as if she were crazy, but she pretended not to notice, continuing to savor her soup. Cayden showed no anger, merely setting down his fork and staring at her, his eyes seemingly glued to Mikayla, causing everyone to worry for her.
After the dinner, Cayden paid the bill. Cannon casually asked, "Mr.Novak, we're heading to karaoke. Will you join us?"
"Sure." His tone was flat, revealing no emotion.
What the hell! Mikayla wanted to grab Cayden by the collar and ask him: Why don't you go home!!!
