"When will that be?" Cayden relentlessly asked her, leaving Mikayla defenseless.
"At least… at least… let's wait until we come back!"
Receiving the promise he had been waiting for, Cayden finally let her go, and Mikayla felt like he was really acting like a resentful husband.
He handed her a yellow peach-flavored yogurt, playfully brushing her nose. "No backing out."
After a long journey, everyone barely had time to rest before diving back into intense work. Fortunately, their efforts paid off, and the project was successfully completed within a few days.
Annie suggested celebrating at a bar in the evening. Just then, Cayden walked out of the meeting room, and she awkwardly turned back, "Mr. Novak, we're having a gathering tonight… are you joining us?"
"Yeah."
The bar was softly lit, with decorations and fixtures shimmering brightly. Mikayla a gulp of beer, and Cayden sat beside her, discreetly tickling her palm under the table.
Mikayla frowned slightly; he was signaling her not to drink too much. If he wasn't there, she would have downed several bottles by now.
Annie, visibly tipsy with flushed cheeks, stared at Mikayla and Cayden, pointing at them and slurring, "Hehe, Mikayla! I remember the last time you got drunk… you… hic… took the Mr.Novak's mic…"
Mikayla quickly covered her mouth, utterly embarrassed. "Let's not bring up old stories!"
Cannon suddenly produced a deck of cards from somewhere. "Let's play Truth or Dare!"
"Great idea!" Annie chimed in excitedly.
"Everyone draws a card, and we reveal them simultaneously to see who has the lowest card. The person with the lowest card faces a challenge posed by the person with the highest card."
As soon as he finished explaining, everyone eagerly grabbed a card, except Cayden, who calmly picked one.
In the first round, Mikayla won, and Annie, looking downcast, chose Truth.
Mikayla, smiling sweetly, asked, "When did you and Mr. Smith get together?"
Both looked away, avoiding eye contact. Annie shyly replied, "After the last dinner… he walked me home."
"Oh~" Mikayla and Cannon teased them in unison. Annie hastily dealt the next round. "My turn's over! Next!"
The tables turned in the next round, and Mikayla drew the lowest card, while Annie drew the highest.
"Dare." Mikayla chose without hesitation.
Annie cleared her throat dramatically. "Pick a guy next to you and have him princess-carry you around the table."
Mikayla glanced left and right. Beside her were Cayden and Cannon. Asking Cannon was out of the question; Cayden would be furious and might give her hell later at home.
Noticing Annie's mischievous look, Mikayla suspected she had figured something out. Deciding to let it go, especially since their relationship was about to be revealed anyway, she said, "I… I pick Mr.Novak!"
Cayden's face remained expressionless, only the slightest hint of a smile tugging at his lips, but inside, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Amidst the cheers, Mikayla awkwardly stood up, and Cayden effortlessly scooped her up, carrying her around the table with practiced ease.
Mikayla had never felt time drag so slowly. His embrace was familiar and warm, but she tried not to make a scene, keeping her hands awkwardly tucked at her chest.
She stared at his handsome profile. Under the dazzling, blurry lights, Mikayla had never heard his heartbeat so clearly—thudding loudly in his chest.
Was Cayden nervous too?
