Kael entered the company building with his usual confident posture. The surrounding employees tensed the moment his silhouette came into view. On a normal day, he would have simply walked straight to his office without paying attention to the office buzz. But today, the air practically vibrated with hushed conversations, and something about it felt off.
"Have you heard?" one employee whispered to another as Kael walked by.
"Yeah, Auren Laurent is leaving tomorrow," the second replied just as quietly, but with clear surprise.
Kael stopped abruptly. His gaze darkened, his jaw tightened, and his fingers clenched into a fist for a brief moment. Slowly, he turned his head toward the speakers, and they immediately fell silent, eyes dropping to the floor.
What? The thought hit him like an ice-cold shower. Tomorrow? What the hell?!
He suppressed the urge to approach them and ask where the rumors had come from, instead striding toward his office in quick, almost aggressive steps. His irritation grew with every step until he reached the reception door.
Kael clenched his teeth, his gaze fixed on the door's patterns, while his thoughts raced chaotically.
"What the hell?"
He was certain he had secured her yesterday. Auren had been deeply immersed in the project—analyzing, sorting data—and he had seen the spark of interest in her eyes. She couldn't just drop everything. Not after he had given her a new challenge.
He ran his tongue over his teeth, recalling how she had sat at her desk, forgetting the time, completely absorbed in her work. He knew it had hooked her. So why were there rumors now?
"Or is it just a rumor?"
The thought flashed through his mind, and he clung to it. Maybe someone misunderstood something. Maybe the information had been distorted. But what if not? What if Auren really intended to leave?
Somewhere deep inside, something unpleasant pricked at him. Not irritation, not anger—something else. A feeling he couldn't, or didn't want to, name.
If Auren had truly made a final decision, he needed to hear it from her. Directly.
Kael pushed open the door and headed straight to Auren.
Auren looked up as the door swung open and Kael walked briskly into her office. She immediately stood, clutching a folder of printouts to her chest.
"Good morning, boss," she said evenly. "I was just about to tell you I've finished the analysis you asked for—"
But before she could finish, Kael was standing right in front of her. Close. Too close. Auren instinctively pulled her elbows in, meeting his intense, cold gaze.
"Have you made your decision?" he asked sharply, ignoring her report entirely.
Auren blinked, processing his tone. There was no trace of his usual teasing or light provocation. He looked irritated, but... no, there was something more.
She tilted her head slightly, as if studying his mood, and decided to play along.
"What decision exactly, Mr. Dantes?" her voice was soft, but a hint of challenge glimmered in her eyes. "Please specify."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Don't start, Auren," his voice was low, almost warning. "You know perfectly well what I mean."
Auren sensed the tension in the air. Usually, their games fueled her competitive spirit, but something was different this time. He wasn't in the mood for games.
She picked up on the shift in his tone. Normally their verbal duels were like a cat-and-mouse game, but now, standing in front of her, was a man who had no interest in playing. His gaze held seriousness, laced with irritation.
She exhaled lightly, removing the playfulness from her voice.
"I've made a decision about my future," she said calmly, looking him straight in the eye.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly, his fingers twitching into a fist, though his face didn't flinch.
"And what is it?" he asked, his voice steady but with tension simmering beneath.
Auren held his gaze, enjoying the rare moment when he couldn't predict her next move.
"It has nothing to do with you," she said smoothly, a faint note of defiance in her tone.
Kael's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing.
"Nothing to do with me?" he stepped closer, making his presence even more imposing. "You work in my company, take my project, and you think that has nothing to do with me?"
Auren didn't break eye contact.
"My future is my responsibility, Kael," she replied. "I decide what to do with it."
His smirk lacked its usual lightness.
"So you are leaving?" there was something in his voice that made Auren pause—it wasn't just irritation.
Before she could respond, he continued:
"Or are you just testing my reaction?"
Auren noticed the way his lips pressed into a thin line, which only fueled her desire to push him further.
"And if I am?" her voice was light, almost teasing, as she tilted her head. "Surely you don't think I'd make any decision just because you want me to?"
Something dark flickered in his eyes, and she half-expected him to step even closer. But though clearly irritated, he didn't give in to her provocation.
"It's your future, right?" he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping lower. "But let's be honest—you know I wouldn't have offered you this project if I didn't see potential in you."
Auren held his gaze, but something in her stirred. Why did he care so much? Why wasn't he indifferent? He'd always been the type to live for his own freedom, unattached to anyone. So why now did he look at her like her decision actually mattered to him?
She didn't know the answer, but one thing was certain—Kael wasn't about to let her walk away.
Auren nodded slightly, trying to keep her composure, though she could feel the heat of his stare.
Just then, a cautious knock came at the door, and a staff member from HR appeared in the doorway. He froze for a moment, sensing the heavy tension in the room.
"Uh... sorry," he coughed awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot, clutching a folder to his chest. He glanced quickly at Kael, then away, clearly eager to escape this scene.
He handed Auren the folder.
"As you requested, we've updated the contract. All terms are included. If everything suits you, you can sign today."
The anger in Kael's expression eased slightly. So she was staying. He subtly shifted his weight, allowing himself a small moment of relief. The staff member quickly excused himself, clearly noting Kael's mood.
Once the HR employee left, Auren looked at Kael, who was still standing nearby, watching her intently. A faint, almost playful smile touched her lips.
"So you're quick-tempered," she drawled. "Didn't even let me tell you what decision I'd made."
Kael crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.
"Because I don't like wasting time on unnecessary talk."
Auren smirked.
"So you just assumed I was leaving?"
He said nothing, only watching her.
"Maybe I just wanted to play with you a little longer," she added, her gaze sharp with challenge.
Kael sighed, closing his eyes briefly, then tilting his head slightly with a restrained smile.
"I already know you like to play, Auren," his voice dropped, deeper now.
Auren waved the contract lightly, as if it were unimportant, then leaned casually against her desk, studying him.
"Well, if you're done being angry, maybe you'll finally see what I spent the whole night working on?" she asked with playful defiance.
Kael's tongue moved slowly against his cheek as he narrowed his eyes.
"You're that confident in your work?"
"Absolutely," Auren smiled. "Or are you still too irritated to judge objectively?"
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"All right, Auren. Show me. Let's see if your sleepless night was worth it."
Auren moved to her desk and sat down, opening the analysis file on her computer. She was about to turn the screen toward him, but he was already behind her, leaning forward to look.
She felt his presence before he spoke—warm breath brushing her shoulder, the faint scent of woodsy cologne in the air.
"All right," his voice was low, focused. "Show me what you've been working on."
Auren took a measured breath and clicked to expand the summary.
"Here," she said evenly. "Full project analysis—key risks, possible strategies, and a two-year forecast."
Kael didn't respond right away, studying the screen intently. Then he leaned lower, close enough for his chest to brush her shoulder, and pointed to one section.
"This," he said quietly. "Why this option?"
Auren glanced at him from the corner of her eye—his face dangerously close.
"Because it's the best strategic path," she replied as if nothing was unusual. "Unless you disagree, boss?"
His lips curved faintly, but he didn't move away.
A moment later, his hand slid over hers, still resting on the mouse. His fingers closed lightly over her palm, guiding the cursor.
"Editing my work without permission?" she remarked with mock reproach.
"Not without permission," he countered lazily. "From a professional standpoint."
She didn't pull her hand away.
"Oh, from a professional standpoint?" she teased. "I thought you said you trusted my analytical skills."
"I do," he said, voice lower now. "But that doesn't mean I can't guide you in the right direction."
He made a small change on the screen before releasing her hand.
"Ultimately, the choice is yours. Just make sure it's the right one."
Auren tilted her head.
"Are you always this sure you're right?"
"I'm always sure of my actions," he replied with a faint smirk, finally stepping back.
He watched silently as she made small adjustments.
"Impressive," he said shortly.
Auren froze, then looked at him.
"Did you just say that out loud?"
"Don't start," he replied, but there was no irritation—just a hint of fatigue.
She smirked.
"That was your last test, right?"
"Even if you'd failed, I might have given you another chance."
"Oh, that's new."
"Maybe you've earned it."
Auren smiled faintly, but something about his words stirred a strange satisfaction inside her.
He leaned against her desk, arms crossed, glancing at the screen but clearly stealing glances at her. The silence between them held a subtle tension.
"You're staring," she said without looking up. "Like what you see?"
"Are you talking about the work, or something else?"
She turned to him, narrowing her eyes.
"What do you mean by 'something else'?"
"What do you think?"
He didn't elaborate, clearly enjoying her reaction—until the reception door opened suddenly.
A woman in her fifties entered, posture perfect, gaze sharp.
"Mom," Kael said evenly, though Auren caught the slight tension in his tone.
Leslie's eyes swept the room before fixing on Auren. The look wasn't just curious—it was calculated, cold, assessing her head to toe.
Auren straightened subtly but didn't look away.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Kael said cautiously.
"And I didn't expect to find you..." her eyes returned to Auren, "...so engrossed in work," she said coolly. "We need to talk."
Kael followed her to his office, closing the door.
Inside, the air was taut.
"That girl," Leslie began coldly. "She's always around you."
"She's my employee. It's her job."
"Don't be naïve. She's trying to be something more."
"I'm not discussing this," Kael said.
But she pressed on, bringing up marriage, stability, family legacy. Suggesting introductions to "suitable" women from influential families at an upcoming gala.
"No," Kael said instantly. "I'll marry when—and if—I choose. And I'll choose my partner myself."
Leslie's tone chilled further, warning he'd regret ignoring her advice, accusing him of chasing fleeting distractions. He countered sharply, refusing to be manipulated.
Eventually, she left, but not before stopping by Auren's desk.
"You're too close to him," she said, her voice soft but edged with steel.
"Am I?" Auren replied evenly.
"Don't flatter yourself. This won't lead anywhere. You'll regret coming back."
Auren arched a brow but stayed silent.
Once alone, she hesitated at Kael's office door before knocking.
"Come in," came his muted voice.
He sat at his desk, head bowed, hands pressed to his forehead, posture heavy with something more than fatigue.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine," he lied.
Auren knew it wasn't true. And for the first time, she didn't want to tease him—she just wanted to stay.