The cup slammed onto Aria's desk. Her boss's deep voice was colder than the ice cubes in his glass of water.
Aria forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Good morning to you too, sir."
Daniel Cross didn't even glance at her. He adjusted his cufflinks and continued typing with machine-like precision.
She stuck her tongue out behind his back. One day, I'll pour salt instead of sugar, see how you like it, Demon King.
Mia peeked over the partition, trying not to laugh. She mouthed, Be careful!
But Aria wasn't careful. She was humming.
Soft at first, barely audible—just the tune of the song she had sung on stream the night before.
Then louder. Her voice floated across the office like sunlight sneaking through dark clouds. A couple of employees stopped typing, their eyes flicking to her.
Daniel's hand froze on the keyboard.
That melody. That voice.
He turned slowly, his icy-blue eyes locking on her. "Stop."
Aria blinked. "What?"
"Don't sing that. Not here." His voice was sharper than a blade.
Aria crossed her arms, defiant. "Why? It's just a song."
Daniel stepped closer, his shadow falling over her desk. For a split second, his mask cracked—just a flicker of something in his eyes. Recognition. Vulnerability.
But then it was gone.
"Because this is an office, not your personal stage." He straightened, cold once again. "If you want to sing, do it somewhere people actually care to listen."
Aria's throat tightened. The words stung more than she wanted to admit.
Somewhere people care to listen? She bit her lip, fighting tears. Lumos cares… he always cares.
"God, you're insufferable," she muttered under her breath.
Daniel didn't respond. But as he walked away, he slid his phone from his pocket, and under the desk, his fingers typed a message.
🌙 Lumos: That song tonight… sing it again. For me.
Aria's phone buzzed in her skirt pocket. She glanced at the screen, and her heart melted instantly.
She smiled. "Anything for you, Lumos."
And across the office, Daniel's lips twitched—almost a smile—as he pretended to be absorbed in work.