Author's Preface
[Cont.]
[Annie]
Kai doesn't flinch.
He slowly lowers his chopsticks, resting his palms flat on the dark wood of the table.
The tension in his jaw eases, his expression turning calm.
"A sudden family situation came up back home," he says, his voice completely level.
"An emergency required me to step away immediately. Continuing full-time classes there wasn't practical, so I dropped out to handle it."
I stare at him, taking in his steady breathing and neutral expression.
The explanation makes sense. Almost too much sense.
But the rumor about Lucy still comes back to me.
Years ago, everyone on campus believed she’d been the sole reason he disappeared overnight.
Looking at him now, I can't tell which story is true.
Maybe neither.
I open my mouth to press further, but the finality in his posture stops me.
I can’t probe any deeper without crossing a line.
"I see," I say quietly.
Kai shifts, picking up his plum soda and popping the metal cap off with a light click.
The heavy silence breaks, replaced by the faint hum of the kitchen behind us.
For the rest of the meal, he doesn't retreat into his usual coldness.
Instead, he points out the vintage movie posters lining the wall, trading light jabs with me about our department's worst design decks.
When I accidentally drop a piece of pork back into my bowl, splashing broth onto my beige top, he hands me a cloth napkin without a word, a small, genuine smirk tugging at his lips.
[ *** ]
After paying the bill, we step out into the cool night air.
Instead of heading straight for the bike, Kai turns down the paved path leading toward a small riverfront square.
A string of fairy lights stretches across a row of wooden kiosks selling local sweets.
He stops in front of a small stall steaming fresh bean-paste buns.
"You didn't finish your soup," he says, ordering two without waiting for my answer.
He turns and hands me a hot, fluffy bun wrapped in paper.
I take a bite, the warm, sweet filling a pleasant contrast to the salty richness of the ramen from before.
"Careful," Kai says softly.
He reaches over and takes the paper wrapper from my hand before I can burn my fingers.
As his fingers slide against mine, his sleeve brushes against the side of my face, his knuckles grazing my jaw for a split second before he pulls back and takes a bite of his own bun.
It happens so quickly that I’m left staring at him, unsure if he even noticed.
My heart hammers against my ribs, an unexpected pull stirring inside me—a quiet urge to know who he really is.
We finish the sweets in easy silence and ride back to the city.
[ *** ]
When we pull into the apartment basement, I hand back his extra jacket and helmet.
We walk together toward the elevator bank, the quiet hum of the residential building replacing the street noise.
The silver doors slide open on the ground lobby floor, and my footsteps halt.
Oliver is sitting on one of the lobby armchairs, dressed in a sharp blazer, his hands resting on his knees.
The moment he hears the elevator, he stands up instantly.
His eyes sweep over my casual jeans,my face, and finally land on Kai standing half a step behind me.
His face hardens into a cold, rigid mask.
"Annie," Oliver says, stepping forward, his voice stiff and unsmiling. "You're back."
"Oliver?" I pull back slightly in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Your mom let me into the building," he says, his eyes locking onto Kai with sharp hostility.
He steps closer, his hand settling heavily on my shoulder.
"You said you were having a quick Sunday dinner, but it's late. I came by to make sure you got home safely."
Kai doesn't move back, nor does he look flustered.
He stands his ground smoothly, his expression completely calm as he takes in Oliver's stiff posture.
I immediately step sideways, letting Oliver's hand drop off my shoulder, and clear my throat.
"I told you it was just dinner, Oliver. You didn't need to wait in the lobby."
Oliver doesn't look at me; his eyes remain fixed on Kai.
"A simple work dinner doesn't usually run past nine on a Sunday, Mr. Sterlings."
Kai slips his hands into his pockets, his tone relaxed and entirely unbothered.
"Traffic was heavy near the riverbank."
He glances down at me, his eyes searching my face for a brief second.
"Annie, are you good here?"
"Yes," I say quickly, desperate to diffuse the tension building in the lobby.
"I'm fine, Mr. Sterlings. Thank you for the ride. Have a good night."
Kai gives me a single, calm nod, completely ignoring Oliver's glares. "Goodnight."
He turns and walks toward the private elevator bank without another word.
Oliver grips my elbow lightly. "Let's go outside. We need to talk."
[ *** ]
We walk out into the quiet community park beside the building complex.
The night air is cool, and the paved paths are completely deserted under the dim streetlights.
"What is going on, Annie?" Oliver starts, turning to face me with his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
"Why are you riding on the back of his bike late at night? I knew you were meeting him for dinner, but I don't like his intentions, and I don't want you spending time alone with him outside the office."
I let out a sharp breath, tightening my grip on my purse. "He's my senior manager, Oliver. We went to an exhibit and grabbed dinner to discuss department schedules. It's purely professional."
"It doesn't look professional," Oliver cuts in.
"He's taking advantage of his position. If you don't feel comfortable around him or find it hard to say no, just tell me. I can talk to a few people I know. You could easily find something better than SilverOak."
An instant wave of frustration boils up in my chest.
"I don't need you to fix my career, Oliver! I handle my own job, and I didn't ask for your intervention."
"I'm just trying to protect you!" Oliver steps closer, his tone tightening. "You're too trusting. Men like him don't spend their Sundays driving junior employees around for nothing."
"You don't get to decide who I work with or where I work," I say, stepping back, my voice firm and sharp. "We're dating, Oliver, but that doesn't give you control over my career choices."
Oliver stiffens.
He sees the anger on my face and takes a step back, letting out a heavy breath.
"Annie... I'm sorry," he says softly, rubbing his forehead. "I overreacted. I was just sitting in that lobby for an hour, worrying about you. I only want what's best for you, I swear."
I look away, uncomfortable with the sudden shift, the tension still heavy in my stomach.
"I just want to go upstairs."
"Wait," Oliver says gently.
He steps back into my space, his expression turning sweet and apologetic. "Look, let me make it up to you. Next weekend, I'm going on a one-day trip to the hill town of Velora. It's my friend's wedding anniversary, and all the couples from our group are coming. I really want you to come with me."
I hesitate, shaking my head slightly. "Oliver, I have work decks to finish—"
"I've been planning this for days, Annie," he interrupts smoothly, taking my hand before I can pull away. "Please. It would mean a lot to me."
Feeling exhausted by the confrontation and wanting to end the night, I give a reluctant nod. "Fine. Just for one day."
Oliver smiles warmly.
He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a slow, sweet kiss against my knuckles before I can register it. "Thank you. I'm sorry about earlier. Get some rest."
He turns and walks toward his car parked near the gate.
[ *** ]
I head up to the eighth floor.
The moment I unlock the apartment door, mom walks out of the kitchen with a glass of water.
"Is Oliver gone?" she asks. "He seemed very concerned when he came by earlier."
"Mom," I say, setting my keys down with a dull thud. "Please don't give him access to the building or share my schedule with him like that again."
She blinks, surprised by my tone, but nods quietly.
I walk into my bedroom, take a quick shower, and change into my sleep clothes.
I lie down on the bed.
The room is completely quiet, but my mind is spinning—torn between Oliver's behavior and everything Kai keeps hidden behind his calm eyes.
My phone screen lights up on the nightstand.
Kai: Are you okay?
I stare at the message for a moment, my thumb hovering over the glass.
Annie: I'm fine. Sorry about the scene in the lobby.
A few seconds later, another text comes through.
Kai: You don't need to apologize. And remember—if you ever need help with anything, you can ask me. Don't consider it any sort of debt.
I look at the screen, a small warmth settling over the lingering tension in my chest.
Annie: Thank you, Kai. Goodnight.
I lock the screen, set the phone aside, and close my eyes, but sleep doesn't come easily.