Chapter 18
Outside the glass curtain wall of Claude Design Company, the dawn sky was clear and azure blue.[]
Yunia hurried through the corridor clutching design drafts when she nearly collided with Zayn leaning against the break room doorway, startling her.
Seeing her, Zayn raised an eyebrow.
“Getting up so early on your first days? Have you adjusted to the time difference?“]]
After spending some time together, she had completely changed her impression of CEO Zayn and no longer felt nervous around him.[]
“Pretty much. But I noticed the other team colleagues don’t seem to be here? Did they go out?”
Zayn turned to get a cup of coffee and handed it to her.[]
“There’s a team building event tonight, so officially no one needs to come to the office. You’re quite proactive.”
“Can’t help it–learning from you.” Yunia teased back.
But he was telling the truth. Claude’s team building was scheduled for weekday evenings, which indeed fit their relaxed style.
After Yunia quietly finished her coffee, she looked at Zayn and asked tentatively.[]
“Then I’ll head back too. See you tonight, CEO Zayn?“]
But Zayn spoke up: “I bought you coffee–shouldn’t you show some appreciation?“]]
“I know a good new restaurant. I’ll take you there, and you can have dinner with me.“]
“Alright.“]
…]
The restaurant was located near the company, with an excellent location and tranquil environment. Yunia was very satisfied.
Sitting in the private room, Zayn gentlemanly handed her the menu, gesturing for her to order first.
But Yunia pushed it back: “I trust your taste.“]
While waiting for the food, Zayn told her about nearby supermarkets, restaurants, and parking spots.
The man’s gaze swept over her design papers covered with annotations from staying up late: “And about this design draft–the modification plan on page seven, the neckline curve could be tightened by another two centimeters.”
This was the third time this week that Zayn had precisely pointed out flaws in her designs.]
Initially, Yunia found him too sharp, but now she was used to waiting for those perfectly timed suggestions when she felt lost.]
What surprised her even more was that Zayn remembered every employee’s birthday and would even add performance bonuses when employees volunteered to work overtime.[]
At the evening team building event, tall champagne towers reflected light and shadow under the crystal chandeliers in the banquet hall
Everyone was in high spirits.[]
During the belated welcome ceremony, colleagues actively clinked glasses with Yunia.[]
When dividing teams for drinking games, colleagues suddenly started cheering and pushed her toward Zayn–amid the clinking of glasses, the wave of teasing and ambiguous laughter made her ears ring.
“Everyone’s misunderstanding–CEO Zayn and I, we’re just friends…” she hurriedly explained, but caught sight of Zayn’s suddenly cold expression.
The man drained his champagne in one gulp and disappeared through the fire door leading to the rooftop.
Junia instinctively chased after him.[]
Night wind carrying fine rain hit her face. Zayn stood by the railing, his tall figure now appearing fragile enough to make one’s heart tremble.
“CEO Zayn…“[]
Before she could finish, the man interrupted her.
“You don’t like me at all?“[]
Zayn spun around suddenly, his gaze burning behind his glasses.[]
“Is that why you denied it so quickly?“]
He stepped closer, gradually shortening the distance between them. The man’s breath, carrying a hint of alcohol, brushed past her reddening ear: “Or do you think my treatment of you is just a boss looking after a subordinate?“]
Yunia’s throat tightened.
She knew he was indeed exceptional toward her, but she hadn’t dared to think that way herself.[]
She remembered when her design was rejected by the client, he stayed up all night helping her think of optimization directions; when she worked late, he specifically bought her light, non–greasy late–night snacks…[]
So those coincidences she thought they were, were actually another person’s quiet tenderness.[]
“I…“0
Yunia opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything.[]
“No answer means no.”
Seeing her continued silence, Zayn gave a self–deprecating laugh and turned to leave.[]
The sky suddenly began to rain, his footsteps mixing with the sound of rain, beating against Yunia’s heart.]
As if possessed, she reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
Chapter 18
The moment her fingertips touched him, she was pulled into his embrace.
“I’ll ask one more time.” Zayn’s voice was hoarse. “You don’t like me?“]
Yunia looked up at his eyelashes dampened by raindrops.
She buried her face in his chest, listening to the violent heartbeat: “I need… some time.“[]
Zayn’s arms tightened.]
Rain was still falling, but warm breath brushed past Yunia’s ear: “Fine, I don’t plan on letting you go anyway.“[]
