(Anxin's POV)
I place the empty cup down slowly.
"…That was good."
"That's all?" he replies.
I glance at him.
"What do you want? A five-star review?"
"Yes."
I roll my eyes.
"Fine. It was perfect. Happy?"
"Very."
Unbelievable.
—
There's a small pause.
Comfortable.
Quiet.
And for some reason—
I don't move.
Even though I should.
Even though I have work.
Even though I came here just for coffee and breakfast.
Just for that.
"…I should go," I say finally, sliding off the counter.
He doesn't respond immediately.
Just watches me.
Like he's thinking.
Calculating something.
Then—
"I'll drop you."
I blink.
"That's not necessary."
"It is."
"No, it's not," I counter, grabbing my bag. "My hospital is literally ten minutes away."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"I'll drop you."
That tone.
Calm.
Final.
I narrow my eyes slightly.
"You're being bossy again."
"I was never not."
"That's not a valid excuse."
"It works."
I stare at him.
He stares back.
And—
Like always—
I lose.
"…Fine."
A small smirk appears on his face.
"I know."
"Don't say that."
"You'll still agree."
God, he's annoying.
—
(Hedi's POV)
She didn't argue much today.
That's new.
Or maybe—
She just didn't want to.
Either way—
I'm not complaining.
—
The drive is quiet.
But not empty.
Never empty.
She's sitting beside me, looking out the window—
Pretending not to think.
Pretending not to feel.
But I know her.
Too well.
"You're doing that again," I say.
"Doing what?"
"Thinking too much."
"I'm not."
"You are."
She huffs softly.
"And you don't think at all."
"I think about what matters."
She turns slightly.
"Oh really? And what matters?"
I don't hesitate.
"You."
—
(Anxin's POV)
…There he goes again.
Why does he say things like that so casually?!
"That's not funny," I mutter.
"I'm not joking."
I immediately look out the window.
Because if I don't—
He'll see it.
The way my heart just reacted.
This is not normal.
—
The car slows down.
Hospital.
I reach for the door quickly—
But before I can open it—
His hand wraps around my wrist.
Gentle.
Warm.
Firm enough to stop me.
My breath catches.
"…What?" I whisper.
He looks at me.
And for once—
There's no teasing.
No sarcasm.
Just—
Something real.
"Take care of yourself."
I blink.
"I always do."
"That's not enough."
I frown slightly.
"Then what is?"
A pause.
Then—
"Call me if anything feels wrong."
My heart skips.
"…You worry too much."
"And you don't worry enough."
I open my mouth to argue—
But stop.
Because…
He's serious.
Completely.
"…Okay," I say softly.
He doesn't let go immediately.
His thumb shifts slightly against my wrist.
Barely noticeable.
But enough to make my heart race.
Why does that feel like this?
"Hedi…"
He lets go.
Slowly.
Like he didn't want to.
"Go," he says quietly.
—
I open the door and step out.
But something makes me pause.
I lean down slightly, looking back at him.
"Didi Wang."
He looks at me instantly.
Always.
"…Try not to get into trouble today."
A small pause.
Then—
"You too, Doctor."
I smile.
And I don't even try to hide it this time.
"Bye."
I close the door and walk inside—
And I can feel it.
That familiar feeling.
His eyes on me.
Watching.
Making sure I get in safely.
Like always.
—
(Hedi's POV)
I don't leave immediately.
I wait.
Until she disappears inside the building.
Only then—
I drive away.
—
The moment I step into the office—
Everything changes.
The warmth disappears.
Replaced by control.
Precision.
Authority.
"Good morning, sir."
"Morning."
The staff straightens instantly as I walk past.
Conversations stop.
Footsteps slow.
The atmosphere shifts.
Because here—
I'm not the person she knows.
—
I push open my office door.
Large.
Minimal.
Sharp.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlook the entire city.
Cold.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
A sleek black desk sits in the center.
Files arranged with perfect symmetry.
Not a single thing out of place.
Just the way I like it.
"Your meeting is in ten minutes," my assistant informs.
"Prepare everything."
"Already done."
"Good."
—
(Hedi's POV — Boardroom)
The room fills quickly.
Executives.
Directors.
Investors.
All waiting.
All watching.
I take my seat at the head of the table.
They follow.
"Start."
The presentation begins.
Numbers flash across the screen.
Revenue.
Expansion.
Risk analysis.
A man presenting hesitates mid-sentence.
"…Continue," I say calmly.
He stiffens.
Then continues.
Good.
Fear keeps things efficient.
—
But even here—
In the middle of a meeting that controls millions—
My mind drifts.
Back to her.
Whether she reached safely.
Whether she ate properly.
Whether she'll actually call if something goes wrong.
My jaw tightens slightly.
Focus.
But the thought stays.
Because no matter how controlled everything else is—
There's one thing I can't control anymore.
Her.
And maybe—
I don't want to.