As the day drew in, I found myself restless, my thoughts consumed by Sophie's unavailability. I tried calling her, but the phone rang out, prompting a message to leave a voicemail.
Sophie had never ignored my calls before—except when she was drunk.
Something was amiss. Had Kyle or something else intervened?
Worry gnawed at my heart as I made my way to Kyle's apartment, hoping to find some answers.
As I arrived at Kyle's place, I called out, "Sophie, Sophie?"
The door creaked open, revealing a surprising sight: my boss, Cody, standing in the doorway with his hand tucked in his pocket and his body pressed against the door frame.
"Where's Sophie?" I asked, confused and anxious.
Cody didn't answer immediately. He stepped aside, allowing me to enter. His expression was unreadable, and I tried to process what his presence could mean.
"You're here for Sophie?" he asked, his tone flat.
"Yes," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"She's is inside," he said coldly, "but you can check upstairs."
I brushed past him, my heart pounding. As I climbed the stairs, Cody's eyes followed me. Something about his presence felt off, like he was hiding something.
Finally, he released me to go upstairs, and I hurried to find Sophie.
I pushed open the bedroom door—
She was lying on the bed, her face pale—
"Sop!" I cried out, shaking her gently.
"What's wrong? Is it about you and Kyle?"
"Yes."
How could they break up two times in a week?
"I'm sick... and we broke up," her eyes fluttered closed, and she groaned weakly.
"Then why are you still staying at his house when you broke up and what happened again? Kissed a girl at the bar? Or is it something new this time, Miss Breakup?"
"I didn't mean to... it was just... I didn't want to lose Kyle to anyone." Her expression hardened, and I reached out to her.
"Stop getting worried about nothing. You know he loves you but—"
"Sop!" I took a deep breath to stop myself from yelling at her.
"You know what? I will cook for you.Now you look really, really skinny. You need to regain your strength."
I walked out of the room and headed to the kitchen.
But as I opened the fridge to check what ingredients were available, I was startled by a sudden movement. Cody stood behind me, his hand brushing against mine as I reached out for a drink.
Our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity.
"Why are you staring at me?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
"I—" I quickly cut off.
Am I staring at him that badly? But... will I not stare when he is so close to me?
"I'm not," I lied.
"But you did."
"I didn't." I bent under his arm and walked out to the sink.
"What are you doing?" he asked after seeing me wash my hands.
"Cooking."
He sighed. "Yeah." He sat at one of the chairs opposite me.
Since the past weeks, I have work with my boss. I haven't seen him do anything apart being on his phone. But right now, the device was worth nothing. Like, no gadget was with him …
Did he leave it so he could see me cook food?
I hope I don't burn the kitchen.
I grabbed the apron, but it was confusing, or were my hands short? I pulled and tried it again, but of course, it was getting more tangled.
And that was the moment I lost the war—it was the fifth time trying to separate the rope .i asked if he could help me, but he shook his head as if reading my thoughts.he just left me alone.
Now he's going to know that I can't even tie an apron, talk more of cook.
He didn't help me.
So, he wasn't going to help, huh?
For the 18th time, I tried, but ended up like the others. I just gave up and moved to the next thing.
But my boss came with an apron. He walked as if escaping the shadows and his eyes fixed intently on me.
He reached out for me and pulled the messed-up apron on my body and in a slow, deliberate movement, he tied the black apron on my waist.
I gulped as he carefully tied the knot, his eyes never leaving mine.
For a big moment, our eyes locked, the air thick with tension.
I felt like I was drowning in the depth of his gaze, my thoughts swirling withA tangled mix of emotions danced in my chest.
Was it some sort of spell that is working on me?
I don't know for sure. I don't even think clearly when he's around.
But old minds joke that love kisses slow, then hits you like thunder.
My mind replayed that slowly.
And his voice happened. Warm. Husky.
He said, "What's with the necklace trace on your neck?"
I turned my face slightly, brushing his far shoulder.
He noticed. Mind no touching, my soul screamed, but it was already too late.
He discovered that i wore his necklace he gave to me.
"my friend gave it to me"
I steadied my voice a bit to meet his question.
"Who is your friend?" he asked, his gaze piercing.
And that panic wash over me like a tidal wave.
So many questions.
Why is he asking so many?
"my boyfriend"