The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Feng dining room, casting golden light across the long, mahogany table. Everything was in place—the silverware gleamed, the tea was hot, and the air was... silent.
Lisa sat quietly in her usual seat at the far end, across from Eli, who offered her a warm smile.
"You look tired, Lisa," he said, stirring sugar into his coffee. "Late nights at university?"
Lisa nodded. "Just exams. And lesson planning."
Before Eli could respond, footsteps echoed from the marble staircase. Everyone looked up.
Alex entered.
Sharp black suit. No tie. Sleeves rolled up. His watch caught the sunlight like a blade.
"Morning," he said coldly, sliding into the head seat of the table—beside Mia.
Lisa's smile faltered when Mia followed him, her long hair perfectly curled, her soft pink dress hugging her model-like figure. She looked flawless, as always, but her presence made Lisa's heart ache in places she had trained herself to ignore.
Mia greeted everyone sweetly, then leaned slightly into Alex as she placed a hand on his arm. "I told your assistant about the charity gala, darling. They've added it to your calendar."
Lisa looked down, pretending not to hear the word darling. But her fingers trembled under the table.
Alex didn't smile.
"Make sure you're not late," he said flatly.
Mia gave a small nod, hiding her disappointment.
Lisa pushed her food around quietly, keeping her head low.
Suddenly, a voice cut the silence.
"So, Lisa," Mia said kindly, "Eli told me you're graduating soon. That's wonderful! Have you thought about what comes next?"
Lisa blinked. "I want to work with children. I applied to a few kindergartens."
Alex's spoon paused mid-air. He glanced at her, unreadable.
"Kindergarten?" he said. "That's a waste of your degree."
Lisa's heart dropped.
Before she could reply, Eli spoke, his tone calm but firm.
"Teaching isn't a waste, Alex. It's her passion."
Alex's jaw twitched, but he said nothing more. He went back to his coffee, his eyes dark.
Lisa bit her lip and forced a small smile. "It's okay. I'm used to him not understanding."
Alex looked up then, sharply—but Lisa stood before he could say anything.
"I'll be in the garden," she said softly.
As she walked away, she didn't see the way Alex's eyes followed her. Cold. Conflicted. Possessive.
⸻
Scene Break: In the Garden
Lisa sat on the stone bench beneath the cherry blossom tree, letting the petals fall softly around her like whispered memories.
She thought about the first time she ever saw Alex smile.
She was sixteen. He had been playing piano—alone in the dark hall. She'd stood there for minutes, hidden, watching his fingers glide across the keys. And then... he had smiled.
Not at her.
Not because of her.
But she had fallen anyway.
What a fool I was, she thought bitterly.
Footsteps approached.
She turned. It was Alex.
She stood immediately. "I was just leaving."
"Stay."
His voice was low, unreadable.
She sat again, hesitantly.
He didn't look at her. Just stared at the blossoms above.
"You don't belong in a classroom," he said after a long pause. "You belong somewhere better."
Lisa clenched her fists. "You don't get to decide that."
He looked at her now. There was something strange in his eyes—something like... frustration?
"Why are you always running away?" he asked.
Lisa's heart thudded. "Why do you care?"
Alex didn't answer.
Instead, he stood and left.
And Lisa sat there... wondering why it felt like he had just torn something inside her without even touching her.