Chapter 1
Graduating college left me with two choices—jump into the job market or pursue further studies. I chose the job market. Fast forward two years, and while my colleagues were getting promotions, I was still stuck in the same position. Back in high school, I was faced with two paths—studying hard or diving headfirst into young love. I picked young love. Now, six years later, my boyfriend is getting married, and the bride isn't me. As I gained the title of “perpetual loser,” I finally came to a sobering realization: you get what you sow, and if you’re not successful, it’s all on you. --- Lily Everhart ended a long-winded phone call with her boyfriend and shot me a sympathetic look. With an exaggerated groan, she tossed a pen my way. “Hey, how long are you going to mope around like that?” I offered her a bright yet sad smile. “You ask me, but who else is there to ask?” “Seriously? It’s just that you didn’t get promoted to team lead. That gig is nothing but headache—kissing up to the boss while juggling the team. You’d hate that! This laid-back job is way more relaxing. You have no clue how good it feels.” Lily lifted her coffee cup, her eyes flitting to the photo of her and her boyfriend plastered on the side of the white ceramic mug, contrasting sharply with my solitary existence. I turned away, focusing on my own pile of reports and columns of numbers. Having been coworkers for over two years, Lily knew me well enough to read my thoughts, so she leaned across the low glass partition, her big eyes almost boring holes into me. I finally returned her gaze. “What?” “Plenty of fish in the sea, right? Why obsess over one flower? The quickest way to get over a breakup is to find someone new.” I nodded along, letting out a sarcastic hum. “Sure, don’t worry. I’m praying twice a day—morning and night—that God sends me a solid man.” Lily’s eyebrow twitched, her jaw clenched as she scratched at the glass divider, swearing, “Just you wait.” Wait for what? I raised an eyebrow, curious. She dug into her purse and pulled out her phone, fingers flying as she texted away. After a moment, she looked up, a serious expression on her face. “Evelyn Everhart, you’re meeting someone this Sunday at seven at The King’s Hearth. No excuses.” “Be there or be square,” I joked. “Oh, you bet!” --- Sunday rolled around, and at seven o’clock, The King’s Hearth hummed with life. Following the server’s finger, I spotted a large head peeking through a cluster of indoor plants. I could hardly believe it; Lily wasn’t joking. She actually set me up with a guy to help me through my heartbreak. Whether he met my aspirations of “solid” would be the real test. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my blazer, trying to appear as graceful as possible as I strolled over. I flashed him a gracious smile, revealing all eight of my teeth. “Sorry I’m late!” “Not a problem; I just got here too,” he replied, glancing up from the menu. First impression: Not bad. He had a striking face—bright eyes, thin lips, and a strong jawline. He looked like he could crack a walnut with that chin. “Nice,” I thought. His voice was deep, smooth—a quality that paired well with his casual charm. If only he’d flash a smile back. I settled into my seat, and he slid the menu over to me. **Second impression:** Long fingers, neatly manicured nails—definitely someone used to the finer things in life. We both ordered steaks, and as per the restaurant’s custom, we received bowls for the salad bar. “So, you don’t like fruit?” he asked when I just stared at the fruit bowl. I shrugged. Mostly, I was waiting for him to introduce himself. Even though Lily filled me in on his background, first dates have their own etiquette. But it looked like he was skipping that part. “Excuse me for a moment,” I said, lifting my bowl and heading toward the salad bar. As I scanned the array of snacks and colorful fruits, I couldn’t help but be impressed—the fusion of East and West was thriving even here, with kimchi among the offerings. A moment later, it was his turn to get up, and he didn’t offer a hint as to where he went, leaving me to stare at my bowl. **Third impression:** Wow, he was tall. In that fitted black suit, it was hard to say if he had the kind of body I hoped for. When he returned, having gone as far as to grab some kimchi, I couldn’t help but smile—okay, I guess steak can pair with pickled radish. I’m all for expanding horizons. On a busy weekend evening, the restaurant buzzed with life, and we waited a bit for our meals. When the server finally brought over my filet, the sizzling platter filled the air with mouthwatering aromas. He unfolded his napkin, placing it neatly on his lap as the server cleared the cover. A tiny explosion of oil splattered onto his napkin. Thank goodness he showed me how first, or I might’ve created quite the scene. As the server drizzled sauce over my tender steak paired with vibrant broccoli, my stomach gurgled helplessly as if in agreement with the deliciousness on display. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Chapter 2
He was poking at his kimchi radish with a deliberative slowness, completely neglecting the steak, and I couldn’t help but ponder the old saying—does a full man know a hungry man's hunger? A moment later, the steak I’d ordered finally arrived. I carefully unfolded my napkin to catch the inevitable splatter and waited for the server to finish with a courteous “Enjoy your meal.” He picked up his knife and fork, and in that instant, it hit me—he was waiting for me. This kid wasn’t half-bad. As I carefully carved into my steak, I racked my brain for something to say. I couldn’t let an entire meal go by without a word; that would make me seem small-minded and uptight. After some hesitation, I settled on a safe question. “Do you come here often?” He shot me a glance, the kind brimming with unspoken thoughts that were hard to decipher. I faltered for a moment but pressed on. “You seem really familiar with this place.” He paused his carnivorous chopping, laying the knife down. “Sometimes I come here with clients.” “Oh, so… Lily mentioned you were Eldon’s classmate. High school, right? College too?” “Training program,” he stated plainly. “What?” I blinked in confusion. “International trade training program. Just a month and a half together.” That threw me off. I was under the impression that he was some longtime friend of Eldon’s. Great. I laughed awkwardly. “So… you’re not eating?” He stayed still for a few seconds, then seized his knife again, slicing through the sizzling beef with a deliberate “squeak.” So, he didn't appreciate being interrupted while he ate… We finished our meals in a comfortable silence, the satisfaction of a good dinner soaking in. I sipped on my juice, feeling drowsy enough to drift off. Meanwhile, he fidgeted, his restlessness palpable. A few times he seemed on the verge of speaking but stopped short. I wasn’t entirely clueless—I might not have been on any blind dates before, but I could read the room. Things were not leaning in our favor. “I should get going. I have a meeting tomorrow and some materials to prep. It’s getting late,” I said, breaking the quiet. He looked taken aback for a moment, then waved for the bill. The prices were reasonable here—I felt pretty justified mooching off him. After I fished my wallet out and handled the payment, I followed him out of the restaurant. Standing next to him, I realized just how tall he was—at least half a head taller than me. “Gregor…” “Gregor Kael.” Right, I knew that. Just didn’t have a chance to say it all night—what a shame. Gregor ignored my awkwardness and said, “I’ll drive you home.” “Thanks,” I replied, flashing a smile. He had this rough-and-tumble vibe, like someone you’d avoid in a dark alley, and though we barely connected, I appreciated his gentlemanly demeanor. This guy had his own style. But then he led me to a motorcycle, and I started to rethink my impression of him. Climbing onto the back, I grabbed onto his suit jacket; his muscles were tense beneath the fabric. He probably thought I was some sort of snob for being surprised. That was so unfair. I wasn’t being pretentious; I’d just never seen anyone ride a motorcycle in a suit and tie before. We rode in silence, the bike roaring beneath us, the wind whipping against my bare knees and making them ache. I rubbed at them gently, hoping to avoid annoying him. Finally, we reached my street, and shivering, I hopped off. He didn’t even pause—hit the gas and sped away, leaving me gawking at his disappearing figure, wondering where my charm had gone. “How was it?” “Not great.” First thing in the morning, Lily rushed into the office, her bag still flung over her shoulder, bombarding me with questions about my blind date. I just rolled my eyes and powered on my computer. She slapped the back of my hand. “Stop acting busy and spill it.” I shrugged her off. “Lily, there’s nothing to report; what else can I say?” She looked at me incredulously. “You spent an entire evening with a guy, and all you have to say is ‘not great’?” “Honestly? It was that simple,” I replied, glancing up at her. Lily’s eyes widened. “You didn’t like him?” “No, he didn’t like me,” I said, flopping down into my chair, the memory of Gregor speeding off messing with my confidence and self-esteem. “Come on, even if you’re not a bombshell, you’re cute enough, and you’ve got a killer body…” That did not help. Why couldn't she just say I was mature and sexy? I clasped my hands together. “Maybe he just goes for model types.” “Gregor doesn’t seem like the superficial kind. Hold on, I’m calling Eldon to get the real scoop.” She whipped out her phone. “Don’t! Seriously, it’s not worth it. Relationships need mutual interest; pushing it won’t work.”
Chapter 3
Evelyn Everhart frowned as she leaned over the arms of her chair, locking her gaze on me with a penetrating intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. After a beat, she said, "You aren’t still hung up on that guy, are you? You really need to get your act together and stop giving Gregor Kael the cold shoulder. Keep it up, and he won't show you an ounce of interest.” It baffled me how a simple, casual moment could spiral into her complex theories. I glanced over her perfectly made-up face, then relented with a sigh, “Fine, you can do whatever you want. I’ll stick to my guns. Facts speak louder than words.” She poked a finger between my eyebrows, a smirk on her lips. “You said it, not me. Just wait and see. I’m not convinced you two can’t work this out.” Watching her strut back to her desk while fiddling with her phone, I felt a dull ache throbbing in my skull. The kind of trust you build with friends? It’s such a rare treasure. Evelyn was on the phone for what felt like forever. I figured she was trying to get a hold of Eldon Marcus, probably to reach out to Gregor Kael. Our desks were separated by a clear glass partition, so I could see her every move. Oddly enough, the more restless she became, the more my heart raced. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that my charm had taken a serious hit last night, and I was desperate to understand what exactly Gregor found so wrong with me. It wasn’t vanity, I thought. I had the looks, the presence, the brains, the whole package. How had I devolved to the point where he just walked away in silence? Surely, a guy like Gregor wouldn’t treat me this way, right? I was still pretty peeved about that disaster of a blind date. My pride was bruised—seriously, I was fuming. “Evelyn Everhart.” I barely registered the voice at first, still lost in thoughts of Gregor. When I finally glanced up, expecting to see Evelyn, I was surprised to find our office manager—a middle-aged woman with a bit of a belly—standing next to me, dressed in a sharp business suit. She cast me a quick glance, then asked, “Did you finish the data report I requested last week?” “Yep.” I pulled out the blue folder from my desk. “Great. Take it upstairs,” she said, pursing her lips. Just as she was about to head off, she turned back, “Make sure you’re focused at work. We’re paying you to be here, not to sit around daydreaming.” “Of course, I’ll keep that in mind.” Her gaze swept over me again, looking for something to critique, but she must have found me satisfactory because she finally relented. “Alright then, don’t waste any more time.” “Right.” I jumped up, eager to leave, and as I reached the door, I shot a glance back at Evelyn. She squinted at me, her expression cheeky. Unreal, this girl never fails to look out for herself, the coward. As I stepped into the Skyreach Lift, watching the numbers on the display tick upward, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. This routine of running errands for work was getting old. I really couldn’t figure out what Robert Laird was trying to accomplish. Robert Laird, the sales manager of our company, had been around since I was a clueless newbie. Back when he was just a regular employee, he was my mentor. He climbed the corporate ladder from the bottom up, working his butt off, while most other rich kids were off partying. Robert’s hard work had paid off, at least, but I still had this nagging discomfort about him. “Hey, Evelyn, my birthday’s coming up in a few days. If you’re free, let’s grab dinner,” he said, taking the file from me without bothering to read it first, his tone almost too casual. I couldn’t help but laugh internally. Just another birthday. The last one was for Leo Everhart, and the one before that was Lily Everhart’s. It felt like every week someone was inviting me to a celebration. Each time, a bunch of our mutual friends would push the idea of me and him as a couple, joking and nudging us to take the next step. I had picked up on Robert’s pattern. He played it cool whenever I scrutinized him for signs of interest—neither confirming nor denying rumors. But with his family background, I knew he could have any girl he wanted. I was no fool about my place. After what felt like the hundredth instance of this, I realized quietly that he was hoping I’d make the first move and ask if I could be his girlfriend. The privilege of being a wealthy “prince”—that’s what he was after. The more I thought about it, the more I bristled. My pride wouldn’t let me bow down to him. The kind of stalemate we had going was maddening. He was a traditional alpha male, and I had my own flare of independence. “What are you thinking so hard about? Cat got your tongue?” Robert fixed his strange gaze on me. Snapping back to reality, I plastered on a professional smile. “I was just brainstorming what to get you for a present.”
Chapter 4
He could hardly hide his excitement as he waved his hand dismissively. “Come on, we’ve known each other so long. No need for gifts—just show up on time.” I smiled politely. “I’m sorry, but I can’t make it that day. I wanted to send you something nice as an apology.” Robert Laird’s bright demeanor dimmed in an instant. He froze for a moment before asking, “What do you mean you can’t make it? What’s going on?” Forgive my inner mischief; it wasn’t intentional... My inner voice whispered, but I blurted out, “I’m going to be with my boyfriend.” Robert’s face went pale. “You... you two got back together.” He was aware I had broken up with my ex, and I had never kept that from him—I told him everything. I pretended to be shy, covering my mouth with a cough. “Not exactly... I’ve started seeing someone new.” True to form, Robert recovered quickly, though he looked a little more serious. He stared at me and said, “Oh, I see. Then let’s plan another day where you can bring your new boyfriend along so everyone can meet.” Seriously? Did he really need to emphasize “new” like that? I nodded obediently. “Sure, sounds good.” Once I left Robert’s office, Lily Everhart practically smushed her face against the glass partition, grinning like the Cheshire cat. I glanced over at her, and she chuckled mischievously. “Dinner for four tonight.” So soon. My heart raced, and I cautiously asked, “Is that what Gregor Kael meant?” Lily fixed me with a knowing stare. “You’re really worried about this.” Can you blame me? It was a matter of female dignity. Turns out, I was just like Robert Laird—we valued our pride above everything else. Lucky or doomed. During lunch, I tried to pry some information out of Lily. She told me Eldon Marcus hadn’t gotten much out of Gregor Kael; he was as tight-lipped as a clam. But when Eldon invited him to dinner, he agreed without hesitation. What the hell was going on? I was lost. At the end of the workday, Lily wrapped her arm around my shoulder and walked me out of the office building. But the moment she spotted Eldon waiting on the street, she pushed me aside and bounced over to him, two hands on his to shake them like a DJ scratching vinyl, pouting her lips. “Did you wait long? Why didn’t you call me?” Eldon Marcus embodied Southern charm—tall and handsome with a sweet, boy-next-door smile that lit up the whole side of the street. He affectionately ruffled Lily’s hair. “Tired from work? Are you hungry? You’ve been working hard, haven’t you?” I couldn’t resist making a jab from behind them. “You two need to tone it down; it’s nauseating! She barely lifted a finger today. She practically devoured a whole plate of ribs at lunch and has been snoozing away at her desk since. I did all her reports.” Lily shot me a death glare, but I just laughed and waved them off. “Alright, you two lovebirds, keep it up. I’m gonna grab a ride.” As I stepped past them and hopped into the car, I muttered, “Can’t handle all this lovey-dovey stuff. It’s like they haven’t seen each other in a hundred years…” That thought fizzled when I realized someone was already in the backseat—Gregor Kael. He sat there, expressionless, his gaze fixed straight ahead, hands resting quietly on his knees. The tension in the car felt frigid—it was like stepping into another dimension, frozen in time. I stood there for a moment, my body chilled as if icy fingers were wrapping around my veins. I tried to greet him, but the words wouldn’t come. Eventually, Gregor seemed to register my presence, slowly turning his head and saying, “Hi.” His reaction time was so slow. He might need a check-up for Parkinson’s when he’s older. I nodded awkwardly. “...Hey.” Just then, Lily and Eldon climbed into the car, Eldon kindly helping Lily with her seatbelt, and she leaned in to kiss his cheek. His ears turned red instantly, and he nudged her lightly. “Uh, you know Gregor is right here...” Lily whipped around in surprise, and upon seeing my face twisted in a near-attack of panic, empathy washed over her. She glanced at Gregor and chirped, “Hey, Gregor.” “Hey,” he grunted back, and I lowered my gaze, already dreading the group dinner. The car pulled away, and we stopped at a red light. Suddenly, Lily exclaimed, “Wow, Robert Laird got a new car! Is the sales department killing it?” Robert Laird’s status in the House of Rothborne was known to only a select few, myself included. Inside this massive corporate machine, I straddled two distinct circles—one crowd privileged and elite, and the other a supportive sisterhood with Lily. Having a foot in both camps meant I knew the ropes—what to say and what to keep close to my chest. Survival strategies. I listlessly observed Robert drive his flashy new ride, boldly flaunting it like some peacock strutting its feathers, and I felt a dizzying swirl of envy. Why compromise with a cheap motorcycle when you could have a luxurious BMW? Then I locked eyes with a cold, piercing gaze—Gregor’s dark eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a black hole, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
Chapter 5
**Dinner for Four** We were all practical kids at heart. The flashy, romantic blind date from last night was behind us, and tonight's dinner for four was at a famous fondue place that promised warmth and laughter. Sitting close together, it felt cozy, like we were all in the same circle—just friends enjoying each other's company. But that sense of camaraderie was pretty weak next to Greg, whose mood swung like a pendulum. I guessed he worked for some iron company, and that steel-grafted demeanor of his made him seem unbreakable. Honestly, his stoic expression was so exhausting to watch that I felt a little sorry for him. Lily probably understood why I was so convinced that she and I would never hit it off. She kept chuckling nervously and poking Eldon, who would awkwardly smile, glance between Greg and me, and grip the menu as if it contained the secrets of the universe. Meanwhile, our waiter was just spinning his eyes, bemused by the strange tension at our table. Greg was as solid as a rock as he took sips of his tea, looking like he couldn't care less about the awkwardness he was generating. It was like he was enjoying it. I tried to study him from across the table, letting my gaze drift out the window to enjoy the street view. It was a classic avoidance tactic, but anyone could play dumb. "How's the lamb fondue?" Eldon finally asked, his voice breaking the silence. "Lamb fondue sounds great! It's chilly out still," Lily chimed in, enthusiasm creeping into her voice. Suddenly, I felt a kick under the table. Shifting my attention back to Lily, I caught her smirking and exchanging meaningful glances with me. I nodded, "Sure, that works for me." So, the three of us, along with the waiter, turned our expectant eyes on Greg. It took him a moment to catch the vibes coming from the group, but eventually, he shrugged and mumbled, "Alright, lamb fondue it is." Sighs of relief filled the table, and the waiter grinned. "Do you want to order any sides?" Eager to conquer the awkwardness, Lily started rattling off side dishes cheerfully, then dragged Eldon into the mix, asking, "Should we add a few bottles of beer?" Eldon didn’t hesitate, "Four beers, please." "You’re driving," Greg interjected, uninvited, with an unbending tone. "Just stick to Coke." His comment slammed the lid down on the flickering excitement, causing Lily to twitch in annoyance. I couldn’t help myself; a wicked thought crossed my mind, and I casually shot back, "Carbonated drinks are not great for your health, especially for men…" He shot me a sideways glance. I raised an eyebrow, thinking there's no point in acting coy when I had nothing to lose. Instead, I grinned mischievously at the waiter and said, "Two coconut milks for the ladies, and two grape juices for the guys, thanks." Lily seemed to pick up on my intentions and sighed dramatically, clearly not in the mood to engage with me. She started fiddling with her utensils while Eldon, still trying to keep the vibe alive, looked at me and asked, "Why coconut milk for you guys but grape juice for us?" “Coconut milk is great for skin and, you know, a little different,” I replied. “As for you? It’s just to remind you that sour grapes don’t taste great if you can’t have them.” Right after I spoke, Lily kicked me again with a little more force. The sudden movement rocked the table, causing both of us to shake and the drinks to wobble. I stayed poker-faced while Lily’s cheeks flushed and she coughed a couple of times, trying to divert attention. Eldon sipped his tea, playing peacekeeper while Greg's gaze wore a hawk-like intensity, drifting down from my face to settle on my chest, like he was measuring something. I clenched my jaw. So under that polished exterior was lurking some slimy inner wolf. I tend to spiral into chaos when I'm uncertain, my thoughts running wild and leaning on whatever grabs my attention. But once I outline my priorities, once I define the big picture, I relax and deal with it as it comes. If I’d had any sliver of hope left regarding Greg, it had vaporized. Even if this iceberg had hidden treasures, they were reserved for those who dared to brave the cold. I gracefully bowed out. When the fondue arrived, I wasted no time diving into the lamb, tossing aside any pretense of restraint. If he wanted to look down on me, I’d find more ways to give him something to judge me on. A friendly reminder: food is precious, and wasting it? That’s just shameful. Lily was being infuriatingly passive, only sipping her coconut milk and ignoring the food. Eldon, worried about her eating habits, fussed over her, offering bite after bite like he was feeding a picky child. In the end, she sighed and swatted his hands away. “I’m not hungry.” Eldon, caught between feeding her and not offending her, looked at me as if I had the answers. I shrugged, eyeing the morsel on his chopsticks. Just then, Lily pushed it into his bowl. "Don't stare. Evelyn doesn't eat offal." Eldon pouted, mumbling, “Neither do I…” Of the four of us, only Lily had a taste for things like tripe or stir-fried guts; usually, she was the vacuum cleaner of these dishes. Tonight, though, she was in a mood, taking it out on Eldon. Unexpectedly, Greg reached for her plate and said, "Give me that, I'll eat it." The table froze in collective shock, all eyes turning on him as if he’d just declared a war. He remained stoic, unfazed, repeating, "Just give it to me."
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