The atmosphere between Hua and Ming had shifted. Ever since that kiss in her office, they both had acknowledged that their relationship was more than just casual glances and brief touches. Something real was growing between them, but as much as Hua tried to focus on her budding feelings, the pressures of her role as CEO were always looming.
---
Days passed, and the intensity of the merger talks escalated. Hua found herself buried under a mountain of documents, back-to-back meetings, and endless negotiations. The weight of it all was exhausting, but Ming's steady presence kept her grounded. They hadn't discussed their relationship further; it was as though both of them were silently agreeing to let things unfold naturally.
That night, after another intense board meeting, Hua decided she needed a break. She texted Ming to meet her at their favorite spot — a quiet park on the outskirts of the city. It was a place they'd found by accident one evening, away from the noise and chaos of the business world.
Ming arrived shortly after she did, his face lighting up when he saw her sitting on a bench under a tall tree.
"Escaping the world for a bit?" he asked, sitting down beside her.
Hua smiled wearily. "Yeah. I needed to breathe. The merger's taking a lot out of me."
Ming nodded, understanding her stress without needing further explanation. "You're doing all you can, Hua. Don't be too hard on yourself."
Hua leaned back, staring up at the night sky. The stars twinkled faintly above them, and the cool breeze was a welcome contrast to the tension she'd been carrying all day. For a moment, she let herself just exist — no CEO, no responsibilities, no stress — just Hua.
"I've been thinking," she said after a long silence, her voice soft. "About us."
Ming's expression softened as he turned to face her. "Yeah?"
"I'm not sure how to balance it all," Hua admitted. "I've never been good at this… at relationships. But with you, it feels different. It feels—"
"Natural?" Ming finished her sentence, his hand reaching for hers.
She nodded, their fingers intertwining. "Yeah. But I'm afraid. Afraid that I'll mess things up, or that I won't be able to give you the attention you deserve."
Ming squeezed her hand gently, his gaze steady. "I'm not asking for all your time, Hua. I know what your job demands, and I'm here for you. We'll figure it out. I'm not going anywhere."
Hua's heart warmed at his words. Ming always had a way of making her feel like things would be okay, even when everything around her seemed to be falling apart.
As they sat there in comfortable silence, Ming shifted slightly, his gaze lingering on her. There was a tenderness in his eyes, something that Hua had started to notice more and more lately. He wasn't just the confident and composed man she knew at work; there was a deeper side to him, one that he seemed to reserve just for her.
Hua met his gaze, her heart racing. She could see the question in his eyes, and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in, brushing her lips against his. The kiss was soft, slow, and filled with a sense of understanding that words couldn't capture.
When they pulled apart, Hua rested her forehead against his, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.
"I'm falling for you, Hua," Ming whispered, his voice barely audible, as if he was afraid the words would shatter the quiet moment between them.
Hua's heart skipped a beat. It was the first time he'd said it, and hearing it made everything feel more real. She'd been so focused on pushing her feelings aside, on prioritizing her work, that she hadn't allowed herself to fully acknowledge what was happening between them.
But now, with his words hanging in the air, there was no denying it.
"I think I'm falling for you too," she whispered back, her voice trembling slightly with the weight of the confession.
Ming's smile was soft, his eyes filled with a warmth that made Hua feel like she was the only person in the world. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her as they sat there under the stars.
For the first time in a long while, Hua felt at peace. She knew there were challenges ahead — with the merger, the company, and figuring out how to balance everything — but for now, she let herself enjoy this moment with Ming.
They stayed in the park for a while longer, talking about everything and nothing. Ming shared stories from his childhood, and Hua found herself laughing more than she had in days. It felt easy with him, like all the pieces were finally falling into place.
---
As they walked back to their cars later that night, hand in hand, Hua couldn't help but feel hopeful. It wasn't going to be easy, but she knew now that she didn't have to face everything alone.
And maybe, just maybe, she was ready to take this step — not just as a CEO, but as someone who was learning to open her heart.
"Let's take it one day at a time," Hua said quietly as they reached her car.
Ming smiled, his hand still holding hers. "One day at a time," he echoed.
Hua smiled back, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, this could work.