Anna stared at him, unsure whether to believe him or not. But for some reason, she felt an unexpected sense of relief.
Without saying anything more, she took out her phone, and under Daniel's watchful gaze, added him back to her contacts.
After they left the diner, Daniel insisted on giving Anna a ride home.
The car ride was quiet, the only sound coming from the faint hum of the engine as the city lights blurred past the windows. Anna sat beside him, her heart racing, occasionally sneaking glances at Daniel.
Suddenly, Daniel broke the silence, "That guy earlier—is he your boyfriend?"
Anna was startled and quickly shook her head. "No, no, he's just a colleague."
"A colleague, huh?" Daniel's voice had a teasing edge, his tone hinting at curiosity.
Anna nodded, though her heart pounded with nerves, not entirely sure why she felt the need to deny it so quickly.
When they reached Anna's apartment building, it was already 9 p.m. She stepped out of the car, only to realize Daniel had also gotten out, glancing up at the modest employee housing. His brow furrowed slightly. "Your company has you staying here?"
"Yeah, it's not bad. It's simple, but it works," Anna said, a bit embarrassed.
Daniel didn't say anything, but he walked her to the entrance of her building.
As they reached her door, Anna hesitated before asking, "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"
Daniel gave her a soft smile, his voice calm, "If you're offering, how could I say no?"
Anna felt her face heat up at his response. She quickly opened the door, feeling flustered. "It's really basic inside, don't expect much."
She hurried to boil some water, nervously explaining, "I cleaned this kettle a bunch of times, so it's perfectly clean."
Daniel stood quietly by the door, glancing around the small room. The space was simple—just a bed, a small closet, a desk lamp, and a tiny couch by the window. There were no decorations, and everything felt sparse and utilitarian.
He looked at the kettle but didn't drink the tea. Instead, he picked up a bottle of water from the table and took a sip. After a moment, he asked, "You've been staying here the whole time?"
"Yeah, it's the company dorm. It's not luxurious, but it's okay," Anna replied, still feeling a bit uneasy.
"How much longer is the project going to take?" Daniel didn't press further, changing the subject instead.
"We're just doing indoor shoots before the holidays, but we'll need to finish the outdoor shots afterward," she explained, then added with a hint of pride, "I've been in charge of a lot of the quality control for this project!"
Daniel smiled, taking another sip of water. "Not bad."
Anna felt a little foolish for being so eager to boast. After all, in Daniel's world, her role in the company was probably insignificant—a far cry from being "important." She awkwardly sipped her tea, unsure of what else to say.
Trying to change the subject, she asked, "So, why are you here?"
Daniel's response was casual, "We've got a new resort development nearby, and I'm here to check on the land."
Anna nodded, though she didn't fully understand the details of the resort project and didn't press further.
Time ticked by, and the room fell into an awkward silence. Anna fidgeted, feeling increasingly anxious in the quiet.She glanced at the clock, then cautiously said, "It's getting late… Aren't you going to head back?"
"Are you in a hurry for me to leave?" Daniel asked, his gaze steady, his voice teasing but with an undertone of seriousness.
Her heart raced under his gaze, her face growing warm. "No… I just thought you might… need to get back?"
She wasn't even sure if she wanted him to stay or leave.
Daniel didn't answer immediately, simply watching her, his expression soft.
Anna, feeling the tension in the air, turned toward the window, opening it to let in some fresh air. Outside, the night was still, the streetlights casting a soft glow on the few scattered leaves. A gentle breeze rustled through the branches.
"I have to be up early tomorrow for work," she mumbled, trying to hint that it was time for him to go.
Behind her, she heard the faint sound of Daniel setting down the bottle of water. Finally, he stood up. "Alright, I'll let you get some rest."
He walked to the door, as if about to leave. But as Anna watched him, she felt a sudden wave of disappointment.
Sensing her eyes on him, Daniel paused at the door and turned to look at her. Their eyes met, and Anna quickly averted her gaze, her ears burning with embarrassment.
After a brief silence, Daniel's voice was low and commanding, "Come here."
Anna blinked, momentarily stunned, but she obediently stepped forward. Standing before him, her heart pounded so fast she feared it might burst. She had no idea what he intended to do.
As she got close, Daniel gently cupped the back of her head and leaned down to kiss her.
The kiss was soft and gentle, like a breeze brushing across her cheek, carrying his familiar scent of cedarwood. Anna froze, completely unsure of how to react. She could only feel the warmth of his lips against hers, lingering and tender.
Her hands instinctively pressed against his chest, feeling the solid strength beneath his shirt. Her palms grew warm, but she didn't dare pull away. It was as if the whole world had faded, leaving only the two of them suspended in that fleeting moment of softness.
"I'm leaving now. Goodnight." Daniel pulled away, his voice soft as he closed the door behind him.
Anna stood there, staring at the closed door, her mind still spinning with the memory of his warmth and the sound of her own racing heartbeat.
She looked down at her hands, still feeling the lingering heat from his chest. The room around her fell into silence, and she was left alone, her thoughts swirling in a whirl of confusion and emotions.