Noah looked up at Ethan, his eyes slightly narrowed, a chill in the air despite the warm sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The office, bright and inviting, contrasted sharply with the intensity in Noah's gaze.
"Don't stand, sit for a while," Ethan said, his voice warm and inviting. He reached into the bag and pulled out a box of matcha cake rolls.
Noah, a bit surprised, stiffly made his way to the sofa beside Ethan. He had always seen Ethan as someone who didn't particularly enjoy desserts. As Ethan opened the lid, he was about to speak when he noticed Noah shifting uncomfortably to the side.
"You eat some too," Noah insisted, taking a seat opposite Ethan. "I don't like watching others eat," Ethan chuckled, cutting the matcha roll in half with a fork.
In theory, Noah shouldn't have called Ethan "boss" anymore, but he couldn't find a suitable name to replace it. Seeing Ethan didn't mind, he continued to use it.
Taking the fork and the half of the matcha roll, Noah took a bite. The rich aroma and slight bitterness of the matcha paired perfectly with the sweet jasmine cream, creating a delightful balance.
"So what do you think?" Ethan asked, watching Noah closely.
"Not bad. It's really delicious," Noah replied, his tense demeanor softening as he smiled.
"That suits your taste? Great!" Ethan responded, his expression brightening.
Just then, Noah's phone rang. "Sorry, I have to take this," he said, stepping into the corridor to answer.
"Noah, I have something urgent to take care of. Do you need anything else today?" It was Shawn on the line.
"It's fine; you can head back. I can manage the rest," Noah assured him, knocking on Ethan's door as he returned. "Boss, I have something to handle at the store, so I'll be leaving now."
"If you need help, don't hesitate to ask. I want your store to succeed as much as you do," Ethan replied, a hint of concern in his voice.
Noah nodded, grateful for the support. "I will. I'll see you later."
In truth, there wasn't much for Noah to do; he felt a bit uneasy lingering in the office. The workers had been contacted about changing the sign, and he was simply supervising.
After Noah left, Sam couldn't wait to enter Ethan's office. This was a prime opportunity for some gossip, and he had known Ethan long enough to know how to read the signs.
"Didn't think it would happen so fast," Sam teased, plopping down on Noah's former seat. "There was quite a bit left on the table today, huh? Don't go stealing Felix's share again."
Ethan shot Sam a glance but remained unfazed. "He said he had to get back to the store. Besides, being overly proactive might feel burdensome to him."
Sam leaned back, relaxed. "But what if someone doesn't like you? Are you going to stay single forever? Your family must be concerned."
Though Ethan's family hadn't pressured him overtly, it was clear they hoped he would settle down, given their circumstances.
"I know. I'm the only child, and while Mrs. Jones never says it, she's definitely anxious," Ethan admitted, running a hand through his hair.
Despite being born into wealth, Ethan wasn't the product of a business marriage but rather a love story. His parents had a unique bond—his mother, an assistant teacher, had been swept off her feet by his father during her university days.
"Things can't stay like this," Sam urged. "You can't just keep being nice from the shadows. You need to learn how to make a move."
"Make a move?" Ethan scoffed, a smirk forming on his lips. "Look who's talking. You've got all this experience, yet you haven't succeeded."
"Ethan!" Sam shot back, pretending to be offended.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "In the company, call me Mr. Harrison. Or I'll have to dock your pay."
"Alright, alright! You're ruthless," Sam huffed, leaving the office with a mock glare.
After Sam exited, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of unease. It was his first time trying to pursue someone, and he felt utterly inexperienced. He grabbed his phone, preparing to seek advice from the "successful" individuals back home.
"Hey, Dad, are you busy?" he asked when his father answered.
"Not really. What's on your mind?" Mr. Jones replied, his voice calm.
"Nothing much, just that I've developed feelings for someone, and I wanted to ask if you have any tips for winning someone over."
There was a moment of silence before his mother's excited voice chimed in, "Our little treasure has grown up! Tell us everything—who is it? Alpha, beta, or omega? Do you have a picture?"
Ethan sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Mom, I'm 32. Please don't call me little treasure. And, Dad, can you not use speakerphone next time?"
"What's the big deal? Come on, tell us everything!" Mrs. Jones urged, her enthusiasm infectious.
Ethan felt the pressure mount but began to share the truth, leaving out some details for discretion. "It was kind of love at first sight. You know, the old Shen family charm?"
"Love at first sight? You definitely inherited that," Mrs. Jones chuckled, nudging Mr. Jones, who had a grin on his face.
"Stop laughing and give me some advice!" Ethan insisted, trying to keep the conversation serious.
Mr. Jones coughed lightly, clearing his throat. "You're busy, so phone calls won't cut it. You need to see each other more often to really make your presence felt."
"Exactly! Being physically present matters," Mrs. Jones echoed.
"Oh, and you shouldn't go back to your big flat just yet. Spend a little money and find out where he lives. Be his neighbor! That way, you can build your relationship after work," she suggested, her voice brimming with excitement.
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle. It was clear that married people had their own unique wisdom, and he felt grateful for their insights.
Motivated by their advice, Ethan decided to take action. Finding out where Noah lived wouldn't be too difficult; after all, he had resources and connections. As he set his mind to this new plan, he felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness. This was uncharted territory for him, but he was ready to step out of his comfort zone.
"Let's see where this leads," Ethan murmured to himself, a smile creeping onto his face as he envisioned a future filled with possibility.