As Nathan's car pulled up in front of Elena's café, he took a deep breath. Thomas had gone over the plan with him multiple times during the drive. They weren't here to confess anything or reveal their intentions—just to relax and observe. Nathan was determined to keep his feelings under wraps, but as soon as he spotted Elena inside the café, his resolve crumbled. A broad smile spread across his face, one he couldn't suppress no matter how hard he tried.
"Boss," Thomas whispered sharply, tugging at Nathan's sleeve. "Get it together. People are watching."
Nathan cleared his throat and forced himself into a composed demeanor as they entered. They chose a table in a cozy corner, and Nathan immediately pulled out his laptop, pretending to work.
When Elena approached to take their order, she froze. Her eyes widened as she recognized the two men sitting before her.
"What... what are you doing here?" she stammered, barely able to hide her surprise.
Nathan responded with a calm and measured tone, though his eyes betrayed his amusement. "We're just here to relax. Didn't even know you worked here."
Elena blinked at him, unsure whether to believe him. But she recovered quickly, smiled, and welcomed them warmly. She took their orders and served them coffee, all the while trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.
Nathan, on the other hand, couldn't take his eyes off her. Even as she flitted from table to table, attending to customers with her radiant smile, he watched her every move. His laptop screen remained open, but the report he had been working on was long forgotten.
"Boss," Thomas said, breaking Nathan's trance. "You're staring."
Nathan frowned, attempting to look serious. "I'm working."
Thomas smirked. "Right. Because typing zero words in the last hour is totally working."
Nathan shot him a warning glare. "If you distract me with your silly ideas again, I'll sack you."
Thomas chuckled but said nothing more. He could see his boss was smitten, even if Nathan wasn't ready to admit it.
They lingered in the café until closing time. As Elena cleaned up and prepared to leave, Nathan and Thomas rose from their seats, pretending to head out as well.
"Elena," Nathan called out, his voice smooth and casual, "can I give you a ride home? You know, since we're friends now."
Elena hesitated for a moment but then nodded with a smile. "Sure, that would be nice."
Nathan's heart soared as he gestured for her to follow him. They all piled into the car, with Nathan and Elena sitting in the back while Thomas joined the driver up front.
The ride was filled with lighthearted conversation. Nathan asked Elena about her life, and she shared snippets of her journey—her dreams, her struggles, and her ambitions. She even apologized for not checking on him earlier after the accident, but Nathan waved it off with a warm smile.
"I'm doing great now," he assured her. "You don't need to worry about that."
When they arrived at her apartment, Nathan insisted on opening the car door for her, treating her with the utmost care. Elena couldn't help but feel a little flustered by his gentlemanly behavior.
"Thank you, Nathan," she said, her voice soft.
"My pleasure," he replied, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer than necessary.
They ended up talking outside her apartment for what felt like hours. Elena found herself laughing at his witty remarks and sharing stories she hadn't told anyone in years. Nathan, for his part, was completely enchanted.
When it was finally time to leave, Nathan felt a pang of reluctance. He bid her goodnight, watching her disappear behind the door before getting back into the car.
As they drove home, Thomas couldn't help but yawn loudly. "Boss, you've drained me. But you seem more alive than ever. Tell me—are you crazy about her, or just completely out of your mind?"
Nathan didn't reply. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, a contented smile playing on his lips. For the first time in a long while, he felt something he couldn't quite explain—something warm, something hopeful.
And he was more than ready to embrace it.
Nathan couldn't wipe the smile off his face. As the car moved through the quiet streets, his mind was consumed by thoughts of Elena. Her radiant smile, graceful steps, the gentle way she spoke—it was as if she had imprinted herself into his very soul. Thomas tried to engage him, teasingly asking whether Nathan was in love or simply fascinated, but Nathan didn't respond. Lost in his thoughts, he simply smiled like a lovestruck teenager, oblivious to the world around him.
When they arrived at Nathan's mansion, he stepped out of the car and approached Thomas. Much to Thomas's surprise, Nathan wrapped him in a warm hug, gazing at him intently. But it wasn't Thomas's face Nathan was seeing; in his mind, it was Elena's eyes staring back at him. With a soft, dreamy voice, Nathan murmured, "Hey Elena, welcome to my life. I love you so much, baby. Promise me you'll never leave me."
Thomas froze, unsure whether to laugh or panic. "Boss," he said carefully, "I think you've had a long day. Maybe some rest will help." Nathan, still lost in his thoughts, chuckled and walked inside, leaving a bewildered Thomas behind.
Inside the grand mansion, Nathan sank into the plush sofa in the living room. The maids, curious about his unusual demeanor, peeked at him from behind the pillars and doors. When he called out for a glass of water, every maid rushed forward with their own sparkling glass, eager to be the first to serve him.
Nathan looked up, confused by the sight of several maids holding glasses of water in front of him. Their nervous fidgeting betrayed their fear of his reaction. Slowly, he stood, his expression unreadable. The maids trembled, certain they'd overstepped and braced themselves for a scolding. Instead, Nathan walked over to Allison, his favorite maid, and gently took the glass from her hand.
"Thank you, Allison," he said, his tone calm and kind. "The rest of you can return to your duties."
The maids exchanged glances, stunned by their boss's newfound gentleness, and scurried away. Nathan gestured for Allison to stay. She sat nervously, unsure of what to expect.
"I just want to ask you something," Nathan began, sensing her anxiety. "Don't be afraid."
Allison exhaled in relief, her shoulders relaxing. "What would you like to know, sir?"
Nathan leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. "What kind of gifts do women like the most?"
At that moment, Thomas entered the room quietly and overheard the question. He immediately knew who Nathan was thinking about and stifled his laughter, careful not to be noticed.
Allison hesitated, then replied with a smile, "Sir, most women love lilies, chocolates, and jewelry. But it's not just about gifts. Taking her out to dinner, to a concert, or even to the cinema can make a woman happy. Spending quality time together matters more than anything."
Nathan nodded thoughtfully, his smile widening. "Thank you, Allison. That was very helpful."
She stood and excused herself, her relief palpable. Thomas, however, couldn't resist clearing his throat loudly, signaling his presence.
Nathan turned to him with a knowing look. "You've been standing there the whole time, haven't you?"
Thomas grinned sheepishly. "I just wanted to say goodnight, sir."
Nathan smirked. "Goodnight, Thomas. But next time, don't pretend you weren't eavesdropping."
With that, he dismissed. After a quick dinner and a refreshing shower, Nathan lay in bed, a serene smile on his face. He closed his eyes, and once again, Elena's face filled his dreams, her laughter echoing in his mind as he drifted off to sleep.