The Next Day
When Ember woke up, the first thing she saw was Dylan standing in front of her. His presence made her heart flutter, but the haze of sleep still clung to her mind.
"Hey, good morning," Ember murmured, rubbing her eyes.
Dylan's lips curled into a warm smile. "Good morning, baby. Get up—we're running late."
Her brows knitted together in confusion as she pushed herself upright. "Late for what?"
Dylan's grin turned mischievous. "You'll find out soon enough."
As they sat down for breakfast, Ember noticed something different about him. Her gaze lingered on his face, her heart skipping a beat. He was wearing glasses. She had never seen him in glasses before—not even when he was reading. The sight of him like this, looking like a charming, studious professor, sent a rush of warmth through her.
Dylan caught her staring. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Are you done staring at me?"
A slow blush crept up Ember's cheeks, but she refused to look away. Instead, she smirked playfully. "No! Let me admire you a little longer."
His soft chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. "Eat quickly and come to my study. I have something to show you."
Curiosity sparked in Ember's chest. What could he possibly want to show her? She hurried through her breakfast, her mind racing with possibilities. The moment she finished, she bolted toward his study, excitement bubbling inside her.
She leaned against the doorframe, slightly out of breath. "So? What is it you want to show me?"
Dylan chuckled at her eagerness. "You're too fast."
"I know! Now tell me!" Ember insisted, her excitement bubbling over.
Dylan smirked and handed her a file.
Frowning in curiosity, she took it and flipped it open. "What's this?"
His smile deepened. "This is our schedule. It contains your study timetable and my shooting schedule."
Ember's eyes widened in shock as she scanned the pages. "What?!"
Dylan nodded, watching her reaction with amusement. "Yes. I know this all happens while you're asleep, but you wanted to study—so here we go."
Realization dawned on Ember as she took in her surroundings. The structured setup, the way he was dressed—it all made sense now. Shaking her head, she let out a small laugh. "So that's why you're dressed like a teacher and everything feels like a classroom… You're going to teach me, aren't you?"
"Right! Absolutely right!" Dylan said with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Ember stared at him, half in disbelief, half amused. "Are you kidding me?"
"Nope. Just follow my lead," he replied, his voice a perfect blend of seriousness and playfulness.
With a resigned sigh, Ember knew there was no escaping this. "Alright, let's see how you made my timetable."
Ember scanned through the timetable, her eyes widening at the structured routine:
TODAY
10:00 AM - Management
11:00 AM - Accounting
12:00 PM - Math
1:30 PM - Economics
2:30 PM - Lunch
3:00 PM - Come with me to my office, and then revise everything we've covered. After I finish work, I'll test you in the car on the way home.
Her jaw dropped. "This is too much! Even during your work hours, I have to study?"
Dylan gave her a pointed look. "Stop complaining and let's get started."
With a dramatic sigh, Ember resigned herself to her fate.
After what felt like an eternity of studying, Dylan finally leaned back in his chair and stretched. "Lunch time!"
Relief flooded Ember's face as she practically jumped up from her seat. "Yes! Finally, a break!" she cheered, dashing toward the dining room.
Dylan chuckled, watching her go. She's just like a cute child sometimes.
As soon as Ember saw the food spread across the table, she rushed to wash her hands before eagerly digging in. Just as she was stuffing another bite into her mouth, Dylan walked in and raised an eyebrow. "Slow down, or you'll choke."
Without looking up, she mumbled through a full mouth, "I won't!"
But, of course, she did. A second later, she started coughing violently, her face turning red.
Dylan rushed to Ember's side, his hand moving to pat her back gently. His brows furrowed with concern as he handed her a glass of water. "Are you okay?"
Ember nodded, still catching her breath, her throat burning from the coughing fit. "Hmm," she mumbled, embarrassed.
Dylan let out a relieved sigh before giving her a teasing smile. "Next time, eat slower."
A small pout formed on Ember's lips. "Okay, okay," she muttered, feeling sheepish.
After lunch, Dylan leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a casual ease. "Go get changed."
"Alright," Ember responded, heading off to freshen up.
When she returned from the washroom, her gaze landed on the bed—and her breath hitched. A beautiful light pink dress was laid out for her. It had long sleeves, a delicate neckline, and a flowing bottom that perfectly matched her style and comfort.
Curious, she picked it up, holding it against herself in front of the mirror. A small smile played on her lips as she imagined how it would look on her.
Just then, Dylan entered the room. His gaze softened when he saw her admiring the dress. "You'll look great in that," he said, his voice gentle before turning away and heading back to his room. With a quiet click, he closed the door behind him.
Ember stood still for a moment, warmth spreading through her chest. She traced her fingers over the fabric, a smile tugging at her lips. His thoughtfulness never failed to make her heart flutter.
As Ember stepped out of her room, she noticed Dylan's door was slightly ajar. Curiosity tugged at her, and before she could stop herself, she knocked gently. "Hey! Dylan, are you there?" she called softly.
Silence.
Frowning, she hesitated before pushing the door open just a little more. What she saw next sent her heart into a frenzy.
Dylan stood before her, shirtless, but wearing a bathrobe, a towel draped over his shoulders as he lazily dried his damp hair. Droplets of water trickled down his toned chest, glistening against his perfectly sculpted six-pack. His long, defined legs carried an effortless grace, and for a moment, he looked like something straight out of a dream.
Ember's breath hitched. Oh my, my! Her eyes refused to look away, helplessly drinking in every detail. She was completely mesmerized.
Just then, Dylan's voice snapped her out of her trance. "What? Who's there?"
Her entire body stiffened. Before she could react, he turned, catching her frozen in place—wide-eyed, staring at him like a honeybee drawn to a flower.
A teasing smirk tugged at his lips. Without warning, he stepped closer, closing the distance between them in an instant. Ember barely had time to process before he reached out and gently pulled her closer.
Panic surged through her. "Oh no! Sorry, sorry! I wasn't looking!" she blurted, squeezing her eyes shut, heat rising to her cheeks.
Dylan leaned in, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "You can look more if you want, but we're running late. Let's save this plan for tonight."
His warm breath tickled her skin, sending shivers down her spine.
Ember's eyes flew open. "What?!" she squeaked, her heart pounding. Without thinking, she shoved him away and bolted back to her room, slamming the door behind her.
Chest heaving, she pressed her back against the door, willing her racing heart to calm down. What just happened?!
Once alone, Ember leaned against the door, her heart hammering in her chest. "Oh no, no, no! What did I just see? He's so hot… his body, those abs—oh my!"
She clapped both hands over her burning cheeks, patting them lightly in an attempt to shake the thoughts away. "Stop thinking about that!" she scolded herself, groaning as she flopped onto the bed, burying her face under the pillow.
A sudden knock at the door made her jolt upright.
"Who is it?" Ember called out, still flustered.
"It's me, Butler Feng. Dylan sir is waiting for you in the car. Please come downstairs."
"Okay!" she replied quickly, jumping off the bed.
Taking a deep breath, she touched up her appearance, hoping to steady herself before heading downstairs. But as she walked through the house, she realized she was parched. Changing course, she made her way to the kitchen, grabbed a glass, and poured herself some water.
Just as she took a sip, a familiar voice made her nearly choke.
"So, you're here."
Startled, Ember spun around—only to find Dylan standing right behind her. The shock made her sputter, sending a spray of water onto the floor.
"Cough! Cough!" she struggled, trying to recover.
Dylan raised an amused eyebrow. "Are you alright?"
Ember waved him off, still coughing. "Yes, yes, I'm fine."
He didn't look convinced. "What's going on with you today? Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine!" she insisted, though the way she took an instinctive step back as he moved closer said otherwise.
Dylan's frown deepened slightly, but he let it go. "Let's go. We're getting late." His voice was soft, yet held an undeniable authority.
Ember simply nodded, muttering a small "Hmm" as she followed him to the car.
The ride to Dylan's office was unnervingly quiet—too quiet. Ember sat stiffly, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She knew why she was acting strange, but Dylan's sudden silence was throwing her off.
The tension hung thick between them, unspoken yet undeniable.
When they finally arrived at his company, Dylan suddenly leaned toward her.
Startled, Ember's arms instinctively crossed over her chest, her eyes widening.
Dylan let out an exasperated sigh. "Stop doing that. I'm just helping you put on a mask. I don't want anyone to see you and make assumptions."
Realization dawned on her, and she felt instantly foolish. "Oh," she murmured, her voice small. "Okay."
As he adjusted the mask on her face, Ember felt the warmth of his fingertips brush against her skin, sending an uninvited shiver down her spine. She gulped, willing herself to stay calm.
Today was going to be a long day.
At Dylan's Office-
As they stepped into the company building, Ember was instantly struck by the way everyone greeted Dylan with deep respect. The admiration in their voices, the way they stepped aside when he passed—it was clear he held an important position here.
Watching him interact with his employees filled Ember with a strange sense of pride, though she still wasn't entirely sure what his exact role was. She had known he was successful, but just how successful?
As they walked down the sleek, modern hallways, her eyes were drawn to the banners and advertisements lining the walls. Each one bore Dylan's face, his expression commanding and charismatic. The mystery surrounding him deepened.
Finally, they reached his office, and Ember's gaze immediately landed on a massive banner displayed prominently on the wall.
Dylan sat in the center of the image, one leg crossed over the other, exuding effortless confidence. One hand rested on his knee, while the other hovered near his lips, his intense gaze piercing through the lens. Passion, power, and elegance radiated from him, making it impossible for Ember to look away.
Her heartbeat quickened. How can someone look this captivating?
Before she could fully process everything, a knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
A poised woman entered, dressed sharply in business attire. She carried herself with professionalism, her expression composed.
"Sir, good afternoon," she greeted respectfully.
Dylan nodded in acknowledgment. "Afternoon. Tell me about my schedule."
The woman briefly glanced at Ember before refocusing on Dylan. "Sir, you have a meeting with the chairman to discuss the new project."
With that, she turned to leave, but not before casting Ember another curious look before stepping out of the office.
Ember shifted uncomfortably, feeling a silent question hanging in the air
Ember's thoughts raced with excitement. He's going to a meeting—that means I'm free! Finally, a break!
A victorious grin almost formed on her lips as she watched Dylan reviewing some documents. His expression was sharp, brows furrowed in deep concentration. The way his fingers glided over the pages, his focused gaze, the quiet confidence he exuded—it was mesmerizing.
The sight before her felt like a perfect portrait of him: serious, handsome, completely in his element. She wished she could capture this moment forever.
Without realizing it, she whispered to herself, "Oh, so handsome…"
A deep voice broke through her trance. "Really?"
Ember's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She blinked in confusion—Dylan was no longer at his desk. Wait… where did he—
Before she could complete the thought, she turned and gasped. He was standing right behind her.
Startled, she took a stood from the sofa, but her foot slipped.
"Whoops!"
Before she could hit the floor, a firm grip caught her wrist.
Dylan's strong hands steadied her effortlessly, his amused gaze locking onto hers. His lips curved into a teasing smile. "So, tell me, am I really that handsome?"
Ember, half-falling, half-standing, could only gape at him in disbelief. Seriously? Now's the time to ask that?!
Annoyed, she huffed. "Pull me back! My back hurts!"
With a smooth tug, Dylan lifted her upright—but the force sent her stumbling forward, straight into his chest.
A warm, firm chest.
Ember's hands instinctively landed on his shoulders as she tilted her face upward, only to realize—their faces were inches apart.
Her breath hitched. The air between them grew charged, thick with unspoken tension.
Panicked, she tried to step back, but Dylan didn't let go. Instead, he held her hand firmly, his grip pulling her even closer.
Ember's heart pounded wildly. She was trapped—and the worst part? She wasn't sure if she wanted to escape.
"What are you doing?" Ember's voice came out barely above a whisper, her heart pounding in her chest.
Dylan grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Can't I hug you? You're my girlfriend, after all. And as my girlfriend, you owe me hundreds of hugs a day."
"Huh? What?" Ember's eyes widened in confusion.
"Don't you know?" Dylan teased, his tone light and playful.
Ember hesitated. "I… didn't know," she admitted, feeling warmth creep up her neck. "This is my first time."
Dylan's eyebrow lifted, amused. "Really? I'm your first?"
Ember nodded, her gaze darting away, suddenly feeling shy under his intense stare. "Hm."
His voice softened, turning almost hypnotic. "Well then, I'll teach you… slowly."
He reached up, his fingers grazing her cheek as he gently removed her mask. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down Ember's spine.
"Okay… now release me," she murmured, trying to steady her breath.
"No," he whispered, his voice laced with mischief. But after a moment, he let her go, stepping back.
Ember stumbled slightly, blinking in surprise. "So fast…" she mumbled, still trying to process what had just happened.
But before she could dwell on it, Dylan suddenly froze, his playful demeanor vanishing.
Confused, Ember turned to follow his gaze—and her stomach dropped. A man stood at the doorway, his serious expression unreadable.
Oh no… he must be Dylan's boss! Ember thought, nerves spiking.
Forcing herself to stay composed, she mustered a polite smile. "Hello," she greeted, hoping she sounded poised and elegant.
The man, clearly unimpressed, regarded her for a moment before responding. "Hello. And who might you be?"
Before Ember could speak, Dylan's voice cut in smoothly. "She's my girlfriend."
The words hung in the air, firm and certain. As if to emphasize the statement, Dylan casually placed a hand on Ember's waist, pulling her slightly closer.
Ember felt her face flush with warmth. Instinctively, she lowered her gaze, a soft, shy smile tugging at her lips.
The man's expression shifted slightly, his stern gaze softening just a little. "Okay." He turned his attention back to Dylan. "Aren't you going to introduce me to her?"
Dylan smirked as if just remembering his manners. "Oh, I almost forgot. Ember, this is my boss, Lu Ming."
Ember lifted her eyes and nodded politely. "Hello, I'm Ember. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand for a handshake, hoping to make a good impression.
But just as Lu Ming reached for her hand, Dylan subtly intervened, gently waving her hand aside.
Lu Ming paused, then let out a small chuckle. "No need to be so formal."
Ember felt a little awkward, lowering her hand back to her side. "Okay," she mumbled.
Lu Ming cast a final glance at Dylan before saying, "Come, the meeting is about to start." Without another word, he turned and walked out the door.
As soon as Mr. Lu left the room, Dylan turned to Ember with a mischievous smile. "Complete your homework."
Ember frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?" she asked, watching as he took a few slow steps closer, his hands casually crossed behind his back.
He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Playing innocent, huh?"
Her heart pounded, but she refused to let him have the upper hand. With a smirk, she placed her hands on his shoulders and teased, "So what?"
The air between them grew thick with tension, their breaths intertwining. Ember felt her pulse quicken as Dylan leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Should I remind you?"
Before she could react, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. Her breath hitched as his fingers traced along her chin, tilting her face up to his. Then, without hesitation, he captured her lips in a small, soft kiss.
Time seemed to stop. The world around them faded away, and in its place, a melody of violins played in Ember's mind. The warmth of his lips sent a shiver down her spine, making her knees go weak.
But just as she was about to lose herself in the moment, Dylan pulled back slightly, his lips curling into a playful grin. "That kiss doesn't mean I'm letting you off the hook."
Ember blinked, her thoughts spinning. Regaining her senses, she pushed him gently, crossing her arms with feigned irritation. "Okay, okay, just tell me what I need to do."
With a satisfied smile, Dylan reached for a book on his desk. Ember raised an eyebrow, thinking, Does he even study at the office too?
He handed her the book and said, "These three questions—you need to finish them. When I get back, I'll check."
Ember saluted with a cheeky grin. "Aye, aye, boss!"
Dylan chuckled as he walked toward the door. "Bye, baby," he added, sending her a playful wink.
Ember giggled, blowing him an imaginary kiss. To her amusement, he caught it midair and pressed it over his heart before disappearing through the door.
With a sigh, she flopped onto the sofa, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration. He's taking this studying thing way too seriously… as if it's his exam, not mine, she thought.
After a moment, she shook off her complaints and sat up. "Okay, let's do this. I can finish it quickly!" she encouraged herself.
She worked through one question and grinned. "Yes! One down, two to go."
As she stretched her arms, her eyes wandered toward Dylan's chair. Curiosity sparked within her. I wonder how it feels to sit in his chair…
Before she could stop herself, she walked over to the large office chair and plopped down. The soft leather embraced her, and she couldn't resist giving it a little spin.
"Woohoo! It's so comfortable!" she whispered, grinning like a child. But then she froze, realizing she was getting carried away. Oops, I'm being too loud.
She quickly straightened up and refocused on her assignment—only to be startled by a sudden voice at the door.
A man was speaking in rapid Chinese. Ember blinked, turning the chair to face him, completely caught off guard. He has a sharp and elegant appearance, with fair skin, well-defined facial features, and a strong jawline. His dark brown hair is styled slightly tousled, adding to his sophisticated yet effortless look. Dressed in a black suit, white dress shirt, and black tie, he exudes a refined and confident aura. His wristwatch adds a touch of classic elegance. Before she could get a single word out, he spoke again, his tone urgent, but she couldn't understand a thing.
"I'm sorry, I don't speak Chinese," Ember started, but before she could even finish, the man switched to English.
"What are you doing here? You're not allowed. Come outside."
"Hey, wait—" Ember began, but he cut her off again.
"Are you here for an interview? This isn't the place for that. Come outside with me," he said firmly, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the door.
"What are you doing? Stop it! I'll complain!" Ember protested, struggling to free herself.
"I'm helping you," he replied, his irritation clear. "And you're shouting at me?"
"Helping me? By dragging me out of the office?" she shot back, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
By the time they reached outside, Ember yanked her hand free, glaring at him. "Let go of me!"
The man sighed, looking at her as if she was the one causing trouble. "If you want a job here, you need to be more polite."
Ember narrowed her eyes. "I'm not here for a—"
But before she could finish, he interrupted yet again. "Okay, I get it. You're not here to steal anything. Relax."
Steal? What is he even talking about? Ember rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply. Arguing with this guy could take all day… and honestly, I'm already bored. Might as well play along.
Seeing her calm down, the man released her hand and motioned ahead. "Come with me. I'll take you to the right place."
Ember hesitated for a moment but eventually followed him, feeling the weight of curious stares from the employees as they walked through the hallway.
Suddenly, the man stopped abruptly, and Ember, caught off guard, bumped straight into his chest.
"Ouch!" she muttered, rubbing her forehead.
He glanced down at her, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?"
Ember quickly took a step back, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Yes, I'm fine. Just… a little clumsy," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
"Good. Now stop smiling and follow me," he said in a no-nonsense tone.
How can someone just tell you to stop smiling? Ember thought, shaking her head but deciding not to argue. She simply followed.
They entered a large room filled with people waiting for interviews. Ember glanced around, noticing the tense atmosphere—hopeful candidates sat upright, clenching their resumes, their faces filled with nervous anticipation.
Without a word, the man led her straight to the front, completely bypassing the long line. Ember felt the weight of dozens of curious and irritated stares burning into her.
The interviewer stood up immediately upon seeing the man. "Afternoon, sir."
The man gave a curt nod. "Afternoon." Then, turning to Ember, he gestured to the chair beside him. "Come sit next to me."
Wait, what? Sit next to him? Isn't this for interviews? Shouldn't I be standing with the others? Confused but unwilling to cause more trouble, Ember hesitated for a moment before quietly taking a seat.
The interviews began, one by one, and Ember watched with half-lidded eyes, struggling to stay interested. The candidates were older, serious, and spoke in business jargon that didn't make sense to her. Ugh, so boring… she thought, barely suppressing a yawn.
Finally, when the last interview ended, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Huff!"
Then, to Ember's shock, the man turned to her and said, "Now it's your turn."
"What? My turn?" Ember's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yes. Come sit in front for the interview," he said, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
"No," she replied firmly, panic setting in. "I don't even know what position you're interviewing for! How can I do this?"
The man looked at her incredulously. "Don't you want the position?"
I don't even know what the position is! Ember thought, exasperated.
"First, tell me what the job is," she said cautiously, trying to buy some time.
The man shook his head, looking completely bewildered. "What? You don't even know what you applied for?"
Dylan's colleague, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "This is for the translator's position."
"Oh… okay," Ember mumbled, still struggling to process how she had ended up in this mess.
"Where's your CV?" the man asked, his tone turning slightly impatient.
Ember blinked. "Oh, I… I don't have one."
He let out a small sigh but quickly composed himself. "Alright, let's start."
Ember sat up straighter, her nerves tingling. The person next to him began the questioning.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Ember."
"Tell me something about yourself."
Ember took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. "Thank you for the opportunity. My name is Ember, as I mentioned earlier. I'm from City Blue in India and currently pursuing my BBA. I'm here to gain new experiences and challenge myself with something different. I come from a family with a strong service background, which has taught me a lot about discipline and time management. My hobbies include writing, painting, and playing indoor games. I consider myself a quick learner, and my greatest strength is my dedication to hard work. While I can be a little shy, I believe I can overcome it with confidence and experience." She smiled nervously. "That's all, thank you."
The panel continued with more questions, asking her to describe certain topics and handle situational scenarios. Ember did her best, answering as honestly and confidently as she could.
Finally, after a few more exchanges, the man stood up and extended his hand toward her.
"Welcome to our company," he said with a smile.
Ember froze. Wait… what?
"I'm sorry," she stammered, her mind racing. "But I'm not here to get hired. You can choose someone else."
The man frowned slightly. "If it's about the salary, we can discuss it. But you can't just reject the job like that."
Ember's mind raced. She didn't want to come across as rude—especially for Dylan's sake. Taking a deep breath, she carefully chose her words. "I'm really sorry," she said. "Actually, I'm here with my boyfriend. He's in a meeting, so I was just waiting for him in that room."
The man raised an eyebrow, then let out a small smile. "Well, think about it. It's a good job, well-paid, and you're perfect for it."
Ember offered a polite smile. "Thank you, but I just want to focus on my studies right now. I'm not in a hurry to get a job."
He chuckled lightly. "You could give it a try. It's fun."
"Actually, I... just want to study," she said, hoping he'd understand.
He let out a small sigh, looking slightly disappointed but not pressuring her further. "Alright. But if you ever need a job, come back, and I'll hire you."
Ember nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, I really appreciate that."
As the conversation neared its end, he offered, "If you're free, I can show you around the workplace."
Ember considered it for a moment. Why not? I'm tired and bored anyway.
"Okay," she agreed with a small nod.
Sheng Chi smiled warmly at Ember as they walked. "Hey, I'm Sheng Chi," he introduced himself.
Ember returned his smile. "Oh, hello. As you know, I'm Ember."
"So, you're from India. Are you here to travel?" he asked curiously.
"Actually, yeah! I'm here exploring," Ember replied as they reached the canteen.
Sheng Chi gestured toward the seating area. "What would you like to have?"
Ember thought for a moment. "I'll have a cup of coffee."
"Alright. You sit, I'll order," he said before heading toward the counter.
As Ember settled into her seat, her ears caught the hushed voices of a group of girls nearby. Their whispers carried judgmental undertones, sharp and unkind.
Girls' Chat…
"Hey, did you see that girl? She came in with Mr. Dylan, and now she's with our HR Manager, Mr. Sheng Chi."
"Yeah, she's not even that beautiful, but look at her, cozying up to the two hottest guys in the company at the same time!"
"She's really something."
"Did you hear she got hired for the translator position?"
"Yeah, but she said she didn't want the job."
"Maybe she's aiming for something more."
Their words stung, but before Ember could react, a familiar voice sliced through the air.
"And what more is that?" Dylan's voice was calm, yet it carried an unmistakable sharpness.
A comforting hand rested on Ember's shoulder from behind. She turned, finding Dylan standing there, his expression composed but his eyes unwavering.
She quickly stood up and smiled at him, brushing off the sting of the conversation. "Is your meeting over?" she asked sweetly.
Dylan nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Yeah, it's done."
Without hesitation, Ember leaned into him, intertwining their fingers and resting her head against his shoulder. "Honey, I'm hungry. I came here for coffee, but can we go out and have lunch together?" she asked playfully.
Dylan smiled, squeezing her hand. "Okay, baby. I know a new restaurant nearby. Let's go."
Just as they were about to leave, Ember suddenly stopped. "Wait!"
Dylan turned to her, concerned. "What happened, baby?"
"Actually, today I met someone," Ember explained.
Dylan's brow furrowed slightly. "Who?"
A voice from behind answered, "Me."
Both Ember and Dylan turned to see Sheng Chi approaching with a friendly smile.
Dylan arched an eyebrow. "You met him?"
Ember nodded quickly, enthusiasm in her voice. "Yes! He's Mr... uh... hmmm..."
Dylan let out a soft laugh, amused. "You've already forgotten his name?"
Ember's cheeks flushed slightly as she furrowed her brows, trying to recall. "No! I remember! Oh! Yes, Mr. Sheng Chi!"
Dylan chuckled at her flustered expression, reaching out to gently pat her head. "You're cute," he teased, his voice dripping with warmth.
"Hey! You're messing up my hair!" Ember protested, swatting his hand away.
"Okay, okay," Dylan replied, raising his hands in surrender, still laughing.
Sheng Chi crossed his arms, watching them with amusement. "Are you two done?" he asked, smirking.
"Yep!" Dylan replied confidently. "Let's head to my office and talk."
As they walked back toward the office, Dylan casually draped his arm around Ember's waist. Passing the table where the girls had been gossiping earlier, he paused just for a moment. Without looking directly at them, he spoke in a firm, steady voice.
"Don't spread rumors about people you don't know."
Then, just as he was about to leave, he turned back, his gaze cool and unwavering.
"Oh, and I guess I should introduce her, just to stop your gossip. This is my girlfriend, Ember."
The group of girls sat frozen, their faces paling in shock.
Ember, still a little taken aback but secretly amused, smiled softly as she and Dylan continued toward his office, his arm secure around her waist.