Later that evening, Jade called Mia and practically begged her to meet up for drinks. She needed to vent before she lost her mind.
At a cozy bar near her apartment, Jade stirred her cocktail absentmindedly as she recounted the day’s events.
“They made me sign a contract, Mia,” Jade said, her voice a mix of frustration and disbelief. “Who even does that?”
Mia leaned back in her chair, her lips quirking into a knowing smile. “You know what this is about, right?”
Jade frowned. “What?”
“They’re all in love with you,” Mia said bluntly, taking a sip of her wine.
Jade almost choked on her drink. “What? No. Absolutely not.”
“Jade, come on,” Mia said, rolling her eyes. “They’re fighting over you like you’re the last chocolate bar on the shelf. It’s so obvious.”
“You’re crazy,” Jade muttered, shaking her head. “They’re my bosses. They’re just… controlling. That’s all.”
“Sure,” Mia replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Keep telling yourself that.”
***
After drinks, Jade returned home, feeling slightly better after venting. She took a long shower, hoping the warm water would wash away her lingering stress. Dressed in her coziest pajamas, she climbed into bed, ready to call it a night.
Just as she was about to drift off, her phone buzzed. It was her grandmother.
“Grandma? Is everything okay?”
“Jade,” her grandmother said, her voice calm but curious. “There’s someone at the door for you.”
Jade frowned, sitting up. “Someone? At this hour? Who is it?”
“He didn’t say,” her grandmother replied. “But he’s very well-dressed.”
Jade’s heart skipped a beat as she got up and padded to the front door. When she opened it, her breath caught.
It was Milan.
He stood there in a tailored dark suit, holding a small box tied with a neat ribbon.
“What… what are you doing here?” Jade asked, her voice soft but laced with confusion.
Milan’s expression was unreadable, though his tone was calm. “I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop by.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You were in the neighborhood? Really?”
He held out the box. “Macarons. From the patisserie near your hotel. I thought you might like them.”
Jade took the box hesitantly, her mind spinning. “Why are you really here, Milan?”
For a moment, his mask slipped. His eyes softened, and his voice lowered. “Because I wanted to see you, Jade.”
Her breath hitched, but before she could respond, Milan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at it briefly, his expression hardening again.
“I have to go,” he said, his voice back to its usual cool tone. “But enjoy the macarons.”
And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving Jade standing in the doorway, clutching the box and wondering what had just happened.