BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 13: Chocolate Bar

Chapter 13: Chocolate Bar

The morning rolled in with its usual vigor, splashing the office in a warm, golden light. I found myself lost in a sea of code and constant team banter, the rhythmic tapping of keyboards a familiar tune in the chaos of our workspace.

Thoughts of yesterday's encounter with Luke were shoved to the back of my mind, only to resurface in those quieter moments. There was something about him, in his perfectly tailored suits, each line screaming control and precision. Luke Walton was like a puzzle, dressed in sharp suits and guarded expressions.

So caught up in the rhythm of the day, I almost forgot to eat, my stomach's growls finally pulling me away from the glow of the computer screens.

Heading to the break room, I was debating between vanilla or chocolate protein bars when David's voice cut through my thoughts. "Hey, Wisconsin Wonder!" His nickname for me never failed to bring a smile to my face.

"We still on for the grand city tour this weekend?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"Only if it's first-class all the way," I shot back, my mood instantly lightening.

"Nothing less," he promised, his easygoing nature a stark contrast to the day's earlier intensity.

Just as I was saving his number, I felt eyes on me. Looking up, there was Luke, his intense gaze locking onto mine and sending a jolt through my body. He strode past us without a word, heading straight for the protein bars.

David, sensing the shift in atmosphere, quipped, "Looks like Mr. Walton's in desperate need of his chocolate fix."

Attempting to ease the tension, I called out, "Mr. Walton, did I grab the last chocolate one? Vanilla's usually my go-to."

He glanced at me, a silent challenge in his eyes, "Switching to the dark side today, I see."

I tried to keep it light. "Looks like it."

He grabbed a chocolate bar, his departure leaving a tangible chill behind.

David's laughter filled the awkward silence. "Man, that's probably the longest casual conversation Walton's ever had. And over a chocolate bar!"

I couldn't help but laugh, despite the oddness of the interaction. "Is he always this frosty?" I asked, though I wasn't really expecting an answer.

David grinned. "Let's just say, people risk frostbite trying to get a word out of him. He's got this 'back off' vibe that's hard to miss.

David's eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned in. "Here's the real inside scoop," he whispered conspiratorially. "Luke and his assistant, they're the chocolate bar mafia. She hoards them like they're gold bars or something."

But here's the kicker," he paused for dramatic effect, "his assistant hoards all the chocolate bars for herself and points fingers at us for their disappearance. No matter how many they order, it's never enough for her. They could stock up enough to feed an entire village, and she'd still claim it wasn't enough, blaming us for the shortage."

He paused, a grin spreading across his face. "So, one day, I'm hunting for a stamp, right? I sneak a peek into her desk – it's like hitting the motherlode, a freaking Aladdin's cave of chocolate bars. I mean, the stash was epic!"

I couldn't help it; I burst out laughing, imagining a desk drawer overflowing with chocolate bars like some sort of bizarre treasure trove.

David wasn't done. "The best part? The same day, Luke asks her for a bar. And she straight-up lies to his face, saying the team gobbled them all up. Can you believe it?" David continued "Welcome to QuantumWave, where protein bars are more than just snacks – they're a full-blown soap opera."

My laughter grew uncontrollable at the mental image, tears streamed down my cheeks as I laughed harder. The sound of my laughter must have carried over because Luke re-entered the break room, his silhouette momentarily framed by the doorway.