Summertime Smiles.

10.

Nathan cleared his throat, his gaze still fixed on the pond. "We should head home, Alaya. It's getting late." His voice was firm, but a hint of gentleness crept in.

Alaya nodded, feeling a mix of relief and trepidation. She was vulnerable, and Nathan's proximity made her acutely aware of her emotions.

As they walked to the car, Nathan asked gruffly, "Are you hungry?"

Alaya hesitated, surprised by the question. "Y-yes, sir."

He passed a glare her way.

"How many times have I told you to call me Mr.Nathan and not sir?" He said.

"It's just a habit." She said in a low tone.

"Try to change it." He replied.

"Maybe you'd have to change it soon to Nathan too." He whispered.

"Pardon?" She said as she heard him say something.

"Nothing. You're hungry right?" He said.

She nodded with her pouty lips and red cheeks. She looked so innocent, so pure, so enchanting.

Nathan nodded curtly. "We'll stop for food on the way."

The drive was silent, but Nathan's eyes flicked towards Alaya occasionally, his expression softening ever so slightly. He was torn between his growing feelings and his usual reserve.

When they stopped at a quiet restaurant, Nathan instructed Alaya to order whatever she wanted. As they waited for their food, he found himself stealing glances at her, noticing the way her eyes drooped, the faint smudges under them.

Chapter 10: Shattered Confidence

Their meal was quiet, but Nathan made sure Alaya ate, his gaze lingering on her face. For the first time, he saw her not just as an employee, but as a person, vulnerable and fragile.

As they finished and prepared to leave, Nathan surprised himself by asking, "Do you want to talk about what happened, Alaya?"

Alaya looked up, her eyes searching his face, and Nathan's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't sure what he'd do if she said yes.

"Uh..I..I." He felt her hesitation and passed a faint smile her way.

Nathan's expressions turned gentle, and he offered a reassuring smile.  "It's okay, Alaya. I just wanted to take your mind off tonight's events."
.
.

Think about it. Are you really just one of my employees?

I thought about it for more than a day now. It's weekend and there's no office. It was helpful because my face was swollen due to crying buckets yesterday.

I heard from Sophia that Alex got arrested.

Yesterday, It didn't feel like he'd get arrested. Him and his father were hell bent on proving me wrong.

"Ah." I said and messed up my hair.

"Why did he say that?" I yelled in frustration.

"He's so cold and dismissive towards me, dumping files on me like I am a machine. But then yesterday, he was different?" I said and scratched my head.

He's confusing.

But the butterflies I felt when he comforted me yesterday were unmatched. I've never felt this with my middle school boyfriends - my last foray into dating.

My mind wandered back to the unexpected comfort he offered, the butterflies in my stomach, and the sense of calm, his presence brought.

Nathan's contradictions baffled me. One moment, he was distant and aloof; the next, his embrace was sanctuary, his scent soothing, and his soft, husky voice captivating. My thoughts swirled, trying to make sense of it all.