Defy: Taennie Special

- 14

Cielle finished her classes for the day and said her goodbyes to Amanda, promising to catch up later. She was excited about the surprise she had planned for Koen, a little gesture to show how much she cared. As she made her way to Koen's office, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of seeing him.

Upon arriving at the lobby of Koen's office building, Cielle sent him a quick text, "I'm at the lobby. How about you grab some snacks? I brought you sandwiches."

Koen, who was in the middle of his research, couldn't help but smile at the message. The thought of Cielle bringing him food made his heart lighter. He finished up quickly, eager to see her.

As he entered the lobby, his eyes found Cielle standing by the reception, holding a small bag with sandwiches peeking out. Her face lit up when she saw him, and he couldn't help but be captivated by her radiant smile.

"Hey there," Koen greeted, his voice warm. "How's your day been?"

"It's been good!" Cielle replied enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. "I had a full day of classes, and now I just need to buy some art materials. But I'm so sleepy."

Koen raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming on his lips. "You should get some rest. I can pick you up around 7 if that works for you."

Cielle's cheeks puffed up in an adorable, sleepy grin. She giggled, clearly thrilled by his offer. "That sounds perfect. I'll definitely take a nap."

Koen's heart fluttered at the sight of her so carefree and happy. He couldn't help but chuckle, finding her irresistible. "Stop being so cute."

Cielle's eyes twinkled with mischief as she playfully nudged him. "I can't help it! I'm just so excited to spend time with you."

Koen leaned in slightly, his voice soft and teasing. "Well, if you're going to be this adorable, I might just have to keep you around more often."

Cielle laughed, her smile widening. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As they walked together, Cielle pulled out the sandwiches and a small carton of strawberry milk she had brought. "I prepared these for you," she said, handing him the bag.

Koen glanced at the carton. "Milk?"

"Yep, strawberry milk," Cielle replied with a grin. "It's my favorite."

Koen raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I see. Sandwich is mine and milk is yours."

"No," Cielle said firmly, "milk is for you."

Koen tried to suppress a laugh, feeling a slight blush creep onto his cheeks. "I... I don't drink milk."

Cielle's face took on a serious yet cute pout. "You have to. I insist."

Koen's smile widened despite himself. "I'm not a baby."

"You are my baby," Cielle said with a playful glint in her eye.

They both laughed, making the moment even more endearing. As they continued their playful exchange, Koen couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. Cielle's insistence and the warmth of their interaction made him realize just how much he cherished these moments with her.

Meanwhile, Pauleen and her friend entered the cafeteria, navigating through the lunch crowd. As they approached the food counter, Pauleen was lost in her thoughts, but her friend's comment drew her attention.

"Hey, Pauleen, your sister's here," Wynona said, pointing towards the entrance.

Pauleen glanced over and saw Cielle sitting at the table with Koen, her face lighting up as she laughed at something Koen said. The sight shocked her, especially given the recent revelations and their strained relationship.

Wynona's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't know Cielle and Koen were this close. A lot of us would be pretty heartbroken if he's dating her."

Pauleen's jaw tightened as she observed from a distance. Anger bubbled up inside her, mixing with a tinge of hurt. She had hoped to keep her sister away from Koen, believing it was for the best. The sight of them together, laughing and enjoying each other's company, felt like a betrayal.

Her friend noticed the shift in Pauleen's expression. "Are you okay?"

Pauleen forced a smile but couldn't hide her frustration. "Yeah, just... surprised."

As she watched Cielle and Koen interact, Pauleen's anger grew. It felt like Cielle had chosen Koen over her, as her sister's loyalty seemed to lie with him despite everything. The realization that Cielle might have made a different choice than Pauleen had expected made her feel even more isolated.

Pauleen and her friend continued to watch from a distance, the weight of the situation sinking in.

As Cielle finished her meal and prepared to leave, Pauleen noticed her sister's departure. Excusing herself from Wynona, Pauleen hurried towards the exit, determined to catch up with Cielle and confront her. However, before she could reach her, a voice called out from behind her.

"Pauleen."

Pauleen turned to see Koen striding towards her, his expression a mix of anger and disappointment. She stopped in her tracks, a mix of apprehension and defiance in her eyes.

"Koen," Pauleen greeted, her voice steady but her heart racing.

"Can we talk?" Koen said, his tone firm. "I need to discuss something with you."

Pauleen nodded, leading the way to a quieter corner of the cafeteria, away from curious glances. Koen followed, his face set in a serious expression.

"What's going on?" Pauleen asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Koen's eyes flashed with frustration. "I saw you watching Cielle and me earlier. I know you've been trying to keep us apart, manipulating situations to your advantage. Why?"

Pauleen's composure remained, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. "I was just trying to protect my sister."

"Protect her?" Koen's voice rose slightly. "From what? From me? You know how much I care about Cielle. What you did was cruel and unfair. She's been through so much already."

Pauleen's gaze hardened. "It's not about cruelty. It's about what's best for Cielle. You've been distant and cold, and now you're suddenly so involved. I was just trying to make sure she doesn't get hurt."

Koen's frustration grew. "You're not protecting her. You're only adding to her pain. Real talk, Pauleen, you're not the one who gets to decide what's best for Cielle. That's not your place."

Pauleen's face flushed with anger. "And who are you to decide everything for her?"

Koen's sarcasm was biting. "Oh, absolutely. Maybe you should focus on your project instead of meddling in other people's lives. Maybe then you'll finally get a law case, instead of just playing games with people's emotions."

Pauleen's expression shifted from defiance to shock. "You don't understand what's really at stake here."

"Don't do it again," Koen warned, his voice low and dangerous. "If you try to come between us again, you won't know what hit you. I suggest you think long and hard about your next move."

With that, Koen turned and walked away, leaving Pauleen standing alone, visibly intimidated and shaken.