SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)

...........you're the only one who might understand

The next morning, Sophia woke with a heavy sense of unease lingering from the night before.

Images of shadows, Mr. Lee’s icy presence, and Kai’s warm smile danced in her mind like fragments of a dream that refused to fade.

When she arrived at the office, the early morning buzz of activity greeted her. Kai was already there, leaning casually against her desk, his usual carefree smile lighting up his face.

He always had a way of making the most mundane surroundings seem vibrant. Unlike Mr. Lee’s suffocating intensity, Kai’s presence was like a fresh breeze, effortless and grounding.

“Morning, Sophia,” he said, his voice light as he handed her a steaming cup of coffee. “Thought you could use this. Big night, huh?”

Sophia blinked, caught off guard by his thoughtfulness. “Thanks. I... guess you could say that.”

Kai tilted his head, studying her with a faint grin. “You’re not much of a poker player, are you? Something’s eating at you.” His tone was teasing, but his eyes softened with genuine concern.

Sophia hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “I’m just trying to figure out where I fit in all of this. Last night felt... surreal.”

Kai’s grin widened. “You mean between Mr. Lee’s cryptic theatrics and your dive into the unknown?” He chuckled softly. “Yeah, I’d call that surreal.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his description. “You make it sound so simple.”

“That’s my job,” Kai replied, giving her a playful wink. “Keep things light, make sure you don’t drown in all this intensity.”

Sophia shook her head, suppressing a laugh. It was so easy to talk to him, so different from the guarded exchanges she had with Mr. Lee.

“By the way,” Kai added, leaning a little closer, “Crystal asked about you this morning. She said you seemed off last time she saw you.”

The mention of her friend tugged at Sophia’s heart. Crystal, always perceptive and kind, had likely picked up on the turmoil she was trying to hide. “I’ll check in with her,” Sophia said. “Thanks for telling me.”

Kai’s smile faltered slightly, and for a moment, she thought she saw something deeper in his gaze—a flicker of something unspoken. “You should. Crystal has a way of grounding people. She... keeps me sane, too.”

Sophia’s brow arched, noting the rare vulnerability in his voice. “You really care about her, don’t you?”

Kai’s grin returned, softer this time. “Who wouldn’t? She’s got a heart bigger than this whole building.” His tone was light, but there was no mistaking the sincerity behind his words.

Before Sophia could respond, the atmosphere shifted. The temperature seemed to drop as Mr. Lee entered the room. His presence, as always, was commanding, his dark eyes scanning the space until they landed on her. He didn’t speak right away, but the weight of his gaze said enough.

“Kai,” Mr. Lee said, his voice low and firm, “I need a moment with Sophia.”

Kai straightened, the easygoing air around him hardening slightly, though his smile didn’t waver. “Sure thing, boss. Don’t scare her too much.” He shot Sophia a reassuring glance before leaving the room, his steps silent but deliberate.

Sophia followed Mr. Lee to his office, her heart racing. Inside, the cold, minimalist space seemed to amplify the tension between them. He gestured for her to sit, his movements precise and deliberate.

“Are you adjusting, Sophia?” he asked, his voice as cold and controlled as ever.

“I’m trying,” she replied, keeping her tone steady despite the rapid beat of her pulse. “There’s a lot to process.”

He leaned forward slightly, his dark gaze locking onto hers. “Curiosity can be dangerous,” he murmured. “You’ve stepped into something far beyond what most could comprehend.”

Sophia swallowed hard, refusing to look away. “I don’t regret it.”

A flicker of something crossed his face—something raw and unguarded that vanished as quickly as it appeared. He leaned back, his expression unreadable once more. “Good. Because there’s no turning back.”

The silence between them was heavy, charged with an unspoken tension. She felt the pull of his presence, cold yet magnetic, and the undeniable connection that neither of them seemed willing to acknowledge.

“You’re different,” he said suddenly, his tone softer, almost thoughtful. “Most people would have crumbled by now.”

Sophia met his gaze, her voice firm. “Maybe I’m not like most people.”

His lips curved into a faint, almost reluctant smile—a rare crack in his icy exterior. “No. You’re not.”

For a moment, the air between them seemed to hum with energy, the distance between their chairs feeling smaller than it was. But before either could say anything more, a knock at the door shattered the moment.

Penelope stepped in, her eyes narrowing slightly as they flicked between Sophia and Mr. Lee. “Mr. Lee, the arrangements for the contract with Samantha are finalized. I thought you’d want to know.”

Sophia felt her chest tighten at the mention of Samantha, the woman Mr. Lee would soon marry for reasons she couldn’t fully understand but for the best. She kept her expression neutral, though her mind raced.

“Thank you, Penelope,” Mr. Lee said coolly. “That will be all.”

° why is everything going the opposite. When did Penelope start working in the office, I never knew she knew the arrangements am I sure I'm at the right place°

Penelope hesitated, her gaze lingering on Sophia, before she left with a curt nod. The room fell silent once more.

Mr. Lee turned back to Sophia, his expression unreadable. “You should get back to work.”

As she stood to leave, she paused at the door, glancing back at him. “Mr. Lee... why me? Why show me all of this?”

He didn’t answer right away, his gaze piercing. “Perhaps because you’re the only one who might understand.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine, and as she stepped out into the hallway, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Between Mr. Lee’s cold intensity and Kai’s unwavering warmth, she was caught in a web of secrets, power, and a connection she couldn’t ignore.