Thalassa sat in her study, her eyes glued to the screen as she worked through the endless pile of emails. Though she hadn't gone to the office, she still had to work from home because there was a lot to do. She was trying to focus, but her thoughts kept wandering back to Zeke's unexpected confession. She sighed, shaking her head as she scrolled down.

Just then, her phone buzzed on her desk. The screen lit up with a call from her security guard. "Ms. Thompson," the guard's voice crackled through the line. "You've received a package. It's from Mr. Mathews, I believe."

"Zeke?" Thalassa muttered to herself, a small frown forming on her lips. He really hadn't been joking. "Alright, bring it in."

Getting out of the study, she went to the door and opened it to receive the package from the guard. Thalassa thanked him and took it inside. A sense of deja vu washed over her; It was a neatly wrapped basket filled with her favorite chocolates.

There was a note attached. Thalassa peeled it off and read it.

'Thought flowers would be a little too cliché, so I decided to send you your favorite chocolates instead. I hope it makes you think of me when you eat them.

A tight feeling settled in her chest as her eyes lingered on the basket. It looked so much like the basket Kris had sent to her office just a little over a week ago.

No, stop it, she scolded herself. This isn't Kris. This is Zeke.

She shouldn't be thinking about Kris, but no matter how hard she tried to shake it off, Kris kept crawling back into her mind.

With a soft sigh, she picked up the basket and carried it to the dining table, setting it down. She grabbed one of the chocolates, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. It tasted sweet, but the bittersweet memories of Kris dulled the flavor.

Going back to the study, Thalassa managed to bury herself in work again. Hours later, her phone buzzed again.

"Another package, Miss Thompson."

Pursing her lips, she went out to get it. This time, it was a beautiful bouquet of lilies. Walking back into the living room, her phone pinged with a message from Zeke.

*Have you received the flowers?*

Remembering the note that had come with the chocolates, a small tugged at Thalassa's lips as she texted back.

*I have. But I thought you said flowers were too cliché?*

A second later, Zeke sent back a goofy-faced emoji.

*I still think so, but they were just too beautiful not to remind me of you, so I had to buy them.*

Thalassa shook her head, amused, before sending back an eye-roll emoji.

*They're beautiful. Thank you, Zeke.*

A sticker of a man with his hand over his heart was sent back to her.

Just then, the front door opened, and she looked up to see Luisa stepping into the house.

"You're back early." Thalassa noted, setting the flowers down on the dining table beside the basket of chocolates.

"Yep, I have a date with Alden later,

so need time to look sexy for him. I'm going to get me some dick tonight." Luisa winked, then paused when her eyes landed on the

flowers. "Wow, those are gorgeous."

Her face lit up with excitement when she noticed the basket as well. "Wait... chocolates and flowers? I knew it! Kris finally came around, didn't he?"

Thalassa felt her stomach tighten, and she shook her head. "They're not from Kris."

Luisa's excited grin faltered. "What? Then who?"

"Your brother,"

Luisa froze, her expression shifting. "Zeke? He sent you flowers and chocolates?"

"He came by today...and he told me he was in love with me." Thalassa answered, watching her carefully. "But you knew, didn't you?"

Luisa let out a slow breath and nodded. "Yeah, I knew. He's been in love with you for a long time."

Thalassa felt her chest tighten again. "He said he wants a chance...to be with me."

Luisa's eyes darted up to meet hers. "And what did you say?"

"I told him the truth," Thalassa said softly. "That I don't feel the same way about him. But he wouldn't take

no for an answer. He still thinks he can change my mind."

"Then why did you accept his gifts? Why give him false hope, Thalassa?" Luisa questioned, her voice sharp.

Thalassa was taken aback by

Luisa's sudden shift in tone. "I'm not

giving him false hope. The truth is

Zeke...he's one of the most

1.n

wonderful men I've ever met. If

there's anyone I could see myself faffing for, it's him."

Luisa's face tightened with frustration. "Zeke is my brother, Thalassa."

Thalassa blinked. "What are you trying to say, Luisa? That I'm not good enough for him?"

Luisa's face softened, and she

sighed. "No, that's not it at all. You're more than good enough for him. Honestly it would be wonderful to see you two together... if you actually had feelings for him. But you don't, Thalassa. We both know your heart still belongs to Kris."

Thalassa opened her mouth to argue but stopped. She couldn't deny that Kris still occupied a large part of

her heart, even if she didn't want him to. But she refused to let that continue being her reality.noveldrama

"Not every love has to spring out of nowhere," she mused. "Feelings can grow over time."

Luisa folded her arms across her chest, her voice softening. "They 'can' grow, yes. But will they? That's

the question. I don't want my brother getting hurt over something that may never happen."

With that, Luisa turned and slowly walked away.