Upon returning to the hotel, I escorted Celeste to the door of her room. The night draped itself over us with a gentle, soothing embrace, while the soft, warm light in the corridor seemed to infuse our parting with a delicate touch of romance.

"Goodnight, Celeste. Sweet dreams," I said softly, trying to sound lighthearted, though my heart was filled with a quiet sense of reluctance.

"Safe travels, and take care," Celeste smiled, her eyes glowing with warmth. She waved gently, then stepped inside her room, quietly closing the door behind her.

I lingered at the doorway for a moment, as though I could still hear the faint echo of the door closing. A sense of emptiness settled within me, yet it was filled with warmth and contentment. Every moment spent with Celeste that evening replayed in my mind, like a series of beautiful, fleeting images, each one more vivid than the last.

At last, I turned and walked to the curb, hailing a taxi to return. The neon lights outside flickered, and the city's nightscape sped past the window, but my thoughts remained firmly anchored in the time I had shared with Celeste. Lying in bed, I reflected on the evening we had spent together, my heart brimming with warmth and happiness. Though a brief separation loomed, I knew that our bond would only deepen through this test of time.

As I lost myself in these memories, a notification from WeChat interrupted my thoughts. I picked up my phone and saw a message from Sophie:"Don't forget about tomorrow's business trip. Pack your things."

I smiled wryly and replied,"I know. How many days will it be?"

Sophie quickly responded, though her tone was vague:"Not sure. It could be two or three days, or maybe even half a month."

I sighed, realizing I'd need to pack more than I'd planned. Though I disliked using a suitcase—finding it cumbersome—I decided to bring along extra clothes and essentials, just in case.

As I packed, my thoughts returned to the evening spent with Celeste. Her smile, her voice, her every gesture replayed in my mind. Though we would soon part ways, I believed that this experience would only strengthen the bond between us.

The next morning, just after seven, I arrived at the airport. It seemed Sophie was genuinely concerned I might not show up, as she had called me at six to ensure I was awake and even reminded me not to forget my documents—almost as though she thought me incapable. Or perhaps, she feared I might seize the opportunity to back out.

"Do you really think I'd forget my documents?" I asked with a light laugh, my voice tinged with confidence and a hint of teasing.

"Didn't you almost forget last time?" Sophie retorted, her tone sharp and playful.

I shook my head in exasperation, though she couldn't see it. I knew, however, that she was likely smiling with self-satisfaction. Sophie had always delighted in pointing out my minor faults, as though doing so somehow proved her superior intelligence.

This time, however, she wasn't seated in business class; instead, she sat with me in economy. As soon as she boarded, I noticed she seemed unusually tired, her eyes still carrying the remnants of weariness. I was surprised—this was Sophie, the energetic, vibrant powerhouse. After we settled into our seats, she didn't immediately take out her laptop to work, as was her habit, but instead leaned back and closed her eyes, resting.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Having risen early, I soon drifted into a deep sleep. In my dreams, I felt a weight on my shoulder, as though something heavy was pressing against it. When I awoke, I found Sophie had fallen asleep, her head resting gently on my shoulder. Her face, bathed in sunlight, appeared soft and serene, and her long lashes fluttered ever so slightly, as if caught in a dream. Her breath was steady, sweet, and soothing, carrying me back to simpler, carefree days.

I gazed at her familiar face, a mix of emotions stirring within me. Once, we had kept our distance, but now she had become an unattainable leader in my eyes. I reached out and gently brushed the tip of her nose, causing her lashes to twitch as if she had been awakened by my touch. I quickly withdrew my hand and sat quietly, my gaze fixed on the overhead compartment, a quiet ache beginning to form in my chest.

"Are you awake?" I whispered softly.

She blinked, her expression one of confusion, before offering a small, sleepy smile."Hmm, I slept so well."

The flight attendants began distributing meal boxes. Sophie had fully awoken by then, her cheeks flushed with a delicate hue, still carrying a trace of sleep and languor. When the attendant asked for our meal choices, we both answered in unison,"Noodles" and "Rice," as though our minds were in perfect harmony. The attendant handed us one box of noodles and one of rice. I had originally wanted the rice, but Sophie swiftly took it from me.

"Didn't you want the noodles?" I asked with a touch of helplessness.

"I feel like having rice now," she replied, her tone as firm as that of a child, accompanied by a playful gleam in her eyes.

"Alright, you're the boss, you're right," I said with a resigned smile, reluctantly taking the noodles. Lately, dinners had mostly been noodles, and I had grown weary of them, but I had no choice but to silently accept. She gazed at my helpless expression, a triumphant smile tugging at her lips, like a victorious little fox.

Over an hour later, the plane descended upon Virelia Airport. The moment we disembarked, she reverted to her aloof, distant demeanor, as though the playful girl from the plane had been nothing but a fleeting illusion. As we exited the terminal, I spotted Lucas Steele waiting for us. Sophie furrowed her brow upon seeing him. The moment Lucas Steele saw Sophie, he practically trotted over, eagerly seizing her suitcase.

"Sophie, thank you for your hard work," Lucas Steele said, his face adorned with a sycophantic smile.

Sophie gave him a cold glance, her displeasure evident. "What are you doing here?" Her voice was frigid, almost accusing.

"Sophie, how was the trip? Shall we head home?" Lucas Steele said, his voice dripping with obsequiousness.

Sophie replied, her tone unwavering and resolute, "We're going to the company first."

I thought to myself, so they've been living together. The feeling of loss in my chest grew even more pronounced. Though I had known about their relationship, it still felt as if something precious had slipped away. She had once been so warm, yet now she seemed so distant.

Lucas Steele hovered around Sophie, attending to her every need, as though terrified of her slightest dissatisfaction. When we reached the car, he tossed the keys to me, saying, "Ryan, you drive."

Fine, I'm just the errand boy. I took the keys with a resigned acceptance, my heart strangely calm.

Sophie asked, "Aren't you calling the driver?"

Lucas Steele hurried to explain, "I thought it was just you and me. I planned to pick you up, and then we'd go home."

They conversed quietly in the back while I programmed the navigation for Vanguard Industries. The air in the car felt thick with unspoken tension, and I could sense the subtle undercurrent between Sophie and Lucas Steele. Their relationship didn't seem as harmonious as it appeared on the surface.

The car glided down the road, the scenery outside shifting continuously, yet the silence inside remained unbroken. Lucas Steele attempted to break the ice with inconsequential jokes, but Sophie's responses were merely perfunctory, her mind clearly elsewhere. Every now and then, her eyes would wander to the window, as though she were searching for some form of escape.