This was the first time I had ever heard anyone speak of Sophie in such a way. To me, she had always been a cold and unyielding superior, but Celeste's words made me see her in a new light. Perhaps, Sophie too had her own struggles and burdens.

We spent yet more time together in the bed, our reunion only serving to deepen the bond between us. I still intended to go to the office—let them scold me if they wished. With Celeste's support, everything else seemed inconsequential.

I arrived at the company and quietly slipped into the secretary's office, my heart pounding in my chest. As soon as the door creaked open, it seemed to announce my arrival with a sharp, resounding sound. The moment I stepped inside, Sophie was already standing near the small doorway. Her face was etched with fury, and her eyes seemed as though they might burn with fire.

"Where did you go last night?" Her voice was as cold as an icicle, as if it could freeze the very air around us.

I awkwardly scratched my head, attempting to play it off nonchalantly. "I didn't do anything. I was at the hotel."

"Why didn't you come back when I told you to?" Sophie's tone grew even more stern, her brows drawn tightly, as though interrogating a criminal.

"Sophie, I think I'll skip going to your place. It's not appropriate, with a man and a woman alone." I tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but it was clearly in vain.

"Then why didn't you answer my call last night?" She pressed forward, obviously not planning to let me off easily.

"I…" I was suddenly at a loss for words, the events of last night rushing back to my mind. We had just reconciled, and were in an intimate moment together—it would have been impossible to answer the phone. A smile unconsciously spread across my face as I recalled the sweet memories of the evening.

Seeing my smile only made Sophie angrier. She stepped toward me, inhaled deeply, and pinched my ear. "Which woman were you with last night?"

"Sophie, you're going too far. You can have dinner with your boyfriend, but I can't be with my girlfriend?" I pulled away from her hand, a hint of dissatisfaction rising within me.

"Your girlfriend?" She froze for a moment, clearly taken aback by my words.

"Yes, Celeste and I have reconciled." I said with a touch of happiness, my heart filled with hopes for the future.

"Celeste?" She seemed a little flustered, the anger on her face gradually giving way to confusion. "How are you two still together? Didn't you break up?"

"We ran into each other last night and cleared everything up. We'll face these issues together from now on," I explained patiently, hoping she would understand.

She seemed to have not heard a word I said, stumbling back toward her office. I called after her, "Sophie, are you alright?"

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She didn't respond, lost in her own world as she walked away. I returned to my seat, opened my computer, my thoughts drifting to Celeste, eager for the workday to end.

Time passed slowly, but my mind had already flown back to Celeste. Last night's chance encounter seemed destined, as our gazes met and our intimate gestures dissolved every misunderstanding and barrier. We talked for hours, sharing plans for the future, and our hearts drew closer with each passing moment.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Sophie's voice suddenly pulled me back to reality. She stood before my desk, her expression still dark.

"Nothing," I quickly typed a few keys, pretending to focus on my work.

"Have you truly reconciled with Celeste?" Her voice carried a trace of uncertainty, as if seeking confirmation.

"Yes, we talked for hours last night and finally cleared up all the misunderstandings," I answered with a smile, my heart overflowing with happiness. In that moment, it felt as though all the clouds had parted, and sunlight once again bathed our lives. I could feel the steady beat of my heart, each thrum echoing for her.

"Then… are you truly planning to be with her?" Her voice trembled, a hint of despair in her eyes. Sophie, my superior—an authoritative, no-nonsense woman—now appeared so fragile in this moment.

"Fate brought me to her, and fate has brought us back together. Why would I not cherish it?" I replied without hesitation. As I spoke, Celeste's sweet smile flashed through my mind, her presence always filling me with warmth.

Sophie didn't seek me out again that day, but before leaving work, I decided to visit her. She was a formidable woman, always assertive, but I knew there was a softer side to her as well. Standing outside her office door, I took a deep breath and knocked gently.

"Sophie, I'm heading to Celeste after work. You can have the driver take you home today," I said, placing the car keys on the desk. She stared at me blankly, her gaze flickering between me and the keys, but she remained silent. Her silence unsettled me; after all, she was a decisive person, not one to remain passive.

I turned to leave, but then she suddenly called out, "Ryan…"

"Sophie, is there something else?" I asked, pausing in my step. Her voice sounded almost choked, which caught me by surprise.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she waved a hand as if dismissing something, her head bowing as she busied herself with something unknown. My thoughts lingered on Celeste, and I hurriedly exited the office. The moment I stepped out, a complex mixture of emotions stirred within me, as though something deep inside me ached faintly.

Back at the hotel, Celeste was sitting on the sofa, her phone in hand, though her gaze would often drift toward the door, her face alight with anticipation. As soon as she saw me, she sprang to her feet and rushed toward me like a joyful bird, wrapping her arms around me tightly. The faint scent of her perfume immediately filled the air.

"Ryan, I feel so happy. I love this feeling of waiting for you to finish work," she said, her voice as soft as a gentle breeze, brushing past my ear and making my heart soften. Her arms tightened around my waist, her head resting against my chest, and I could feel the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

I kissed her forehead tenderly, my eyes filled with affection. "I love being with you too; with you by my side, no challenge seems insurmountable." Her hair brushed lightly across my cheek, tickling me, but the sensation was so warm and comforting.

She lifted her head, her beautiful eyes sparkling with emotion, her lips curling into a sweet smile. I gently stroked her hair, the silk-like texture mesmerizing me, and she rested her head against my chest, her arms around my waist. We stood there in silence, as if time itself had come to a standstill for us.

"Ryan…" She tilted her head slightly, her gaze burning with passion, and then, with a soft motion, she pressed her lips to mine. I kissed her back fervently, our kiss filled with deep affection and longing. Her lips were soft and warm, and I could feel her trembling lashes brush against my cheek.

After a long while, I gently pulled away, my voice low and tender. "Shall we go have dinner?"

Celeste gazed at me, her eyes filled with tenderness, and nodded softly. "Mm." A delicate flush painted her cheeks, like a peach blossom in full bloom.