“Where?” asked one coworker with triggered curiosity.
“Over there,” replied the other, an outstretched finger pointing directly at Daniel, who stood upright close to them.
Emily held her breath, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. With Daniel’s coat now serving as a shield, she tried to hide the part of her face that was exposed to the streetlights.
Their steps were getting closer, and with every second, Emily felt that their relationship would be found out. In desperation, she decided to escape the situation. Despite her decision to escape, her high heels became a hindrance, and with one wrong step, she lost her balance.
With a thud that broke the silence of the night, Emily fell to the ground. She closed her eyes, wishing the earth could swallow her right then and there. Despite the fall, she still hugged Daniel’s coat tightly to keep herself covered.
“What’s wrong with her?” whispered one coworker in a tone full of confusion.
“Why did she have to run like that?” murmured another with unanswered curiosity.
Daniel felt the urge to help Emily, but seeing her already up and running again, he knew he had to distract their coworkers first, for now.
“Good evening, sir,” they greeted in a respectful tone.
“Evening,” Daniel replied in a calm but hurried voice.
“Why are you in…” before the question was finished, Daniel cut in quickly.
“Sorry, I have some urgent business to attend to,” Daniel said before hurrying away at a brisk pace.
While Daniel disappeared into the night, his coworkers could only exchange confused glances before continuing in their own way.
***
Emily hobbled along, feeling a sharp pain in her ankle from her fall earlier. “It hurts so much,” she complained in a weak voice. Inwardly, she regretted her carelessness. “Why am I always careless like this? Am I worthy of someone like Daniel?”
The cold winter air enveloped her that night, making every breath she took feel like inhaling ice flakes. Her dewy breath billowed in the air, as if trying to warm the silence that enveloped her.
After a few moments of trudging, Emily found a bench under the gloomy light of a street lamp. She sat down slowly, feeling the cold metal of the bench penetrate to her bones. She hugged herself, seeking some warmth and comfort in the night’s chill. The coat she had taken from Daniel she now wore more tightly.
Meanwhile, Daniel looked around anxiously for Emily. “Where is she?” he muttered. Just as he was about to give up, he saw a familiar figure sitting in the gloomy light of a street lamp. It was Emily, who was examining her sprained ankle.
Emily grimaced in pain as she tried to move her leg. Suddenly, she felt someone’s presence and looked up to find Daniel kneeling in front of her.
“Does it hurt?” asked Daniel gently, his eyes full of concern as he examined Emily’s leg.
Emily simply nodded in response to Daniel’s question.
Daniel gently lifted Emily’s leg, placing it on his knee for easier inspection. He could see the swelling on Emily’s ankle, a clear sign of a sprain.
Carefully, Daniel massaged Emily’s ankle, his movements gentle and caring, trying to relieve the swelling. Emily winced slightly as Daniel massaged her, but she tried to endure.
“Hold on,” Daniel said in a soothing voice.
Emily looked into Daniel’s eyes, and her pain seemed to be eased by the warmth of Daniel’s hands and the tenderness radiating from his eyes.
“Thank you,” Emily whispered in an almost inaudible voice, feeling very grateful to have someone like Daniel, who cared so much when she needed him most.
After giving her a gentle massage, Daniel looked at Emily with concern. “Now, can you stand up?” he asked in a soft voice.
Emily nodded and carefully tried to stand up. However, as she took the first step, a sharp pain shot up her ankle. She almost fell back onto the bench, but Daniel immediately grabbed her, taking her into his arms.
Emily’s heart skipped a beat, not just because of the pain, but also because of their closeness. She looked up into Daniel’s face, their eyes met in close proximity.
Without hesitation, Daniel lifted Emily in a princess style, making sure she was comfortable in his arms. Emily felt light and safe as Daniel carried her at a steady, gentle pace.
“Am I too handsome?” Daniel teased in a light tone.
“Eh? What?” asked Emily nervously.
“You always look at me. I admit that I am handsome,” Daniel replied with a calm expression but a smile on his lips.
“I didn’t know Daniel could be this confident when he said this thing,” said Emily while shaking her head.
After saying that, they burst into laughter together. Emily let her head rest on Daniel’s shoulder, feeling like she was in a fairy tale, where the prince came to save his princess from trouble and carried her carefully in this way.
Daniel looked at Emily with a cold, but caring, gaze. “Not for free,” he said in a firm voice.
Emily’s brow furrowed, not understanding what Daniel meant. “What do you mean?”
“Carrying you isn’t free, you’re very heavy,” Daniel said, his tone of voice flat but with a hint of humor in it.
Emily’s eyes widened, surprised by Daniel’s comment. “I’m not heavy at all. Alright, what do you want?” she asked.
Daniel stared at her for a moment before replying in a voice that remained calm and controlled, “Your time tonight, spend it with me.”
Emily couldn’t contain her overwhelming happiness, a smile breaking out on her face. “That’s not a difficult request to fulfill,” she replied in a soft voice.
They both looked at each other with warm, loving smiles before Daniel finally returned to answer Emily’s question. “Tonight won’t be easy for you. We’ll see.”
After arriving at their parked car, Daniel carefully placed Emily gently in the passenger seat, ensuring her comfort before he himself slid into the car.
“Where are we going, sir?” asked Daniel’s personal driver in a respectful tone.
“Home,” Daniel replied, his voice firm and undeniable, as if no other destination was possible that night.
The car glided slowly into the silence of the night, taking them both home to Daniel’s residence.
Arriving at the quiet residence, Daniel picked Emily up with controlled movements, carrying her to the room without a word.
In the room, he placed Emily on the edge of the bed to sit with quick but accurate movements. “Wait here,” he ordered.
When he returned with the ice pack, his facial expression remained calm. “This will help reduce the swelling and pain,” he said, his voice flat, but there was a hint of concern hidden.
Daniel placed it around Emily’s swollen ankle with great care.
“Thank you,” Emily whispered.
After finishing applying the compress to Emily’s ankle, Daniel picked her up gently again, and this time he put her to sleep. “I told you it’s not free, didn’t I?” he said softly.
Their faces were very close, as Emily was under Daniel. Their eyes met, and the atmosphere was intimate. Their blood was rushing while their hearts were beating so fast.
“Under these circumstances, what can I do for you, Mr. CEO?” asked Emily in a barely audible voice.
“I just want you tonight,” Daniel replied.
With gentle movements, Daniel sucked Emily’s lips. While his hand moved in a measured manner, he undid the buttons that covered the shirt Emily was wearing. Their kiss was filled with warmth, and their breath felt for each other. Their eyes were filled with deep desire.
“I love you, Daniel,” Emily whispered softly.
“I love you too, Emily,” Daniel replied.
Emily felt a moment of love and warmth with Daniel. Daniel also carefully removed Emily’s glasses before the intimacy of the kiss between the two of them returned. In the silhouette created by the dim lights, the two of them released their passion for each other. This time, the action was not because of any influence, but because of the sincere love between them. The night they spent was full of love and warmth.
The next morning, Emily woke up feeling so happy. The light of the sun sneaked into the room. She stretched her body, but was immediately surprised when she didn’t see Daniel beside her.
“Where is he?”