After finishing work on Friday, Aiden Thompson hit the road for New York. Once he got there, he stopped by the dessert shop that Grace Li used to go to for a late-night snack. This time, he grabbed their signature cupcakes and caramel pudding, then headed to the office.
By 8 PM, he was pretty sure Grace Li was still at work. He knocked lightly on the door, and when he heard "Come in" from inside, he opened the door and walked in.
Olivia, who saw him first, gasped, "Whoa!"
Ryan, who had been focused on a report, looked up and said, "Olivia, what's the deal? You scared the crap out of me!"
Before Olivia could answer, Grace Li spotted Aiden Thompson and asked, "Aiden, what are you doing here?"
Aiden Thompson set the snacks down on a cabinet near the wall and said, "Came to check in on you guys. Brought some treats, too."
Ryan was equally surprised. He jumped up from his desk, nearly knocking over his chair, and hurried over to Aiden, grinning, "Aiden! I've missed you, man!"
Aiden laughed and gave him a light pat on the back. "Cut the drama, how's work been?"
"I'm serious," Ryan replied with a straight face. "Ever since I found out about your family, I've been too nervous to reach out. I was afraid you'd go big-time and forget about us little people."
Olivia quickly corrected him, "Ryan, are you for real? Aiden's not like that! You just didn't notice that he's been a big deal this whole time!"
Ryan grinned and shot back, "Olivia, you're acting like I don't know how to talk. Don't make Aiden sound like some guy who suddenly hit it rich."
"No, no, no, Aiden," Olivia said, "I didn't mean it like that. I've always thought you were impressive."
Ryan teased, "Like the kind of guy who was popular in high school?"
Aiden chuckled, and Grace Li joined in with a laugh.
Aiden glanced past the two of them, his mood lightening as soon as he saw Grace Li laughing. He turned to Ryan and Olivia and said, "You two are blocking the way. Let me see my girlfriend."
Ryan and Olivia stepped aside, jokingly waving him on. "Go ahead, we'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
Seeing how chill they were about it, Aiden Thompson pointed to the snacks on the cabinet. "I brought some food. There's enough for you guys too. These cupcakes and caramel pudding are killer."
"Thanks, Aiden."
Aiden walked past them, heading straight for Grace Li. It was a bit chilly, and his slim, long trench coat made him look even taller. He stood in front of Grace Li, slightly tilting his head and asking, "What do you think I look like?"
Grace Li replied, "Olivia's right. You're like one of those popular guys back in school."
"Is that a compliment on my popularity?"
"You know exactly how charming you are."
Aiden replied, "Well, it's gotta fit your taste too."
Grace Li glanced at Ryan and Olivia, who were snacking and clearly enjoying the show. She wasn't one to flirt in front of others, so she said, "I still have some work to finish. Do you want to head out?"
Aiden smiled, "Nah, I'll stay and hang out with you while you work."
"Okay."
"Let's eat the snacks first. It's from that dessert place you love."
After finishing the snacks, the four of them went back to their desks to keep working.
Aiden Thompson's phone buzzed with a new message from Ryan.
Ryan: By the way, I never asked, why would you leave the cushy life of a rich heir and come work at Nova Capital as a regular grind?
Aiden Thompson: So, what's the version you've heard?
Ryan: The boss said you want to build your fortune from scratch, not just coast as a rich kid.
Aiden Thompson: She's right.
Ryan: Man, is that how all you rich kids' dreams are? So hard to wrap my head around.
Aiden Thompson: What's wrong with that?
Ryan: Nothing, but will you ever come back? Or are you just gonna go home and inherit the family business?
Aiden Thompson: I'll probably come back. When I'm not around, just help Grace out more with her work.
Ryan: For sure. I've been working with the boss longer than you have.
Aiden Thompson: Sure, but she's my girlfriend.
Ryan: Damn, you really gonna get jealous over this? You're gonna eat that kind of vinegar?
While they were chatting, Grace Li's phone rang—it was Tom Wilson calling. She pressed the answer button, and Tom's voice came through.
Tom Wilson: Hey, Grace Li, my mom baked a bunch of cookies today, and she knows you love them, so she asked me to bring some over for you.
Grace Li: That's too kind of her. You guys enjoy them. I just had a late-night snack, so I'm good.
Tom Wilson: No problem, they'll last a few days, so you can take your time eating them.
Grace Li remembered the last time she was talking with Tom Wilson about the company's expansion plans. His mom had brought over homemade cookies and snacks, and Grace Li couldn't resist trying some. She had praised them so much that Tom Wilson's mom probably decided to bake more for her this time.
Grace Li: Okay, fine, but tell Mrs. Wilson not to go through all that trouble next time. I feel bad.
Tom Wilson: Nah, she loves baking when she's at home. By the way, are you at the office or at home?
Grace Li: I'm still at the office.
Tom Wilson: Alright, I'll swing by and drop them off.
Grace Li: You really don't have to. I can grab them on my way home.
Tom Wilson: It's no trouble, I've got to swing by the office anyway.
Grace Li: Alright, sounds good.
After hanging up the phone, Aiden Thompson, who had been eavesdropping on Grace Li's call, asked, "Who was that?"
Grace Li replied, "It was Tom Wilson. His mom baked some cookies and wants to bring them over to us."
Aiden Thompson's expression shifted slightly, his eyes darkening with a feeling he couldn't quite place.
Olivia, stretching her neck, asked, "Boss, what's Tom Wilson bringing us?"
"Cookies."
"Ah, I love cookies, but I'm already stuffed," Olivia said, rubbing her stomach. She had just finished a cupcake and some caramel pudding all by herself.
Grace Li said, "You can take them home and eat them tomorrow."
Ryan piped up, "Tom Wilson's a great guy, always bringing us snacks."
Olivia said, "It's pretty normal. Our old clients used to send us gifts too. It's just that this time, they made a wheelchair, and that's kind of hard to gift."
Not long after, Tom Wilson showed up with the cookies. He knocked on the door of Verve Capital and walked right in. Grace Li went to greet him, noticing the big bag in his hand. "That's a lot," she said.
"It's not too much. If everyone gets a little, it'll be gone in no time," Tom Wilson said.
Aiden Thompson stood up, walked over to Grace Li, and flashed a "proud boyfriend" smile. "It's really kind of you to bring the treats yourself, Tom, especially this late."
"No big deal, I was just passing by on my way back to the office," Tom Wilson said. Seeing Aiden there, he casually asked, "Aiden, are you planning on coming back to work here?"
Aiden Thompson slipped his arm around Grace Li's waist and said, "I'm just here today to spend time with my girlfriend."
Tom Wilson nodded. "Got it."
He then realized it was time to leave and said, "Well, I won't keep you guys. I'll head out."
Grace Li said, "Please thank Mrs. Wilson for me."
"Of course."
After Tom Wilson left, Grace Li opened the bag. Inside were three clear, disposable containers, each filled with cookies. It seemed like Tom Wilson had thought ahead and made sure there was enough for everyone in the office.
Grace Li handed one to Olivia and Ryan, keeping one for herself.
By 9 p.m., everyone wrapped up their work and headed home.