The night had deepened, and it was time for him to leave.
Ryan Carter cast one last lingering glance at the Johnsons' front door—only to freeze as a figure came sprinting toward him. His arms opened instinctively, catching her small frame in an embrace.
"You've been crying," he murmured, heart aching at the sight of her puffy eyes. His fingers gently smoothed her wind-tousled hair.
"Why didn't you tell me you were here?" Chloe stepped back to study his face. To her own surprise, tears threatened again. Since when did she—always so quick to laugh—cry this much?
"What's this now?" Ryan brushed away a fresh tear with his thumb.
At that moment, Chloe only wanted to bury herself in his arms and sob.
When she finally pulled away, sniffling, she tilted her face skyward. "I want to see the stars."
Without hesitation, Ryan opened his car door with a playful bow. He'd never say no to her.
They drove in comfortable silence to the hilltop, settling on a stone bench where the city's glittering lights mirrored the constellations above.
Chloe counted stars until her neck protested, then let her head drop onto Ryan's shoulder without missing a beat.
"Ryan, they say every star represents a person," Chloe murmured, tired from counting. "Which one do you think is me... and which is you?" It was a silly question, but with Ryan, she never feared being laughed at.
Yes, you're a star—the brightest one in my sky, lighting up my life. But Ryan Carter kept those words to himself, offering only a soft smile in reply.
Though it was summer, the mountaintop breeze carried a chill. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over Chloe's slender shoulders.
"Thanks, Ryan. You're the best." She snuggled into the fabric, enveloped by his warmth and scent. It felt safe, comforting—like soaking in a hot spring on a winter day.
"Ryan... am I just a bad girlfriend to Alex?" Her fingers fiddled with his jacket buttons. "He's my boyfriend, but I'd rather talk to you than be alone with him."
"Why?" Ryan held his breath.
"I don't know."
Watching her troubled expression, Ryan sighed and reminded himself not to push. "Feeling better now?"
"Much better!" She nodded vigorously.
"Time to head back." Guiding her gently, Ryan led the way to the car.
The moment the engine hummed to life, Chloe's eyelids grew heavy. By the time they reached the Johnsons' home, she was fast asleep.
Ryan cut the ignition and turned to study her peaceful face, reluctant to wake her.
How he wished he could wake up to the sight of her sleeping face every morning.His fingers lightly traced her closed eyelids before lingering on her lips—soft as rose petals, tempting as ripe fruit. Unable to resist, he bent down and pressed a tender kiss against them.
A faint sigh escaped Chloe in her sleep. Such a sweet dream... Ryan was kissing her...
As consciousness slowly returned, her fingertips drifted to her lips, where his warmth seemed to linger.
"Chloe, we're home," Ryan murmured, gazing fondly at her drowsy expression.
Stretching with a sleepy smile, she stepped out of the car.
Ryan followed, walking her to the doorstep before turning to leave.
Only after closing the door did Chloe remember the promise she'd made to her friends.
Tomorrow, she decided. I'll talk to him tomorrow.
The next morning, Chloe Johnson headed straight for The Apexion Tower the moment she woke up.
She told herself it was just to fulfill her promise to the girls—that's why she was in such a hurry to see Ryan Carter.
"Hey, talk about perfect timing."
No sooner had she arrived at The Apexion Tower than Jake Thompson appeared, walking toward her.
"Guess so," Chloe replied with a smile.
"Look, I need to talk to you." For once, Jake dropped his usual carefree act, his expression dead serious.
"But I need to see Ryan—"
"It's about Ryan. Come on, kid." Jake strode toward the elevator without looking back, confident she'd follow.
Sure enough, Chloe quickened her steps to catch up.
"What's wrong with Ryan?" The second the elevator doors closed, she blurted out.
"Inside." When they reached their floor, Jake led the way into his office.
"Is it that important?" Chloe shut the door behind them, her stomach knotting at Jake's uncharacteristic gravity. Please don't let this be some soap-opera twist—like Ryan having an incurable disease.
"What I'm about to tell you stays between us—no telling anyone, not even Ryan,"Jake Thompson said with uncharacteristic gravity.
No kidding—if Ryan found out he'd tarnished his reputation like this, he'd rip Jake's head off and use it as a soccer ball.
"I promise," Chloe replied, her stomach doing somersaults.
"Ryan's been... troubled lately." Jake paused dramatically.
Chloe nodded vigorously. She'd noticed it too—something was definitely weighing on him.
"Because he's realized he's attracted to men. He's terrified it'll leak and damage Apexion Group's reputation." Jake delivered the line with deadpan seriousness.
What? Attracted to men? That means... he's gay? Chloe's eyes widened. This bombshell hit harder than any terminal illness plot twist.
How could this happen to him? Normally, she'd never judge—people should love whoever they want. But Ryan Carter? That was different.
Why choose men over women? How could Ryan... Her thoughts spiraled into chaos.
"Back in college, he never liked women—never even touched one. Only recently did he realize he's actually into men," Jake added fuel to the fire, dialing up the drama for maximum effect.
"Wait, that can't be right—he kissed me!" Chloe protested, recalling their first encounter. If he were gay, why would he have done that?
Damn. Jake hadn't expected reserved Ryan to make a move so quickly.
"Maybe he was... trying to 'fix' himself?" he fumbled.
"Oh! That makes sense. When we were in Japan, we even shared a bed one night, and nothing happened." At the time, she'd wondered if her body just didn't tempt him—now she knew the real reason.
Jake was genuinely impressed. Ryan must've been a saint in his past life.
"How can I help him?" Chloe asked earnestly.
"You're the only one who can. He doesn't push you away," Jake said, marveling at how easily she'd taken the bait.
"What should I do?" She brightened at the chance to be his savior.
"Use your... feminine charms. Guide him back to the right path—show him how much better a woman's body is than a man's."
God, forgive me for this. But his intentions were noble! And judging by Chloe's flustered concern, she clearly had feelings for Ryan anyway.
"I understand." For Ryan's sake, Chloe Johnson would walk through fire—she'd once sworn she'd go to hell and back for him.
"You have to help him. If this gets out, his reputation will be ruined," Jake pressed, tugging at her sympathy. "You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"I promise I'll help." She'd make him explain—why choose men when there are perfectly good women around?
"Where are you going?" Jake grabbed Chloe's arm as she stormed toward the door, fury written all over her face. She looked ready to confront Ryan head-on.
"I'm going to yell some sense into him!" The more she thought about it, the angrier she got—though she wasn't entirely sure why.
"No! He's already struggling. He's trying to be 'normal'—it's not like he wants this."Jake lowered his voice. "For his pride's sake, don't even say the word 'gay' to his face."
If she blows up at him, this whole scheme falls apart. Where's the fun in that?
"You're right. That was reckless of me." Chloe smacked her own forehead.
Jake rolled his eyes skyward. Reckless? Try hopelessly naive. But hey, if Ryan liked her that way, who was he to judge?
"I'm heading out." Slinging her backpack on, Chloe marched off.