The next morning, Chiaki woke up with a pounding headache, the dull throb in her temples making her groan softly as she pressed her fingers against them, trying to ease the discomfort. As she sat up, a strange realization hit her—this wasn't her room. She blinked, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. The modern yet minimalistic decor, the faint scent of cedar and something distinctly masculine in the air—none of it belonged to her.
Then, memories from last night flooded back in a rush. Dinner with Hayato. The wine. Her getting drunk. Chiaki's heart skipped a beat as panic set in. "Hayato?" she thought, her mind racing. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to recall what had happened after she got tipsy. Had she embarrassed herself? Done something foolish? The uncertainty made her stomach twist with anxiety.
Throwing off the blanket, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up hastily, her movements a little unsteady as she looked for a bathroom to freshen up. Just as she reached for the door, it suddenly swung open, and Hayato stepped out, his hair damp from a shower and nothing but a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. Droplets of water slid down his toned chest, his physique a far cry from the lanky high school boy she remembered.
Chiaki froze, her breath hitching as her eyes widened in shock. For a second, neither of them moved, the air between them thick with tension. Then, heat rushed to her face, turning her cheeks an alarming shade of red. "I… I-I'm sorry!" she stammered, spinning around so fast she nearly lost her balance.
Amused, Hayato raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, his calm expression hiding something she couldn't read.
"I'm sorry for bothering you yesterday. I'll get going now," Chiaki said quickly, heading straight for the door, her heart pounding as she tried to escape the awkward moment.
But before she could take another step, Hayato grabbed her wrist, his grip firm yet gentle, stopping her in her tracks. Startled, she turned, only to find herself pressed against his bare chest. The warmth of his skin seeped through her thin clothes, and she felt her face burn even hotter, her mind scrambling to focus on anything but how dangerously close they were.
"Don't rush," he murmured, his voice low and steady. "If you don't want to be late for work, you can shower here. I have clothes you can change into." Chiaki swallowed hard, her heart pounding as she tried to process his words.
Before she could protest, Hayato led her into his walk-in closet, his hand still lightly holding her wrist. Chiaki's gaze flitted across the neatly arranged clothes—sleek suits, casual wear, and then, something unexpected. A row of women's outfits. Her heart clenched as the realization hit her.
Karina.
The rumors about Hayato and Karina came crashing back, and she felt a sharp pang of jealousy and hurt. She had convinced herself she was over it, that she had accepted what she saw at the airport ten years ago. But seeing those clothes hanging in his closet felt like a fresh wound reopening. So, it was true. Her fingers curled into fists, her emotions swirling as she tried to keep her composure.
"What's wrong? Not your style?" Hayato asked, watching her hesitation with a slight frown.
Chiaki forced a polite smile, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I think I'd rather go home and change. But thank you for the offer." Hayato's frown deepened slightly before he pulled out a delicate midi dress and handed it to her. "The clothes are brand new. You don't have to worry about anything," he reassured her, his voice calm and unwavering.
Chiaki hesitated, her mind racing as she weighed her options, but eventually, she took the dress from his hands, her fingers brushing against his for the briefest moment. "Go take a shower," he said, gently nudging her toward the bathroom. Once inside, Chiaki let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, her emotions a tangled mess as she tried to steady herself.
Then, her eyes landed on something that made her pause. On the bathroom counter, a brand-new toothbrush was waiting for her, with toothpaste already neatly squeezed onto it. Her chest tightened at the sight, a wave of emotion crashing over her. It was such a simple gesture, yet it made her heart ache. He was still so thoughtful. Even after all these years, he was still Hayato—the boy who always looked out for her, who silently took care of the little things without expecting anything in return.
Tears welled in her eyes before she could stop them, her resolve crumbling as she stood there, clutching the dress to her chest. She had told herself she would let go, that she wouldn't let herself feel anything anymore. But it was impossible when he kept making her heart waver like this.
After freshening up, Chiaki followed the enticing scent of food into the kitchen, her steps hesitant but curious. The sight that greeted her made her pause in the doorway. Hayato stood by the stove, his tall frame silhouetted against the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. He was plating a simple yet elegant breakfast—fluffy scrambled eggs, perfectly toasted bread, and a side of fresh fruit—his movements precise and practiced.
As he turned, his gaze landed on her, and for a brief moment, he looked stunned, his expression softening as he took in the sight of her in the dress he had chosen. Chiaki fidgeted under his intense stare, her cheeks flushing as she self-consciously smoothed the fabric of the dress. "Do I look weird?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem.
Hayato didn't respond immediately. Instead, he walked toward her, his steps deliberate, his dark eyes never leaving hers. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter, softer, carrying a weight that made her heart skip a beat. "No," he said, his tone sincere and unwavering. "You look beautiful." Chiaki's breath caught in her throat, her pulse quickening as his words washed over her.
Before she could react, he reached for her, his hands gentle but firm as he pulled her into his arms. She gasped, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest, her mind racing as she tried to process what was happening. "Hayato—" she started, her voice trembling, but he cut her off, his breath warm against her ear as he murmured, "You look too stunning. I don't want anyone else seeing you in this outfit."
Chiaki's mind went blank, her thoughts scattering as she felt the warmth of his embrace envelop her. Her pulse was erratic, her skin tingling from where his arms encircled her, and she felt a strange mix of comfort and vulnerability. She should push him away. She should say something, anything, to break the spell he seemed to have cast over her. But she couldn't. She was completely trapped in the warmth of his embrace, her heart pounding as she struggled to make sense of the emotions swirling inside her.
Hayato exhaled slowly, his breath brushing against her hair, before finally letting go, his hands lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. "Come on," he said, his tone lighter now, though his eyes still held a hint of something deeper, something unspoken. "Let's eat before work." Chiaki nodded weakly, her legs feeling unsteady as she followed him to the table, her mind still reeling from the intensity of the moment.
After breakfast, Chiaki sat in the passenger seat of Hayato's car, feeling unusually tense as she adjusted her bag on her lap. Just as she settled in, Hayato suddenly leaned toward her, closing the distance between them in one swift motion. Her breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat as she froze, her eyes widening in surprise. He was so close that she could catch the faint scent of his cologne—a deep, woody fragrance with a hint of spice that was both familiar and intoxicating. It sent her pulse racing, her mind scrambling to process what was happening.
Before she could react, he reached across her, his arm brushing against hers as he pulled the seatbelt over her, securing it properly with a soft click. "Remember to buckle up," he said softly, his voice lingering just near her ear, the warmth of his breath sending a shiver down her spine. Chiaki felt her entire face heat up, the flush spreading to the tips of her ears as she quickly turned to face the window, hoping he wouldn't notice how flustered she was. "T-Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she tried to steady her breathing.
The drive to work was filled with an odd silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words and lingering tension. Chiaki's mind raced, her thoughts a jumble of emotions as she replayed the morning's events over and over.
Finally, she gathered the courage to ask what had been bothering her, her voice cautious as she broke the silence. "Did I… do or say anything strange last night?" she asked, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the strap of her bag.
Hayato cast a quick glance at her before returning his focus to the road, his expression unreadable. "You don't remember?" he asked, his tone calm but carrying a hint of something she couldn't quite place.
Chiaki hesitated before shaking her head, her cheeks flushing slightly. "The last thing I remember is sitting in your car," she admitted, her voice soft. Hayato smirked slightly, his eyes briefly meeting hers before he looked back at the road. "You were exhausted, so you fell asleep," he replied, his tone light but teasing. "Next time, don't drink alone. You're terrible at holding your liquor."
Chiaki felt her embarrassment deepen, her face burning as she quickly changed the subject. "Drop me off a little before we reach the entrance," she said, her voice firm but tinged with nervousness. Hayato's brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at her. "Why?" he asked, his tone curious but carrying a hint of something deeper.
"Because you're the new popular General Manager," Chiaki explained, her voice rising slightly in exasperation. "You have no idea how many women in the office are watching you. I don't want to become their enemy." Hayato sighed, shaking his head as a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Women are too complicated," he muttered, though there was no real annoyance in his tone.
When they arrived before the building, Chiaki quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car before anyone could see them together. She rushed toward the elevator, her heart pounding as she glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one had noticed.
Once inside the elevator, she finally exhaled in relief, leaning against the wall as she tried to calm her racing thoughts. Little did she know, someone had already seen them. From far, Elena watched as Chiaki exited Hayato's car, her sharp eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. Her grip tightened on her coffee cup, her nails pressing into the ceramic as a wave of jealousy and frustration washed over her. She had been trying to get close to Hayato ever since he took over as General Manager, but despite her efforts, he remained distant—polite, but indifferent.
Yet, Chiaki… Chiaki, who was just another employee, was effortlessly getting his attention. Why? Elena's jaw clenched, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of it. She refused to let this slide.