Tissue Boxes

Sebastian held back a laugh, choking it down with a cough. He cleared his throat behind a fist, but his lips threatened to break out into a smile. 

"Out." Kaden jutted his chin towards the door.

Priscilla scoffed. "I've made the journey all the way from the mall as your Director. At least look at the reports I've painstakingly crafted for you."

Lina stared at Priscilla. This life as Director of one of the most successful malls in the country was quite an update from Priscilla's first life as a servant. 

Lina wondered if Priscilla was an immortal as well, but that'd be impossible. Her attention shifted to the way the sunlight fell on Priscilla's bright blond hair and beautiful forest eyes.

Lina felt like she paled in comparison, with her black hair and black eyes. She was plain and resembled every other woman in this country. 

"Don't make me repeat myself," Kaden stated, his voice aloof and alienating.

Priscilla was used to his behavior, but was still hurt. She tightened her grip on the report, wishing she could throw it in front of his face. Unfortunately, she didn't have a death wish. At least, not yet.

"The colors are wrong," Lina said, noticing the report from Priscilla's hands.

Priscilla jumped, spinning around to see the woman had walked into the office without the Young Master's permission. Was this woman asking for some death wish…? 

Most people would've been thrown into the trash, literally. Priscilla had witnessed someone being dragged out before and tossed into the dumpster located far behind the building.

"What are you talking about?" Priscilla calmly asked. 

Priscilla was the type of person who always looked forward to feedback. Any chance to improve herself was a winning ticket.

"These colors aren't suited for those that are color blind," Lina began. "For color blind people that are red-green weak, your graphs will be difficult to understand."

"What are you even talking about?" Priscilla asked, looking down at her colorful charts, tables, and columns. 

Lina pointed to the tables. "For people that can't see red and green well, these yellow, orange, bright pink, light pink, and brown will practically all look like similar shades of greenish-yellow. Thus, it'll be difficult to distinguish between the rows of data and numbers."

Priscilla blinked in confusion, but the lecture didn't stop there.

Lina pointed to the data chart. "And for those who are blue-yellow weak, it'll look like extremely similar shades of orange-ish red, making it difficult for them to see past the individual chart lines." 

The room was stunned.

Sebastian felt like the rug was yanked from under him. Just how smart was this woman?! Now he understood why she graduated top of her classes.

Meanwhile, Priscilla felt like cold water was poured onto her. Who was this stranger and why was she schooling her? 

Was this why Kaden didn't even look through the reports? Because he knew how horribly it was organized by her?

Priscilla's face grew red. She glanced at Kaden, who had a blank expression. But his eyes said everything. They glowed with pride and recognition, something Priscilla had never seen going her way. 

"T-thank you," Priscilla managed to say, glancing down at the report in hopes of hiding her reddened cheeks.

"To make it easier for those to see, you should use complementary colors for the charts and tables," Lina concluded, with a reassuring smile.

Priscilla was shocked again, but forced herself to nod her head. She was blown away by this woman. Just then, she realized the trespasser wasn't thrown out like a wet sock. 

Being schooled like this in front of people she had worked so hard to gain their respect… her face continued to glow red. Was this stranger intentionally embarrassing her?

Priscilla took a glance at Kaden again. Her heart dropped. Whilst she was being scolded by some stranger, Kaden had smiled.

"Well done," Kaden stated, his hardened voice sounding less rough.

Priscilla's heart stung. She shot a glare towards the woman and tightened her grip on the report, enough to crumble the sides.

"Now get out," Kaden said to Sebastian whilst glancing at Priscilla.

Priscilla bit down on her tongue. Why was this stranger getting special treatment? Just who the hell is she?!

"Now."

"C-come this way, Director," Sebastian stuttered, shaking in his shoes. 

Sebastian was used to his Boss's frightening behavior, but still feared it whenever he was faced with it.

Priscilla wasn't afraid. Even when the temperature became colder than Antarctica. And oh hey, was that a polar bear in the corner? 

"Fine," Priscilla scoffed, sashaying towards the door with the swing of her natural hips. She was beautiful and she knew it. 

Lina's eyes were glued to Priscilla the entire time she left the room. 

Suddenly realizing her curves weren't as prominent as Priscilla's, Lina's grip tightened on her purse. She thought back to her first life, where Priscilla was once found in a compromising position with Kade.

Her chest pricked.

"Am I so handsome that the sight of me makes you cry?" Kaden genuinely asked, noticing her eyes were getting watery again. 

Kaden reached into his drawer and placed a box of tissues on his desk.

"Take it," Kaden mused, gesturing to the tissues. He prepared it specifically for her. With the news circulating, he knew she'd come to him. 

"I don't need it," Lina muttered.

"You sure?" Kaden teased.

Lina glared at him. The minute his eyes met hers, she felt her heart skip. His brooding eyes were beautiful. His pupils were a rich hazel, like the proud oak tree in the middle of a forest.

"Don't just stand and admire my beauty, take a seat whilst you do so," Kaden said, gesturing to the couch.

Lina realized Kaden rarely accepted visitors. Most people would already have chairs set up if they were expecting guests… 

Lina tried to not comfort herself with the thought that Priscilla must've been an unwanted or unexpected guest, to not even be offered a chair.

It was petty to think that way.

"There's nothing to admire," Lina finally said.

Kaden sharply raised a brow. "Then why do you always stare at me like an awestruck teenager?"

"I don't," Lina deadpanned.

"You do."

"I really don't," Lina argued.

"Oh, but you really do."

"I said I don't!" Lina shot back.

Silence.

Kaden threw a pointed look, like a teacher scolding his student. She gripped her purse tighter. His eyes narrowed upon the ugly black purse. Why wasn't she using the one he gave her? Was there something wrong with it?

"I really don't," Lina stated again.

"Fine, you don't," Kaden responded.

"Yeah," Lina agreed.

"Mmhm."

"Good," Lina said.

"Good."

Another silence.

Lina paused and glanced around his office. The decoration here was exactly what she expected from his dark persona. Somehow, someway, her attention landed back onto him. 

Lina didn't mean it, but she was just drawn to him. When someone was so charismatic, how could people not admire him?

Tall, dark eyes, sharp jawlines, and a tragic backstory… He was just too devastatingly handsome for her to deny.

"Oh look, you're staring again," Kaden mused, leaning back in his chair.

Lina watched as he released the black pen from his long fingertips. He was giving her his full undivided attention. Unlike the way he treated Priscilla.

Lina was startled. She didn't mean to compare, but it just happened. 

"Ah, your eyes are shaking again, just like your legs."

Lina suddenly wished she took a seat. That way, she'd have something to distract herself.

"I'm not here to play word games with you," Lina finally said.

"Right." Kaden observed her carefully. 

Her long lashes fluttered when she blinked. His attention shifted to her lips, plump and inviting. He watched her open her pretty little mouth.

Lina didn't know how she was going to say this. But at least she was the one making this decision. Not her Uncle. Not her mother. Not her grandfather. This decision was made by her.

"So, why are you here then?" Kaden slowly asked, even though he already knew the answer.

Lina knew this was going to sound crazy. She knew the word was going to scare any man away. Commitment always terrified a bachelor more than losing his status.

Lina breathed in, raised her head, and looked Kaden dead in the eyes.

"Kaden, let's get married."