Chapter 23

Ari's eyes slowly opened, her hand under her hoodie feeling her stomach.

She squinted her eyes as if she was confused about waking up like this. She turned around to look for her phone, her alarm one minute away from turning on.

This was the first time she woke up before her alarm.

Was it because I was excited? Hmm, whatever, she thought.

She stood up, starting her morning routine. In an hour or so she looked ready to go out. She didn't even look or worry for Kale, knowing he will be outside waiting for her.

But to her surprise, he wasn't there when she opened the door, yet the two cars were.

Suddenly a hand holding a bag appeared in front of her.

"Your breakfast," he said with his deep voice.

There it is, that morning coarse voice of his.

She took the bag and followed him to the new car.

Hmm, this car only had two front seats. Did he do it on purpose?

She stole a quick glance at his back with suspicious eyes.

He was wearing a black turtleneck under his jacket this time.

It looked good on him... Nevertheless, she was still being doubtful.

He opened the door for her.

"If you mind the seats we can take your car until I get another one. I only took this one on a whim."

She shrugged her shoulders. "It's okay." The car still looked too good to not sit on it.

She walked by him.

Her smell, as her hair danced behind her, softly brushed his nose.

His cold eyes slightly twitched, but he kept looking at the ground until she got inside the car.

He walked around.

So he won't say anything about my new perfume? Hmm, she kept thinking while looking away as he entered the car, holding the bag tight.

He didn't start the car and looked over at her. "We will go after you eat."

"Wha-" Ari was taken by surprise. "I can eat in the company."

"No," he said. His voice was calm and composed, making Ari unable to refuse him.

She nodded and opened the bag, finding a little gray lunchbox. He had two egg toasts prepared for her. It looked like the egg was also made with some vegetables.

Ari was not the type to have breakfast, so looking at this scene already made her feel stuffed.

But her mind changed as soon as she held a toast with her fingers. It was too soft that even she was surprised. It was too satisfying to touch and see whenever she squeezed it with her pretty fingers.

She took a bite, and it just melted in her mouth as soon as it fell on it.

Ari could almost feel her eyes roll back, as if her entire body took a breath with her.

Kale looked in front of him as soon as she started eating, not minding her.

He knew she could even feel nauseous since she was not used to eating at this hour, so he threaded lightly.

Ari finished her food in a few moments. He handed her a few napkins and took the bag from her hands without a word.

"Thank you, it was really delightful." She started stretching, "I feel like I could do marvels today."

He didn't answer and started the car.

They soon arrived at the company building.

Ari took a step out of the car with the help of Kale's hands.

She took a moment, raising her eyes and staring at the tall building in front of her, unconsciously still holding his hand.

He didn't mind noticing she was lost in thought.

She was getting ready, letting him go while she took a deep breath.

"Let's go," she spoke coldly.

The whole atmosphere around her changed as she walked in confidently.

The few next hours passed by in a blast.

Ari had long forgotten about Kale, who was reading on his couch in his own business.

She walked out and back from her office, totally focused. She stretched out as her eyes fell on the clock.

Lunchtime was already here.

She massaged her neck as she looked over at Kale's side.

He had two books on the side and the third in his hand. His other hand was holding his cheek as his eyes were carefully reading.

He only had his turtleneck now. She had to say, he looked majestic in black.

Especially with such a body.

It was fascinating, how sculpted his body looked in such tight clothing.

Ugh, this guy again, making the simplest daily things look so, attractive.

"Kale," she said softly, with a quiet voice, she actually didn't want him to hear her.

He turned his head, and slowly followed his unwavering eyes falling on her.

"Yes?" He asked.

Ari kept staring at him blankly, opening her mouth but unable to speak words.

He tilted his head slightly. She watched as his hair lightly moved on his eyes.

Her eyes flinched, "L-lunch."

"I am sorry."

Her eyes focused on his veiny hand sliding over the paper, marking it before putting the book away.

Ari felt her lungs overlapping, as if they forgot whether they had to breathe in or out.

She squinted her eyes at his figure as he stood holding his jacket over his forearm.

"Oh, and, a friend of mine is joining us for lunch this time. But I want you to sit with us."

I will soon see your true nature, she thought.

"Okay," he answered nonchalantly.

He opened the door for her and followed her behind.

On the way to their car, they met up with her sister, Soo Chae-Won, fidgeting in the corner.

Ari froze in her place when her eyes fell on her.

She breathed in heavily and walked up to her.

"What is it?" Said Ari coldly.

"I," Soo Chae-Won was surprised when she raised her eyes and found the both of them in front of her, especially when her eyes fell on Kale, she turned all pale.

She started murmuring like a crazy person and staggered step by step.

A couple of people got out of the elevator next to them, using this chance Soo Chae-Won put her head down and followed them, getting away.

"She seems scared of you," said Ari as she kept looking at her, she didn't feel any kind of emotions at this instant.

In this particular moment, Ari seemed quite different than her usual self, as if she was a being without emotions.

Kale's eyes looked at her. "You are not?"

She turned around, without even looking at him, "Why would I be?" She walked past him and patted his arm leaving to the car.

A cold trace of light appeared in Kale's gray pupils.

Hmm, good girl.