Moving to a new place didn't seem to trigger any of Arianna’s usual sleep issues. She had slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, when Arianna walked downstairs after freshening up, Maxwell was already at the dining table. He was wearing a simple black t-shirt and chinos. His long legs, encased in the casual trousers, were stretched out comfortably. A gentle morning breeze drifted in from the window, catching the hem of his shirt. A few stray locks of hair fell over his deep, obsidian eyes, giving him a clean, refreshed look. He was the kind of person who made a positive impression at first glance.

He kept his head lowered, focused on peeling a soft-boiled egg. His long, elegant fingers worked the shell away, revealing the smooth, white surface beneath. He moved with a methodical, unhurried grace.

In the vast, quiet villa, surrounded by the soft morning air, Arianna suddenly felt that the scene before her was as beautiful as a painting. She slowed her pace, suddenly hesitant to break the stillness of the moment.

A slight sound from the stairs caught Maxwell’s attention. He looked up, his gaze finding her instantly. He was still holding the egg, eyes fixed on her as he continued to peel. "Arianna, come eat."

"Right."

Arianna finally made her way to the dining table. Clad in black, his skin looked pale and cold, the veins in his forearms standing out in sharp relief. Arianna sat opposite him, her gaze drifting to those articulate, slender hands, and she couldn't help but recall all the internet forums dedicated to hand aesthetics.

Just as her mind began to wander, those nimble fingers moved. He placed the perfectly peeled, delicate white egg on a small plate and slid it in front of her.

Arianna blinked, caught off guard. "You don't have to do that. You should eat it. I can handle my own..."

His deep, warm voice cut her off. "Be good. Just take it."

Maxwell added, "I’ll just peel another one."

Arianna hummed an acknowledgment and obediently took the egg. The texture was perfect—soft and tender, boiled for exactly the right amount of time. Beside it, a bowl of oatmeal, a pancake, and a breakfast sandwich sat waiting for her.

"What do you prefer?" Maxwell asked. "The pancake or the sandwich?"

"The pancake."

"Understood."

With that, Maxwell reached out and naturally took the breakfast sandwich off her plate. The ceramic plate clattered softly against the marble table. He picked up a pair of wooden chopsticks with his long, pale fingers, taking a bite of the sandwich. He ate with an effortless, aristocratic grace—never rushed, always composed.

She said she wanted the pancake, so he took the sandwich she didn't want, handling the leftovers as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

If there were a third person here, Arianna couldn't help but think, they would surely assume they were a married couple of many years. Their synchronization was that seamless.

"Arianna."

Arianna was focused on her oatmeal. She looked up, responding with a muffled, "Yeah?"

"Since you just moved in last night, I haven't had a chance to arrange a car for you yet. It'll be a bit of a hassle this morning, but would you mind riding with me? I can have the driver drop you off on the back street behind your office. Would that work for you?"

He was being entirely earnest, treating the request like a serious negotiation. Arianna thought to herself that Maxwell always felt she was too polite and discouraged her from saying 'thank you,' yet here he was, asking her for a favor with even more deference than she ever showed him.

And besides, how could riding in a multi-million dollar Bentley possibly be a "hassle"? He was being far too considerate—there was a faint, almost desperate edge to his politeness.

When she didn't reply immediately, Maxwell assumed she was reluctant. The light in his eyes flickered and dimmed for a split second. He tugged at the corner of his lips, forcing a casual smile, his tone softening. "If that’s not convenient, we can figure something else out."

"It's fine, I didn't say it wasn't," Arianna said quickly. "Sorry, I was just spacing out."

"It works?"

"It works," Arianna said, tilting her head with a hint of genuine confusion. "Why wouldn't it?"

It was clear that Maxwell was completely appeased by her answer. A lazy, satisfied smile curved his lips, the tension in his expression melting away instantly. "Good. Let's eat."

***

True to his word, Maxwell had the driver stop on the back street behind her office. Arianna stepped out and walked along the pavement toward the building. The northwest entrance was just around the corner.

For no reason at all, a strange intuition stopped her. Before turning the corner, she paused and looked back. She locked eyes with Maxwell in the backseat. He was leaning back against the upholstery, watching her through the partially lowered window. His posture was regal, his gaze soft and lingering.

Arianna felt a sharp, sudden pang in her chest. Not daring to look any longer, she ducked her head and hurried away, her footsteps frantic.

Maxwell’s hand, which had been raised to wave goodbye, froze in mid-air. A moment later, he let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh. Watching the corner where she had disappeared, he spoke gently to the driver, "Alright, let's go."

***

Myria was currently one of the top fast-moving consumer goods companies in the country. As a powerhouse in the beauty industry, its portfolio was extensive, spanning everything from cosmetics and skincare to personal care and fragrance, with over a dozen well-known sub-brands under its umbrella.

Her team had taken a full three-day break, leaving their workload piled high. After grinding through the morning, Arianna stretched, feeling the ache in her shoulders, and headed to the cafeteria with Diana James.

On the way, Diana hung off her like a koala, sighing dramatically. "I'm so tired. Seriously, I'm exhausted."

"I've been staring at my screen for so long my eyes are actually watering. I think I'm officially too old for this; I can't handle the pace anymore."

Arianna found it amusing. "How old are you, exactly?"

Diana shook her head with feigned grief. "You're still young. You won't understand the plight of us seniors."

Arianna was silent for a moment. "...You're only one year older than me."

"One year is still a year. I'm older than you, period."

The fact that she was actually arguing about this made Arianna speechless. "Right, right, you're ancient."

Diana: "..."

They reached the cafeteria, still bickering. When Diana saw the long lines at the food counters, her resolve collapsed. With a dramatic thump, she slumped back onto Arianna’s shoulder. "I'm going to lose my mind! Why is there such a crowd? I'm starving!"

Their company had once trended on social media after netizens and employees alike voted it into the 'Top 10 Corporate Cafeterias' in the country. Employees, whether current or former, might complain about the harsh management, incompetent bosses, or the crushing workload—but not a single soul ever complained about the food.

It was peak lunch hour. Arianna was hungry too, but there was no helping it. She sighed and resigned herself to pulling Diana into the queue.

After finally getting their food, Diana claimed a table and set down the trays. "Wait here, I'm going to grab us some milk tea."

"Doesn't the cafeteria have plum juice..."

Diana didn't listen. She bolted, disappearing into the sea of people.

Ten minutes later, she returned with two cups of milk tea. She placed the one loaded with coconut jelly, taro balls, and boba in front of Arianna, then tore open the straw wrapper and punctured the lid with a single, practiced jab.

*Pop.*

"There. Drink up!"

Arianna: "..."

She had to admit, the move was impressively smooth. She gave Diana a wordless thumbs-up.

Diana, already sipping her own drink, clinked her cup against Arianna’s with a carefree smile. "It's nothing, really."

"Why the sudden milk tea run?" Arianna asked. In her memory, Diana preferred the cafeteria’s plum juice over tea.

Diana bit down on her straw, taking a long sip before answering naturally, "Well, obviously, to celebrate you finally becoming a permanent employee!"