Y/n POV
I walked into the office just as employees were starting to arrive. Stepping into the elevator, I saw Mark already inside.
Mark: "Hey, you look beautiful today."
I smiled.
"Thank you," I replied.
Mark: "By the way, you look really happy today."
I nodded.
"I woke up early today without being late—that's probably why," I said.
He chuckled.
Mark: "Ooh, then give me your number. I'll call you at exactly 6:30 a.m. every day so you can wake up and be this happy all the time."
I laughed and nodded.
"Nice one, Mark," I said with a grin. "That trick might work on other girls too, you know."
Mark: "Really?!"
We both laughed, and after exchanging numbers, I made my way to Kayden's office.
As I stepped in, I started cheerfully, "Hell—" but then I froze.
Oh no.
I'd completely forgotten—Kayden was supposed to pick me up this morning.
I slowly turned around and there he was, standing right in front of me, his expression thunderous.
I gave him an awkward smile.
"H-hello... no—good morning, sir," I stammered.
He didn't say a word. Just kept glaring, one eyebrow raised, clicking his tongue against the inside of his cheek.
He was clearly pissed.
"Ah—hahahaha, surprise?" I laughed nervously, clapping my hands like an idiot.
"I thought I'd surprise you—"
Before I could finish, he pulled me firmly against his chest.
Kayden: "Really? You left last evening without a word, and now you're here early so I can't pick you up? Huh?... You're ignoring me, Miss Y/N?"
I swallowed hard.
Oh boy.
"No, Kayden, I didn't ignore you," I said quickly, trying to pull away. But his grip only tightened.
Kayden: "Oh, really?" he said, his voice low and dangerous, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "Well, if you're not ignoring me like you say... then how about dinner tonight?"
My eyes widened in surprise.
"Actually, I-I... yeah, Kelly was alone and—"
Kayden: "I don't care."
His bluntness made my breath hitch.
"Okay then..." I said, trying to calm the heat rising in my cheeks. "Come to my house. We'll have dinner there, okay?"
He let out a soft sigh, eyes still locked on mine.
Kayden: "Fine. I wanted to go to a restaurant, but if it's at your place... that's okay."
I cleared my throat, trying to regain control.
"Now... let me go."
His arms loosened, and he gently released me, though his intense gaze never left mine.
We both went to our desks and got started on some work. I checked the schedule and sighed in relief.
"Thank God," I murmured with a smile. "Today isn't going to be a tiring day."
I walked over to Kayden's desk with a small grin.
"Sir, there are no meetings today. Just a few files to go through, and that's it."
He looked up at me and smiled.
Kayden: "Oh, that's good to hear."
"Yep! It's a happy, happy day, I guess," I said, flashing him a cute smile.
He smiled back—soft, warm—but the moment was cut short when the office door suddenly swung open, revealing Cassie.
Kayden's face immediately shifted.
Kayden: "Not for me," he muttered with clear frustration.
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh.
Cassie: "Hey, guys..." she said weakly as she stepped inside.
Kayden: "What do you want now?" he asked, already sounding annoyed.
Cassie: "I-I'm here because..." she started, then let out a deep sigh—
And suddenly, she broke into tears.
Cassie: "I was wrong, Kayden... I thought you'd notice me if I did that."
She was really crying now, her voice trembling. I walked over and gently rubbed her back.
"Hey... don't cry," I said softly, trying to comfort her.
Cassie: "No, Y/N... you don't understand. You can't. I love him—so much."
Before I could say anything, Kayden let out a low, dry laugh.
Kayden: "Nice one, Cassie. Maybe you should audition for a drama—your acting's not bad."
"Kayden!" I said sharply, eyes wide in disbelief. His laughter faded, but his expression stayed unreadable.
Cassie: "No, Kayden, I'm not acting! I really loved you... and you know what? I still do."
There was a pause.
Kayden: "Oh? Well, I don't care."
His words were like ice—cold and final.
Cassie broke down even more, her sobs louder now, and despite everything, my heart genuinely ached for her.
Cassie: "At least give me a chance, Kayden... one last chance to express my feelings."
Kayden: "Really? My answer will always be no. So why waste time?"
"Kayden, that's enough," I snapped, anger flaring in my voice.
"At least listen to her first."
He blinked, surprised by my tone, and gulped slightly but said nothing.
Cassie: "Please, Y/N... help me. I really love him. I can't live without him. Just tell him—ask him for one chance..."
I pulled her into a hug as she cried harder in my arms.
I looked up just in time to see Kayden rip off his jacket and storm out of the office, slamming the door behind him.
"It's okay, Cassie..." I whispered gently, trying to calm her.
But she shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Cassie: "No... it's not okay, Y/N. He—he slept with me that day. He made me feel like I meant something to him, like I was someone he truly wanted. And you know what? I fell for him that day...
*His kiss... his hugs... his cuddling—I want that, Y/N. I want him."
She cried harder, and my chest tightened with a strange mix of sympathy, anger, and confusion.
"Please don't cry, Cassie..." I whispered, kneeling down beside her.
But she suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me, her hands trembling as she reached for mine.
"Hey, wh—" I started, but she cut me off.
Cassie: "Please, Y/N... convince him. He'll listen to you. I beg you, please."
Tears welled up in my eyes. I hated seeing her like this.
"Don't do this, Cassie..." I whispered, my voice breaking.
Cassie: "I need him, Y/N..." she sobbed.
I swallowed hard, then slowly nodded.
"I'll talk to him," I said gently.
Her eyes widened with hope.
Cassie: "Really?"
I nodded again.
"Yes. But promise me... if he still says no, you'll move on. I want both of you to be happy—not just one. Okay?"
She nodded quickly, desperately.
Cassie: "I will... but I'll make him fall for me, Y/N."
I gave her a small, tearful smile.
"Try your best, Cassie."
She smiled back and nodded, determination flickering behind her watery eyes.
We slowly pulled apart, both of us carrying different kinds of heartbreak.
"Now go wash your face, you're looking like a panda right now," I teased with a small laugh.
Cassie giggled through her tears.
Cassie: "Yes, yes—thanks, Y/N. You owe me this one!"
I shook my head with a soft smile.
"Love isn't something that makes anyone owe anything, Cassie."
She smiled at me, touched, and then quietly walked away, leaving me alone in the room.
A heavy silence settled around me.
I let out a small sigh.
I did feel bad...
I mean, come on—Kayden would be the best boyfriend.
And who wouldn't feel something, seeing someone else love him so deeply?
But right now, that wasn't the point.
"Aah, I have to talk to him now," I muttered, rubbing my temples.
Yeah... that's the main thing. But how?
How do I convince him?
Think, Y/N. Think.
Then a slow smirk crept across my lips.
Right. He did say it himself...
He's having a bad day today.
______