After work, I let loose, going out with my best friend for food, drinks, dancing, and karaoke.

But when I woke up the next morning, my throat was killing me, my body ached, and I felt completely weak and cold.

I regretted it all, tears streaming down my face, blaming the charming guy at the bar for my poor choices.

How could I get so drunk and lose my coat? Wearing just a tank dress in this cold weather – talk about bold!

I grabbed my phone and texted my boss.

[I’m not coming in. Don’t look for me.]

[Taking a sick day. Contact Assistant Bryce for anything urgent.]

I sent the message and tossed my phone aside, not realizing the next message hadn’t gone through before my phone shut off.

Once I managed to drag myself up, I rummaged through the medicine cabinet and took my temperature. Great, almost hitting 104!

Thank goodness I woke up; otherwise, I might have burned my brain out.

After taking some medicine, I lay back in bed, feeling groggy.

In a haze, I vaguely heard a knocking sound.

Irritated, I sat up to listen more closely.

Seriously? Someone was knocking at my door?

Who comes over during the day when everyone’s at work?

“Coming!” I shouted, but my sore throat only let out a hoarse whisper.

The knocking grew more frantic, making me anxious as I wobbled toward the door.

As I reached the living room, I bumped a cup off the table, shattering it on the floor.

Looking at the glass and water everywhere only added to my irritation.

At that moment, the knocking suddenly stopped, replaced by an intense thumping, like the person outside wanted to break in.

Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my hair and stormed to the door, flinging it open.

A dark figure lunged at me – my landlord and boss, Julian Ward, the man I had a crush on.

Too bad he already had someone he considered ‘the one that got away.’

Just when I thought he might have feelings for me, I learned that his dream girl was returning home, and he grew cold towards me.

What a jerk, leading me on while still being hung up on someone else!

If it weren’t for the times he shielded me from alcohol during company dinners, waited for me to finish late shifts, and took me to his friend’s restaurant while flirting, I might not have gotten my hopes up.

It felt like my sincerity was wasted…

“Eliza, you finally opened the door! Why did it take so long? Do you know how long I’ve been knocking?

“What happened? Are you hurt? I heard a cup crash and thought you passed out…” His voice wavered, eyes glistening, as if he might cry.

His barrage of questions only made my head spin. I pushed him back a couple of steps and covered my mouth.

“What are you doing here? I told you not to look for me. I’m not your possession! Can’t I take a sick day in peace?”

“I came to take care of you. I couldn’t just leave you home alone,” Julian said, pointing to the pile of food at the door, sounding almost pitiful as he stepped closer…

“Stay right there!”

I yelled in surprise, coughing hard from the effort.

“Eliza, don’t talk – just drink some water,” Julian said, darting to the dining table to pour me a glass.

“Julian, I told you not to come near me! Can’t you understand simple words?” My cough only aggravated my sore throat, making my tone more irritable.

“You need to drink water right now. We can talk later.” He paused, tightening his grip on the glass, then stubbornly took a step closer.

Why couldn’t he just take a hint?

He had his dream girl already. Did he think I was a consolation prize because I hadn’t been bothering him lately?

What a jerk. Why come to me when he could be with her? Was it true that what you couldn’t have was always more desirable?

“I don’t want any! Get out! I don’t need your care! This is my home! Even if you’re my landlord and boss, you have no right to be here!”

I rasped out the words, feeling like my throat was about to give up on me.

“No right? Then who does? Your underclassman, Wyatt? Or your upperclassman, Evan?” Julian’s eyes were red with frustration, veins popping in his hands.

What did they have to do with anything? I was sick and just wanted to rest at home!

Seeing me with my hand over my mouth, pale and weak, he was furious. How could I say such hurtful things while looking so vulnerable? It made him want to shut me up.

And he did just that…

Julian took a big gulp of water and stepped right up to me. He pulled my hand away from my mouth, grasped my chin, and suddenly his handsome face loomed large in front of me.

I widened my eyes, noticing his long lashes quiver, and I could see my stunned face reflected in his pupils.

The soft sensation on my lips hit me with a shocking realization.

Julian… actually kissed me!

Before I could process what was happening and push him away, I felt his grip on my cheeks, and my mouth involuntarily opened. Something warm flowed into my mouth. He was sharing his water with me!

I stood there, frozen, my mind blank.

Julian chuckled softly, leaning in closer, his warm breath brushing against my ear.

I shivered, feeling my face flush, heat creeping to my ears. “Do you want to drink on your own, or do you want me to feed you?”

His words snapped me back to reality, and I instinctively swung my hand, the slap echoing sharply. Tears spilled down my cheeks.

“How dare you kiss me… Get out! Just get out…”

What kind of jerk was he, getting all cozy with his dream girl while trying to seduce me? No way!

I, Eliza Campbell, would never play the role of a mistress.

That was my first kiss! The more I thought about it, the sadder I felt, and the tears flowed uncontrollably.

Julian touched his cheek where I slapped him, but he just smiled. “One slap for one kiss – worth it! Want to try the other cheek?”

“Julian, you’re fucking insane!”

Crying made me feel worse all over. Ignoring him, I turned and went back to my room, slamming the door shut behind me.

I climbed into bed, wiped my tears, and lay down.

The medicine kicked in, and I felt so exhausted that I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

In a daze, I felt something cool pressed against my forehead, easing my restless mind. It was soothing and refreshing…

I woke up at some point, desperately needing to use the bathroom.

After returning, I noticed a glass of water and a plate of peeled grapefruit waiting at the door, but Julian was nowhere in sight.

Looking around, I saw the room had been cleaned up – clothes, shoes, and bags that were carelessly tossed about were all neatly arranged.

I stood at the door, staring at the plate of grapefruit, perfectly peeled without a single blemish.

It was clearly his work. He could do everything so well and was attentive to me. He remembered I loved grapefruit but couldn’t stand it when it had any blemishes.

Every time we ate together, he’d peel it for me, handing it over with a smile. I used to think it was a sign he liked me too. But maybe the grapefruit wasn’t just for me.

A dull ache settled in my heart. After a moment’s hesitation, I sighed. He was gone, and I couldn’t let food go to waste. I picked up the grapefruit just as the door swung open.

Julian came in carrying two large grocery bags, looking at me with a mischievous smile.

“Oh, you’re awake? How are you feeling? Still running a fever?

“You really don’t know how to take care of yourself. I leave for one day, and you make yourself sick. See? You can’t function without me…”

I stared at the chattering Julian, feeling a sense of disconnection wash over me.

If only I hadn’t discovered his dream girl, I could’ve deceived myself into believing we were both interested in each other – just one confession away from being together.

The injustice bubbled up inside me, and my eyes stung with tears that spilled over.

He set down the grocery bags and quickly pulled out a tissue, hurrying over to wipe my tears.

“Stop crying, are you really that miserable? You’re such a crybaby.”

I turned my head, stepping back to avoid his hand. “Julian, don’t be so nice to me. I’ll get the wrong idea.”

He paused, looking at me in shock for a couple of seconds. Then, without warning, he grabbed my hand and pushed me against the door.

His scent enveloped me, and his icy fingers sent a shiver down my spine.

I jumped, instinctively kicking at him, but he quickly caught my ankle.

The coldness made me shudder even more, and as I struggled, he leaned in closer, his voice tinged with an odd vulnerability. “Hold on, let’s talk this out, okay?”

Hearing his tone softened my heart, melting away some of my defenses, but I forced myself to maintain a glare, tilting my chin up defiantly. “Is this really how you want to talk?”

He lifted his head, his eyes glistening. “If I let you go, you can’t run away. Let’s go to the sofa.”

His words felt strangely off, like a kidnapper dealing with a hostage.

I rolled my eyes but reluctantly agreed. “Fine, let go.”

We moved to the sofa, sitting opposite each other. The plate of grapefruit was right there, serving as a barrier. If it weren’t for that, I’d have trouble holding my own against this man!

Julian glanced at the grapefruit. “You can eat while we talk.”

I put on a stern face, grabbing a piece of the fruit. If it was there, I might as well eat it. He watched me, a gentle smile on his lips, his eyes glimmering with affection.

What a pair of flirtatious eyes he had! I could almost imagine them filled with love even for stray dogs on the street.

How could I have been so blind? Even with 20/20 vision, I couldn’t see through his tangled web of charm.

“Julian, I’ll be handing in my resignation tomorrow. I’ll also make sure to pass on all related matters to the new secretary. As for the deposit on this apartment, just transfer it to my account. You don’t have to return the remaining rent for the next few months since I’m breaking the contract. I’ll move out within a week.”

He truly was a good person, especially when it came to being kind to others. All these years of falling for him hadn’t been a waste; I worked hard to get closer to him, pushing myself to improve.

Thinking back to the past, I remembered my first days at the company…