I sipped the cinnamon oat tea slowly, letting the warmth anchor me. It was soft, sweet, and unfamiliar in the best kind of way. Like being cared for without needing to earn it.
Kian didn't press me for more conversation. He just sat there, next to me, reading something on his tablet again. But his body language had changed—relaxed but attentive, like he was aware of me without hovering.
I found myself stealing glances at him. His jaw was sharp in the morning light, his lashes dark, his lips slightly parted as he read. Not cold, not intimidating. Just… focused. Present.
And maybe… mine?
The thought made me sit up a little straighter. No. Not mine. I'm just here until… until I figure things out.
I frowned into my mug.
📢 System Notification
[New Task Unlocked: Ask Kian a Question About Himself]
🎯 Reward: 80 Points
💠 Bonus: Emotional Thread 2/5
Another emotional task? The system never stopped, did it? Always pushing, always nudging. But… I didn't hate it. Not this time.
I took a breath and glanced sideways. "Kian?"
He looked up instantly. "Yes?"
I hesitated. "When you were my age… what did you want to be?"
There. Simple. Personal, but not too deep.
Kian blinked, then leaned back slightly, surprised. "I wanted to be a pilot," he said after a pause. "I used to sneak onto rooftops and watch the airplane "
My eyes widened. "Really?"
He smiled faintly. "Yeah. I liked the idea of going somewhere no one could follow. Just flying until I ran out of sky."
📢 [Task Complete: Asked a personal question]+80 Points
💫 Bond Energy: 15.2%
💖 Emotional Thread Activated (2/5)
I laughed under my breath. "You? The serious CEO? That's hard to picture."
He chuckled. "My father thought so too. Said flying was for dreamers. Not leaders."
"Sounds like he sucks."
That made Kian laugh again—quiet, real. "He does."
I looked down at my cup and smiled. Maybe these questions weren't so hard after all.
Later that afternoon, while Kian took a call in his office, I wandered the penthouse again. I still felt like a guest, even though he insisted I wasn't. Every corner gleamed. Every cushion was perfectly placed. Nothing was broken. Nothing smelled like mold or bleach or burnt toast.
It was… alien. And peaceful.
On a floating glass shelf near the lounge area, I found a slim digital screen blinking softly. A curated newsfeed—stock market reports, business politics, social highlights. I didn't understand half the words, but I scrolled anyway, fascinated.
This was his world. The one he moved through with practiced ease. The one that terrified me.
📢 System Notification[New Feature Available: Career Path Preview]
✨ Bond-Based Growth Option: Unlocked
First Task: Leave the Penthouse (Minimum 30 minutes – Supervised)
🎯 Reward: 100 Points
🎁 Bonus: Unlock Public Adaptability Metrics
My fingers twitched.
Leave?
The idea made my chest tighten. I hadn't stepped outside freely in days. The city felt like a danger zone. Too many scents, too many stares. But still… the system wasn't wrong. I couldn't stay in this tower forever.
It was time to start reclaiming the outside world.
But I didn't want to explain why. Not fully.
When Kian returned from his office, his expression relaxed when he saw me. "You look like you've been thinking too hard."
"I, um… I think I need to get some air," I said, trying to keep my voice even. "Go out. Just for a little."
His brows lifted slightly. "Now?"
"Not far," I added quickly. "Just… thirty minutes. Somewhere quiet."
He studied me for a moment longer, then gave a slow nod. "I'll come with you."
I blinked. "You don't have to—"
"I want to," he interrupted softly.
I looked at him, really looked. His face calm. His scent stable.
Something inside me settled.
"…Okay," I said quietly.
📢 [Task Progress Started: 0/30 Minutes Outside Logged]You are not alone.