Lucas’ deep voice came through the receiver, laced with a hint of exhaustion and a faint smile.

Aurora paused, glancing at the time in the corner of her screen.

“Aren’t you busy today? How do you have time to pick me up?” she asked, clicking open another document, her eyes scanning its contents.

“I planned this ahead of time,” Lucas said, his voice softening. “There are too many shady people around lately. I don’t feel safe letting you go home alone.”

A subtle warmth rose in Aurora’s chest. She absentmindedly touched her earlobe, the corners of her lips curving up.

“I need to work a little longer. This report is due tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll come up and keep you company.”

Before she could stop him, the call ended.

“Wait-”

Aurora tried to protest, but the line had already gone dead. She stared at her phone for a moment before instinctively scanning the office. Even though it was after hours, a few coworkers were still at their desks, finishing up their work. If Lucas walked in now, it would definitely draw attention. The thought of their curious or knowing stares made her ears heat up. She wasn’t used to mixing her private life with work, and the idea of becoming the subject of office gossip made her uneasy. Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself, mentally preparing for what was about to unfold. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the last of her coworkers packed up and left. Just as the office fell quiet, the glass door was pushed open.

Lucas stepped inside. Dressed in a tailored charcoal gray suit, his tie was slightly loosened, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone. In one hand, he carried a paper bag, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafting through the air. Aurora looked up at him. The soft glow of the office lights blended with the warm hues of the setting sun, casting delicate shadows along his sharp features, highlighting every perfect contour of his face. Lucas strode over, setting the coffee down on her desk before pulling up a chair beside her.

“What are you working on?”

Leaning in slightly, he glanced at the screen, his warm breath brushing against her ear. The subtle scent of his cologne mixed with the rich aroma of coffee, making her pulse quicken. She instinctively shifted a little to the side and pointed at the spreadsheet on her screen. “Still organizing the proposal. These data points need to be reclassified.”

Chapter 42

Lucas nodded. “I’ll help.”

Without hesitation, he reached for the mouse, his long fingers moving skillfully across the screen. His actions were precise and efficient, quickly sorting the information into a structured framework. Aurora watched him, a ripple of emotion stirring in her chest. The slight furrow of his brows, the unwavering focus in his eyes–everything about him made her feel at ease. The office was quiet except for the rhythmic tapping of the keyboard and the steady sound of their breathing. Occasionally, their gazes met, exchanging silent understanding over the progress of their work. Outside, the city skyline darkened, one by one, the lights flickering on like scattered stars against the night. Side by side, they sat together, the scent of coffee lingering in the air between them. For a moment, everything felt peaceful–like all her worries had melted away.

“Is this about the Vanguard project?” Lucas’ voice was gentle yet firm, his deep gaze settling on the faint exhaustion in Aurora’s expression.

She nodded, her fingers lightly tapping against the desk. “I think the framework is solid, and the data is thorough, but it still feels like something is missing…”

Lucas tapped his fingers against the desk in a steady rhythm, lost in thought. “Maybe you need to take a deeper dive into Vanguard’s entire resort portfolio–understand its core design philosophy, target clientele, and operational model. Then, use that insight to refine your analysis and develop a stronger proposal.” He picked up the pastry from the table, casually breaking off a small piece before holding it out to Aurora. “It’s like a chef preparing a dish. Only by truly understanding the ingredients can they create something exceptional.” His gesture was effortless, natural—an intimate kind of familiarity, carrying a trace of subtle indulgence.