Chapter 14: Too Embarrassing

"Director, Yuto Miyazawa has responded. He should arrive at Blue Bloom Cosmetics in about twenty minutes to discuss the collaboration." 

"Okay," Blaine Jackson responded absentmindedly, his focus still glued to the computer screen. As Annie turned to leave, he suddenly shifted his gaze to her. 

"Annie," he called. 

"Yes, Director?" Annie turned back, waiting patiently for further instructions. 

"Bring me my makeup case." 

"Excuse me?" Annie hesitated for a second but quickly nodded, understanding his tone left no room for argument. She returned moments later, carefully placing his makeup case on the desk. 

"That's all. You can leave now. I'll handle the rest myself," Blaine dismissed her with a wave. 

"Understood, Director," Annie replied before exiting the office. 

Once she was gone, Blaine opened the makeup case and began inspecting its contents. He methodically laid out each item that was either empty or nearing its expiration date, setting them aside. Then, he unwrapped the newly delivered products and carefully replaced the old ones, comparing them closely to ensure everything matched. 

This task used to be done by Claire Grace. She always left the makeup case meticulously clean, going as far as to remove any lingering mixed scents inside. In Japan, however, it seemed he had no choice but to handle these details himself. 

"Do you need any help?" a soft, somewhat frail voice suddenly asked. 

Blaine reflexively rubbed the bridge of his nose, answering without looking up. "Didn't I tell you to rest more? Why are you up and about again?" 

"Rest more? If I keep lying down, I'll turn into a fossil. My joints are already stiff," Chloe Grace teased, walking closer to him, her tone exaggerated. 

"If you're stiff now, don't complain to me when you end up on the couch tonight. You're the one who couldn't stop snoring like a pig." Blaine's tone remained flat as he continued his work. 

"What? Last night? I clearly remember everything…" Chloe trailed off, leaning in closer. Her curiosity got the better of her as she asked, "How exactly did you suffer?" 

A subtle but fresh fragrance filled the air as she leaned in—light but potent enough to overpower the scent of the makeup products in his hands. 

"You fell asleep on my shoulder. I was worried you'd catch a cold and have another fever, so I carried you back to bed. But—" he paused, finally glancing up at her. His strikingly handsome features were calm, though a trace of annoyance flickered in his eyes. 

Chloe mimicked his earlier gesture, rubbing the bridge of her nose, her confusion obvious. What on earth had she done to irritate him so much? 

"I… I didn't cling to you like a koala while sleeping, did I?" she asked hesitantly. Surely not. Otherwise, why would she have no memory of it? 

"No, you didn't cling to me. But you *did* drool on my wool coat." His voice was edged with exasperation. 

"What?!" Chloe's eyes widened in horror. Her face turned beet red as she clapped her hands over her cheeks. "Oh no, that's so embarrassing! I—I can't show my face anymore!" She turned abruptly, ready to flee. 

"Chloe Grace, where are you going?" 

Anywhere but here, she thought to herself. "I'm just going for a walk," she mumbled under her breath. 

"Come here." He gestured for her to return with a commanding wave of his hand. 

"I… I'm still not feeling great. I think I'll head back to bed," she stammered, clearly hoping to avoid more humiliation. 

"Didn't you just say your bones were stiff from lying down too much? Come here and let me take a look," Blaine said firmly, leaving no room for refusal. 

Chloe sighed, reluctantly shuffling back to him, though her head hung so low it was practically brushing the floor. 

"Why are you staring at the ground? Are you hoping to find diamonds?" Blaine teased, his lips curling into an amused smirk. Shaking his head, he reached out, gently tilting her chin upward. His other hand pressed against her forehead. 

"You feel warm again. Didn't your fever break this morning?" His brow furrowed with concern. 

Her flushed face had nothing to do with a fever, and everything to do with sheer mortification. Chloe wanted to explain but feared he'd only laugh at her. 

"Did you take the medicine I left for you?" Blaine asked, guiding her to a nearby chair and fixing her with a sharp gaze. "Did you see the note?" 

Chloe nodded sheepishly. "I saw it… but you didn't specifically say to take the medicine, so I didn't." 

"You didn't?!" Blaine was incredulous. "You can't possibly be that clueless! Honestly, I can't believe you." He shook his head in disbelief. 

"My cold's gone anyway, so there's no need for medicine." Hoping to change the subject, Chloe's eyes wandered to his desk. They immediately lit up. 

"Wow! So many makeup products!" she exclaimed, reaching for the case. Blaine instinctively moved to block her, but she was quicker, pinning the case shut. 

"Blaine, is this your personal makeup kit? What brand are these products? I've never heard of them before." 

Of course, you haven't, Blaine thought to himself. They were all repackaged and custom-made. 

"Wait, is that an international package?" Chloe's sharp eyes caught the label on the edge of the box. Her face suddenly paled, her grip tightening on one of the products. 

"Chloe, don't break that!" Blaine scolded, hastily rescuing the item from her grasp. Carefully, he returned it to its place, closed the case, and resealed the package. 

"Blaine, was this sent from Zuoan?" she asked abruptly. 

"How did you know?" Blaine was stunned. All identifying marks had been removed during repackaging. 

"Are you more concerned about these products or the note that came with them?" Chloe's voice was faint but tinged with something unreadable. 

"What are you talking about?" Blaine looked confused. "What note?" 

"Forget it," Chloe said, turning away just as Annie entered the office. 

"Director, Yuto Miyazawa, President of Sensei King, is here to see you."