YES... BUT BECAUSE

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Tiffany stepped out first. Naomi and Kai followed closely behind, their footsteps slow and gentle. As they reached Kai's apartment, he stopped and turned to facing them, but his gaze poured solely on Tiffany who looked away. His lips curving into a small smile.

"Well then, tomorrow," he said, casually but his eyes still fixed on Tiffany.

Naomi's cheeks flushed a gentle pink, and glanced quickly at Tiffany before replying. "Tomorrow? Uh… okay, then. See you tomorrow." Her voice wavered slightly, although she wasn't sure what was happening tomorrow.

Tiffany remained silent, her hand already on the keypad outside her apartment door. As she began typing in her passcode, Kai's voice called out behind her, soft and calm.

"Tiffany."

She paused, her shoulders stiffening, and slowly turned her head to look at him. His gaze was steady, filled with warmth that unsettled her.

"If you're not too busy… maybe I could take you out to dinner?" he asked.

Tiffany's expression remained blank. She held his gaze for a moment, then turned back to the keypad, finishing the entry without a word. The door clicked open, and she stepped inside. Noami bowed slightly following behind her. The door closed softly, leaving Kai standing alone in the hallway.

Inside the apartment, Tiffany closed her eyes and sighed deeply. Her heart was racing in familiar way. Naomi trailed in behind her, watching her closely.

"Are you okay?" Naomi asked.

Tiffany didn't answer right away. Instead, she walked into her bedroom, tossing her leather bag onto the neat bed before shrugging off her jacket. She turned to face Naomi, her expression hardening. "Aren't you supposed to support me in getting rid of my ex-husband, why are you on his side?"

Noami's gaze softened. "He just wants dinner. I think you should wear him out and judge him."

"I'm not having dinner with my ex-husband," she said firmly. "And let me remind you. He wasn't even a real husband. He was a contractual husband."

Naomi raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh, please. You're not fooling me. You still love him."

Tiffany froze for a split second, her fingers brushing against the edge of the bed. "I don't," she said quietly, her voice trembling slightly just enough for Naomi to catch. "Not anymore. I can't… I can't let myself feel that way. You know that."

Naomi's gaze softened as she stepped closer. "I know... Tiffany. But the same woman who swore she'd never get involved with a man again is the one who confessed her feelings to him. And now you know he loves you, too. What are you so afraid of? Relationships don't bite."

Tiffany's head snapped up, her eyes flashing with pain. "Yes, they do, Naomi!" she shouted, her voice breaking as she sank onto the edge of the couch. "Have you forgotten how he humiliated me? How he sent me back to Seattle the same night I confessed? Do you have any idea how that felt? To put your heart out there and have it crushed like it was nothing? That's just a prove that it doesn't last, I won't be like..." Her eyes darted, refusing to say the word.

Naomi's face fell, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. She sat down beside Tiffany, her voice softer now. "Kai was harsh, I won't argue with you. But it's not like it easy for you, either. It took you weeks to admit how you felt. Don't you think maybe he was scared, too? He flew all the way from London to Seattle to tell you how he feels. Doesn't that mean something?"

Tiffany scoffed. "So what? He's still just… just a contractual husband. It was just a contract. Nothing less, nothing more."

Naomi smirked knowingly, leaning in closer. "Oh, really? A contractual husband, huh? Funny, because last time I checked, no one gives their contractual husband their virginity. Or has a heated, earth-shattering sex you had with him in his billion-dollar car and ends up completely messing it up."

Tiffany's head whipped around, her cheeks burning as she glared at Naomi. "Shut up," she hissed, her voice trembling with anger and a glint of embarrassment shimmering in her eyes. "Get out. Now."

Naomi only grinned, clearly enjoying her flushed and embarrassed face. "I'm just saying," she teased, making her way to the door. "Maybe you should stop running and start figuring out what you really want."

As the door clicked shut behind Naomi, Tiffany slumped back into the couch, her hands covering her flushed face. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop the flood of memories that came rushing back.

The way Kai had looked at her that night, the way his touch had left her breathless, the way her heart had felt like it might burst. Her chest ached, and a sudden crave for him crept through her. She hated herself that still ached for him, that little excitement and ache she felt whenever she saw him was terrifying.

The next morning, Tiffany got up very early. She grabbed a cup of coffee Noami had made for her on her way out, but there's was a note beside it.

"I can't come to the boutique today, I have a trail, see you in the evening for dinner. That's one me."

She scoffed, heading out of her apartment. She stormed out of her apartment building hailing for a taxi when she felt a piercing gaze hovering over her. She paused, and looked to her left. It wasn't surprising to see Kai around her anymore.

Her eyes trailed his tall and athletic build, broad shoulders even down to his toned arms. His dark, slightly tousled hair fell neatly over his forehead. Kai leaned casually against his black range rover. He raised one hand lightly waving at her.

"I thought you might need a ride," he said. Tiffany blinked, blocking the sunlight with her hands, staring at him.

He was dressed in white. The matching outfit he had gotten from her boutique. The shirt was a loose-fitting, with a V-neck that revealing a hint of his collarbone. The matching white trousers were equally breezy just like the top. There was a pair of sunglasses hangs casually from the neckline of his shirt and a watch on his wrist. Tiffany nodded slightly, he did look dashing in most outfits.

Minutes later, Tiffany sat in the passenger seat of Kai's car. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He was as dashing as ever, his jaw clenched in quiet concentration as he drove through the city streets.

Kai smirked. "Staring, Tiffany?"

She rolled her eyes and looked out the window, trying to hide the faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "I was not."

"Sure you weren't," he said with a little amusement in his voice. "I think I would need new outfits, soon."

Tiffany crossed her arms. "You have your personal designer, Kai," she said, but he laughed a low one that stirred up something deep inside of her.

She hated how easily he could unsettle her. As they neared her workplace, Kai broke the silence.

"So, dinner tonight?" His eyes focused on the road. Kai briefly glancing at her with a hint of uncertainty.

Tiffany hesitated, her mind racing.

"Sure... but that's because I don't have anyone to dine with tonight. Noami would be busy tonight and also because I want to thank you for helping me with my mother. You said I could if I had dinner with you," she murmured, her fingers playing nervously with the strap of her bag.

"Of course. Yes, as long as you are..."

Kai pulled the car to a stop outside her office and turned to face her fully. His eyes shimmered with excitement, Tiffany took a deep breath, looking away.

Her chest tightened. Maybe dinner wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"I'll pick you up by 8," he said. Tiffany nodded, a faint smile touched his lips. "Thank you, That's all I'm asking for."

Tiffany opened the door and stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement. She turned back for a moment, her eyes meeting his.

"I'll call you." He said with a call sign. Tiffany hummed, shutting the door.

Kai watched as she walked away. As she disappeared into the building, he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.