Showing Up Unannounced

When Clara returned home that evening, she was surprised to find Aiden at the front door, his hand on the doorknob, about to let himself in.

They both paused, caught off guard by the unexpected encounter. Aiden recovered first, flashing her his trademark charming smile. "Clara," he said, his tone light and polite. "Fancy meeting you here."

Clara managed a small smile in return, though her thoughts were still preoccupied. "Aiden. I didn't expect to see you home so early."

Aiden shrugged, his demeanor relaxed. "Meetings ended earlier than expected. Thought I'd come home and... I don't know, maybe try cooking again. Though I'm not sure the kitchen can handle another one of my experiments."

Clara recalled the night Aiden had tried cooking—his apron askew, singing off-key, and the kitchen a delightful mess. He had accidentally set off the fire alarm while attempting to toast garlic bread.

She chuckled softly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Well, as long as you don't set off the fire alarm again, I think we'll be fine."

Aiden laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "No promises. You know me—I like to live dangerously."

They exchanged a few more lighthearted remarks, their conversation polite and surface-level, as it often was. Neither of them crossed the unspoken boundary they had set for their relationship. It was a dance they had perfected—friendly, but not too familiar; kind, but not too intimate.

After a few minutes, Aiden gestured toward the stairs. "Well, I should probably head up. Long day tomorrow."

Clara nodded. "Same here. Goodnight, Aiden."

"Goodnight, Clara," he replied, his smile still in place as he turned and walked toward the stairs.

Clara watched him go, feeling a strange mix of relief and unease. She told herself she was overthinking things—that their interaction had been perfectly normal. But as she headed to her own room, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

What Clara didn't see was the moment Aiden's smile faded as soon as he turned away from her. His expression grew cold, his jaw tightening as he climbed the stairs. By the time he reached his room, any trace of the charming, easygoing man he had been moments ago was gone.

Aiden closed the door behind him with a little more force than necessary, his frustration bubbling to the surface. He had seen the way Clara looked when she came home—distracted, distant, as if her mind were somewhere else entirely. And he had a pretty good idea of where that "somewhere" was.

"Dylan," he muttered under his breath. He had always known about Clara's history with his older brother.

"Things seem to be getting interesting," he sneered.

-

By the next morning, she had tucked her emotions neatly away, slipping back into her role as the strong-willed, composed leader everyone admired.

Dressed in a sharp tailored suit, Clara walked into the office with her usual confidence, ready to tackle the day.

As she settled into her office, Kason entered, his presence as calm and composed as ever. He carried a sleek folder under one arm, his piercing gaze immediately locking onto hers.

"Clara," he began, his voice steady, "Ethan Carter, the CEO of Carter Innovations, has reached out with a proposal for a potential collaboration. He's interested in merging our tech divisions to create a joint venture."

Clara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Ethan Carter? That's a big name. What's his angle?"

Kason handed her the folder, his movements precise. "He's looking to expand his market share in Asia, and he sees us as the perfect partner. His team has already drafted a preliminary proposal. I've reviewed it, and while the terms are favorable, there are a few areas where we can push for more."

Clara nodded, flipping through the documents. "Good. Let's set up a meeting with him. I want to hear what he has to say directly."

As Kason turned to leave, Clara noticed the subtle glances from the female employees in the open-plan office. A group of young women near the water cooler were whispering, their eyes darting toward Kason as he walked past. One of them quickly straightened her blouse, while another nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

It was no secret that Kason had become something of an office enigma—his sharp features, quiet intensity, and mysterious lifestyle made him the subject of endless fascination.

Clara smirked to herself. She had long since noticed the effect Kason had on the women in the office. Despite his ascetic demeanor and the fact that he seemed entirely oblivious to their attention, he was undeniably magnetic. The whispers, the lingering looks, the occasional bold attempt to strike up a conversation—none of it seemed to faze him. He was a man entirely focused on his work.

As Kason disappeared down the hallway, Clara returned her attention to the proposal. Her mind is already racing with strategies for the upcoming meeting. The day was just beginning, and Clara was ready to conquer it—just as she always did.

The days blurred together in a cycle of work, meetings, and the occasional obligatory social event. Clara had settled into a rhythm, her life a carefully balanced act of maintaining her professional edge while navigating the complexities of her marriage to Aiden.

But lately, something had been disrupting that balance—Aiden's sudden and persistent displays of affection.

It started subtly. A text here, a small gift there, the occasional offer to pick her up from work. At first, Clara had brushed it off as part of their agreement to play the role of a loving couple in public. But as the weeks went by, Aiden's gestures became more frequent, more personal, and harder to ignore.

What had once felt like a harmless act now felt like an intrusion into her carefully guarded space.

Today was no different.

"Ring... ring... ring..."

The phone buzzed, interrupting the quiet hum of the office. Clara sat at her desk, deeply engrossed in a stack of reports. She glanced at the screen and sighed. It was Aiden. Again.

"Hello, Aiden?" she asked, her tone polite but distant.

"Just checking in," Aiden's voice was warm, almost too warm. "You're still at the office, right? It's getting late."

Clara glanced at the clock. It was already past eight. "Yeah, I've got a few more things to wrap up."

Remembering how he had gone out of his way to pick her up before, Clara added, "You don't need to come pick me up. I can get home by myself."

"Too late," Aiden replied playfully. "I'm already downstairs. I'll come up and wait for you."

Clara opened her mouth to protest, but Aiden had already hung up. She sighed, running a hand through her hair.

This was becoming a pattern—Aiden showing up unannounced, insisting on playing the doting husband.

Perhaps this is how he usually treats other girls, but Clara wasn't accustomed to being treated this way.