Don't Overthink

A few minutes later, the door to her office opened, and Aiden walked in, his usual charming smile in place. He was dressed casually, his sleeves rolled up and his tie loosened, as if he had just come from a relaxed evening out.

His presence filled the room, effortlessly commanding attention, but Clara remained focused on her work, determined not to let him disrupt her concentration.

Aiden pulled out the chair across from her desk and sat down, leaning forward slightly, his elbow resting on the table and his chin propped on his hand. "Still buried in work, huh?" he said, his tone light and teasing. "You know, most people would've called it a day by now."

Clara glanced up briefly, her expression neutral. "Most people don't have a company to run," she replied, her voice calm but firm. "I'll be done soon. You don't have to wait."

Aiden chuckled, unfazed by her dismissal. "I don't mind waiting. Besides, it's not every day I get to see the great Clara Harrison in action. You're kind of mesmerizing when you're this focused, you know that?"

Clara rolled her eyes, though a small part of her couldn't help but be amused by his flattery. "Flattery won't make me work faster, Aiden."

"Worth a shot," he said with a grin, leaning back in his chair. "Take your time. I'll just sit here and admire the view."

Clara shook her head, returning her attention to the documents in front of her. But even as she tried to focus, she could feel Aiden's presence like a subtle weight in the room.

He didn't say much after that, content to sit quietly and watch her work. Occasionally, he would glance at his phone or scroll through something on his tablet, but his attention always seemed to drift back to her.

It was always like this with Aiden. He knew exactly how to insert himself into her space without overstepping. He was attentive but not overbearing, charming but not intrusive. He maintained just the right amount of distance, making it impossible for her to find a reason to push him away.

And yet, his presence was undeniable, a quiet but persistent reminder that he was there, waiting, watching, slowly but surely carving out a place in her life.

Clara couldn't decide if she found it endearing or infuriating. On one hand, Aiden's gestures were thoughtful and considerate. He never demanded her attention or tried to force her into conversations she didn't want to have.

On the other hand, his constant presence felt like a subtle invasion, a gradual encroachment into the carefully guarded boundaries she had built around herself.

As the minutes ticked by, Clara found herself stealing glances at Aiden. He looked relaxed, almost too comfortable in her office, as if he belonged there. His casual demeanor and easy smile made it hard to stay annoyed with him, even as she felt her defenses slowly eroding.

Finally, Clara closed her laptop and leaned back in her chair, letting out a tired sigh. "Alright, I'm done. You win."

Aiden's smile widened, and he stood up, stretching slightly. "I wasn't trying to win anything. I just wanted to make sure you didn't work yourself into the ground. Ready to go?"

Clara nodded, gathering her things. As they walked out of the office together, Aiden casually slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his side. Clara stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the sudden intimacy, but Aiden's grip was firm yet gentle, his touch warm and reassuring.

"Relax," he murmured, his voice low and teasing. "We've got to make sure everyone knows we're the picture-perfect couple, remember? Can't have anyone thinking we're anything less than madly in love."

Clara shot him a sideways glance, her tone dry. "I'm pretty sure no one's paying that much attention, Aiden."

Aiden chuckled, his arm tightening slightly around her. "You'd be surprised. Besides, it's good practice. You never know who might be watching."

Clara rolled her eyes but didn't pull away. She had to admit, Aiden's charm was hard to resist, even when it felt a little over the top.

As they walked through the lobby, she noticed a few curious glances from the security guards and late-night employees. Aiden's presence always seemed to draw attention, and tonight was no exception.

When they reached the car, Aiden opened the passenger door for her, his smile as charming as ever. "Your chariot awaits, my lady."

Clara chuckled, shaking her head as she slid into the seat. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

Aiden grinned, closing the door behind her before walking around to the driver's side. "Ridiculously charming, maybe."

As they drove away from the office, Clara turned to him, her expression thoughtful. "You know, you don't have to do all this. Normal couples don't always pick each other up from work or put on a show for everyone. We can just… be us."

Aiden glanced at her, his smile softening. "I know I don't have to. But I want to. Is that so hard to believe?"

Clara hesitated, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. "I just… I don't want you to feel like you have to go out of your way for me. This marriage… it started as an arrangement. I don't expect you to act like it's something it's not."

Aiden's expression grew serious, his eyes focused on the road ahead. "Clara, I know how this started. But that doesn't mean it has to stay that way. I'm not just doing this because I feel like I have to. I'm doing it because I want to. Because I care about you."

Clara shifted her gaze away, her heart pounding as she struggled to find the right words. Aiden's sincerity was unexpected, and it left her feeling both touched and uncertain.

"Aiden…" she began, her voice hesitant, almost apologetic. "I… I don't know what to say."

He glanced at her again, his smile returning, warm and reassuring. "Don't overthink it, Clara. I'm not asking for anything you're not ready to give. I just… I want to be here for you. However, you'll let me."