5

Looking into Chloe Johnson's guileless eyes, Jake Thompson could already foresee Ryan Carter's romantic road being... rocky.

"I suppose Manager Thompson has too much free time lately. Should I assign him to audit our U.S. operations?" Ryan mused casually.

"Sir, that's abuse of power," Jake protested, lips puckered in an exaggerated pout—like a wronged wife straight out of a soap opera. If he ever got fired, acting would definitely be his fallback career.

"You don't like business trips?" Chloe's sympathy surged at Jake's pitiful expression.

"Mhm." Jake nodded vigorously, channeling a heartbroken little boy.

"Then just have your CEO send someone else. Don't be sad." Chloe patted his back consolingly. He looked this close to tears—clearly devastated.

Jake hastily covered his face with both hands, desperate to hide his grin from this unsuspecting do-gooder.

"Jake Thompson."

"Ryan."

Their voices clashed—Ryan's icy warning versus Chloe's protective scolding.

Ryan's glare said: Know your limits before I lose my patience.

Chloe's frown countered: Stop bullying him—can't you see he's miserable enough already?

"There, there. Big boys don't cry," Chloe cooed, essentially treating Jake Thompson like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

Jake finally lost it, bursting into laughter.

"You—you tricked me!" Chloe sputtered indignantly as Jake's face broke into a wide grin.

"I never actually said I was crying," Jake pointed out with mock innocence.

"That's... that's just mean! Ryan, you should send him to audit operations in Africa!"

"We don't currently have business there," Ryan mused, leaning back in his chair. "But I'll certainly consider having Manager Thompson pioneer our expansion."

"Extremely busy—must dash!" Jake beat a hasty retreat.

A smart man knew when to quit—unless he wanted endless trouble raining down on his head.

...

With so many firsts—her first flight, first trip abroad, first time seeing cherry blossoms—how could she possibly sleep?

Dawn had barely broken when Chloe Johnson finished getting ready, her bags packed and waiting.

Ryan Carter pulled up right on time outside the Johnsons' residence.

"Why are you waiting out here? I said I'd call when I arrived." Ryan stepped out of the car, took her luggage from her hands to pass to the driver, all while scolding her.

"I couldn't sleep!" Chloe grumbled, eyeing Ryan's annoyingly refreshed appearance. Meanwhile, her own excitement had left her sleep-deprived and groggy.

"Why? Were you thinking about me?" Ryan teased, testing the waters.

"As if you're worth thinking about." Chloe rolled her eyes and slid into the car.

"Eat." Once settled, Ryan handed her a breakfast box.

Such a clueless little thing, Ryan sighed inwardly.

"Thanks!" Her mood instantly lifted—it was her favorite pastry! "Where'd you get this?"She'd searched everywhere but never found a bakery this good.

"Homemade."

"Wait—you have your own pastry chef?!" Chloe was genuinely jealous.

"You could too... if you wanted." His tone carried unspoken meaning.

"You mean I can mooch off your kitchen whenever?" Chloe blinked, skeptical.

Free gourmet access? Normally that'd be too good to be true—but with Ryan's bottomless wallet, nothing surprised her anymore.

"Eat, stay, whatever you want—it's yours." This time, his offer held no ambiguity.

"Best. Day. Ever!" Chloe whooped, bouncing in her seat.

After arriving at the airport and completing check-in, they boarded the plane without a hitch.

"So this is what flying's like," Chloe murmured to herself.

Pretty much just like a bus ride—except buses don't have flight attendants this gorgeous.

"What did you expect?" Ryan chuckled at her remark.

This girl never bothered hiding her naivety—and that was exactly why she'd stolen his heart so effortlessly.

"Didn't expect anything," Chloe declared matter-of-factly. She grabbed Ryan's arm, draped it over her shoulders, and nestled her head against him, ready to catch up on sleep.

So comfortable... Within moments, she was fast asleep.

Ryan gazed down at her sleeping face with quiet intensity. This innocent, radiant girl might not understand his feelings yet—but that was fine. He could wait until she did.

"Would you like anything, sir?" A flight attendant approached with the beverage cart.

"Not now, thank you," Ryan replied softly.

He gently brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen across Chloe's cheek. Her shoulder-length black locks gave her an effortless, youthful vibrancy.

An indescribable warmth filled his chest. From the moment he'd first seen her, her genuineness had captivated him. Growing up in elite circles, he'd been surrounded by polished debutantes—their robotic poise, rehearsed grace, and picture-perfect manners earned through years of rigid discipline. High society wore masks so meticulously crafted, he could never discern the real faces beneath.

He'd seen through it all. And he was tired of it. He often wondered if those women who claimed to love him to distraction would still care if he lost his wealth and status. Did they love him, or just the halo around him?

He'd never dared speak of love lightly. He didn't believe in grand, tragic romances—let alone love at first sight.

Until the day he spotted Chloe Johnson in a corner, devouring food with unapologetic delight. For the first time in twenty-eight years, his calm heart rippled.

Only then did he admit: love at first sight was real.

The moment Chloe Johnson saw the cherry blossoms—soft as clouds, delicate as mist—her heart soared into the branches, utterly enchanted.

She was spellbound by the sea of flowers before her. The white blooms, the blush-pink petals—they moved her beyond words.

A breeze stirred, carrying petals that fluttered down like snow. They caught in her black hair, brushed her lashes, grazed her parted lips, slipped through her fingers to settle on the grass. Without thinking, Chloe began to dance, twirling with the falling blossoms.

Suddenly, a dozen cameras clicked in unison, capturing this rare moment: a flower fairy who'd wandered into the mortal world to dance among the cherry trees.

Ryan simply watched, silent, moved by her wonder.

Never before had the blossoms seemed so beautiful—because today, they existed to delight the one he loved.

Exhausted, Chloe finally stilled, crouching to study the petals carpeting the ground.

They lay like a snow-white rug woven by nature itself. She hesitated to step forward, afraid to mar its perfection.

"We should head back," Ryan reminded the dazed Chloe.

"But... I can't bear to crush them." Her voice wavered.

How could she harm these petals that had just danced with her? To anyone else, they were mere flowers. But to Chloe, they lived.

Without a word, Ryan strode over, swinging his camera behind his back. Then he bent down and scooped her into his arms.

"Ryan, can we come see the cherry blossoms every year?" Chloe looped her arms around his neck, gazing up at him with hopeful eyes.

"Yes." His answer held no hesitation.

As Ryan carried her, cherry blossom petals drifted down around them like blessings from the sky—so perfect, it felt like stepping into the pages of a fairy tale.

"Excuse me, sir!" A man suddenly called out in Japanese, shattering the tranquil moment.

"What is it?" Ryan replied in flawless Japanese.

"Have you ever considered entering the entertainment industry? You two have incredible potential. Please think about it seriously."

"No interest," Ryan said coolly.

"Here's my card, and these are the photos I just took of you. Look them over before deciding—I truly believe you could become rising stars." The man pressed his business card and a stack of photos into their hands.

Though Chloe didn't understand Japanese, the man's gestures made his intent clear. Instinctively, she reached out to accept the offerings.

Ryan ignored the man's pitch entirely and kept walking.

"You're amazing! You speak Japanese so fluently—I didn't catch a single word." Chloe stuck out her tongue playfully.

Hailing a taxi, Ryan said nothing, only smiled as he settled her inside before sliding in beside her.

"What were you two talking about?" Chloe asked, eyeing him curiously.

"He asked if you wanted to break into the Japanese film industry," Ryan replied, removing his camera strap.

"Me? In Japanese showbiz?" Chloe looked down at her modest chest in disbelief.

Most Japanese actresses get famous from swimsuit photobooks! Compared to Ozawa Madoka's Mount Fuji up top, I'm more like an airport runway!

"Don't sell yourself short," Ryan said automatically, completely missing her innuendo as he studied the scout's photos. Hmm, professional shots do have better composition.

"Sell myself short? I'm being realistic! With my figure, I'd flop in Japan. Face it, any guy would pick Mount Fuji over the Kansas plains." Her voice grew increasingly morose.

Only then did Ryan grasp her meaning. His eyes flicked involuntarily to her chest.

It wasn't exactly voluptuous, but... perfectly fine for her age. Wait—hell, where's my mind going? He jerked his head away abruptly.

"Compared to Ozawa Madoka, I'm basically flat plains, aren't I?" Chloe asked mournfully.

God—was she really asking a perfectly healthy man this question? Ryan couldn't decide whether to laugh or groan.

"Do you like Ozawa Madoka's figure?" Chloe pressed curiously.

Nine out of ten guys in class would kill for her proportions. Not that I see what's so great about big breasts, but hey—majority rules!

Ryan kept his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, ignoring her.

"Oho~ Did I hit a nerve? Are you blushing?" She leaned in to whisper directly into his ear.

Ryan remained silent, stubbornly watching the world outside the window.

Upon reaching their destination, he paid the fare and pulled Chloe out of the taxi.

"We're having Japanese cuisine."

He strode toward an upscale traditional restaurant without waiting for her response.

"Japanese women are so graceful," Chloe observed after they were seated, eyeing the kimono-clad waitresses.

Ryan merely raised an eyebrow.

"I bet most men dream of marrying someone like that, huh?" she continued. They treat their husbands like gods—never disagreeing, always obedient.

Personally? I'd suffocate in that kind of relationship.

Ryan sipped his sake without comment.

He didn't entirely agree. A wife should be gentle when appropriate—but marrying a doll-like woman with no opinions or backbone? That would be a man's true misfortune.

Ryan's silence didn't bother her in the slightest as she contentedly sipped her drink.

"Why do I feel like I'm floating after this?" Two cups of sake later, Chloe was already tipsy, her words slightly slurred.

"You're drunk," Ryan said softly, gently prying the cup from her fingers.

He'd been lost in thought and hadn't noticed how much she'd drunk—now she was pleasantly buzzed.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy with intoxication, radiating an unconscious allure that made him want to pull her close and savor this rare, unguarded moment.

"I'm totally sober! Test me if you don't believe it!" Like all drunks, she'd sooner die than admit impairment.

"Right, you're fine—I'm the drunk one. Let's go." Arguing with intoxicated people was pointless.

Ryan signaled for the check and helped Chloe up.

"Japanese people are so stingy! Rolling in money but too cheap to buy proper chairs."Her legs had gone numb from sitting cross-legged, making standing impossible. She scowled at the tatami mat.

"Lean on me." Slipping an arm around her waist, Ryan guided his disoriented companion out of the restaurant.