11

Chloe Johnson arrived outside Ryan Carter's office, where his secretary was busy at work. Politely, Chloe said, "Excuse me, I'd like to see the CEO."

"The CEO is upstairs," the secretary replied, glancing up briefly before diving back into her work.

Chloe headed upstairs, puzzled—since when were there offices up here?

She pushed the door open, finding it slightly ajar. Stepping inside, she realized from the furnishings that this wasn't an office but a living space.

Her eyes swept the room, landing on Ryan Carter lying shirtless on the bed while another man gave him a massage.

Were they seriously getting cozy during work hours—on the company's top floor—without even locking the door?

"What are you two doing!?" Chloe cried out, heartbroken.

Both men turned toward her.

Aside from Ryan, the other man was ridiculously handsome—no wonder they were drawn to each other.

Why is this girl looking at me like she just caught us in the act? The man massaging Ryan couldn't fathom her expression.

Seeing their stunned faces, Chloe grew even more convinced: her arrival had interrupted something intimate.

She tossed her backpack aside and walked over, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Leaning in, she said to Ryan Carter, "Ryan, aren't you going to introduce me?"

"He's my friend, He Ziping." Strange—why do her eyes look like they're burning with fury?

"Hi, I'm Chloe Johnson," she said, turning to He Ziping with zero friendliness in her gaze—only a clear warning.

He Ziping was taken aback by her hostility. Had he met her before? He quickly ran through his memories. Nope, definitely not.

Chloe interpreted his reaction as guilt and ignored him, turning back to Ryan. "Let's go out for a walk, okay?" No way am I leaving them alone together.

"But I have work," Ryan said, utterly baffled by Chloe's behavior.

"You know you're supposed to be working, yet here you are with him, just…" She nearly said getting cozy but bit back the words, not wanting to hurt Ryan's pride.

She shot He Ziping another glare, this one dripping with warning.

This girl's got the wrong idea about me, He Ziping thought, amused. With a tactful nod, he made his exit.

Once He Ziping was gone, Chloe huffed and glared at Ryan.

"What were you thinking?" She eyed his bare back, itching to smack some sense into him.

"Ziping was giving me a massage," Ryan said, completely lost. Why is she so mad?He'd just pulled an all-nighter and had stiff shoulders—was that a crime?

"Uh, I mean—" Meeting Ryan's confused stare, Chloe realized she'd let her temper slip.

I'm here to help him get back on track, not scold him!

"I'll help you." She stood up and rolled up her sleeves.

"No need." Ryan Carter declined Chloe's offer, grabbing his shirt and pulling it on.

If she tried massaging him, she might dislocate something—and besides, it'd be way too intimate. He wasn't sure he could keep himself in check.

"I have something to tell you." No matter. She had the whole summer to wear him down. Chloe mentally psyched herself up.

"What is it?" Ryan stood in front of her, studying her expression for any clues.

"Chu Lin and the others asked me to invite you to our graduation party." The words tumbled out in one breath, her hopeful gaze locked on him, willing him to say yes.

Chloe, why not just admit you want me there? Ryan sighed inwardly.

"Sorry, I'm busy." He wouldn't go—because watching her with Alex would be unbearable.

If Chloe had harbored even the slightest doubt about him being gay, this sealed it. He never refused her… until now.

"Ryan, pleeease?" She stood on her toes, looping her arms around his neck and swaying playfully.

Does she even realize what she's doing? Ryan's gaze drifted past her pleading face to the bed behind her. She really has too much faith in me.

Ryan Carter gave a bitter smile and tried to look away, attempting to remove Chloe Johnson's arms from around his neck. Sensing his resistance, Chloe only clung tighter.

"Come on, do me this favor?"

Through the thin fabric of his shirt, her reckless closeness was setting his entire body on fire. Helpless, he finally nodded.

"I knew you were the best!" Overjoyed, Chloe planted two loud kisses on his cheeks.

Her affectionate gesture finally broke Ryan's restraint. Cupping her chin firmly, he captured her lips in the kiss he'd been longing to give her.

His mouth moved hungrily against hers, his tongue slipping past her surprised lips to entwine with hers. Months of pent-up longing poured into that single kiss.

Chloe's mind went completely blank.

It had been so long since Ryan last kissed her. But this felt different - sweeter, more overwhelming than before. Her heart pounded wildly out of control.

When she pressed her palms against his chest, she found his heartbeat racing just as fast as hers.

Their passion sent them tumbling onto the bed. Ryan instinctively rolled them over, careful not to crush Chloe beneath his weight.

This kiss made his heart come alive again. She wasn't resisting - if anything, she was responding eagerly. Maybe... just maybe, he still held a special place in her heart after all.

"Ryan's embrace felt so comforting!" Chloe Johnson melted against his chest, eagerly returning his kiss.

Finally, Ryan Carter had to gently push Chloe away and walk out of the room.

If this continued, his self-control would completely crumble. And now wasn't the time - not until she truly understood her own feelings. He couldn't take advantage of her.

Lying on the bed, Chloe watched Ryan's retreating figure with mixed emotions.

Why was he gay? Why couldn't he love women? If he was gay, why had he kissed her? Was it just to cover up their earlier intimate moment?

No matter what, she had to help him become normal again.

Chloe got up and walked to the living room, sitting down beside Ryan.

"Want something to drink?" Ryan practically jumped up reflexively and headed for the refrigerator.

If she kept clinging to him like this, he'd really need to take a cold shower!

Watching Ryan's hasty retreat, Chloe panicked. Was he starting to reject her too? How could she help him then?

Ryan returned with two cans of Coke. Sitting across from Chloe on the couch, he popped open one and handed it to her before drinking his own ice-cold soda, hoping to cool himself down.

"Ryan, no matter what, I'm going to help you," Chloe Johnson declared, watching the pained expression on Ryan Carter's face. She was determined to help him - absolutely nothing would make her give up!

"Help me with what?" Ryan looked at Chloe in complete bewilderment.

Aside from matters of the heart, there shouldn't be anything she needed to worry about for him. But when it came to love, if it required her "help," he'd rather do without.

"Uh, what I meant was... during my break I can help share your workload - run errands, bring you tea, deliver documents, that sort of thing." Chloe hadn't meant to voice her thoughts aloud and quickly covered with this flurry of excuses, hoping he wouldn't suspect anything.

Besides, this way she could keep an eye on him every day and prevent any... extracurricular activities. Chloe suppressed a private smirk at the thought.

"If that's what you'd like." Ryan found Chloe's suggestion perfectly aligned with his own wishes - this way he could see her daily and spare himself the bone-deep ache of missing her.

"Then it's settled!" Chloe said cheerfully.