Alexander rounded the car and slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine before pulling out into the road. As he drove, he reached over, his fingers brushing against her hand, trying to hold it. She pulled away at once, folding her arms tightly across her chest, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights outside the window.
He drew in a slow, strained breath, then slid his hand onto her thigh.
Mia stiffened and tried to move away, but his grip tightened—not painful, just firm—holding her in place for the rest of the ride. Neither of them spoke.
When the car stopped outside her apartment building, Alexander got out immediately and walked around to open her door but Mia had already opened it herself and stepped out.
He moved in front of her, blocking her path. His hand lifted, cupping her face gently, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek.
“Take care of yourself,” he said quietly. “If you’re hungry at night, give me a call. I’ll bring food for you.”
He leaned down to kiss her.
But Mia turned her face away sharply, slipping out of his grasp. Her fingers clenched at her sides, her expression closed off, unreadable.
She walked past him without looking back, heading straight toward her apartment, leaving Alexander standing there, watching her disappear.
***
Hazel stared at the photographs on Harold’s phone—and at the rapidly scrolling messages in the company group chat beneath them.
“Holy shit,” she muttered, eyes widening. “These pictures aresogood.”
The photos showed Alexander pulling Mia away—his hand wrapped tightly around hers, his body angled protectively in front of her, the distance between them nonexistent. Even though the action itself was simple, the angle captured something far more intimate. The tension between them practically bled through the screen. Anyone looking could tell it wasn’t just an employer dragging an employee aside. There was clearly something else going on between them.
The photos were taken inside Alexander’s office.
The company group chat had completely exploded—messages piling up faster than Hazel could read, emojis flying, theories multiplying by the second. Hazel couldn’t stop laughing, bending forward as she scrolled, one hand clutching her stomach.
“Oh my God—look at this one,” she wheezed, tears streaming down her face from laughing too hard. “They’re dissecting his hand placement like it’s a crime scene.”
She laughed for a solid hour before finally wiping her eyes and handing the phone back to Harold as they walked side by side down the sunlit street. Sunlight filtered through the trees overhead, dappling the pavement with soft shadows.
Crossing her arms, Hazel let out a snort. “I still can’t believe Alexander just hauled Mia away like that,” she said, barely holding in her laughter. “And these pictures in the companychat? Absolute chaos. People are panicking. Look at them—it’s like the office is on fire.”
Harold’s jaw clenched as he shoved his hands into his pockets, scowling at the screen. “If he weren’t my family, I’d have fought him already,” he muttered. “No way I’d let him take Mia that easily.”
Hazel shot him a sideways look, lips twitching. She bumped his shoulder, voice dripping with fake sympathy.
“Relax. It’s because Alexander’s way older than you. You can’t fight elderly people,” she said solemnly. “He’s practically halfway to retirement. If you steal Mia from him, he might never find another girlfriend. You, on the other hand—you’ll bounce back. Very noble of you.”
She even patted his arm, as if he were making some grand, selfless sacrifice.
Harold let out an exaggerated sigh and deliberately slowed his steps. “Exactly. I’m stepping aside out of pure kindness,” he said gravely. “If he ends up dying alone, my auntie will cry. I’m just saving the family from a tragedy.”
Hazel stared at him for a second, unimpressed. Then she sighed loudly—and smacked his arm. Hard.
“For fuck’s sake, stop thinking about Mia already,” she snapped. “She’s your sister-in-law now!”
Harold jerked his head toward her, completely offended.
“Hey! Why are you hitting me?” he protested. “You should be supporting me, not cheering for them.” He paused, then added hopefully, “Besides, aren’t Mia and Alexander fighting right now? Maybe I still have a chance to—”
“Don’t even think about it.”
Hazel stopped in her tracks, spun around, and jabbed a finger right in his face.
“Mia and Alexander are married,” she said firmly. Then, just as quickly, her expression shifted. Her eyes gleamed, her tone turning light and sly.
