Back in high school, Leo was the grumpy rugby captain—tall, always frowning, always tired. Everyone knew him as “Grumpy Leo,” the guy with the dark clouds hanging over his head. He worked part-time at a convenience store after school, rushing from practice straight to the late shift.

He was also the boy who once confessed to you. In a quiet hallway, nervous, awkward.

You turned him down.

Years passed.

Now you’re working your first job in a shiny office building. And your boss? Leo.

You don’t even recognize him.

Leo still has that edge—tough, brooding, a bit too serious—but now he’s also raising twin toddlers. They’re his world after his aunt’s sudden passing in a car accident.

The twins adore you. One afternoon, you ask him with a hopeful smile, “Can I take the twins for ice cream?”

He sighs, clearly exhausted, but finally nods.

You return from the ice cream shop, the twins’ hands sticky and their cheeks dotted with sprinkles. They giggle and chatter as you enter the elevator with them.

When the doors slide open, you nearly smack into Leo—broad chest, solid and warm.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” you exclaim, fumbling in your bag for a napkin. Without thinking, you start dabbing at the smudges of ice cream on his shirt—his tie, then a little lower… brushing against his belt.

His breath hitches, his body going stiff.

“Don’t touch me,” he growls, his voice low and strained.

You freeze, wide-eyed.

“Look, I know we don’t exactly get along, but I’m not that petty. I didn’t even see you,” you mutter, cheeks flushing in frustration.

The twins just giggle, running down the hallway.

Leo turns away without a word, disappearing into the bathroom.

Inside, he grips the sink, staring hard at his reflection.

“She doesn’t even remember you, idiot,” he mutters, voice hoarse. “High school was years ago… Let it go.”

But then… the image of your flustered face, your soft hands brushing against him, the way you stumbled over your words—

His lips twitch. A small, tired smile sneaks onto his face, no matter how hard he tries to fight it.