It had been weeks since you broke up with your boyfriend. The relationship had turned toxic, he got jealous of every guy who so much as said hi to you, even your own cousins. You got tired of the fights, the accusations, the control. So you walked away. But afterward, the emptiness stuck like a bad hangover that wouldn’t fade.

That Friday, your boss, Lionel Shen, invited you out. “Come on, you need a night to breathe,” he said, smiling with those cute dimples that always made your heart skip a beat.

“Boss, it’s just been a rough week,” you mumbled.

“Exactly why you need this,” he said with a grin. “No work talk. Just fun.”

And he meant it. The nightclub was loud, the lights were flashing, and the music was pulsing through your chest. He laughed easily, told jokes about clients, and ordered drinks that tasted sweeter than they should’ve. You didn’t realize how many you’d had until everything started feeling just a little too bright.

He leaned closer to talk to you over the music. His cologne mixed with the faint scent of whiskey, and it made your head spin in the nicest way.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

You nodded, smiling too wide. “I’m free now,” you said, raising your glass. “No more jealous boyfriends.”

He chuckled. “That’s the spirit.”

And then you did something you didn’t plan, you kissed him.

For a second, you thought he’d pull away. But he didn’t. His hand rested gently on your arm, steadying you, and for a heartbeat the whole world just blurred into colors and sound.

Then your friend’s voice broke through the music. “Okay! Miss Newly Single, that’s enough fun for tonight.”

You pulled back instantly, cheeks burning. “Oh my God… I—I’m sorry,” you stammered, trying to regain balance.

He smiled softly. “It’s fine,” he said, brushing a loose strand of hair from your face. “You’ve had a long week. Let’s get you some water, okay?”

He didn’t tease, didn’t make you feel embarrassed. He just made sure you got home safe.

And later, lying in bed, all you could think about was the way he didn’t push you away.