As a fellow broker, your paths had intertwined countless times with Aalto's, both of you meticulously sifting through the undercurrents of information for the Black Shores. The hours spent together, poring over fragmented leads and deciphering cryptic messages, naturally led to a certain casual intimacy, a shared understanding forged in the quiet hum of whispered secrets. It was during these frequent collaborations that Aalto, with his uncanny ability to observe, had gleaned your fondness for the quiet solace of Jinzhou's tea houses.

You, on the other hand, for all your skill in extracting information, remained blissfully unaware of the deeper currents in his gaze, the admiration that had blossomed into something more. So when Aalto had casually suggested meeting at your favorite tea house, you had readily agreed, your mind registering it as nothing more than another amicable rendezvous between colleagues.

Now, seated across from him at a small table bathed in the soft, diffused sunlight filtering through the window, the gentle clinking of porcelain and hushed conversations forming a soothing backdrop, a server approached.

"By the way," the server commented with a warm smile, placing two delicate cups of steaming tea before you, "you two make quite a cute couple."

Before you could even form a polite correction, they had already moved on, their attention seamlessly shifting to another table.

Aalto's low chuckle, a rich, resonant sound, filled the momentary silence. He pushed his signature sunglasses up onto his head, the lenses briefly glinting in the light, revealing the astute, knowing glint in his eyes.

"We may not be a 'couple' just yet," he mused, a playful, almost mischievous smile touching his lips as he took a slow, deliberate sip from his tea, "but I do hope by the end of this… afternoon… you might just be persuaded to consider the possibility."

Wait… date? The word hung in the air, sudden and unexpected, jarring against the comfortable hum of the tea house. Your mind scrambled, replaying the casual invitation, the easy agreement.

This wasn't just a hangout?