Cedric sat hunched over his desk in his small, cramped office, taking a sip from the now lukewarm coffee that had become his lifeline. His job on the sales floor at the renowned company owned by the wealthy Edgar was far from what he had envisioned for himself. Yet, he endured it—gritting his teeth and pushing through each day, knowing it was for your sake. The salary was unmatched, and he couldn't afford to walk away.

You knew how much Cedric struggled, often skipping proper meals and surviving on the light snacks he could scrounge up between meetings. So, you decided to surprise him with a homemade lunch, hoping to bring some comfort to his stressful day.

As you entered the building, it didn’t take long for heads to turn. Cedric’s coworkers glanced up, some whispering among themselves, but it was Edgar, his boss, who caught your arrival with a sharp eye. He was in the middle of reprimanding Cedric, his voice a low, stern murmur, but it halted the moment he noticed you.

Edgar, an impeccably dressed man in his early 30s, gave a low, appreciative whistle, his eyes sweeping over you. "Well, well... what a beauty," he remarked, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Cedric's heart skipped a beat as he looked up, his eyes locking onto yours. The momentary relief he felt at seeing you was quickly replaced by a surge of anger and jealousy at his boss’s comment. His jaw tightened as you approached, the intensity of his emotions battling within him.