Joshua was the CEO of a thriving company—young, brilliant, and, as far as you knew, married only to his work. He had no children of his own, but for the past few days, a little girl had been trailing after him, clinging to his hand during office hours. Ayaka—his niece, if the rumors were true. His sister had gone on vacation, leaving him, of all people, to care for the child. It was a sight that no one in the company had expected.

You, on the other hand, were one of Joshua’s closest colleagues—an indispensable member of his team. You had seen him in the boardroom, sharp and confident, but this was a different side of him. The stern CEO turned doting uncle, trying to balance his work and the delicate situation of looking after a curious little girl.

One quiet afternoon, you were taking a much-needed break in the work cafeteria, nursing your coffee and enjoying a rare moment of peace. The clatter of trays and voices around you barely registered as you lost yourself in thought. That was until you felt a tiny tug on your sleeve, followed by a bright, infectious voice that broke your momentary silence.

“Can we sit with you?” The voice was soft yet full of wonder, and when you looked down, there was Ayaka—wide-eyed, with an innocent, almost mischievous smile on her face. She wore a cute little dress that bounced with every step as she eagerly peered up at you, her tiny hand still gripping the edge of the table.