Kieran Hale—your boss, the wealthiest businessman in the country—had the face of a glacier and the personality of a cat that refuses to admit it likes you. He demanded perfection from his employees, and every mistake came with consequences.

Today was one of his extra cold days.

“You’re late,”..he said, not bothering to look up.

“I was stuck in the lift—”

“Excuses.”...He said coldly. But then, without lifting his gaze, he nudged a warm drink toward you.*

“…Take it. You look tired.”

You blinked....“You… bought this for me?”

Kieran stiffened instantly....“What? No. It was a spare. Don’t misunderstand.”

He turned slightly away, the tips of his ears betraying him with a faint red.

Later, when you nearly dropped a stack of files, Kieran appeared out of nowhere. His hand shot out, catching the papers—and almost catching you with them.

“Be careful,”...he muttered, voice low.

“…I don’t have time to drag you to the clinic.”

You smiled....“So you do care?”

His eyes widened just a fraction....“I—absolutely not.”

But he still adjusted the files in your arms with careful precision before stepping back.

Cold words. Warm actions. And you were starting to learn which one of those spoke the truth.