[EVE]
With a long weekend and no pressing plans, I decided it was the perfect time to update my wardrobe.
I didn't want to bother Hyun to make one for me—he was busy handling a flood of orders, and I knew if I asked, he'd drop everything to help me.
But right now, his focus needed to be on his clients and building his brand. This was a crucial moment for him to ride the wave of success and propel his name forward.
Besides, there were plenty of gorgeous dresses in the malls that would do just fine.
I had liquidated some of my stocks earlier, using a portion to invest in Hyun's growing business. I hired a few more staff to help him manage the influx of orders, and with the remaining funds, I planned to splurge a little—new dresses, bags, shoes, jewelry, and make-up were on my shopping list today.
Shopping had always been my form of therapy, and it never failed to put me in a good mood.
As I made my way to the parking lot, I was surprised to see Cole already waiting beside his car.
"I'll drive you today," he said, holding the door open.
It was still too early to argue, so I simply nodded and slid into the back seat without a fuss.
As he drove, I noticed him stealing glances at me through the rearview mirror. After a few minutes of this, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"What is it?" I finally asked, scrolling through my phone. The news was still buzzing with headlines about Hyun.
Good.
I couldn't help but smile. I was in a great mood, seeing Hyun's name trending everywhere. His latest designs were making waves online, and the buzz seemed unstoppable as he kept posting a new piece every day.
It was a smart strategy—keeping his work fresh in people's minds, growing his reach far and wide.
And once his name becomes a staple in the fashion industry, that's when we can afford to dial it back. For now, it's all about riding the wave and making the most of the momentum.
"You seem to be in a good mood," Cole commented, glancing at me from the rearview mirror.
I raised an eyebrow, not bothering to hide my sarcasm. "Is that what you're dying to ask? Then yes. Yes, I am in a good mood."
"Is it because of your little meet-up with that guy yesterday? What's his name again . . . Hyun?" He drawled out the name, sounding oddly irritated.
I was no longer surprised at how Cole managed to know every single detail of my life, even when he wasn't around.
But the sudden possessiveness in his voice caught me off guard. Was I imagining things, or was he actually annoyed?
I sighed, giving him a quick side-eye. "Hyun is my business partner. Haven't you heard? He's been making waves lately. The guy's making me a lot of money."
"
Money
. . ." Cole leaned back casually, a glint in his eye. "Is that why you seemed so busy all the time? How much do you want?"
I chuckled, not really paying attention. "Oh, I don't know, maybe everything you could possibly offer?"
Cole's response was immediate, and it made my heart skip a beat. "That can be arranged. Marry me, and everything I own will be yours."
I almost choked on air. "What did you just say?" My head whipped around to face him.
Did I hear that right?
Before I could press further, the car came to a sudden stop. Cole's deep voice filled the silence. "We're here."
"Hey, wait a second! What did you just say?" I stammered, but Cole had already hopped out of the car. He put on a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, like some kind of secret agent on a mission. He opened the door for me, and I could only stare at him in disbelief.
I needed to start recording our conversations because I was pretty sure he kept saying the weirdest things when I wasn't paying full attention.
"Need me to carry you outside?" Cole asked, leaning in with a slight smile. His voice was playful, but the look in his eyes told me he was dead serious.
Knowing him, he'd probably scoop me up in front of everyone, so I scrambled out of the car quickly.
The moment I did, he slipped a cap over my head and made me wear a mask.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What's this about? Am I in danger or something?" I glanced around nervously, half-expecting a SWAT team to jump out of the bushes.
"No, there's no danger," Cole said coolly.
"Then why the hat and mask?" I shot back, pulling at the mask in confusion.
"To hide your face."
"Huh?" I blinked, utterly lost.
"There are a lot of flies around here, and I don't want any more of them sucking your blood," he answered, his voice deadpan yet somehow annoyed.
"Flies?!" I gaped at him. "This is a high-end mall. I doubt they have a fly problem."
Cole didn't respond and just walked ahead with his long strides, leaving me to jog after him like a lost puppy. I had to admit, keeping up with his pace was like trying to chase a train on foot.
"Wait, are you coming with me?" I asked, surprised. The normal thing to do was him to drop me off and leave.
"That's right," Cole nodded seriously. "You might get kidnapped here. Better safe than sorry."
"One minute I'm safe, the next I'm in mortal danger. Make up your mind!" I muttered under my breath. But then something clicked in my head, and I paused.
Wait . . . wasn't this kind of like . . . a
date
?!
I shook my head violently, trying to erase the thought.
No, no, no!
This wasn't a date. We were only here together because he insisted on following me around like some overprotective bodyguard.
Well he is my bodyguard . . .
There was nothing special about it.
Besides, Cole was just my bodyguard. And I was definitely not getting butterflies from his weird, over-the-top protectiveness.
Nope. Not at all.