"Miss Chloe is in the garden, Sir."
The maid’s voice was polite, his tone was soft and composed as he stepped aside to let Gray through the Lancaster estate’s grand entrance.
"Alright," Gray gave a small nod. "Thank you."
He stepped inside, taking in the familiar interior of their house. He sighed as he looked around.
Gray didn’t come here today just for a visit. Yesterday, he messaged Chloe about her exams. Chloe said that she was nervous but she thought she did well, still she was scared to know her grades.
Because of it, the two of them agreed to meet today even if Gray still had work to do at the office. After all, it was just a quick meet up.
Chloe wanted them to check the results together. Her midterm exam scores would be released around eleven, and for some reason, she insisted he should be there when she opened them.
So now here he was, walking through one of the fanciest properties he’d ever stepped foot in, with his hands in his pockets and his stomach weirdly tight.
It wasn’t like it was his exam.
But still, this one is important. It was more important than the negotiation yesterday. Because the result of this exam would dictate if Gray would succeed his mission or not.
And he was very fucking nervous.
’Fuck, why is my palms, sweaty?’ Gray uttered in his mind. He didn’t even feel ths nervous yesterday when he was talking to John.
"I’ll lead the way, Sir."
"Sure."
Gray followed the maid down a long hallway that opened to the main garden. Sunlight spilled across the white-tiled floor, and the faint sound of a fountain echoed from the outside.
As soon as the doors opened, the scent of fresh flowers hit him. The air was warm and clean, with a breeze that moved through the trees gently.
And there she was.
Chloe was seated in the far corner of the garden under a wrought-iron gazebo. Her phone was resting on the table beside her and a cup of tea that was already half-finished was in her hand.
Chloe wore a simple cream blouse and a long pleated skirt. It was simple, but somehow she still looked put together. Her long dark hair was pulled into a low ponytail that swayed when she turned her head.
She noticed him almost immediately.
"You’re here, Gray," Chloe said. Her expression was calm, but the corner of her lips twitched with something that looked like excitement.
"I am," Gray raised an eyebrow as he nodded.
"You sound surprised."
"I thought you’d come last minute," Chloe sighed and the smile on her lips immediately drop.
"I’m so nervous."
Now it was time for Gray to laugh. He chuckle lightly and tilted his head on the side.
"Did the grades come out yet?" He walked over and took the seat across from her.
"Nope." Chloe shook her head. "But it should be in any minute now. I’ve been refreshing the site every ten seconds."
Gray glanced at her phone. "There was still 5 minutes. Calm down first."
"I’m calm," she said too quickly.
"You’re not."
"I’m composed."
"You’re gripping that teacup like it insulted your entire family."
Chloe glanced down at her hand. She was, in fact, strangling the teacup.
"...Fine. Maybe I’m a little nervous."
Gray leaned back into his seat, his one arm resting along the edge of the chair.
"You’ll be fine," he said while watching her. "You studied. You didn’t cut corners. I know your efforts and your hard work." He said gently, as if trying to ease her mind.
Chloe narrowed her eyes at him, but her mouth twitched again. She pouted and sighed.
"You’re really bad at comforting people, you know that?"
"Not trying to comfort you. I’m just stating facts."
They chatted for a few more minutes while the clock ticked closer to eleven.
Chloe tried to act like she wasn’t watching the time, but Gray could see her glance at her phone every twenty seconds. Her fingers kept drumming on the table, and she sipped her tea like it was the only thing holding her together.
"Relax," Gray said at one point, his voice low and amused. "You’re fidgeting like someone on trial."
"I feel like I am," Chloe muttered.
Then, almost on cue, the phone on the table lit up.
11:00 AM.
Chloe stiffened. She stared at the screen like she was scared of the time.
"Oh no," she whispered. "It’s time."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "You’re acting like someone just texted you a death sentence."
"I can’t check it."
"What?"
"I can’t," Chloe said quickly, shoving the phone away like it was cursed. "You do it."
Gray stared at her. "...You want me to check your grades?"
"I can’t handle it!" she exclaimed out loud, burying her face in her hands. "Please, just—if I failed, tell me gently. Or lie. Lie until I’m emotionally stable enough to handle the truth."
Gray snorted. "You’re so dramatic."
"I’m serious!"
"Alright, alright," he said, trying not to laugh as he reached for her laptop instead. "Give it here."
She pushed the device toward him with both hands like she was surrendering it to fate.
Gray opened the screen, typed in the login she had already left ready, and navigated to the results page.
He refreshed.
Then blinked.
The grades were there.
And they weren’t just okay.
They were high.
Her grade had jumped up significantly.
Gray stared at the screen for a second longer, his lips pressing into a thin line.
Internally, he was celebrating.
Hell yes.
But on the outside?
"Oh no..." he muttered, his voice was low and almost regretful.
Chloe immediately sat up straight.
"...Is it bad?" she asked, voice rising. "I knew it. I knew it. I shouldn’t have relaxed!"
Gray chuckled under his breath, still pretending to look grim. He tilted his head and sighed dramatically.
"I mean," he drawled, "it’s not the worst..."
Chloe’s eyes narrowed.
"Are you making fun of me?"
"I would never," Gray said, suppressing a smirk.
"You’re a menace."
Gray quickly turned the screen toward her without a word.
Chloe’s eyes dropped to it.
Then it widened.
She leaned forward, scanning the numbers again as if she couldn’t believe them.
Her mouth opened slightly. Then again. Then—
"I passed."
She said it like she didn’t trust herself.
"I passed!"
Suddenly, she stood up from her chair.
And before Gray could react, Chloe walked over and threw her arms around him in a full-body hug, nearly knocking him back into the chair.