“You look so beautiful today, Chloe!” her coworker beamed as Chloe Reed stepped into the grand ballroom.

Chloe offered a soft smile, her cheeks warming with a mix of flattery and nerves. She had indeed taken extra care with her appearance tonight, more than ever before. Her silk champagne gown hugged her silhouette in all the right places and her hair flowed in elegant waves. 

Her boss, Leo, whom she’d admired since college, was returning after a month from a long business trip. Chloe had counted the days, replayed their conversations in her mind, re-read every casual message, and tried to decode the unspoken things in his silences. 

For the past few days, the entire office buzzed with rumors that Leo would announce something about his love life. Everyone knew Chloe had been by his side for years and maybe, just maybe, tonight he would finally confess his feelings and ask her to be his girlfriend.

She still remembered the accident that she met during her freshman year. She had just finished a late evening class when a screech of tires and a scream split the night. A truck had barreled through the bus stop. Chloe had rushed in without thinking, trying to help a bleeding child, when a metal pillar came crashing down. Everything went black.

She woke up in the hospital, and all she remembered was a man’s arms lifting her, the scent of his cologne, the blood staining her blouse, and his white shoes. She then recalled Leo wearing the same shoes and shirt on campus, something inside her clicked. She was certain that Leo had saved her life.

“About the accident last week…” Chloe had said to Leo one day when she found the courage to thank him.

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Leo had replied gently, avoiding her eyes. “Witnessing something like that is traumatic.”

Since then, Chloe had grown to admire him quietly, content to stay by his side even if he only saw her as a younger sister.

The lights in the ballroom dimmed. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The main doors swung open, and a spotlight lit the red carpet. A hush fell over the room.

Chloe turned toward the entrance, heart thudding.

Leo walked in but he wasn’t alone.

His arm was around her. Linda. His ex-girlfriend. The woman he had once loved, the one he claimed was part of a closed chapter.

Chloe’s chest tightened.

On stage, Leo took the microphone. “Thank you all for being here tonight. I’m thrilled to introduce my fiancée, Linda.”

The room erupted into applause. But Chloe’s world went silent.

Her hands trembled. She turned away, her vision blurring. The applause felt like daggers to her chest. She ran, heels clicking against marble, escaping into the hotel corridor.

She didn’t care who saw her. She needed air. She needed to breathe.

As she reached the elevator, a man was waiting.

She didn’t look at him. Her tears blurred everything. The elevator doors opened, and they entered together.

Then her phone rang. The name on the screen was her Mom.

She hesitated but she answered the call. 

“Chloe! You finally picked up,” her mother snapped, voice tight with frustration. “Do you know what today is? Everyone’s been waiting, but you didn’t show up!”

Chloe blinked, confused, trying to focus.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” she murmured.

“Is anything more important than your engagement dinner? Thankfully, the other family is understanding. Everything’s been finalized. You’re officially engaged!”

Click and the call ended.

The elevator was silent. She fled the elevator the moment it stopped, the air outside the hotel sharp against her damp cheeks. She stood on the curb, lost.

“Mr. Sinclair, your car is ready,” a valet announced.

Chloe turned when she heard a familiar name. And she recognise it was the man from the elevator.

He walked toward a sleek black car, tall and commanding. As he glanced at her, their eyes met.

Something electric passed between them.

He’s my fiancé? she thought, stunned.

The realization dawned like a bolt of lightning. The look he gave her, calculated and intense, was not of a stranger. It was someone who knew. He had overheard everything.

Ryan Sinclair got into the car and drove off without a word.

But Chloe could still feel his gaze on her, long after the tail lights disappeared.

*****

Later that night, Ryan stood in the grand foyer of his penthouse apartment when the front door opened.

His older brother, Shawn, walked in, his expression stern.

“Ryan, why didn’t you attend the engagement dinner tonight?” Shawn asked, removing his coat.

Ryan loosened his tie, his face unreadable. “There was a crucial meeting I couldn’t reschedule.”

Shawn sighed. “You know how important this is. This engagement was arranged by Mom. Even though she’s gone, this was her last wish.”

“I know,” Ryan said quietly.

“She wanted you to marry Chloe. Grandma does too..”

“I’m not opposed, Shawn. I just didn’t expect it to unfold this way.”

Shawn walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’re supporting the company and our legacy. And now, you’re stepping into this marriage. It’s a lot. But you’re not alone.”

Ryan nodded. “If Mom chose her, I’ll honor it.”

“I sent you Chloe’s contact info and address. Next week is our parents’ death anniversary. Bring her to Grandma’s house,” Shawn said firmly. “It’s time to fulfil our mum’s wish.”

The morning light poured gently through the office windows, casting a soft glow across Chloe’s desk. She stared at her resignation letter one last time before slipping it into an envelope. Her fingers trembled slightly, but her resolve did not waver.

Today marked the end of a chapter she had clung to for far too long.

She walked into Leo’s office, finding him seated behind his desk, typing rapidly. He looked up, surprised to see her.

“Chloe, how have you been? I didn’t see you at the party last night,” Leo said with a calm smile.

“I’m here to tender my resignation,” Chloe replied, holding out the envelope.

Leo’s smile faded as he took the envelope but did not open it.

“Why, Chloe? If it’s about the salary, I can raise it. Or if you’re tired, I can give you more leave.”

“No, it’s not that,” Chloe said firmly. “I just need a new work environment.”

Leo leaned back in his chair, studying her. He had always known that Chloe had feelings for him. Over the years, he had grown comfortable relying on her kindness and quiet loyalty, both professionally and personally. But he had never seen her like this. She was calm, distant, and resolute.

“If it’s about Linda, I can explain,” Leo said, standing from his seat and stepping toward her.

Chloe shook her head. “No need. I’ve already gotten engaged. I can’t work here anymore.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Engaged? Chloe, you could’ve come up with a better reason to leave.”

“Believe me or not, it’s true. Please accept my resignation. Thank you.”

With that, she turned and walked out of his office. She returned to her desk, packed her belongings into a small box, and took one last look at the place she had worked so hard for. She had given so much of herself to Leo and to this company. But now, she had to move on. She had done more than enough.

That evening, after a quiet train ride home, Chloe arrived at her apartment, her box of belongings in hand. As she approached her front door, she stopped in her tracks.

Ryan was standing there, ringing the bell again and again.

She blinked in surprise. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Chloe spoke.

“Sorry. Have you been waiting long?”

She stepped forward and opened the door. Ryan reached out and gently took the box from her hands without a word.

“Thank you,” Chloe said, a little shyly.

Ryan stepped into her apartment. The living room was modest, clean, and cozy.

“You can put the box on the table. Thanks,” Chloe said, then rushed into the kitchen to pour him a drink.

They sat on the couch, the silence between them thick but not entirely uncomfortable.

“You know who I am,” Ryan finally said, his voice low.

“Yes. When I saw you last night, I guessed you were my fiancé,” Chloe replied.

“You didn’t come to the engagement dinner yesterday. Are you having doubts?” Ryan asked.

“Doubts?” Chloe echoed, unsure how to respond. Her mind flashed to the ballroom, to the pain of watching Leo introduce Linda as his fiancée. She looked down at her hands.

“If there’s someone else in your heart, we can talk about it,” Ryan said calmly.

Chloe was caught off guard by his straightforwardness. She looked up, meeting his gaze.

“To be honest, I only learned about the engagement a few weeks ago when your brother visited my parents. Since your parents passed away, my mom assumed the arrangement was canceled and never told me. I’m sorry. As for yesterday… I found out someone I admired for years got engaged to his ex. I felt stupid. That’s why I was crying. I have also quit my job today,” she said.

Ryan nodded. “You don’t need to be sad over a man like that. I’m glad you realized it before you got hurt worse.”

His words were steady, even kind. Chloe studied his expression. He was composed and unaffected, as if hearing that his fiancée had been in love with someone else meant little to him. Maybe it didn’t. After all, they barely knew each other.

“If you need a job, come interview at Sinclair Group tomorrow,” Ryan said, pulling a business card from his wallet and handing it to her. “I’ll arrange it.”

Chloe hesitated, surprised. “Thank you.”

“Don’t worry. The company is fair. If you’re unqualified, you won’t be hired even if you’re my fiancée.”

Chloe blushed when he used that word. Fiancée. It sounded strange coming from him, and yet it sent a flutter through her chest. She could not understand why he had accepted the engagement so easily, especially since he hadn’t even attended the engagement dinner too. He was a mystery, and now, her curiosity about him was growing.

“I’ll arrange the interview. Text me if anything comes up. You have my number,” Ryan said, rising from the couch.

Chloe stood as well and walked him to the door.

After he left, she leaned against the door, her heartbeat still racing. There was something about Ryan that drew her in. His calm demeanor, the way he didn’t ask unnecessary questions, how he stepped in at the right moment without forcing anything.

He was unlike anyone she had ever met.

*****

The next morning, Chloe’s phone buzzed on the nightstand, vibrating softly against the wood.

Still wrapped in her blanket, Chloe reached for it with half-closed eyes. The notification on the screen caught her attention, instantly waking her up.

It was a message from Sinclair Group. She was invited for an interview. 

Chloe sat up in bed, stunned for a moment.

Ryan had kept his word.

Her heart fluttered at the realization. He had arranged everything overnight, just as he said he would. 

She placed the phone in her lap and looked around her quiet apartment. Her box of office belongings still sat by the door, untouched. 

A new chapter has begun. 

Chloe stood at the foot of the Sinclair Group tower, craning her neck to take in the building’s glittering glass facade. It pierced the sky like a monument of ambition and elegance. She hadn’t realized just how large the Sinclair brothers’ empire truly was until now.

She stepped through the polished revolving doors, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor of the expansive lobby. Staff passed by in tailored suits, crisp blouses, and sharp expressions. She swallowed hard. This was nothing like the modest office where she had worked before. And yet, here she was, walking in as a potential new hire.

Her interview was scheduled on the 25th floor. As the elevator rose, her nerves did too.

When Chloe sat down with the HR manager, she did her best to stay composed. She shared everything she could about her past work experience, highlighting her adaptability and the wide range of tasks she had handled in her previous role.

“What was your previous position?” the interviewer asked, glancing at her resume.

“I was the personal assistant to the CEO of a small company,” Chloe replied. “I supported him across various departments from admin, scheduling, even product development at times.”

The woman nodded thoughtfully. “We’re impressed by your experience at such a young age. There’s an opening in the fashion department. Would you be interested in an assistant manager position?”

Chloe blinked in surprise. “Really? I’d love that! Thank you so much!”

It was her first official job interview since graduating, and now she had landed a promising position in one of the most prestigious firms in the city. Her heart soared as she stepped out of the interview room.

Without thinking, she pulled out her phone and typed a message to Ryan.

Chloe: I got the job! Thank you so much for the opportunity. Are you free for lunch? I’m nearby and would love to celebrate.

A moment later, he replied.

Ryan: Sure. I’ll wait for you at the Western restaurant across the street.

Excitement fluttered in her chest as she made her way across the street. She found the restaurant easily and was soon shown to a quiet table by the window. She sat down, anxiously fidgeting with the strap of her handbag. Despite having met Ryan only yesterday, her heart beat like it was the first date of her life.

She still couldn’t understand it. How could she feel this drawn to someone she barely knew? And how could she feel this alive when she had cried over Leo just the night before?

Before she could answer her own thoughts, Ryan walked into the restaurant. The sunlight framed him as he entered, and his confident stride drew the attention of more than a few diners.

He spotted her, nodded once, and made his way over.

“Thank you for the interview opportunity. Lunch is on me!” Chloe said as he sat down.

“You look much better today than you did the other night,” Ryan said with a small smile. “Smiling suits you.”

Chloe felt her cheeks flush. “Thank you.”

“What department will you be working in?” he asked as the waiter poured water into their glasses.

“I got the assistant manager role in the fashion department. It’s something new for me, but I’m excited.”

Ryan nodded. “Ms. Yuko is very experienced. I’m sure she’ll guide you well. She’s led some of our most successful campaigns.”

Chloe felt encouraged by his words. She chatted cheerfully, telling him a bit about her background and how she had never expected to end up in the fashion world.

Ryan watched her talk, his expression thoughtful. When she finally paused to sip her water, he asked, “So this is your usual self?”

“Sorry,” she said quickly. “Am I being too talkative?”

He shook his head. “No. You’re just different from any woman I’ve ever met.”

Chloe was taken aback. She looked down, unsure what to say. Was that a compliment? Or a polite way of saying they were too different?

Before she could reply, Ryan leaned forward and gently reached for a napkin. He wiped the corner of her mouth where a small drop of sauce had escaped.

She froze.

It was such a simple gesture. Yet it felt incredibly intimate. Her heart skipped a beat. No one had ever done that for her before.

Ryan sat back, a flicker of surprise in his own expression. He had moved on instinct. Something about Chloe made him act differently. When he first saw her crying in the hotel, she had seemed like someone familiar. He now wondered if his mother had sensed something he couldn’t yet see.

After they finished their meal, Ryan paid the bill, and they stepped out onto the street. The air was warm and filled with the hum of lunchtime traffic.

“Ryan, can I request something?” Chloe said as they reached the corner.

“Go ahead.”

“Can we keep our engagement a secret at work for now? I just don’t want it to affect our jobs.”

He nodded calmly. “No problem. But you know it’ll come out eventually.”

“I know. Thank you.”

Ryan paused for a moment before adding, “If you really want to thank me, come with me to my grandmother’s house next weekend. It’s for my parents’ memorial.”

Chloe didn’t hesitate. “No problem. I’ll definitely come with you.”

He didn’t respond with emotion. Just a simple nod and a glance toward his car.

As he left, Chloe watched him walk away, her thoughts swirling.

Ryan was quiet. Hard to read. But there was a kindness to him. A stillness that made her feel safe.

She knew it would take time to understand him.

But maybe, just maybe, this arranged engagement wasn’t something to fear.

Maybe it was the beginning of something real.