Coffee and confessions

Aira had been working at Aurora Corp. for a week, and every day felt like a scene from one of her sketchbook daydreams—only better.

The office buzzed with creative energy, but the highlight of each day was always the same.

Rayan Lee.

She didn’t understand him fully yet. He was quiet, distant at times, but oddly gentle when he spoke to her. And although he rarely smiled, when he did—even just a hint—it made her cheeks warm in ways she wasn’t used to.

Today, though, he looked… stressed.

His sleeves were rolled up, tie loosened, eyes focused on the tablet in front of him. Aira, peeking into the glass-walled conference room, could see the tension in his jaw as he muttered something under his breath.

After a moment of hesitation, she stood, quietly walked to the office kitchen, and returned with a coffee—just how she’d noticed he liked it. No sugar. Two creams.

She knocked gently on the door.

He looked up. His expression softened immediately.

“You look like you could use a break,” she said shyly, holding out the cup.

He blinked. “You remembered how I take my coffee?”

Aira smiled, a little blush on her cheeks. “You remember everyone’s designs in the presentation room. I figured it was fair.”

He chuckled softly. It was the kind of laugh that made her want to hear it again and again.

“Thank you,” he said, taking the cup, their fingers grazing. A tiny shock passed between them. He felt it. She definitely felt it.

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

“Aira.”

She looked back.

“You’re different,” he said suddenly, not quite sure where the words were coming from. “You don’t act like this place is too big for you. Most interns walk around like they’re going to break something.”

She tilted her head, smile lingering. “Maybe because I dreamt of this place for so long, it already felt like home.”

That made something shift in him.

He stood, walked around the table, and leaned against the edge of the desk, looking at her closely.

“You really designed that dress?”

She nodded.

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It’s delicate, but… strong. Like you.”

Aira’s breath hitched. The room felt warmer.

“I—I don’t know about strong,” she said. “I get nervous all the time.”

“But you still show up,” he said, voice low. “Every day. Confident. Smiling.”

She looked at him, something new flickering in her eyes.

“And you?” she asked. “You always seem so… calm. Even when the whole team is panicking.”

He looked down at his coffee. “I pretend.”

Her brows furrowed.

He gave a small, almost sad smile. “When you’re twenty and in charge of everything, you learn to wear confidence like a suit. But sometimes, I just… wish I could relax. Be seen. Not as the CEO. Just as me.”

Aira stepped closer. Her eyes, wide and honest, met his.

“Well…” she whispered, “if you ever want to be just Rayan, I’d be happy to meet him.”

For a moment, the world outside the glass walls disappeared.

Just her and him. Two people trying to be seen.

He didn’t answer right away, but something in his expression changed. Softer. Open.

“Aira…” he murmured.

But before he could say more, his phone buzzed with an incoming call.

He looked at the screen, hesitated, then declined it.

“I’d rather talk to you,” he said.

Aira’s heart fluttered like a petal caught in the wind.

This… this was the start of something.

She could feel it.