The office was unusually loud for a Monday morning.
Everyone was talking at once, phones buzzing, news alerts pinging, screens replaying dramatic anchors dissecting the royal announcement. Hushed gasps, wild theories, and half-baked conspiracies filled the open space.
Nara slipped into her glass-walled office with her coffee and closed the door before anyone could rope her into another discussion about the missing princess. She exhaled, placed her cup down, and dropped into her chair.
Her phone vibrated.
She checked the screen, and froze.
KD
Incoming call.
Her heart thudded once. Then again.
She glanced toward the frosted glass, no one looking.
She answered.
"Morning," she said, keeping her voice low.
"You sound breathless," Keigh murmured.
His tone was warm. Too warm for someone calling before 9am.
Nara rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see. "I literally sat down."
"That's what I mean."
She could hear the smirk.
She leaned back in her chair despite herself. "Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting right now?"
"I stepped out."
"For what?"
"For you."
Nara's hand stilled on her desk.
She swallowe "Keigh..."
"Don't worry," he said. "I told them I needed a moment to 'collect my thoughts.'"
"Which means you're lying to your board for me."
"I didn't lie," he corrected softly. "You are my thoughts."
Nara inhaled sharply, looking at the ceiling like it might help steady her pulse.
"You can't say things like that," she whispered.
"Why not?"
"Because, we're not..."
She struggled for the right word.
"....whatever you think we are."
Silence hummed between them.
Then Keigh's voice dropped gently, honest and a little raw.
"What do you think we are, Nara?"
Her breath caught.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly.
"I'm still trying to figure that out."
Keigh didn't answer right away.
For a moment she wondered if she'd said too much or too little.
Then he let out a slow exhale, one that sounded like relief.
"Okay," he murmured.
"Then let me make it easier."
Her pulse jumped. "Keigh..."
"I just needed to hear your voice this morning," he said, more controlled now, softer.
"You were the only thing on my mind when I woke up."
Nara closed her eyes.
"And last night," he added.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her desk.
"Keigh…"
"You don't have to say anything," he said. "Not until you're ready."
A pause.
"But I hope you know I'm not stepping back. Not after yesterday."
She swallowed hard, unable to form an answer he wouldn't read too deeply into.
So instead, she asked, "Did you sleep at all?"
He chuckled. "Barely."
"And today's chaos?"
"The royal mess?" He scoffed softly.
"It's saving my reputation, so I'm not complaining."
Nara smiled despite herself.
"I noticed. No one's talking about your stunt anymore."
"Tragic," he said, pretending to sigh.
"My moment in the spotlight is gone."
"You sound disappointed."
"I am," he said.
"Means you won't come check on me out of concern."
Her cheeks heated. "I didn't... I wasn't checking on you."
"Mm," Keigh hummed. "Keep telling yourself that."
Nara covered her face with her hand, trying not to laugh.
Then
A soft knock on her office door.
Hellen's voice. "Nara? Quick update meeting!"
Nara's eyes widened.
"Keigh, I have to go....."
"Wait."
His tone shifted, just a little lower and real.
"Nara…"
A breath.
"Thank you for picking up."
Her heart stilled.
"I didn't even think about not picking up," she whispered.
The silence on his end was warm and full.
"Good," he finally said.
"Have a good meeting."
"You too."
"Nara?"
"Yes?"
"I'll call you later."
She didn't trust her voice, so she hung up gently.
She sat there for a few seconds, letting her pulse settle, her mind catch up with her heart.
Then she stood, smoothed her blouse, opened the door and almost ran straight into Hellen, who raised a suspicious brow.
"Who made you smile like that at 9am?" Hellen asked.
Nara blinked once. Twice.
"No one," she said quickly.
Hellen smirked. "Sure."