Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The moment the words left her lips, Roseanne instantly regretted it.

But like spilled milk, there was no taking it back.

Corley chuckled, "You know... I'm intrigued by you."

Roseanne rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.

The corner of the man's mouth twitched. "Don't play dumb. I know you understand me."

"What's that? Can't hear you, cough! Let's not talk about it anymore."

Seeing her feign ignorance, Corley couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Run all you want, dodge once or twice, but eventually..."

"Oh dear," Roseanne interrupted, "I forgot my tissues. Do you have one?"

"Sure."

"Lend me one, thanks."

"Now you can hear?" Corley said, half-smiling.

Roseanne was silent.

She was right. Corley indeed had something he needed from her.

But it wasn't until her coffee was nearly finished that he got to the point-

"Mr. Olson is facing a bottleneck with an ongoing project. It's been two months without progress. He's interested in your perspective. Here's all the data." Saying so, he handed over a USB drive.

reached out to take it, Corley's grip lingered,

warmer than hers, making

withdrew her hand once

but

definitely doing it on

but then he handed her a

no

irate, but her anger dissipated

accidentally bumping

the street

a

OLMS

Corley?

didn't see him as

was a paradox either

coffee shop, Corley walked her to

"You're too cunning. It's better we keep our

smiled at her

of what?" Roseanne

of being charmed by me, losing

of

Corley resembled a proud and confident

only worried about being tricked into falling into

"Ah, same difference."

How