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.

take it,

was noticeably warmer than hers, making the contact feel

quickly withdrew her hand once

expression remained unchanged, but his smile grew

was definitely doing

annoyance, but then

no hard

momentarily irate, but her anger dissipated as quickly

accidentally

the street was

a grudge

OLMS

Corley?

subconsciously didn't see him as just

was a paradox

shop, Corley walked her to

they parted, Roseanne suddenly said, "You're too cunning.

at her words.

of what?"

being charmed by me,

of

Corley resembled a proud and

nearly choked, "Scared? I'm only worried about being

"Ah, same difference."

puzzled. How was it the