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,

was noticeably warmer than hers, making the

withdrew her hand once she

unchanged, but his

was definitely doing it

but then

it, no hard

momentarily irate, but her anger dissipated as quickly as it

accidentally

on the street

hold a grudge

OLMS

Corley?

subconsciously didn't see him as

was a paradox

Corley

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

simply smiled at her words. "You're

what?"

by me, losing

of

moment, Corley resembled a proud

"Scared? I'm only worried about

"Ah, same difference."

was puzzled. How was