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Chapter 10 A mouse in front of a cat

Lucien was wearing just a black shirt, top buttons popped open -looking way more laid–back than yesterday’s Mr. Proper.

He cocked an eyebrow, voice all deep and smooth. “Take a seat. Thirsty? Want something to drink?”

Kaia nodded, feeling mad awkward with Lucien there.

He rolled his sleeves up casually, showing off his well–defined forearms. “Kaia, you seem a lot quieter than you used to be. Five years and you’re like a whole different person.”

Kaia’s neck started heating up like someone cranked the thermostat.

Is he clowning me about that time I confessed when I was

sixteen?

Her eyes were glued to her coffee cup like it held the secrets of the universe. “Nah, I’ve always been kinda shy.”

Watching her squirm, Lucien cracked a smile. “Relax, will you? I’m not gonna gobble you up.”

Kaia looked up suddenly, caught those intense eyes, and her heart started thumping like a jackhammer in her chest.

“Alden mentioned you’re getting married soon. He’s back from

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his business thing?” Lucien wasn’t letting up with that stare.

“Yeah, guess so,” Kaia mumbled.

Lucien’s hand froze mid–pour. “Kaia, if Alden ever wrongs you, just let me know.”

A lump welled up in Kaia’s throat, and she was a bit moved.

It’d been ages since anyone had said something so nice to her.

“Thanks,” she managed.

Kaia checked her watch. “I’ve got an appointment

up, ready

wrist for a hot second before letting go. “Hold up. Let me get your WhatsApp. You know, in case

where he’d touched her. Even that

hit different–like someone straight zapped

empty.

Lucien was already holding his phone out, QR code

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A mouse in front of a

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weird, Kaia jumped in quickly, “Oh, yeah.

scanned it, Lucien pocketed his phone. “Hmm, I’m only seven years older than you, not ancient. Don’t be

Kaia mused to herself.

seen as an old

later, a blush crept

was annoyed

time I’m around him,

I’m heading

settled into her car, she let out a long sigh of relief. She unlocked her phone and took

was a photo of a

not old, but this profile pic is

wouldn’t pick something

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10 A mouse in

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about to click out, those three dots appeared. Startled,

Is he really gonna

phone. A red notification dot

profile, she

sent $14.3K. Note:

and the

alright. The repair won’t cost that

pure CEO energy: [Take

if he wants to throw cash around, I’m not going to be a stick–in–the–mud and

like she’d won the

button.

*****

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