CHAPTER 26: LEARNING YOU

Naomi scoffed. "You’re telling me. I never thought I’d see the day she’d ask for coffee herself or be so polite about it. Usually, she acts like people should worship the ground she walks on."

Oliver chuckled. "Maybe the marriage fixed something or perhaps, the accident. I never would’ve thought."

Naomi frowned. "Me too. I guess that’s why Stefan was asking strange questions yesterday."

Oliver’s curiosity was instantly piqued. He started walking with her toward the break room. "What questions?"

Naomi gave a quick glance around, then lowered her voice. "He asked if the woman with him yesterday was really Ivy. Can you imagine that?"

Oliver let out a low laugh. "Seriously? Could it be that bad?"

Naomi nodded. "Dead serious. I was as surprised as you are now."

"Well," Oliver smirked, "whoever she is, I hope she keeps it up. It’s nice not having to walk on eggshells around here. If she’s going to be coming to the office often as I think she is, we could all use a calmer version of Ivy."

Naomi rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it. I hope she doesn’t change back to that Ivy."

They grabbed the coffee and headed back. When they returned, Oliver veered off into his own office while Naomi knocked softly and entered with a tray.

Ruby was flipping through a thin file when she looked up. "Thanks, Naomi. You can read out the schedule."

Naomi placed the tray down, then took out her notepad. "There’s not much for today, since we assumed Mr. Winters would be away. Just a call with the Tokyo branch at 3 PM and two proposals needing review and signature."

As she spoke, Ruby took a sip of her coffee... and almost choked. The taste was overwhelmingly sweet. She swallowed hard and smiled through the moment, even though her tongue was practically coated in sugar.

She’d almost forgotten how much Ivy loved really sweet things.

Naomi didn’t seem to notice and continued reading. Once she was done, she placed two folders in front of Stefan and stepped back.

Ruby cleared her throat gently. "Naomi... next time, please, remember not to add so much sugar and cream."

Naomi blinked. "Oh, was it bad? I’m so sorry. I thought I made it exactly the way you like it."

Ruby hesitated for a beat. "It’s fine. Just... that I don’t like that much sugar anymore."

Naomi tilted her head but didn’t press. "Alright. I’ll remember that." With that, she gave a nod and left the room.

As soon as the door shut, Stefan turned slightly toward Ruby. "You don’t like sugar now?"

She bit her lip and gave him a weak smile. "Not really."

"Why? But you like sugar and even more when you’re on your period," he said casually, reaching for one of the folders.

Ruby’s heart jumped. Oh no. She had forgotten all about that lie. She’d only said it to avoid sleeping with him on their wedding night. It had already been four days since then.

Four days...

"I guess I don’t crave it this time," she mumbled, trying to act cool, but her mind was racing.

How long could she keep this up? Sooner or later, he’d expect... well, something.

She cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, I’ll help you read out the proposals. You can tell me what to note and what to change, then I’ll guide you to sign."

"Or," Stefan said with a grin, "I could teach you how to sign them. That way, you’ll learn something new and take care of them without needing me to."

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Well, I don’t think that’s necessary."

"Alright. Suit yourself," he said, leaning back slightly as she opened the first folder.

And so, their day began. Side by side. A strange partnership that wasn’t quite fake but wasn’t fully real either. Every moment was a quiet game of balance—of secrets, of slowly building trust, and of two people who weren’t sure where this was going, only that they were now walking through it together.

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By five-thirty, the office had emptied out except for a few late workers scattered here and there.

Ruby glanced at Stefan, who looked surprisingly focused for someone who was blind. He listened carefully as she read out the final proposal of the day, nodding every now and then.

She closed the file slowly and placed it in the stack beside her. "That’s the last one."

"Already?" Stefan leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms. "Feels like we just started."

Ruby smiled. "That’s because I did most of the talking."

He chuckled. "I could get used to this."

There was something warm in the way he said it. Ruby tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach.

Stefan gave a small nod, the smile still dancing on his lips. "You did good."

She chuckled. "Not bad for someone who has no clue about corporate documents, huh?"

He laughed gently. "You’re learning fast. Or maybe you’re just better at this than you let on."

Ruby stood up, brushing down the simple black dress she’d worn. "Come on," she said, walking around the desk to help him up. "Let’s go grab dinner. I’m not in the mood to eat at home."

Stefan raised a brow. "Eating out? You’re full of surprises today."

She smiled, linking her arm with his. "Maybe I am."

As they walked out of the building, staff who were still in the building bowed their heads respectfully. Ruby returned their greetings without hesitation. Her tone was warm, her smile soft. It wasn’t hard to act this way. In fact, it felt... natural.

They reached the car and got in. Ruby gave the driver directions to a quiet restaurant she’d seen once before. "They have a rooftop view," she told Stefan. "It’s peaceful."

"You sound like you’ve been planning this."

"Not exactly. Just hadn’t had the time to go there."

Stefan tilted his head. "Is that what this is? Taking me for a sightseeing?"

Ruby giggled. "Call it whatever it is baby. To me, we’re going on a dinner date even though we’re in work clothes," she said and Stefan smiled.

She watched him and her heart skipped a beat. The reason for it was totally unknown to her. Was it the smile or how his eye crinkled at the corners indicating the smile was genuine?

She thought and then turned to the window and watched the lights of the city flicker by. Though she was feeling funny, the quiet between them wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, it was comforting.

The restaurant was quiet, just as she hoped. The rooftop had a view that stretched across the skyline, city lights twinkling like stars. They were seated at a private corner table, away from other guests.

The waiter brought out their order—grilled steak for Stefan, seafood pasta for her. Ruby took her time, watching how Stefan carefully felt his way around the plate, cutting with ease.

She didn’t comment on that, instead she thought of something else to talk about. Something they could talk and she’d get to know him more.

"Tell me about your childhood. Both the memories you’ve told me about and the ones you haven’t," she said and Stefan chuckled before going ahead to indulge her.

After that, they talked about little things—Stefan shared a story about Oliver tripping over a chair during a board meeting and how no one dared laugh except Naomi.

Ruby laughed a little too loudly.

When dinner was done, they made their way back to the car under a sky full of stars. The air was cool. Stefan’s hand brushed hers again, just like earlier, and this time, Ruby let her fingers curl around his.

Inside the car, silence returned. But it wasn’t empty. It was thick with something Ruby couldn’t explain.

Stefan turned toward her. "Today was nice."

"It was," she admitted.

"I mean it," he said, his voice lower now. "You’ve been...different lately. In a good way."

Ruby looked down at her hands.

"You’ve been patient with me. Kind. Not cold like before," he continued. "It’s like you’re showing me a new version of yourself every day."

She didn’t know what to say, so she stayed quiet.

Stefan kept going. "It feels like I’m meeting you again for the first time. Like I’m learning who you are all over. And surprising, I... I like it. I seem to anticipate your next action or words. What you’ll say or do."

His words landed softly, but their weight was heavy. Ruby looked at him, really looked at him. His face was calm, honest, and open.

Before she could stop it, he leaned closer. Slowly. Giving her time to pull back if she wanted to.

But she didn’t.

Their lips met—gently, quietly. It wasn’t just passionate. It was tender. Warm and real.

When they parted, Ruby sat frozen. Her heart was racing. Her hands were trembling.

He leaned back, waiting. Not pushing. Just letting the moment sit.

Ruby stared at the window again, but the view outside was a blur.

What am I doing? She thought. This isn’t real. This isn’t my life. This isn’t my husband. I’m not supposed to enjoy this.

And yet, her lips still felt his and her heart still held his words.

And her chest ached with confusion.

Was it wrong to feel this? Was it wrong to wish the lie was real?

Stefan reached for her hand again and held it gently but she didn’t pull away, and that terrified her more than anything.