CHAPTER 158: ONE DAY

"Huh?" Gray blinked as he raised an eyebrow. He was still a little dazed by her sudden appearance, but what she had just said added to it.

"What do you mean you’re working here? Aren’t you still studying?"

Chloe just smiled as she stepped closer to him. She didn’t hesitate to cross the space between them, her arms swinging lightly at her sides.

"I am," she said with a casual voice. "I’m still taking classes."

Chloe let her bag slide off her shoulder before she placed it carefully on the table.

"But I also took a small position here," she added, her voice softer now. "It’s just office work in my dad’s office. I help out with reports and intern-level work for now. There’s nothing big."

Gray blinked, trying to process that. He thought that Chloe didn’t want to get involved with their family’s business.

"How did that even happen?" he asked out of curiosity and confusion. "Didn’t you say before that you had zero interest in joining the company? That you didn’t want anything to do with your family’s business?"

Chloe paused at that, her lips pressing together for a second. Then, slowly, she smiled.

"I know..." her words trailed off for a moment, "I meant it back then. But I guess I’ve changed."

She looked at him directly as she said it. She was proud of her changes, knowing that it was for the betterment of herself. She knew by then that the deal with her dad was the right one.

"I learned a few things. And I grew," she said with a huge smile on her face. "That’s all."

Gray stared at her for a moment. As Chloe said those words out loud, she momentarily looked different. In the past, Chloe used to be playful and chill. But now, she looked composed and mature.

The Chloe from before would’ve dodged this conversation. She would’ve said it was not her thing or changed the subject.

A moment of silence passed before she tilted her head to the side. She pouted and looked at him suspiciously.

"Why?" she asked, her lips curving into a small, sad smile. "Do you not want me here?"

Gray blinked once, then let out a laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly. He leaned back on his desk with his one arm folded across his chest as he looked at her with mild disbelief.

"No," he said as a smile appeared on his lips.

"That’s not it." He shook his head slowly, still looking at her. "I’m just really surprised."

His voice was quiet but genuine.

"I’m sure your dad was happy to see you here."

Chloe chuckled under her breath, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"He was," she said. "Though he didn’t believe it at first."

"Did he think you were just visiting?" Gray raised a brow.

"It’s worse," Chloe said with a playful chuckle. "He thought I was joking."

Gray laughed at that, and Chloe joined in. The sound of their laughter echoing gently in the room.

"Then my dad got excited. He tried to assign me a position right away," she continued as she rolled her eyes fondly. "I had to beg him to treat me like the others."

"Knowing him, he probably offered you your own office on the first day."

"He did," Chloe groaned. "I said no. Twice."

The two of them laughed again.

Chloe looked at him with a slight tilt of her head. When the sound of their laughter died down. Chloe smiled, bright and unfiltered this time.

"Alright then!" She suddenly clapped her hands together. "Let’s eat dinner!"

Gray blinked at the sudden shift. "Huh?"

"It’s my treat," she grinned. "It’s my first day in the office so you can’t say no!"

Gray let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head in amusement.

"You really haven’t changed that much," he muttered.

"Hey, I’m paying," Chloe said, pretending to be offended. "Be grateful, sir."

Gray pushed off the desk and grabbed his coat with a small grin.

"Fine. I’ll take the free food then."

"Good," Chloe beamed, already turning toward the door.

"Come on, I made a reservation already."

Gray’s lips parted apart. "You even made a reservation?"

Chloe turned back to him with a smug little smile, her hand already on the door handle.

"Of course I did," she said proudly, her eyes gleaming. "I’m a Lancaster, you know."

Gray let out a soft laugh, shaking his head as he followed her out.

"Wow. You really pulled the last-name card, huh?"

"Of course."

Just like that, they exited the building together. The sun was still up in the sky, but it was starting to set behind the tall buildings.

Chloe’s car was parked neatly at the front.

Gray paused as they approached it. The car was different than what he could remember.

"Is this new?"

"Nope. It’s not mine," she said. "It’s one of the company’s cars. My dad insisted I use it for the first few weeks."

"I see..."

However, when Gray roamed his eyes around the car, it didn’t look like a simple company car.

The car’s interior smelled faintly like leather and lavender. Chloe slid into the driver’s seat and buckled up with practiced ease. She would be driving for the day.

Gray settled in beside her and glanced around as she started the engine.

"Where’s your driver?" he muttered.

"He’s in the house. I wanted to drive today so I could really feel that I’m working."

"..."

Gray didn’t say anything but just glanced out the window as the car moved with Chloe’s driving.

’She’s lucky, isn’t she?’ Gray thought about it for a moment as he glanced at her.

She had a good family. A strong background. She also has support, guidance, and options.

Gray looked at his reflection, faintly mirrored in the window, the soft curve of his grin returning.

One day, he’d reach that too.

One day, he’d have something solid. Not just a taste of success, but the kind of life that didn’t live on the edge anymore.

One day, his fortune and name would be well-known enough that even the wind had to respect it.