Chapter 3 This was Cecilia's first blind date . To make a good impression , she stopped by her apartment after work - washed her hair , slipped into a soft blue dress , dabbed on just enough makeup to freshen up . With everything ready , she finally stepped out the door . As Cecilia arrived at the café , her phone buzzed with a text from her mom , [ His name is Henry Quinn , 28 years old , works in marketing at an international company with a 15K monthly salary . He's 178cm , average build , ordinary - looking , a bit shy . He'll be waiting with a white rose on the table . Good luck ! ] Cecilia pressed her lips together to suppress a chuckle . ' Seriously ? ' she thought . ' A white rose as some secret signal ? Why couldn't Mom just send his photo like a normal person ? ' Cecilia walked into the café . It was not too busy for a weekday evening . Near the window , a man in a dark suit sat waiting , a fresh white rose standing in the water glass before him . Swallowing her nerves , Cecilia straightened her shoulders and walked over . " Hi , I'm Cecilia Jordan ," she said , offering a small smile . The man was leaning back comfortably in his chair , casually checking stock prices on his tablet . At her introduction , his fingers paused , and he slowly looked up . The moment their eyes met , Cecilia froze . The man sitting before her wore a perfectly fitted suit that screamed expensive taste . His sharp eyes looked calm on the surface , but Cecilia could sense something hotter hiding underneath , like a banked fire waiting to flare up . Cecilia blinked in surprise . ' This is what Mom considers average ? The guy belongs on a magazine cover . She suddenly realized she had been staring too long when he still hadn't spoken . " Excuse me , are you my blind date ? " Simon Hall glanced up briefly , a faint smile touching his lips . " Yes . Please have a seat , Ms. Jordan ." His voice was calm and measured as he gestured toward the empty chair across from him , his movements deliberate yet effortless . Cecilia settled into her chair , noticing a half - empty coffee cup already on the table . A quick check of her watch confirmed her punctuality . Simon caught her glance before she could speak . " I came a bit early , " he offered casually . " What can I get you to drink , Ms. Jordan ? " Cecilia was surprised by how attentive he was . " I'll look at the menu , " she said , settling on mocha and cake . The silence stretched uncomfortably . ' What do people even say on these awkward first meets ? ' she stole a glance at him , catching his shallow breaths . ' Mom warned he's shy . Maybe I should go first ? ' Noticing the stock market updates on his screen , Cecilia broke the silence . " I heard you recently moved back from overseas , " she began , fingers tracing her coffee cup's rim . " How's the reverse culture shock ? And your new position ? Is the workload . manageable ? " " Work's under control , " he replied , rotating his coffee cup absently . " The time zones still have me wired , hence the late caffeine . " His posture relaxed slightly as he made steady eye contact , engaged but never intrusive . " And your line of work , Ms. Jordan ? " ' Did mom really not tell him anything about me ? ' Cecilia kept her smile polite as she reached for her bag . " I handle exhibition planning in project management , " she said , offering her business card . " Though actually , I'm leaving to start my 1/3 12:43 Tue , Aug 12 G 95 % 0 X +15 Chapter 3 own design studio . " Simon accepted the card , his thumb tracing the embossed letters of her name . " I should apologize , " he said with a slight tilt of his head . " I didn't bring mine today . " His tone carried genuine regret . " No problem , " Cecilia said . Her gaze lingered on his long , elegant fingers . Then she noticed the watch on his wrist , clearly one of those rare pieces worth a small fortune . His tailored suit also spoke of serious money . ' Mom's average salary description seems way off . Family wealth maybe . She thought , but asking would be terribly rude . The server arrived just then with her coffee and cake . With all the dishes , the table was getting crowded . Cecilia looked down when his hand moved toward the ashtray . " It's fine ," she said quickly . " Feel free to smoke if you'd like ." Simon held her gaze , unblinking . " I don't smoke , " he said simply , pushing the ashtray away to make room . His mouth quirked at her assumption . Cecilia gave an embarrassed little laugh , nodding . She absolutely hated cigarette smoke . That stale smell soaked into everything . Back when she was with Gavin , she had come home every night smelling like an ashtray . It was exhausting to wash her hair at midnight just to get the stink out before bed . The topic shifted to Cecilia's vision for her future studio . Surprisingly , the conversation flowed easily . Though initially quiet , Simon gradually opened up , guiding their discussion with considerate questions that showed genuine interest in her work . During their conversation , Simon's phone vibrated on the table , it's sudden glow making him frown . Realizing he needed to leave , they quickly exchanged WhatsApp contacts . Cecilia nearly smiled when she saw his profile a cute cat and just the initial " H , " surprisingly casual for such a formal man . She saved his contact as [ Henry Quinn ( Peninsula Café ) ] , using the location as her private reminder . Rising from his seat , Simon smoothly extended his hand across the table . " Ms. Jordan , it was a pleasure meeting you . I'll treat you to dinner next time , " he said , his voice warm yet professional . Cecilia held his gaze as their hands met , noticing his fingers tightened slightly before releasing . " Sure . Next time . " She returned the pleasantry while knowing how these things went . Polite words exchanged , vague plans made , most never followed through . A black Rolls - Royce waited at the curb as Simon walked out . " Trouble inside , sir ? " his driver asked , holding the door open . " Just someone I knew before ," Simon said , tucking Cecilia's card carefully into his wallet as he got in . The soft leather seats welcomed him with familiar comfort . ***** At Foster Group's executive floor , Frank couldn't help but notice the change . For several straight days now , his boss had shown up tie - less , his usual sharp demeanor replaced by visible irritation . After a meeting , Gavin called the secretary's desk . " Bring me coffee . " Stella entered wearing a tight skirt suit that showed off her figure , Gavin sat at his desk , looking polished as he studied some papers , completely unaware of her presence . Stella moved closer and leaned down with calculated grace , her top button strategically undone . But Gavin continued ignoring her . To draw his attention , Stella pretended to stumble , spilling the coffee out . Gavin reacted instantly , yanking his documents to safety . Then he looked up , his expression icy . " Stella , being my secretary 2/3 12:43 Tue , Aug 12 G G 95 % D X +15 Chapter 3 requires competence , not just a pretty face . Don't make amateur mistakes like this . " His mind flashed to Cecilia , always efficient , strictly professional , never letting personal matters interfere . She was definitely his right - hand woman at work . Stella's flirtatious smile stiffened . This wasn't how things usually went . Gavin had always played along with her little acts before . His sudden coldness confused her . " I'm sorry ," she stammered , dropping her gaze to the floor . " I'm not trying to scold you , " Gavin said , his voice losing its edge . " Just focus on doing your job well , okay ? " He gestured toward her undone button . " Fix your shirt and get me a fresh coffee . " Stella nodded quickly , her cheeks flushing as she hurried out . After a while , Stella returned carefully balancing a new coffee cup and a plate of cookies . " Mr. Foster , I got those premium Azure Mountain beans , " she said , placing them on his desk . " Freshly ground this morning . And these cookies should complement the flavor nicely . " The rich coffee aroma filled the air as Gavin lifted the cup . But after one sip , his face soured and he set it down abruptly . " Doesn't taste right , " he muttered , unconsciously comparing it to Cecilia's perfect brews . " Don't we have any proper beans left in the pantry ? " " No , sir , " Stella replied , her fingers nervously twisting the tray edge . " How could this fail ? I bought the most expensive beans in town . ' Gavin waved Stella away , massaging his throbbing temples . ' Damn it , he thought , ' why do I miss her coffee so much ? Is there something wrong with me ? ' These past afternoons without that perfect caffeine kick had left him dragging through meetings in a foul mood . Gavin finally dialed Cecilia's number . When she answered , he cut straight to the point , " Stella's sick . I need temporary help from someone who knows the job . " His voice carried that old assurance , certain she would jump at this offer . " Just cover the desk for a few days . You know how things work here . "