Yuna still held the folded napkin in her hand while looking at Ethan with wide amused eyes. The memory of the rainy park lingered warmly between them now, making everything feel strangely softer than before.
Then suddenly she laughed quietly.
"So you were really that little boy at the park."
Ethan looked at her calmly. "Unfortunately."
"The one who got hurt but still refused to cry."
"I wasn't crying."
"You were definitely thinking about crying."
"I wasn't."
Yuna leaned closer teasingly. "Even at five years old you were emotionally constipated."
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly. "That's not a real sentence."
"It is now."
A laugh escaped her again while Ethan shook his head faintly.
Yuna kept staring at him with visible amusement now, almost like she was seeing him differently after hearing the story.
"You know," she murmured softly, "I can completely imagine little you."
"That sounds dangerous."
"Tiny Ethan sitting there all serious and angry while bleeding dramatically."
"I was hiding from guards."
"And still acting emotionless."
Ethan looked unimpressed. "You talked too much even as a child."
"And you looked like someone who needed conversation."
"I needed silence."
"You definitely needed therapy."
That actually made Ethan laugh quietly under his breath again.
Yuna immediately pointed at him proudly. "There!"
"You're impossible."
"You like impossible."
Ethan's gaze lingered on her for a second longer than necessary before he answered quietly—
"…Maybe."
The warmth in his voice immediately softened her expression again.
The rest of dinner passed peacefully after that.
They talked about small things.
Old memories.
College stories.
The strange coincidence of fate bringing them together again and again throughout life.
By the time they finally left the restaurant, the city outside had grown darker, glowing beneath endless lights while cool night air wrapped around them softly.
Ethan guided Yuna toward the Mercedes with one hand resting lightly against her lower back protectively. Even now, after all these years, he instinctively stayed close to her in crowded places.
And Yuna noticed every little thing.
The way he opened the car door for her.
The way he kept checking if she was cold.
The way his hand unconsciously searched for hers while driving.
For someone who claimed to be emotionally distant—
Ethan cared in dangerously obvious ways.
The next morning arrived faster than expected.
The day of the press conference.
Yuna stood in front of the massive mirror inside the penthouse dressing room while makeup artists and stylists moved around her carefully. The silver gown from yesterday shimmered beautifully beneath the soft lights while delicate diamond jewelry completed the elegant look perfectly.
Her hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, styled softly enough to look graceful without trying too hard.
She looked beautiful.
Powerful.
Like the actress the world once admired.
But beneath all that confidence—
Her stomach still twisted nervously.
Today would change everything.
The public would see her again.
Questions would begin again.
Judgment too.
Yuna stared at herself silently in the mirror before quietly whispering—
"What if I mess this up?"
Behind her, Ethan's reflection appeared in the doorway.
The stylists immediately stepped aside respectfully the moment he entered.
He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, dark tie, and that usual calm expression that somehow made everyone around him nervous automatically.
But when his eyes landed on Yuna—
He stopped moving for a second.
The room grew strangely quiet.
Because she truly looked breathtaking.
The yellow dress wrapped around her elegantly, the soft makeup highlighting her features perfectly while the diamonds reflected light beautifully around her neck.
Yuna noticed him staring immediately.
"Well?" she asked softly.
Ethan stayed silent a second longer before finally answering—
"You'll destroy everyone there."
A surprised laugh escaped her instantly. "That's your compliment?"
"It means you look beautiful."
The warmth in his voice made her nervousness soften slightly.
Yuna smiled faintly before turning toward him fully. "I'm scared."
Ethan walked closer calmly.
Then without hesitation, he rested one hand gently against her waist.
"You'll be fine."
"What if reporters ask about my father?"
"They will."
Her expression dimmed slightly.
Ethan lifted his hand and gently tilted her chin upward.
"And you'll answer only what you want."
Yuna looked at him quietly.
"No one controls you anymore," he murmured softly.
Those words settled deeply inside her chest.
For years—
Control defined her life.
Her father.
The industry.
Public expectations.
Fear.
But now—
Maybe Ethan was right.
Maybe she could choose her own life now.
Yuna exhaled slowly before nodding faintly. "Okay."
Ethan's thumb brushed lightly against her jaw for a second before he stepped back again.
"Ready?"
Yuna looked at herself one final time in the mirror.
Then nodded.
The drive toward Ethan's company headquarters felt surreal.
Massive buildings towered across the city while security vehicles followed behind discreetly. By the time they arrived, reporters and cameras already crowded outside the enormous company building.
Flashes exploded everywhere the moment the Rolls-Royce appeared.
Yuna's heartbeat sped up instantly.
People shouted questions already.
"Yuna!"
"Are you returning officially?"
"What's your relationship with Ethan Devereaux?"
"Are the rumors true?"
The noise overwhelmed her slightly.
But before panic could rise—
Ethan's hand closed around hers firmly.
Yuna looked toward him immediately.
His expression remained calm.
Steady.
Like nothing outside could touch him.
And somehow that steadiness calmed her too.
Together they stepped out of the car.
Camera flashes exploded wildly around them while security guided them through the crowd. Reporters kept shouting questions, but Ethan ignored all of them completely while leading Yuna inside the building.
The moment the glass doors closed behind them, silence finally returned.
Yuna exhaled deeply. "That was terrifying."
"You did fine."
"I didn't even say anything."
"You didn't panic. That counts."
Yuna laughed softly despite herself.
Then she finally looked around properly.
Ethan's company headquarters was enormous.
Elegant black marble floors reflected soft golden lighting while huge glass walls overlooked the city beautifully. Employees moved quickly through the halls, all immediately bowing respectfully the moment Ethan appeared.
The atmosphere screamed power.
Control.
Wealth.
Yuna stared around in amazement. "This place is huge."
Ethan looked calm beside her. "You'll get used to it."
"I don't think normal humans get used to this."
He ignored the comment while guiding her toward the private elevators.
Minutes later, they reached the highest executive floor.
And then—
Ethan opened the doors to his office.
Yuna stepped inside slowly.
And froze.
The office looked less like a workspace and more like the control center of an empire.
Massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city skyline. Dark elegant furniture, shelves filled with files and books, huge screens displaying business reports, expensive art pieces, soft lighting—
Everything looked sharp.
Luxurious.
Dangerously Ethan.
Yuna walked farther inside slowly, looking around in fascination.
"So this is where you secretly control the world."
"I don't secretly control it."
"That somehow sounds worse."
Ethan loosened his tie slightly while watching her roam around curiously.
Yuna touched random objects while exploring shamelessly.
"So many files…"
"Don't touch those."
"Why?"
"Because they're important."
"That makes me want to touch them more."
Ethan sighed quietly.
Yuna wandered near the huge windows then, staring down at the city beneath them.
"You really work here every day?"
"Yes."
"That explains your terrible mood."
Ethan almost smiled again.
Yuna turned around slowly, still looking around curiously like a child exploring somewhere forbidden for the first time.
Then suddenly—
A hand grabbed her arm gently from behind.
Yuna gasped softly before Ethan pulled her backward toward him.
"What are you—"
Before she could finish speaking, Ethan lifted her effortlessly.
"Ethan!"
He carried her straight toward the massive black desk.
And sat her down directly on top of it.
Yuna blinked rapidly in surprise while Ethan stepped between her legs immediately afterward.
Her breath caught softly.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Dangerously.
Ethan placed both hands on either side of her against the desk, trapping her there gently while his dark eyes stayed fixed entirely on her now.
The city stretched behind him through the giant windows, sunlight outlining his sharp figure perfectly.
Yuna's heartbeat sped up uncontrollably.
"Ethan…"
"You kept walking around like you own the place."
She swallowed softly. "Maybe I do."
A faint smirk appeared briefly.
Then Ethan leaned closer slowly.
Close enough that Yuna could feel his breath now.
"You look too beautiful today," he murmured quietly.
The low roughness in his voice immediately made warmth rush into her face again.
Yuna looked at him silently, her hands slowly resting against his chest.
"And whose fault is that?" she whispered softly.
Ethan's eyes darkened slightly hearing her tone.
Then without another word—
He kissed her.
Slowly at first.
Deeply.
His lips moved against hers with quiet intensity while one hand slid carefully against her waist, pulling her closer toward the edge of the desk.
Yuna immediately kissed him back, her fingers gripping lightly against his suit.
The tension between them melted instantly.
Weeks of pain.
Fighting.
Confusion.
All disappearing beneath the warmth of that kiss.
Ethan kissed her like someone who had waited too long to touch her properly again.
And Yuna felt it completely.