Amy stood in the middle of the room with her arms wide open, smiling.
"Amy," I said, giving her a tight hug. "When did you guys get back?"
"Earlier today."
I released her from the hug and pulled back, my hands resting on her shoulders as I looked at her. "You ended your honeymoon early? Why?"
Amy looked away as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of her forehead. "Um… something important came up."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to introduce your guests?" Amy asked, quickly changing the subject.
I gasped out loud. When I glanced over my shoulder, they were both giggling.
I pointed at Amy while looking at them. "This is my best friend, Amy." Then I pointed at them. "These are my colleagues: Beatrice and Sasha."
They exchanged greetings before following us toward where the guys were. They paused their conversation and glanced up at us.
After my colleagues and the guys introduced themselves, Harley grabbed my wrist and pulled me down onto his lap.
"What the hell, Harley," I said. "Let me go."
"No," he whispered, tightening his hold on me.
Amy looked at us, grinning from her seat beside Nicholas. "Looks like I missed a lot."
"You didn't!"
Sasha looked at me from her seat beside Beatrice. "Are you guys a couple?"
Before I could answer, Harley interjected. "Yes."
"He's lying," I said.
It was brief, but something flickered in Sasha's eyes—recognition. My attention shifted when Beatrice looked at Harley and apologized for her behaviour at the gala.
"Sasha," Dylan said in a seductive tone, looking at her. "Has anyone told you how gorgeous you look lately?"
I rolled my eyes before smacking Dylan's shoulder. "Leave her alone. She's not interested."
Everyone chuckled.
"I don't need to be told how good I look," she said, smiling at Dylan.
"Ouch."
The rest of the evening was filled with laughing and drinking, the sound of our conversations blending with the soft music playing throughout Lumen.
I exhaled a sigh of relief when Harley released me from his hold to answer his phone. He excused himself and left the room.
"James, you have been awfully quiet tonight," Nicholas said, getting his attention.
James took a drag of his cigarette before putting it out in the ashtray. He glanced at his watch, standing up. "I am going to head out. Have a good night."
"Good night, James," I said to his retreating figure.
Dylan was the second person to leave, followed by Amy and Nicholas. When Harley came back, it was just me and my colleagues.
"We should head home too," Harley said to me.
I nodded.
"We will need to drop off Beatrice and Sasha as well."
Harley nodded.
The cool night air greeted us as we stepped outside Lumen.
Harley unlocked his black Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the headlights flashing briefly in the quiet street.
Beatrice and Sasha slid into the back seat while I took the passenger seat beside him.
The engine hummed softly as Harley pulled away from the curb, merging into the evening traffic.
City lights reflected across the windshield as we drove through the streets of Seoul.
Beatrice was the first to be dropped off. When the car came to a stop in front of her apartment building, she leaned forward slightly between the seats.
"Thank you for the ride," she said with a warm smile.
"You're welcome," Harley replied.
"Goodnight," Sasha and I said at the same time.
Beatrice waved before stepping out of the car and disappearing through the glass doors of the building.
A few minutes later, Harley slowed the car again as we reached Sasha's apartment.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and glanced at me with a mischievous smile.
"Text me tomorrow," she said.
"I will," I replied.
Sasha opened the door before turning back one last time.
"Goodnight."
Harley pulled away from the curb again after the door closed behind her.
Silence filled the car.
Now it was just the two of us.
Harley broke the silence when he asked, "How did you and Sasha meet?"
"While I was studying in England," I replied. "Her and her brother were—"
"Her brother?"
I looked at Harley. "Yeah, his name is Samuel. He's a doctor in England and he's super smart."
"I see."
The rest of the drive home was extremely quiet. Harley did not look at me or utter a word. His eyes remained on the road ahead.
"Did I say something to upset you?"
"No," he said, pulling into the underground parking. He parked the vehicle in its usual spot, turning off the engine.
"I did upset you," I said, following him into the mansion. "Tell me so I don't do it again."
Harley stopped in his tracks. He didn't look back at me. Instead he said, "Don't overthink things."
I moved from behind him and stood in front of him. I reached up and cupped his face.
"Harley, I don't want any more tension. So please… just tell me."
Harley clenched his teeth. He rested his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes.
"Can I embrace you?"
My eyes widened before I unconsciously nodded.
Harley pulled me into his embrace. I could feel the warmth radiating off him.
He lowered his voice. "Let me stay like this for a while."
I nodded while wrapping my arms around his back, my fingers barely touching each other.
"Harley?"
"Hm?"
"Do you want to have a sleepover in my room?" I said. "It will be like old times."
Harley released me and looked into my eyes.
"Why? You're not scared of the monster under your bed, are you?"
I playfully smacked his shoulder before turning my back to him with my arms crossed. "Obviously not."
My lips curved upward when Harley let out a soft chuckle.
"We can stay up all night chatting."
"How about we sleep in my room for a change," Harley said, walking past me.
"Okay."
After I changed into my pyjamas, I made my way toward Harley's room. It had been a while since I was last in there.
His room was spacious and tidy. A king-sized bed with dark grey sheets sat in the centre, perfectly made.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, the lights of Seoul sparkling in the distance.
The room smelled faintly of his cologne, a scent that immediately made my heart race.
I stepped further into the room, glancing around.
"So… this is where the great CEO sleeps," I said.
Harley leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed.
"Disappointed?"
"A little," I replied. "I expected a throne or something."
Harley chuckled. "Sorry to ruin the fantasy."
I turned toward the bed and climbed in on the side closest to me while Harley took the other side.
We lay on our sides, our eyes making contact.
I felt my cheeks getting warmer as his gaze lingered.
"Sophie," Harley murmured softly.
My breath caught.