The next few weeks passed quickly.
Too quickly.
Work slowly settled into routine for Pixel, and surprisingly—
she genuinely loved working at Stephan's company.
Not because of him.
Though honestly, that was impossible to separate completely now.
But because the environment challenged her.
The projects were bigger.
The pressure higher.
The expectations sharper.
And for the first time in a long while—
she felt herself growing again professionally.
Of course—
working in the same company as Stephan created its own problems too.
Mainly one specific problem.
Stephan himself.
Because somehow—
he always found reasons to appear near her department.
Completely unnecessary reasons.
One afternoon he walked into her floor claiming he needed "project updates."
The problem?
The project had already been emailed to him.
Twice.
Johan nearly cried laughing after finding out.
"That man crossed three departments emotionally."
Stephan ignored him completely.
Unfortunately for him—
the entire office had already started noticing things.
The CEO suddenly eating lunch on time.
Leaving office earlier sometimes.
Actually smiling.
Even employees looked less scared these days.
One senior manager quietly whispered during a meeting—
"Sir seems… happier."
Another replied carefully—
"Yes. Terrifyingly happier."
One evening after work, Pixel sat inside Stephan's office reviewing documents while he finished replying to emails nearby.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Comfortable.
Soft keyboard sounds filling the room while city lights glowed outside the glass windows.
Then suddenly—
Stevan burst into the office dramatically without knocking.
"BHAI."
Stephan didn't even look up.
"No."
"But you don't even know what I'm saying."
"It's usually dangerous."
"That's disrespectful."
Pixel laughed softly from the couch.
Stevan immediately pointed at her emotionally.
"See? At least bhabhi supports me spiritually."
"She absolutely does not," Stephan replied calmly.
Then suddenly Stevan dropped a magazine dramatically onto the desk.
"Anyway. IMPORTANT NEWS."
Stephan finally looked up slightly.
And frowned.
The front page headline filled the entire business magazine.
Annual National Business Excellence Awards
Below it—
several names from different industries.
And right in the center—
Stephan's photo.
Pixel blinked slightly in surprise.
Stevan looked outrageously proud already.
"Guess who got nominated."
Stephan looked completely unbothered.
"It's just a nomination."
"JUST???" Stevan looked personally attacked. "Do you know how huge this award is?"
Pixel quietly picked up the magazine.
The article continued for two full pages.
Stephan's company growth.
International expansion.
Crisis handling.
Leadership reputation.
Business influence.
Everything.
And suddenly—
Pixel felt something warm spread quietly through her chest.
Because reading about him like this felt different.
To the world—
Stephan was powerful.
Brilliant.
Untouchable.
The best CEO in the country.
But she also knew—
this same man forgot meals, slept on office couches sometimes, and looked for comfort in her hugs after exhausting days.
The contrast affected her deeply.
Stevan leaned dramatically across the desk.
"And not just nominated."
A huge grin appeared on his face.
"Bhai is currently the strongest candidate for Best Businessman of the Year."
Pixel slowly looked up.
"…Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Even Stephan sighed softly now.
"Stevan."
"What? Let us celebrate your existence."
Johan suddenly entered the office too.
Apparently attracted by chaos naturally.
The moment he saw the magazine—
he gasped dramatically.
"OH MY GOD."
Hill walked in behind him calmer as usual.
"What happened?"
Johan pointed emotionally toward Stephan.
"This emotionally unavailable billionaire is about to win the biggest business award in the country."
Hill looked toward the article quietly.
Then nodded once.
"You deserve it."
Stephan leaned back tiredly in his chair.
"I haven't won anything yet."
"You will," Johan replied immediately.
Stevan nodded proudly.
"Obviously."
Pixel stayed unusually quiet during all this.
And Stephan noticed immediately.
His eyes moved toward her.
"What?"
She blinked slightly.
"…Nothing."
"That's suspicious."
Pixel looked down at the magazine again softly.
"I'm just…"
A pause.
"…happy."
The sincerity in her voice instantly changed something in Stephan's expression.
Softer.
Warmer.
Like her pride affected him more than the nomination itself.
Stevan noticed immediately and whispered dramatically toward Johan—
"See his face."
"I know," Johan whispered back emotionally. "This man is gone."
Pixel closed the magazine slowly before looking at Stephan again.
"You worked really hard for this."
For one brief moment—
the teasing disappeared completely from his face.
Because somehow—
hearing recognition from her felt different than hearing it from the entire business world.
Stephan looked at her quietly.
Then softly—
"You know the worst part?"
"What?"
"I was happier seeing your employee ID than this article."
The room immediately became silent.
Johan physically sat down dramatically.
"No. Absolutely not. This is too much emotion."
Hill actually laughed quietly this time.
Stevan looked ready to cry proudly.
Meanwhile Pixel's heartbeat became uncontrollable again.
"You really don't hold back anymore."
"No," Stephan answered calmly.
Then after a moment—
his voice softened slightly.
"Not with you."
And honestly—
that sentence affected her more than the award itself.
The nomination news spread faster than anyone expected.
Within two days—
business channels started discussing it.
Articles appeared everywhere.
Interviews.
Predictions.
Industry analysts.
Every major business page carried Stephan's name somewhere.
And slowly—
the atmosphere inside the company changed too.
Employees walked around noticeably more excited.
Proud.
Because even though Stephan terrified half the building professionally—
everyone respected him deeply.
One morning, Pixel entered the office lobby only to stop near the large digital screen inside the building.
A business news channel was playing.
And there he was.
Stephan.
Wearing a black suit during an old conference interview.
Calm.
Sharp.
Confident.
The anchor's voice echoed across the lobby.
"Among all nominees this year, Stephan is currently considered the strongest candidate for Best Businessman of the Year due to his exceptional leadership and company expansion over the last three years."
Several employees nearby noticed Pixel standing there.
One girl smiled warmly.
"You must be really proud."
Pixel blinked slightly.
"…Hm?"
The employee looked toward the screen.
"Sir deserves it."
Pixel slowly looked back at the screen again.
And softly—
"Yes."
She really was.
Meanwhile upstairs—
Stephan looked deeply irritated.
Not because of the nomination.
Because of the nonstop media attention.
His assistant stood nervously near the desk.
"Sir, three interview requests came this morning."
"No."
"The award committee also requested—"
"No."
"Sir…"
Stephan rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"I'm not interested in interviews."
The assistant hesitated slightly.
"…They said your attendance at the award ceremony is mandatory."
That made him even more annoyed somehow.
At the exact same moment—
a quiet knock came from the office door.
Then Pixel stepped inside carrying coffee.
And immediately—
the irritation on Stephan's face softened slightly.
The assistant looked emotionally tired watching the transformation happen in real time.
"Leave the files," Stephan said calmly.
The poor assistant nearly escaped the office afterward.
Pixel walked closer while placing coffee on the table.
"You're scaring employees again."
"They're dramatic."
"You looked one second away from firing someone."
"I was considering it."
Pixel sighed softly before sitting across from him.
"You should attend the ceremony."
Stephan looked unimpressed immediately.
"You too now?"
"It's important."
"It's exhausting."
"You're probably going to win."
"That's exactly why it's exhausting."
Pixel stared at him quietly for a second.
Then softly—
"You really don't care about things like this, do you?"
Stephan leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I care about the company."
"And yourself?"
Silence.
A very small silence.
Then quietly—
"Not much."
That answer hurt her more than she expected.
Because she realized something suddenly.
Stephan spent his entire life carrying responsibility.
Building success.
Protecting others.
But somewhere along the way—
he stopped valuing himself separately from his work.
Pixel looked at him carefully.
"You should care."
His eyes lifted toward her.
"Why?"
"Because people don't reach places like this accidentally."
A pause.
"…You worked for it."
For one brief second—
he simply looked at her silently.
Then softly—
"You sound prouder than Stevan."
"That's impossible."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Then suddenly—
without warning—
Stephan reached across the desk and lightly pulled her chair closer.
Pixel blinked.
"…What are you doing?"
"Fixing distance."
"We are literally in office."
"And?"
"You cannot randomly drag my chair toward you professionally."
"I'm the CEO."
"That is not how leadership works."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
God.
That sound alone still affected her every time.
Stephan leaned slightly closer afterward.
"Come to the ceremony with me."
Pixel froze slightly.
"What?"
"The awards."
"That's for business people."
"You work here."
"That's not the point."
"It is to me."
Her heartbeat instantly became uneven again.
Stephan noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"There it is."
Pixel immediately looked away.
"You really need hobbies."
"You're my favorite one."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"You say things like this in the middle of office hours?"
"Yes."
"Without shame?"
"No."
Unfortunately—
that confidence made things worse.
Pixel looked down at the papers on his desk trying very hard to calm her heartbeat.
Then softly—
"…What if you actually win?"
Stephan's expression changed slightly after that question.
Not excited.
Not ambitious.
Just thoughtful.
Then quietly—
"I think I'd only care about one person's reaction."
Pixel looked up slowly.
And immediately regretted it.
Because the way he was looking at her now—
warm.
Steady.
Certain—
made her heart feel completely helpless.
A small silence settled between them before suddenly—
the office door burst open dramatically.
"BHAI."
Stevan.
Again.
Johan appeared behind him carrying snacks for no reason.
Hill followed calmly.
Stevan froze immediately after noticing the distance between Stephan and Pixel.
Then dramatically covered Johan's eyes.
"WORKPLACE ROMANCE."
"I CAN STILL SEE," Johan complained loudly.
Hill sighed softly.
"One day HR will resign because of all of you."
Stephan leaned back calmly again while Pixel immediately fixed her chair distance.
Too late.
All three had already noticed everything.
Stevan narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
"Did bhai ask you to come to the award ceremony?"
Pixel immediately looked away.
Johan gasped dramatically.
"HE DID."
Stephan looked completely shameless.
"Yes."
Stevan looked emotionally invested again.
"Oh this is going to be CINEMATIC."
The moment Stevan declared the award ceremony "cinematic," the entire office atmosphere became chaotic again.
Johan immediately dropped onto the couch dramatically.
"We need outfits."
Pixel blinked. "We?"
"Yes," Johan replied seriously. "Do you think I'm attending the biggest business event of the year looking emotionally poor?"
Hill sat calmly nearby with coffee.
"You already look emotionally poor."
"Unnecessary attack."
Stevan pointed toward Pixel excitedly.
"No but actually—bhabhi has to look dangerous."
Pixel nearly choked.
"Can you stop calling me that in office?"
"No."
"Absolutely not," Johan added. "At this point the whole company already knows spiritually."
Stephan looked completely relaxed through all of this.
Which honestly made things worse.
Because before—
he used to at least pretend to control situations.
Now?
Now he just watched her reactions with visible amusement.
Pixel glared slightly toward him.
"You're not helping."
"You're handling it well."
"That is not true."
A faint smile appeared on his face again.
Unfortunately—
that smile alone weakened half her arguments immediately.
Stevan suddenly sat beside Pixel dramatically.
"Okay important question."
Pixel already looked tired.
"What?"
"What are you wearing?"
"I don't know."
"That answer is illegal."
Johan nodded seriously.
"You're attending beside the future Best Businessman of the Year."
Stephan finally looked up from his laptop.
"I didn't win yet."
"You will," all four answered instantly.
Silence.
Then Hill calmly added—
"Probably by a large margin."
Stephan sighed softly like everyone discussing this exhausted him.
Pixel noticed immediately.
And honestly—
she understood why.
To the entire country this was an award.
A title.
Success.
But to Stephan—
it probably just felt like more attention.
More expectations.
More pressure.
Her expression softened slightly while looking at him.
Stephan noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
His eyes met hers quietly across the room.
And suddenly—
everything else faded slightly for one brief second.
The noise.
The teasing.
The office.
Until—
"OH GOD THEY'RE DOING THE EYE CONTACT THING AGAIN," Johan complained dramatically.
Pixel immediately looked away.
Stephan remained shameless.
Stevan looked emotional again.
"This relationship is healing me personally."
Hill rubbed his forehead.
"I need quieter friends."
That evening after work, Pixel stayed behind in Stephan's office while everyone else finally left.
The city lights glowed outside the huge glass windows, reflecting softly across the darkening room.
Stephan still worked through files while Pixel reviewed project notes nearby.
Comfortable silence settled between them naturally now.
Not forced.
Not awkward.
Just peaceful.
After a while, Pixel quietly looked up from her laptop.
"…Are you nervous?"
Stephan didn't immediately look up.
"About what?"
"The ceremony."
A small silence followed.
Then finally—
"A little."
That answer surprised her.
Because Stephan rarely admitted nervousness openly.
Pixel closed her laptop slowly.
"Why?"
Stephan leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I don't like attention."
"You run one of the biggest companies in the country."
"That doesn't mean I enjoy people staring at me."
She smiled softly.
"That's unfortunate."
His eyes lifted toward her.
"Why?"
"Because everyone is definitely going to stare at you that night."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You too."
Her heartbeat reacted instantly.
"Why me?"
"You'll be beside me."
The softness in his voice made her chest tighten again.
Stephan stood slowly from his chair and walked toward the windows overlooking the city.
Pixel quietly followed after a few seconds.
He stood there silently with one hand in his pocket, the city lights reflecting softly across his face.
And suddenly—
he looked tired again.
Not physically this time.
Emotionally.
Thoughtful.
Pixel stepped beside him quietly.
"What are you thinking?"
For a few moments he didn't answer.
Then softly—
"Three years ago…"
His eyes stayed on the city below.
"…I never thought life would look like this again."
Her chest tightened instantly hearing that.
Stephan finally looked toward her.
"I thought work was enough."
A small pause.
"Then you came back."
The honesty in his voice settled deeply inside her.
Pixel looked down briefly before whispering softly—
"You make it sound like I changed your whole life."
Stephan's answer came immediately.
"You did."
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Because he said it so naturally now.
Like loving her had become the simplest truth in his life.
Pixel looked away toward the city lights, trying very hard to calm her heartbeat again.
Then suddenly—
very softly—
"I'm proud of you."
Stephan froze slightly.
Not visibly.
But enough that she noticed.
Because those words affected him more than expected.
Slowly—
his eyes returned to her again.
And this time—
the softness there almost hurt.
"You have no idea what hearing that from you feels like."
Her chest tightened painfully.
Because suddenly she realized something.
The whole country admired Stephan.
Employees respected him.
Businessmen feared him.
The media praised him.
But somehow—
he still cared most about what she thought.
That realization felt terrifyingly intimate.
Stephan stepped slightly closer afterward.
Not enough to overwhelm her.
Just enough.
Then quietly—
"Come with me that night."
Pixel looked up slowly.
"I already said yes."
"I know."
A small pause.
"…I still wanted to hear it again."
God.
This man had genuinely become impossible.
And somehow—
she loved him even more for it.
Many Opinions
The award ceremony night arrived faster than expected.
And somehow—
the entire atmosphere around Stephan's house had turned into complete chaos since morning.
Mostly because of Stevan.
Naturally.
By noon, multiple stylists, designers, assistants, garment bags, shoes, jewelry boxes, and makeup kits had completely taken over the mansion.
Even the staff looked emotionally overwhelmed.
One poor servant walked past carrying three suit covers while another followed with steaming equipment.
Stevan stood in the center of the living room like a fashion director.
"NO ONE PANIC."
Hill looked deeply exhausted already.
"We're literally only attending an award ceremony."
"Wrong," Stevan replied dramatically. "We are attending bhai's historic emotional victory."
Johan entered wearing sunglasses indoors for absolutely no reason.
"I agree."
Pixel sat quietly on the couch trying very hard not to laugh.
Because honestly—
watching everyone panic more than Stephan himself was entertaining.
And Stephan?
He looked completely done with humanity already.
He sat in one corner of the living room while scrolling through work emails on his phone despite the madness happening around him.
One stylist approached carefully holding black suit options.
"Sir, which one would you prefer?"
Stephan barely looked up.
"Anything."
The stylist looked stressed immediately.
"Sir…"
Stevan interfered dramatically.
"Do NOT let this man choose his own outfit. He dresses like emotional depression."
Pixel laughed softly into her hand.
Stephan finally looked up toward her.
And immediately—
his expression softened slightly after hearing her laugh.
The stylist noticed instantly.
Actually paused.
Then quietly whispered toward another stylist nearby—
"Oh. So that's why everyone said he changed."
Meanwhile Johan had already started trying jackets for no reason.
"Does this make me look rich emotionally?"
Hill looked at him once.
"No."
"Rude."
A little later—
Pixel got dragged upstairs by two female stylists while protesting weakly.
"I can get ready myself."
"No," Stevan replied dramatically from downstairs. "Today you represent the family emotionally."
Pixel covered her face.
"Why are all of you like this?"
Nobody had answers.
Because honestly—
they were all insane.
Inside one of the large dressing rooms upstairs, several dresses had already been arranged carefully across racks.
Soft fabrics.
Elegant designs.
Subtle jewelry.
Everything looked expensive enough to scare her.
Pixel stared at everything nervously.
"…This is too much."
One stylist smiled warmly.
"Not at all."
Another stylist carefully held up a dark elegant gown near her.
"This one would suit you beautifully."
Pixel looked slightly overwhelmed.
Because honestly—
she had never cared much about things like this before.
But tonight felt different.
Not because of the event.
Because of Stephan.
Because somewhere deep inside—
she wanted him to look at her tonight and feel proud she stood beside him.
That thought alone made her heartbeat soften.
Meanwhile downstairs—
Stephan's situation was equally chaotic.
Three stylists stood around him adjusting suits while he looked emotionally exhausted.
"Sir, please stand straight."
"I am standing."
"Sir, not like you're attending a funeral."
Johan physically collapsed laughing onto the couch.
"This is the happiest he's ever been and he STILL looks done with life."
Stevan walked in carrying watches dramatically.
"Bhai. Wear this one."
"No."
"WHY?"
"It's shiny."
"That's the point."
Hill sat calmly nearby already dressed properly.
"You're fighting a losing battle."
Stephan sighed softly.
"I know."
Then suddenly—
one stylist adjusting his tie paused slightly.
"…Sir."
"What?"
"You should smile more tonight."
Stephan looked unimpressed immediately.
"No."
Stevan gasped dramatically.
"DO IT FOR LOVE."
"I regret helping you grow emotionally."
Johan looked emotional again.
"See? He says things like that now. Before he only communicated through stress."
Hill quietly nodded.
"Accurate."
About an hour later—
the mansion slowly became quieter.
Preparations finally nearing completion.
Stephan stood alone near the large mirror inside his room while adjusting his cufflinks calmly.
Black tailored suit.
Sharp lines.
Dark tie.
Elegant watch.
Effortlessly intimidating.
But despite how perfect he looked—
his attention kept drifting toward the door unconsciously.
Waiting.
And honestly—
he hated that he was waiting this much.
A quiet knock came.
Then Stevan entered dramatically.
Stephan looked at him once.
"What?"
Stevan suddenly became unusually quiet for two seconds.
Which itself was terrifying.
Then softly—
"…You look happy."
The sentence caught Stephan slightly off guard.
He looked away briefly.
"I'm fine."
"That's not what I said."
Silence settled for a moment.
Then Stevan smiled softly.
"You know… before bhabhi came back…"
A small pause.
"…this house felt empty even when you were here."
Stephan's expression changed slightly after hearing that.
Because he knew it was true.
Stevan walked closer quietly.
"But now you actually come home."
That sentence affected him more than expected.
Because for years—
home had only been somewhere he slept between work.
Now?
Now it felt warm again.
Alive again.
And somehow—
all of it connected back to her.
Before Stephan could respond—
another knock came from outside.
Then one female stylist smiled nervously through the slightly opened door.
"Sir…"
Stephan looked up.
"…Ma'am is ready."
And suddenly—
for the first time that entire day—
his heartbeat became uneven too.