The next morning at EC Games was anything but normal.
Elena arrived a little late—blame it on Alex clinging to her like a baby koala, refusing to let go. When she finally stepped into the office, she was greeted by a shocking sight.
A GIANT cookie box. Sitting on her desk. With a note.
> "You made me smile. Thanks for being you. —E."
She froze.
E?
There were only two people whose names started with E.
And one of them was currently giving a presentation in the glass conference room.
Mia slid beside her like a gossip ninja. "Whoaaa. Is this from the hot CEO?!"
"Shhh! Keep your voice down!"
"So it's from him?!"
"I didn't say that!"
But her blush said everything.
Meanwhile, behind the glass, Ethan was trying to stay focused during his quarterly update—but his eyes kept flicking toward Elena's desk.
Zoya noticed and smirked. "Need me to add cookie delivery to your job description, sir?"
Ethan cleared his throat. "Handle your tasks, Zoya."
Zoya: 1. Ethan: 0.
Later that afternoon, while Alex was at school and the office was unusually quiet, Ethan passed by Elena's workspace.
"Did you like them?"
She looked up. "They were good. Too good. I ate six. I blame you for my sugar rush."
"You're welcome," he said with a playful smirk.
Their eyes locked for a second too long.
Zoya's voice suddenly crackled through the intercom: "Mr. Ethan, you have a call. And a fan club waiting in reception."
He sighed. "My adoring public."
Elena stifled a giggle. "You should hand out signed cookies next time."
Just as he turned to leave, he added casually, "You still haven't made that bento."
"Do you want one?"
"I wouldn't say no."
"Fine," she grinned. "But you better not flirt with someone else while chewing it."
That night, back at home, Alex peeked into the kitchen as Elena packed something with extreme focus.
"Lena… are you cooking for Daddy?"
"Yes."
"Is it a love bento?"
"What?! Who taught you that word?!"
Alex giggled and ran off. "Zoya Aunty told me!"
Elena gasped. "That little—"