Nadira was starting to memorize Arkana's habits. She knew he always came downstairs at seven in the morning.
She knew Arkana never had breakfast without coffee.
She knew that when he had a lot on his mind, he would work longer than usual.
And most annoyingly, Nadira was beginning to realize that Arkana had memorized her habits, too.
That morning, Nadira was in a hurry. She had to attend an eight o'clock meeting.
She came downstairs without eating breakfast.
"Not eating?"
Nadira stopped. Arkana was sitting at the dining table.
"I'm late."
"Sit down."
"My meeting is about to start."
"Five minutes."
Nadira sighed. "Arkana..."
The man looked at her. Nadira finally sat down. A plate was already waiting in front of her. Toast and fruit.
Nadira frowned. "Did you ask the staff to prepare this, sir?"
"No."
"Then?"
"I just reminded them to prepare it."
Nadira fell silent. "Why?"
"Because you often skip breakfast."
"I don't do it that often."
"Four times this week."
Nadira stared at him. "You've been counting?"
Arkana didn't answer.
Nadira smiled faintly. "So you really do pay attention to me."
"I'm just making sure my wife doesn't get sick."
That sentence left Nadira speechless. My wife. The words sounded different when Arkana said them.
She quickly lowered her head and picked up the toast. "Thank you."
Arkana nodded and said nothing more.
After breakfast, they left for the office in separate cars.
At the office, their relationship changed again. Arkana became her boss. Nadira became his subordinate.
There were no smiles or small gestures of concern like there were at home. No conversations unrelated to work.
When the meeting began, one of the directors criticized Nadira's report.
"In my opinion, Ms. Nadira's analysis is too conservative."
Nadira was about to respond.
Arkana spoke first. "Explain which part you think is wrong."
The director fell silent.
Arkana picked up the document. "This data has been verified three times."
Nadira looked at him.
"If you have a criticism, use data. Don't make assumptions," Arkana said firmly.
The room fell silent again. Nadira said nothing. However, after the meeting ended, she approached Arkana.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For what you did back there."
"I was defending the correct decision."
"Not me?"
Arkana looked at her. "Both."
Nadira gave him a faint smile. But as she was about to leave, she saw a woman standing near the door.
The woman was Laras, one of the staff members in the marketing division. Her gaze was fixed on Arkana.
"Mr. Arkana."
"Yes?"
"There's an event with several investors tomorrow night. Will you be coming?"
"Yes."
Laras smiled. "Then I'm glad."
Nadira didn't know why that simple sentence made her uncomfortable. She chose to leave immediately.
That feeling bothered her all day.
That night, when she got home, Arkana still hadn't returned.
Nadira tried reading a book. She couldn't.
She tried working. She still couldn't focus.
When the sound of a car finally reached her, Nadira unconsciously looked at the clock. Ten p.m.
Arkana entered the house. "You're not asleep yet?"
"No."
"Waiting for me?"
Nadira immediately shook her head. "No."
Arkana smiled faintly. "All right." He walked past her.
Nadira suddenly asked, "When is the event with the investors?"
"Tomorrow."
"With Laras?"
Arkana stopped. He turned toward her. "Why?"
"It's nothing."
"Are you jealous?"
Nadira's eyes immediately widened. "No!"
Arkana smiled. "Good."
He started walking again. Nadira glared at his back in annoyance. That man was seriously insufferable.
That night, after Arkana went into his room, Nadira was still thinking about his question.
"Me? Jealous?"
"No. Of course not."
They were only carrying out a contract marriage. This time, Nadira began to realize something she didn't want to admit. She was starting to pay attention to everyone around Arkana.
And that wasn't part of their contract.
It wasn't supposed to be part of their contract relationship.