Nova barely had time to react before Aiden was already by her side, his long legs covering the distance in just a few strides. His slender fingers gently adjusted the collar of her shirt, which had turned up. His touch was so tender, as if he were handling the most precious treasure in the world. "Make sure your clothes are on properly, don't catch a cold," he said softly.
Nova felt as if she had been struck by a bolt of electricity. Her heart skipped a beat, and she could faintly feel the warmth of Aiden's fingertips through the thin fabric of her shirt, sending a tingling sensation down her neck.
Unable to resist, she looked up, her gaze locking with Aiden's deep, intense eyes.
With the morning sun behind him, Aiden seemed to be bathed in a golden glow. His handsome face, so close to hers, looked almost divine, perfect and focused.
When he noticed Nova staring at him, he looked back deeply and asked in a gentle voice, "What are you looking at so intently?"
Nova felt as if her breath and heartbeat had simultaneously hit the pause button. She was completely stunned, enveloped by Aiden's profound gaze.
In that moment, time seemed to freeze. In Nova's eyes, there was only Aiden's deep, affectionate look, warm and tender, like a gentle lake surrounding her.
Those few seconds felt incredibly profound and overwhelming.
When she finally snapped out of it, her face was flushed with a deep blush, like the vibrant colors of a sunset. She quickly lowered her head and stammered, "N-nothing."
In a fluster, she turned around and ran towards the car parked in the yard, her steps unsteady as if she were being chased by a wild beast.
Once inside Owen's car, Nova felt guilty, not even daring to glance at Aiden through the window. All she could think about was leaving this place that made her heart race.
What had she done yesterday? Had she somehow stolen Aiden's heart? This thought struck her like a bolt of lightning, making her even more anxious.
On the way, Owen kept his hands steady on the wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
To ease the slightly awkward atmosphere in the car, he tried to lighten the mood with a smile. "Ms. Ramirez, how are you adjusting to the translation department?"
Nova finally took a deep breath, a faint, slightly bitter smile appearing on her lips. Thinking about how she was late on her second day, she sighed in frustration. "It's okay, I guess. But being late today was so embarrassing."
Owen, like a seasoned mentor, gently reassured her. "It's okay to be late once in a while. Don't worry too much about it." He glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his eyes full of kindness.
Nova knew that even if she got reprimanded, it would be deserved. After all, it was her own fault.
Suddenly, Owen seemed to remember something and asked with interest, "Ms. Ramirez, I heard your birthday is coming up. Is there anything special you want?"
Nova's eyes widened in surprise, wondering how Owen knew. "How do you know my birthday?" she asked.
Owen anticipated her reaction and explained with a smile, "Mr. Martinez always had me send out your birthday gifts."
So, those meticulously chosen, unnamed birthday gifts that appeared every year with just a simple "Happy Birthday" message were all from Aiden.
This revelation hit Nova like a bombshell. Her eyes widened in shock, but she also felt a hint of joy. She murmured to herself, "So it was him..."
After all, knowing that someone had been thinking of her for so many years brought a sweet feeling to her heart. It also made her recall the kiss from last night that had left her cheeks flushed and her heart pounding.
When Nova arrived at the translation department building, one problem after another awaited her.
Entering the office, she found it empty. Fortunately, a janitor informed her that everyone was in a meeting. She hurried to the conference room, apologizing for her tardiness as she entered, not daring to lift her head. "Sorry I'm late."
Pax was relentless, his tone sharp and sarcastic. "Well, look who decided to show up! Making everyone wait just for you!"
Nova bit her lip, choosing to silently endure the criticism.
Before she could catch her breath, Sophia noticed the men's shirt under her jacket and mocked her in front of everyone. "Nova, what are you wearing? Did you get lost at some guy's place?"
Instantly, all eyes were on her like spotlights.
Nova's face turned bright red. This shirt wasn't her dad's! Blair, familiar with Aiden's wardrobe, immediately recognized the custom-made shirt and the unique sapphire cufflinks that were Aiden's signature style.
Blair's jealousy flared up, her mind racing with unsavory images. She coldly called Nova's name, her voice harsh. "Nova, come with me."
In a nearby empty conference room, Blair bluntly demanded to know if Nova had spent the night at Aiden's place, even asking if they had slept together.
Nova, like a helpless rabbit, frantically waved her hands in denial. "Blair, you've got it all wrong. Aiden and I are just friends."
Her life had plunged into chaos, with emotional turmoil and workplace troubles entangling her, leaving her exhausted.
Blair stood before her, eyes burning with jealousy, unreservedly expressing her feelings. "I've been chasing Aiden for five years. Do you know how much I've sacrificed? The spot next to him is mine. Don't even think about taking him from me!"
Nova was caught off guard by this sudden declaration of war. She bit her lip, her eyes filled with panic and confusion. Internally, she whispered, "I haven't even sorted out my feelings for Aiden yet. What do I do now?" Her voice trembled as she replied, "I never intended to."
Before she could recover, more challenges awaited her.
After the meeting, Nova sat at her desk, dazed, when her phone rang. It was Indigo.
On the other end, Indigo's voice was filled with concern. "Nova, Gregory and I will be out of the country for over a month. Aiden offered to let you stay at his place during that time."
Nova's heart raced, her face flushing as she stammered, "I can't do that. It's too awkward. I'd rather not."
Indigo patiently reassured her. "Nova, it's no big deal. We're all family. I've already talked to your parents. Don't worry."
After hanging up, Nova buried her head in her hands, her brows furrowed in frustration. "What a mess!" she muttered.
Just as she tried to calm down, Sophia approached, asking about the shirt. "Nova, where did you get that shirt you wore yesterday?"
Feeling overwhelmed, Nova waved her off, her brows knitting together. "Don't ask. I don't have time right now."
Before she could finish, her phone rang again. Seeing it was Aiden, her heart tightened, and she clutched the phone like a lifeline.
Answering the call, Aiden's deep, magnetic voice, tinged with disappointment, reached her ears. "Do you really not want to stay at my place?"
Nova hesitated, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt. "I... I'll stay with a friend. It's more convenient."
Aiden was silent for a moment, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. "Alright, it's your choice."
As the call ended, Nova felt a pang of emptiness, wondering if Aiden was upset. Her brows furrowed, and she dialed Uma's number, her heart full of turmoil.
Uma answered, her voice surprised. "Hey, what's up?"