In the soft glow of morning, Josef gently offered to drive Bella to her office. They settled into the back seat, the quiet hum of the engine blending with the early morning stillness.
"Well," Bella teased with a smirk, "back to the real world. So, it's day one of working for you… until I retire."
Josef was silent for a moment, a flicker of regret crossing his face as he realized what he'd just said. His words sounded heavier than intended.
Bella glanced at him, noticing the brief shadow that darkened his expression. "You're so serious, Josef. I was just kidding," she added softly, trying to lighten the mood.
A warm feeling washed over him at her casual tone, at the way she uttered his name without any trace of disdain or formality. He managed a small, genuine smile in return.
"So," he asked, shifting gears in the conversation, "is this your dream job?"
Bella's face brightened. "Um, yeah. I've always wanted to work in research and technology," she said with enthusiasm. "Growing up in the orphanage, I used to envy kids with high-tech toys. It all seemed so far away, so foreign to me. I promised myself I'd make one someday."
Hearing her words, Josef felt a small ache deep inside—an unfamiliar warmth that he couldn't quite place. Growing up with a silver spoon in his mouth, that kind of yearning had never crossed his mind. His life had always been about maintaining this empire, fulfilling what was expected of him. Dreaming felt like a luxury he never allowed himself.
He hesitated before asking, "And you? Is this your dream job?"
Her question caught him off guard. He'd never truly thought about it. For years, he'd simply accepted his role, the responsibilities that came with it. It was what he was good at, what he was born into. Dreaming of something else? That was a distant, unfamiliar concept.
"Come on," Bella pressed gently, sensing his reticence. "There's gotta be something you've always wanted to do."
He looked out the window, searching for an answer. Finally, he admitted, "I dunno. Maybe… to be a soldier. I grew up playing combat video games. I always wanted to be like them—strong, capable, free."
A grin spread across Bella's face. "Well, I thought you were going to say an assassin," she joked.
They both burst into laughter, the ease of the moment wrapping around them like a warm blanket.
Bella nodded politely and asked Josef to drop her off about a block away from her building.
"Just to be safe," she explained, offering a small smile, "I don't want to complicate things if people find out I'm married to the company's president."
Josef hesitated briefly before replying, "Only Miss Helgard knows about you. I trust her judgment."
With that, he eased the car to a gentle stop, and Bella stepped out, giving him a quick wave before heading toward the building.
As she entered, her colleagues greeted her warmly. She was introduced to her team as the senior research analyst, a position she had fought hard to earn. Her heart swelled with pride—this was the recognition she'd worked tirelessly for.
Just then, a young woman with a lively personality approached her, her headbands and colorful clips adding a playful touch.
"OMG! I'm such a fan of yours, Miss Smith!" the woman gushed, eyes sparkling. "You really deserve that spot. I mean, your work in our field is legendary. I'm honestly surprised no other countries snatched you up!"
Bella felt a flush of humility and gratitude. She knew her achievements weren't just handed to her; she'd toiled relentlessly, driven by her desire to succeed—especially because, if not for her sisters' debts, she might have been living a different life abroad, free from worries.
Everyone seemed welcoming, except for one person—an older man in his fifties, who watched her with a bitter expression. Bella remembered Sophia mentioning him before—how he resented her for getting the position.
Every evening, without fail, Josef was there to pick Bella up from her long shifts. Sometimes they ordered takeout, sharing quiet meals in her office or dining at upscale restaurants. Other nights, they would head back to the manor, where the sprawling estate offered a rare sense of peace amid her hectic schedule.
A month had slipped by seamlessly, almost unnoticed. Bella found herself growing accustomed to Josef's presence—his steady companionship, his gentle teasing, and the way he seemed genuinely interested in her world. She was reluctant to admit it aloud, but Josef had begun to grow on her.
She looked forward to his greetings in the mornings, the way his voice warmed her even before her day started, and her heart fluttered when he arrived to pick her up in the afternoons. They shared stories, small moments of laughter, and quiet understanding over meals, building a strange yet comforting connection.
Tonight, however, Bella was deep into her work on a highly confidential project. The stakes were high, and she knew she shouldn't be distracted. Still, she was surprised to find Josef lounging casually in her office chair when she entered.
Her office was a chaotic mess—stacks of papers teetered on every surface, dying plants in the corner looked like they'd given up hope, and electronic parts were scattered and dangling from various desks and shelves. Only the receiving area remained pristine, a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding her.
"Uh… what are you doing here?" Bella asked, blinking in surprise.
Josef looked up, his messy hair falling into his eyes, dressed in a plain shirt and jeans—barely recognizable from the polished man she knew. His expression was relaxed, almost boyish.
"I thought I texted you," Bella said, pulling out her phone to check. No message from him.
Josef shrugged with a grin. "Don't worry, I figured I'd come by. It gets lonely in the manor," he explained casually.
Bella's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What if they recognize you? You can't just—"
He interrupted with a playful smirk. "Have you taken a look at me? I look like an unemployed guy. No one's going to mistake me for anyone important."
She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Still, you should rest. You're not invincible."
He leaned back in her chair, eyes twinkling. "I'll be fine, Bella. Now, get back to work. Make me richer," he teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Despite herself, Bella felt a warmth spread inside her. His presence was unexpectedly comforting amid her chaos, a reminder that even in her busiest moments, she was not alone.
As she turned back to her computer, she couldn't help but smile. Tonight, with Josef here, somehow, the work didn't feel so overwhelming.
Suddenly, the door burst open with a burst of cheerful chaos. A group of Bella's workmates barged in, balancing boxes of pizza and cheerful chatter.
They stopped abruptly when their eyes landed on the scene: a man lounging comfortably in Bella's office chair, engrossed in his phone, feet propped up on her desk. Bella looked up from her computer, eyes wide in surprise.
"Guys, what are you doing here?" Bella asked, hastily shoving Josef's feet off her desk, a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation in her voice.
Josef looked equally stunned, blinking as if he hadn't expected an audience.
Sophia, her enthusiastic fan, stepped forward, smiling brightly. "We brought pizza since you haven't eaten dinner yet," she explained, gesturing toward the boxes now sitting on Bella's cluttered desk. Her gaze flicked playfully to Josef. "And… who's this handsome guy with you, Miss Smith?" she asked, her voice teasing, as other colleagues murmured in delight, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Caught off guard but quick on her feet, Bella decided to ride the wave. She reached out, gently pulling Josef away from her desk and guiding him toward her coworkers, far enough from their prying eyes.
"Umm, this is Benedict. My boyfriend," she said, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush but her voice steady.
The room erupted into cheerful cheers and teasing murmurs.
"So you're the reason Miss Smith here is smiling every morning," one colleague teased, earning a chorus of playful laughs.
Josef, still surprised but amused, chuckled softly, offering a small, charming smile. "Guilty as charged," he said, winking at Bella.
Bella rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. The colleagues clapped him on the shoulder, congratulating her, teasing her about her secret romance.