"You're here!" Jella exclaims, her voice bubbling with excitement as she spots Mia walking over. Jella and Ben are already standing in front of the office, waiting. Mia catches a glimpse of Ben as she approaches. His arms are crossed tightly across his chest, and he's looking at her—maybe waiting for her to say something, anything.
Mia quickly averts her gaze, focusing on Jella instead.
"Where's the car? Still not here yet?" she asks, rubbing her sleepy eyes, trying to mask the unease she feels.
She didn't sleep a wink last night, her mind spinning with a thousand thoughts about the business trip. Or maybe she was searching for an excuse to back out, but nothing came to her.
BEEP! BEEEEP!
A loud honk breaks the silence, and they all turn to see a car pulling up. The window rolls down, and Jay leans out from behind the wheel.
"Let's go, guys. Hop in," he says with a grin.
"Oh, yes!" Jella chirps, excitedly tossing her things into the trunk before jumping into the passenger seat beside Jay.
Ben doesn't say a word, but his stiff posture and the way he slams his things into the trunk make it clear—he's annoyed. He slides into the back seat without a second glance.
Mia takes a deep breath, hesitant. But there's no other choice. She slides into the back seat and places her backpack between her and Ben, creating a small wall of space—just enough to keep her distance. Ben leans back in his seat, tilting his head against the headrest. He slides just a bit closer, his movements slow and quiet—maybe trying to get some sleep.
Mia glances sideways, careful not to make it obvious.
His eyes are hidden behind dark sunglasses, but his expression is calm, detached in that usual Ben way.
She watches him. She's never really known what goes on inside this man's head. He's always been hard to read—annoying, sharp-tongued… but a mystery she can't seem to ignore.
After Kevin arrived—and asked that question Ben avoided—something shifted. For a moment, Ben didn't feel like a complete stranger. Mia caught a glimpse of something… real.
But what if that's all part of it? What if this is how he is with every woman?
The rumors echo in her mind like a warning she doesn't want to hear.
Still staring at him, Mia doesn't even realize how heavy her eyelids have become—how her thoughts blur and fade into the hum of the engine, until sleep pulls her under.
_________________________________________________
Mia blinks her eyes open and realizes she's fallen asleep—facing Ben. And now… he's facing her too.
Is he awake? She can't tell. His sunglasses still rest on his face, unreadable as ever.
"Did you sleep well?" he asks, his voice low and teasing.
Mia jolts upright in her seat, startled. "W-what?"
She straightens quickly and turns to face the front, avoiding his gaze.
"Yes. I couldn't sleep last night, so…" she mutters, trying to sound casual.
He lets out a soft chuckle—barely there, but enough to fluster her.
It's then that she notices something else. Jay and Jella are gone.
Mia glances out the window and her heart skips.
Golden Resort.
They're already here.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" she asks, frowning slightly.
"You were sleeping too soundly. Mouth wide open and everything," he says with a smirk.
Mia glares at the window reflection, too embarrassed to look at him.
"And you? Why are you still in here?" she asks.
He shrugs lazily, his head leaning against the seat.
"I pretended to be asleep so they wouldn't wake me up either."
The words don't make sense, and a thousand questions flood Mia's mind in an instant.
Why would he choose to stay behind in the car? Why would he want to stay there, even though he could have gotten out with the rest of them?
She can't stop herself from asking. "Why?"
His head turns just slightly toward her, the movement slow and deliberate, like he's considering whether to say something more. His eyes meet hers—intensely—like there's a silent battle between what he wants to say and what he's afraid to.
The air feels thick between them, heavy with all the unspoken things. But instead of answering, he simply says:
"Let's go. They're probably waiting for us."
Then he gets out of the car.
Jay and Jella are already at the reception desk. Standing beside them is a tall figure—Kevin.
He's here already.
His arms are crossed, and there's a faint crease between his brows. He doesn't smile when he sees them—just watches them approach with that usual unreadable look, maybe even a bit annoyed.
"Oh, you're both finally awake," Jella says with a playful tone.
"You looked exhausted, so we let you rest a little. Big day ahead," Jay adds, shrugging.
Mia glances at Kevin again. His eyes shift between her and Ben, unreadable but clearly observing something.
He hands out the room key cards briskly.
"Jay and Ben, Room 809," Kevin says, handing the card to Jay.
"Jella and Mia, 709," he adds, handing theirs without meeting her eyes.
"Leave your bags in your room. Be back here at the lobby by 10 a.m.," he says shortly, before turning away.
Mia glances down at the key in her hand—709. Then she glances at Ben and Jay heading toward the elevator—809.
Okay. Their room is one floor above hers. That's… manageable, Mia tells herself, trying not to overthink it.