CHAPTER 100: I WILL BE THERE WITH MY BOYFRIEND

Office.

Sarah was working on a report when a knock sounded at the door.

Without looking up, she called out, "Come in."

Assuming it was just her assistant dropping off documents, she added casually, "Just leave it on the desk.

And could you make me a coffee, please?

Thanks."

Drake stiffened for a moment, then a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

He walked over to the coffee machine and brewed her a cappuccino—half sugar, just the way she liked it.

He set the cup down gently on the desk.

After all these years, he still remembered her preference.

Cappuccino, half sugar.

Some things never changed.

Every time he saw her, she was always holding a cup of coffee, head bowed in concentration.

But then she noticed the hands—those unmistakable hands.

These weren’t her assistants.

They were a man’s hands, with defined lines and long, elegant fingers, the kind that could rival professional hand models.

These were the same hands that had once held hers intimately, caressed her cheeks with tenderness, explored her most secret places, and traced every inch of her skin with deliberate care.

Her head snapped up.

Their gazes locked—his burning eyes meeting her dark ones.

The air between them thickened with silence for several heartbeats.

A pulse throbbed faintly at her throat, and her palms grew damp.

"What are you doing here?"

Though her mind was a battlefield of chaos, her expression remained as smooth as a quiet stream, betraying nothing.

She offered him a composed smile.

"Came to deliver an invitation to Lucas.

And... well, I thought I’d drop by."

"Ah, the birthday banquet must be coming up soon.

You really didn’t have to go out of your way.

Lucas and I are old friends—if we wanted to go, we would’ve shown up even without an invitation."

Before Drake could finish his sentence, Sarah cut in with a radiant smile, her eyes

shimmering like a tranquil lake under sunlight.

"Even though we’re old friends, some formalities still matter.

Here’s an invitation to my birthday party.

If... you happen to be free, I’d love for you to come!"

The usually silver-tongued Drake suddenly turned into a tongue-tied young man in front of her, his thoughts short-circuiting mid-sentence.

"What if I don’t want to go?" he retorted, a sardonic smirk playing on his lips.

"Every year’s party is the same—introducing the woman by your side to everyone like it’s some grand networking event.

Fun, huh?"

Drake didn’t argue or respond.

Instead, his gaze drifted to the stream of cars outside the window.

After a heavy pause, his voice turned icy.

"Go if you want.

If not, I won’t force you.

Oh, and... Samantha mentioned she hasn’t had a proper chat with you in ages."

With that, he shoved his hands into his pockets and strode toward the exit, his demeanor effortlessly aloof.

Just as he reached the office door, one foot still hovering mid-step, Sarah’s crisp voice floated behind him, calm and deliberate.

"I’ll be there.

And I’ll bring my boyfriend along."

It felt like a sharp jab to his spine.

He froze in place for a long moment, then, without turning back, muttered a stiff, "You’re welcome to."

His figure vanished swiftly from the office, leaving only the muffled thud of his retreating footsteps.

Sarah exhaled deeply, collapsing onto the couch as if drained of all energy.

Leaning back, she massaged her temples before grabbing her phone and dialing a number.

"Hey... it’s me.

Are you free next Wednesday?

Could you... accompany me to a party?"

As if her secret thoughts had been exposed, Sarah’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Her pearly white teeth bit down lightly on her rosy lips as she murmured, "If you think it’s inconvenient..."

The person on the other end merely chuckled softly and agreed without hesitation.

Only then did Sarah murmur a soft "Thank you" before hanging up the phone. ...

Beauty was delivering documents to Sarah’s office on behalf of Lucas when she spotted her sitting at her desk, lost in thought.

Instantly guessing the reason, Beauty quickly put on a bright smile.

"Sarah, these are the reports the CEO asked me to bring over.

Take a look when you have time."

Sensing her low spirits, Beauty was about to leave after setting the documents down when Sarah suddenly looked up and asked, "Are you free tonight?"

"Hmm?

Going out for dinner?"

"No. Just... keep me company at the bar for a while?"

Beauty hesitated for a second, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before replying slowly, "Well... I’d have to check with Mr. Lucas first.

Not sure if he’d let me go to a bar."

Though Lucas had indeed granted her more freedom these days, it was only within reasonable limits.

Going out at night—especially to places like bars—still required his permission.

Sarah burst into laughter.

She stood up and gently ruffled Beauty’s hair.

With a gentle smile, she said, "Leave this to me.

I guarantee he won’t say a word about it."

Beauty grinned, a faint dimple appearing on her cheek.

She glanced up at Sarah and added, "Then I’ll come to your office after work tonight.

But I didn’t bring anything suitable for a bar—this professional outfit is hardly the right vibe..."

"No worries, I didn’t bring anything either.

After work, we’ll hit the mall first, pick out some cute outfits, and then head to the bar in high spirits.

How does that sound?"

The rare smile on Sarah’s face was fleeting.

Perhaps only in front of someone as guileless as Beauty could she drop her usual facade and reveal her truest self—the version of her that could still feel sorrow and heartache over someone.

Sometimes, she wasn’t as indifferent and unruffled as she appeared to outsiders.

Back in the CEO’s office, Beauty finished her tasks and even ran out to grab afternoon tea for Lucas before finally taking a breather.

"Let’s eat together.

Sarah already told me—you’re going to the bar with her tonight.

She’s got a decent tolerance, so she rarely gets drunk.

Just make sure *you* don’t end up completely wasted."

Lucas placed the takeout box in front of her, the rich aroma of pizza wafting up.

At lunch, she had arrived late to the cafeteria, leaving her with barely any food and an unsatisfied appetite.

Though the Marson Corporation’s cafeteria was practically a culinary paradise, offering delicacies from all over, it had one major flaw—you had to get there early.

If something delayed you and you missed the peak dining hours, you’d be left with nothing but scraps.

Being new to the company, she hadn’t known this.

Today, because she’d been tied up organizing contracts, she arrived late and found only leftovers.

Now, barely past four, her stomach was already growling.

"How did you know I was hungry?"

Beauty took a big bite of pizza, her eyes crinkling with delight as she glanced at Lucas.

Her finely arched brows lifted playfully, her expression radiating pure satisfaction.

"I heard a certain pig’s stomach growling," he replied, his tone teasing.

"I should’ve reminded you—if you want lunch at the company cafeteria, you’ve got to go right at mealtime.

Show up late, and there’s nothing left.

The kitchen runs on strict portions, no extras.

Miss the window, and you’re stuck with scraps."

Lucas sat with one leg crossed over the other on the sofa, cutting into a lamb chop with effortless grace.

His gaze remained lowered, long lashes casting delicate shadows—like the fronds of a banana leaf, Beauty noted, swallowing hard as she stared.