The next morning, the moment Leia stepped into the office, she immediately felt it—the subtle yet unmistakable shift in atmosphere. The hushed whispers, the curious glances, the barely contained excitement radiating from her female colleagues—it didn't take a genius to know that she was the topic of discussion. It wasn't long before they swarmed around her.
"Leia! Oh my god, we need details!"
"What exactly happened between you and Mr. Gu last night?"
"He literally carried you out in front of everyone! That was the most dramatic thing I've ever seen!"
Leia barely had time to blink before the flood of voices overwhelmed her, each one overlapping the next as they bombarded her with questions. She had expected some gossip—after all, what Nathan had done at the banquet had been far from subtle. But she hadn't expected it to turn into this. Clearing her throat, she tried to keep her expression neutral. "It's not what you guys think. He was just helping me because I wasn't wearing shoes at the time."
But that explanation only seemed to fuel their excitement even more.
"Not wearing shoes? That makes it even more romantic! Like Cinderella!" One colleague gushed, practically squealing in delight.
"Come on, Leia, don't be so modest! Who else could get Nathan Gu to literally sweep them off their feet?" Another added, her teasing grin making Leia internally sigh.
And then—as expected—the comments began to shift.
"I never thought you'd be the type to get involved with someone like him." The voice came with a distinct edge, laced with something close to sarcasm. Leia turned, meeting the gaze of Fiona, a colleague she had never particularly been close to. "Yeah, who knew you had that kind of charm? Managing to get Nathan Gu's attention like that—impressive," another woman chimed in, her tone walking the fine line between playful and condescending.
Leia's grip on her coffee cup tightened. She hated this kind of gossip—the kind where people weren't just curious, but waiting to judge. Taking a slow breath, she forced herself to remain calm. "We were high school classmates," she said, keeping her voice even, controlled. "That's all."
But, of course, her words had the opposite effect.
"Ohhh, so you two already have history! No wonder he's treating you differently."
"That explains why he was so protective over you."
Leia sighed inwardly. There was no winning here, was there? She wanted to brush it off, to ignore the assumptions, but deep down, she knew that this wasn't going to die down anytime soon. Nathan was a man who rarely, if ever, showed personal interest in anyone. The fact that he had openly carried her out in front of everyone?
It wasn't something people would forget easily.
And the most frustrating part? Leia herself had no idea what any of it meant.
—
During her lunch break, Leia's phone buzzed with a message notification. She glanced at the screen, expecting another routine work update, but instead, her breath hitched slightly at the familiar name displayed.
Nathan: Are you free tonight? Grandma wants to invite you over for dinner.
Leia blinked at the message, her heart skipping a beat. She reread the words, ensuring she wasn't imagining things. Nathan was inviting her to his house? The thought alone sent a wave of emotions surging within her—excitement, nervousness, and an unexplainable warmth that settled deep in her chest. She quickly typed a response, trying to keep it casual, neutral, as if this was just another normal invitation. But the giddy smile threatening to spread across her face was completely betraying her.
Leia: Sounds great!
Almost immediately, another message popped up.
Nathan: I'll come pick you up later then.
Leia bit her lip, feeling unexpectedly flustered. This was just dinner—nothing unusual, nothing out of the ordinary. And yet, the idea of going to Nathan's home, of having dinner with his grandmother, of stepping into a space that was deeply personal to him, felt strangely significant. It wasn't just a casual gathering; it was something more intimate.
She tried to ignore the way her heartbeat had suddenly picked up speed.
Why was she acting like this?
Quickly, she typed out her reply, fingers hesitating for a brief second before hitting send.
Leia: Okay, I'll wait for you.
And yet, even as she set her phone down, even as she tried to focus back on work, she couldn't shake the small, irrational flutter in her stomach.
—
After work, Leia hurried to restroom to freshen up. Just as she stepped outside, a familiar sleek black car pulled up in front of the company building. Leia's breath hitched slightly as the vehicle came to a smooth stop, its polished exterior gleaming under the evening lights. Before she could fully compose herself, the driver's side window rolled down, revealing Nathan, his sharp gaze settling on her the moment their eyes met.
"Did I keep you waiting?" he asked, his voice calm, steady, yet carrying a faint trace of concern.
Leia shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips as she stepped closer. "Not at all, I just finished work."
Nathan gave a slight nod, unlocking the passenger door. Without hesitation, she slid inside, fastening her seatbelt as he smoothly pulled away from the curb. The hum of the engine filled the silence between them, and for a while, neither of them spoke. But the silence wasn't uncomfortable—it was settled, easy, as if the presence of the other was enough to bridge the lack of conversation.
Leia found herself stealing a glance at him—his hands resting firmly on the steering wheel, the sharp angles of his jaw softened by the dim glow of the dashboard lights. He looked calm, focused, every movement controlled and precise. It was strange—she had sat behind him in countless classrooms, had spent three years in the same space as him, and yet, this moment felt completely different.
Maybe it was the setting—just the two of them, outside of work, away from their professional roles. Maybe it was the quiet intimacy of the car, the soft purr of the engine, the muted glow of passing streetlights casting fleeting shadows across his features. Whatever it was, it made her heart beat just a little too fast.
"Are you nervous?" Nathan suddenly asked, his deep voice cutting through the quiet, steady but curious. He glanced at her briefly before turning his eyes back to the road.
Leia hesitated, caught off guard by the question. Then, she let out a small laugh, trying to ease the sudden tightness in her chest. "A little. It's been a while since I had dinner at someone else's house."
Nathan's lips curled at the corners, just slightly—not quite a smile, but something close. "Grandma will be happy to see you. She likes you."
Leia felt her face warm at those words, a sudden, unexplainable rush of flustered energy coursing through her veins. Her fingers unconsciously played with the hem of her coat, a habit she hadn't realized she still had.
Grandma likes me.
And… what about you?
The thought came out of nowhere, unwelcome yet persistent, making her heart skip unsteadily. She quickly shook it off, mentally scolding herself for reading too much into things. Nathan was just being polite. There was nothing more to it.
And yet…
The way he had said it—calmly, simply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world—lingered in her mind, long after the words had already been spoken.
—
The moment they arrived at Nathan's home, the front door was already open, and an elderly woman stood at the entrance, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"Leia, dear, you're finally here," Nathan's grandmother greeted, stepping forward with open arms.
Leia instantly felt a sense of warmth wash over her. The elderly woman's presence was kind and inviting, making her feel like she was stepping into a place she belonged rather than somewhere unfamiliar. Smiling, Leia took her hand and gave a polite nod.
"Grandma, thank you for inviting me. I'm really happy to be here."
"Oh, nonsense! You're always welcome," she said cheerfully, leading Leia inside.
As Leia stepped into the house, the delicious aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, making her stomach rumble slightly. The dining table was already set, displaying an array of beautifully prepared dishes.
Nathan's grandmother beamed. "I made all of these myself. Come, sit. Eat while it's still warm."
Nathan pulled out a chair for Leia before taking his own seat beside her. As the three of them settled in, the conversation began to flow naturally.
—
Between bites of food, Nathan's grandmother glanced between the two of them, an amused twinkle in her eyes. "Leia, I didn't know you and Nathan were high ft school classmates."
Leia smiled, swallowing her bite before responding. "Yes, we were in the same class for three years."
"Ah, then that means you must know him well," she said with an approving nod. Then, without missing a beat, she asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Leia nearly choked on her food.
She quickly set her glass down, coughing lightly before managing a polite smile. "No, Grandma, I'm still single."
Nathan, who had been quietly eating, glanced at her briefly but said nothing.
His grandmother, however, was delighted.
"Well, well," she mused, eyeing her grandson playfully. "That's good to know."
Nathan, sensing where the conversation was headed, sighed lightly. "Grandma, don't start."
But the elderly woman was relentless.
"What?" She chuckled. "Leia is such a wonderful girl. Kind, hardworking, and so beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have her." Then, with a teasing smile, she added, "Nathan, don't you think so too?"
Leia felt the air in the room shift instantly.
She stiffened slightly, daring to glance at Nathan, who was now looking directly at her. His expression remained calm, unreadable—but there was something in his gaze that made her stomach flip.
"Grandma," he said slowly, his voice measured, "are you trying to set me up?"
Leia practically stopped breathing.
His grandmother gave a small, mischievous smile. "I'm just saying what's true! Leia is a good girl."
Leia, now feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, let out a nervous laugh. "Grandma, thank you for your kind words. But… I think Nathan should find someone he truly likes."
Nathan's eyes flickered at her words, but he remained silent.
His grandmother, however, wasn't done yet.
"Leia," she said suddenly, leaning in slightly, "do you like my grandson?"
Leia's entire body tensed.
Nathan, who had been drinking water, paused mid-sip before slowly lowering his glass, his eyes still on her, now filled with an unreadable depth.
Leia's heart pounded.
How was she supposed to answer that?!
Her mind scrambled for a response, for an escape, for anything that would break the intensity of the moment. Finally, she let out a light chuckle and waved a hand.
"Grandma, let's not talk about that now. We should eat before the food gets cold."
Nathan's grandmother watched her for a moment before smiling knowingly and nodding. "Alright, alright. Let's eat."
As the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, Leia finally let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. But even as she returned to her meal, she couldn't ignore the way Nathan's gaze lingered on her for just a second longer than necessary.
—
After dinner, Nathan drove Leia home, the soft hum of the engine filling the comfortable silence between them. The warmth from the evening lingered in her chest—the kindness of his grandmother, the home-cooked meal, the casual yet oddly intimate atmosphere of being welcomed into his family space. It felt like a small glimpse into a world that had once seemed so distant, and now, she had somehow become a part of it.
As they cruised through the quiet city streets, Leia, unable to suppress her curiosity, turned to him with a teasing smile. "So… your grandmother is trying to set you up?"
Nathan glanced at her briefly before focusing back on the road. "Yeah. She's eager to have great-grandchildren." His voice was light, but there was something unreadable beneath the casualness of his words.
Leia chuckled. "Then you better work hard for it." She kept her tone playful, though for some reason, saying it out loud left a strange feeling in her chest—one she chose to ignore.
Nathan was quiet for a moment before he shifted the conversation. "Your parents haven't been pushing you to settle down?"
Leia sighed, leaning her head back against the seat. "Of course they have. They've even been arranging blind dates for me." She let out a small, helpless laugh before continuing. "Actually, I have one scheduled for tomorrow."
At her words, Nathan's fingers unconsciously tightened around the steering wheel. He turned to look at her, eyes flickering with something she couldn't quite place. "You're really going?"
Leia let out another sigh, this time with a touch of resignation. "I don't particularly want to, but I also don't want to upset my parents. So, I'll just go. But I already made it clear that I won't force myself into anything. If can get along well, I'll give it a chance. If not, I'll move on."
Nathan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he remained silent, his jaw subtly clenching, as if contemplating something.
Then, after a long pause, his voice broke the quiet. "Leia, why didn't you answer when my grandmother asked if you liked me?"
Leia stiffened.
She turned toward him slightly, surprised by his directness. She hadn't expected him to bring it up, hadn't expected him to have been thinking about it.
She hesitated before speaking, her voice softer than before. "I just… didn't want to make things awkward at the dinner table."
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.
Nathan remained quiet, his expression unreadable, but the weight in the air had shifted.
Leia exhaled, deciding that maybe this was the time to say what had been in her heart all these years.
"Nathan, ever since high school, I've always thought you were someone incredible." Her voice was steady, yet gentle. "You were always focused, always working hard toward your goals. You never let anything distract you. I admired that about you." She turned her gaze toward the window, watching as the city lights blurred past them. "Till today, I still think that you are an amazing guy."
She let out a quiet laugh, though there was a tinge of bittersweetness to it. "I believe you will find an equally incredible person to stand beside you."
Nathan's hands tightened around the wheel, his expression unreadable, but Leia didn't notice—she was too focused on finally saying the things she had never had the courage to voice before.
"These past few days… running into you again has been one of the luckiest things to happen to me," she admitted, her voice warm yet tinged with finality. The words came out more steadily than she expected, but the moment they left her lips, a strange, unfamiliar ache settled in her chest.
Nathan remained silent.
Leia couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she could feel the shift in the air—the subtle, almost imperceptible weight that now lingered between them.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"Then, I hope your blind date goes well tomorrow."
Leia felt something inside her twist painfully at his words, though she had no idea why. She forced a small smile. "Thanks."
The rest of the drive was quiet, neither of them speaking as the city lights flickered past.
When they arrived at her apartment complex, Nathan pulled up to the entrance, putting the car in park. Leia unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to get out, but before she reached for the door handle, she hesitated.
She turned to him, searching for something—anything—in his expression. But Nathan simply met her gaze with his usual calm demeanor, his eyes steady, unreadable, giving nothing away.
For some reason, that made it hurt even more.
"Goodnight, Nathan."
"Goodnight, Leia."
With that, she stepped out of the car, closing the door behind her.
Nathan watched as she disappeared into the building, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips as he leaned back in his seat, staring at the empty space where she had just been.
And for the first time in a long time—
He felt like he was losing something he wasn't ready to let go of.