Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime
Chapter 119: Something in the Air

Chapter 119: Something in the Air

The soft clack of heels on tile echoed in the hallway as Zephany approached her office, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. She was still replaying the morning in her head. The kitchen, the dishes, his voice. The moment Kendrick called her "my dear wife." The way her face heated up instantly, and how quickly she had to retreat before he noticed.

Her hand reached for the door handle, breath catching slightly.

Okay. Just breathe.

As the door swung open, she stepped inside and came to a sudden stop.

There he was.

Kaelion Voss.

Lounging like a prince in her office chair, his feet kicked up on her desk, his usual smug grin stretching across his face as though he had just walked out of a cologne commercial. His silver cufflink gleamed in the light filtering from the blinds. That familiar scent, mint and citrus, hit her senses instantly.

He looked up the moment he sensed her presence.

A slow smile spread across his face.

"Good morning, Idol."

Zephany sighed, adjusting the strap on her bag. "Kaelion, why are you in my chair again?"

Before Kaelion could respond, another voice chimed in lightly from the corner.

"Oh, Zeph! I’m also here, not just Kaelion."

Zephany blinked and turned her head quickly.

Sitting cross-legged in her own chair just beside Zephany’s desk was Pia, her deskmate and closest friend in the office. Pia had a playful smile plastered across her face, her fingers twirling a pen idly as her eyes darted mischievously between Zephany and Kaelion.

Zephany’s shoulders tensed.

Of course Pia was here. Of course she saw everything.

Zephany gave her a small nod, trying not to look too rattled, but Pia didn’t let the moment slide. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned forward slightly, pen tapping her notebook rhythmically. Her gaze moved from Kaelion, still sprawled in Zephany’s chair, to Zephany herself, then back again.

"Really interesting choice of seat, Kaelion," Pia said, her tone light but edged with teasing. "Bit forward, don’t you think?"

Kaelion swung his legs down quickly and stood up, brushing his coat as though only just realizing the impropriety. His smile turned sheepish, almost boyish.

"I’m sorry, Idol," he said, turning to Zephany with a half-bow. "Your chair is just so comfortable. Here, please, take a seat."

He stepped aside smoothly, gesturing grandly toward the seat like a game show host presenting a prize.

Zephany sighed and lowered her bag to the floor, walking stiffly to her desk. She sat down quietly, keeping her eyes on her monitor. She didn’t trust Pia’s gaze right now.

But Pia was never one to hold her tongue.

She leaned back in her chair and tilted her head, squinting at Zephany as if inspecting something.

"You look... glowy today."

Zephany froze.

"Did something happen? Or should I say... someone?"

Her fingers faltered on the keyboard. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks again, creeping up her neck.

"Don’t be ridiculous," she muttered, voice soft. "It’s just the lighting."

Kaelion, who had hovered near the edge of her desk, saw her flustered expression and immediately jumped to her defense.

"Right," he echoed, nodding eagerly. "Must be the lighting."

Pia raised both eyebrows but said nothing else. Her smirk said enough.

Zephany tried to refocus on her screen. Her eyes scanned the article draft she was editing, but the words blurred together, unreadable.

Not because of Kaelion.

But because of someone else.

Her thoughts drifted unwillingly back to the apartment, the smell of soap and their earlier breakfast in the air, Kendrick’s hands in the sink, the low, steady way he said those words. Like he meant them.

Her lips curved slightly.

She caught herself and immediately forced her expression neutral, clearing her throat as she clicked the mouse repeatedly just for something to do.

Pia didn’t miss it, but graciously kept quiet for now.

Kaelion, watching her, suddenly remembered why he had come.

He rubbed the back of his neck, stepping closer.

"Hmm... Idol. I know you’re busy, and I’m sorry for barging in like this," he began, his tone more serious now. "I actually just have business here with Air Media. It’s for my recent movie project. My manager’s talking to Mr. Davidson now."

Zephany looked up, blinking.

"Air Media?"

He nodded. "Yeah. The director chose your building as a location for a few key scenes. I’m playing a journalist, of all things. Can you believe it? They figured this place would be a good fit after all. It is an actual newsroom."

Pia let out a low whistle. "Talk about method acting."

Kaelion chuckled. "Tell me about it."

He glanced at Zephany again, his voice softening slightly.

"Since I was already here... I figured I’d drop by and say hi."

Zephany didn’t say anything, simply nodding once, still not trusting herself to speak.

Kaelion paused, waiting. Then, carefully, he added,

"Also... I was kind of hoping you’d think again about that music collaboration."

That made her look up.

He gave her that familiar look—half serious, half hopeful, the one he always wore when he was genuinely asking.

"I know it’s no longer your usual thing," he continued, sliding his hands into his coat pockets. "But you’ve got a way with music. And that melody you performed last time? It’s been stuck in my head for days. I think it’d be perfect."

Zephany blinked again, caught off guard by the shift in his tone. Kaelion could be dramatic, arrogant even, but when he talked about music, there was something real underneath all the showmanship.

Pia was practically vibrating in her seat, eyes wide, silently mouthing, Say yes!

But Zephany only smiled faintly, lifting her mug and taking a slow sip.

"I’ll think about it," she said softly.

Kaelion grinned. "That’s better than a no. I’ll take it."

As the door opened again, one of the assistants peeked inside.

"Mr. Voss? They’re ready for you now."

Kaelion gave a small wave. "Coming."

He turned back to Zephany with a two-finger salute. "Don’t miss me too much, Idol."

Pia snorted. Zephany simply nodded again, her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to hold back another smile. Inside her mind, she turned it over: ’Those lines seem perfect to tease Kendrick back. "Don’t miss me too much, Husband."’ Her smile widened at the thought. ’I might use that on him. It’s no good if he’s the only one who teases.’

As the door closed behind him, the room fell quiet.

Pia leaned back, arms crossed.

"That man is a handful."

Zephany sighed. "You’re telling me."

"But he’s right about one thing. You really should consider that collab."

Zephany turned toward her monitor again, but her reflection on the darkened part of the screen gave her away. The faint, quiet smile that had been lingering since morning still hadn’t fully left her face.

Pia caught it.

She didn’t say anything this time.

But she didn’t need to.

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