"You''re...K?"


    Victoria could hardly believe it.


    Right in front of her, the boy pulled off his shirt without a second thought, revealing a lean, muscr torso. Then, just as casually, he grabbed a fresh T-shirt from the sofa and pulled it on, moving around with the easyfort of someone alone in their own home.


    "How old are you, anyway?" he asked, running a hand through his hair. "I''m twenty-three. You can''t be more than, what, twenty-five? So who do you think I am?"


    Hearing his age only left Victoria more confused. The guy-no, man-was barely two years younger than her. But that face, all innocent charm and sharp, upturned eyes... How could anyone look so angelic and yet so mischievous at the same time?


    "I actually came to talk with you about that algorithm project," she said once she''d gathered herself. "I was hoping you might have some time?"


    K nced at her, stifling a yawn, and rubbed his stomach dramatically, as though he hadn''t eaten in days. "I''m starving. Can''t think straight unless I get some food."


    Victoria''s gaze drifted around his apartment. Clothes scattered everywhere, expensive action figures piled on shelves and carpeting the floor-total chaos. That old saying came to mind: even a rat would need GPS to find its way in here. "What do you want to eat?" she offered. "I can cook something for you."


    That, at least, she could handle. Victoria wasn''t much of a chef, but she could manage a simple bowl of pasta.


    "Fridge is over there. Help yourself," K replied, waving a hand. "Once I''ve eaten, I''ll be able to think. Just don''t burn my kitchen down. I''m gonna y a few rounds call me when it''s ready."


    Without another word, he strode off to his room and mmed the door, leaving Victoria alone with his mountain of collectibles-apparently unconcerned she might walk off with half his stuff.


    Surveying the disaster zone, Victoria felt a wave of despair. Picking her way around what looked like weeks-oldundry, she made it to the kitchen.


    As soon as she opened the fridge, an avnche of food tumbled out: fruit, vegetables, all stuffed in haphazardly. She barely managed to catch a carton of eggs before it hit the floor.


    At least the pots and pans were neatly arranged; she''d be able to find what she needed. From the looks of things, though, K didn''t spend much time cooking. After sorting through the packaged foods, she tossed out anything expired-there was a lot then tied on a clean apron and set about boiling some pasta.


    Good thing she''d eaten beforeing over. Anyone else would have shaken their head at the state of this ce.


    As the noodles cooked, she tidied up the kitchen, tossing out the mountain of old food.


    Ten minutester, the meal was ready. Victoria knocked on K''s door. "Dinner''s ready!"


    The sound of gunfire and explosions from his game echoed through the door, but he called back, "Just let me finish this round."


    Victoria eyed the mess in the living room, feeling dizzy. She''d never seen a ce this chaotic. The thought of discussing work with K in this environment made her want to suffocate.


    When K finally emerged from his room, he barely nced at her before heading straight for the kitchen and digging in. As soon as he''d finished, he disappeared back into his room, headset already back in ce.


    Left alone, Victoria couldn''t help herself. She rolled up her sleeves and started cleaning, unable to stand the mess. She''d grown up in spotless homes; being here sent her neat-freak tendencies into overdrive. Two hourster, after she''d scrubbed, vacuumed, and organized everything in sight, night had fallen outside. She nearly forgot why she''de in the first ce. When K finally reappeared, he stopped short, stunned.


    "What did you do to my ce?"


    Victoria blinked, sheepish. "Sorry, it was just so messy I couldn''t help myself."


    Thank God McNeil wasn''t like this, she thought. If he were, she''d have run from their engagement on the spot.


    "Not bad," K said approvingly, handing her his empty bowl. "Got any more? I''m still hungry."


    Victoria stared at him, speechless.


    He grinned. "Don''t worry, I won''t let you cook for free. Tell me what you want-I’II grant you three wishes."


    "Alright," she agreed, suddenly hopeful. "I want—”


    "How about this," K interrupted. "Youe over three times a week and cook for me. Whatever you want to ask, I''ll answer. No secrets."


    He shed her a dimpled smile, looking for all the world like a mischievous schoolboy rather than an entric genius. Victoria found herself nodding, a little dazed.


    Deal. If he really was K, she needed his help. Those algorithms could unlock the next stage of her drone project-better battery life, heavier loads. They were stuck, not forck of funding, but because of technical obstacles. If anyone could break through, it was him.


    "Alright. I''ll wait until you''re done gaming," she said.


    Victoria settled on the couch, scrolling through her phone as she waited. But as the minutes dragged on, exhaustion caught up with her, and she dozed off.


    It was deep into the night when K finally finished. He nced at her curled up on the sofa, a faint, mocking smile ying on his lips. Then he tugged at her hair. Victoria jolted awake.


    "It''ste. You should head home," he said. "Just the two of us here-I''d rather not give the neighbors anything to gossip about."