“No, no, the big boss doesn’t want everyone to love him. He only wants the people he loves to love him back,” Bryson’s words echoed in my mind as I left the office.


    For some reason, I found myself strangely curious about what this elusive boss of ours looked like. What kind of nose, eyes, or face did he have?


    And what was even more puzzling was that there was absolutely no mention of him in thepany files. Could he be hiding something?


    Or was he one of those ultra-low-key bosses-so low-profile that he didn’t leave a trace, not even a photo?


    As I drove to Heritage Atelier, a specialty store for writing tools, my thoughts continued to drift back to the big boss.


    I parked my car but didn’t get out immediately. Instead, I dialed Josh’s number.


    No answer. I figured he must be busy, so I opened WhatsApp and left him a message. [Are you free to go to the Dolton family dinner tonight?]


    People who don’t answer their phones usually don’t reply to messages either, so once the message was sent, I put my phone away and walked into the store.


    “Miss Kemp, you’re here!” The owner, Rogelio Lindsey, greeted me with a smile as soon as I entered.


    I was a regr at this ce, always ordering high-end writing sets every year as a gift for Peter, who loved to paint. I knew he would go through a lot of ink, so it was the perfect gift for him.


    “Mr. Lindsey, do you have any new and good ink sets this year?” I asked as I casually browsed the shelves.


    “We do, we do. But don’t bother with those over there-they’re not worth your time. The good stuff is over here,” Rogelio motioned toward a more exclusive section.


    Even though he said that, I still took a quick nce at everything on the shelves, but eventually I ended up at the cab he had pointed to.


    Immediately, my eyes were drawn to a deep green ink set. “Could I take a look at this one?” I asked.


    “Of course,” Rogelio said, carefully pulling the set from the disy. “This is thetest release—just came out.”


    It was his way ofplimenting my taste.


    I examined it carefully, impressed by the craftsmanship and material. Without hesitation, I decided, “I’ll take it, Mr. Lindsey.”


    But to my surprise, Rogelio didn’t immediately agree. He hesitated for a moment, looking a little ufortable. “Miss Kemp, I’m afraid this set has already been reserved.”


    That meant there was only one avable.


    For a brief moment, I felt disappointed… but then again, when in life is there no regret?


    After a quick sigh, I let go of the set, deciding to pick something else. But just as I was about to turn away, I heard footsteps approaching the door.


    “Miss Kemp, take your time. I’ll be right with this customer,” Rogelio said.


    “Go ahead,” I replied, continuing to look at the other sets. But just as I did, I saw him walk off with the very set I had just been admiring.


    At first, I didn’t think much of it, but then I heard Thea’s voice from across the room.


    “Mr. Lindsey, is the set I ordered ready?” she asked, her tone calm and collected.


    I turned to see her take the very same ink set I had wanted. I hadn’t expected it to be hers.


    My first thought? She was buying it as a gift for Peter.


    田


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