(Lunch Delivery & Public Chaos)
If there was one thing Marie believed in, it was this—
arguments were just relationships doing cardio.
And judging by the current situation?
Ethan Vale and Aria Larkspur had just run a full marathon.
She couldn't quite explain it, but the air between them had shifted. Not softer—no, that would be too simple. It was sharper, livelier… like two people constantly testing each other's limits and secretly enjoying it.
At the very least, Aria no longer ate alone like a tragic heroine in a drama.
Now she ate with Ethan.
And occasionally bullied him while doing it.
—
Breakfast was peaceful.
Suspiciously peaceful.
Ethan sat at the table, scrolling through emails on his tablet, expression cold enough to freeze water. Across from him, Aria rested her chin on her palm, openly staring like she was watching a live documentary titled "Rare Species: Corporate Tyrant in Natural Habitat."
Without looking up, Ethan said flatly,
"Stop staring and eat."
Aria blinked.
"…Do you have eyes in your forehead?"
"No," he replied calmly. "You're just loud… even when you're silent."
"Wow," she muttered. "That's talent. You should monetize it."
Still, she picked up a shrimp dumpling, paused… then casually placed it onto his plate.
"I can't finish. You eat."
No hesitation.
No inspection.
No suspicion.
Ethan simply ate it.
Aria froze.
Her brain short-circuited.
…Excuse me?
She squinted at him like he'd just committed a crime against hygiene.
"Did work finally break your brain?" she asked slowly. "You didn't even check that."
Ethan finished chewing, wiped his lips elegantly, and finally looked at her.
"What's wrong?"
"…Nothing," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Just observing your decline."
"Concerned?"
"Deeply. Should I call a doctor or a priest?"
—
A few minutes later, Ethan stood up, clearly ready to leave—
then paused.
"…Tie."
Aria raised a brow. "Use your hands. They seem functional."
"Aria."
"…Fine."
She dragged herself upstairs, picked a blue-striped tie, then returned.
Ethan reached out—
—but she ignored that entirely and stepped closer, standing on her toes.
"Lower," she complained. "You're unnecessarily tall."
"That sounds like a personal problem."
"Existing near you is a problem."
He chuckled under his breath but leaned down anyway.
Her fingers worked carefully, tying the knot with practiced ease.
For a moment, it was quiet.
Too quiet.
Then Ethan said casually,
"I could hold an umbrella for you again if height bothers you that much."
Aria's ears instantly turned red.
"…Shut up."
"Noted."
She finished, shoved his coat at him, and waved him off like an annoyed wife in a sitcom.
"Go earn money. I enjoy expensive things."
"Clearly."
—
The moment he left, Aria's entire personality flipped.
She flopped onto the sofa like a drained battery.
System: "You're exhausting."
Aria: "Excellence requires effort."
System: "That wasn't excellence. That was drama."
Aria: "Same thing."
—
By noon, a dangerous idea formed.
Aria snapped her fingers.
"Marie!"
The aunt appeared instantly. "Yes, dear?"
"Pack lunch. Nicely. I'm delivering it."
Marie's smile widened like she'd just witnessed a wedding proposal.
"Oh ho~ I'll make it extra special."
System: "Why suddenly play house?"
Aria flipped through sheet music lazily.
"Because slow burn is overrated. I'm turning up the heat."
System: "…You're going to get stuck here."
Aria smirked.
"Relax. He still wants my shares from Larkspur Holdings. This? This is just emotional investment."
—
Outside the Vale residence, a bodyguard hesitated.
"Miss Aria… I'm not sure this is allowed."
She hugged the lunch container, looking at him with the softest, most innocent expression imaginable.
"I just want to give Ethan lunch."
Pause.
Then she added, voice quieter—
"If that's not okay… you can give it to him instead."
She handed it over.
Turned.
Walked away.
"…Three… two… one—"
"Wait!"
Hook, line, sinker.
—
Vale Corporation Headquarters.
A building so intimidating it practically screamed "Don't breathe without permission."
Aria walked in like she owned the place.
Which, spiritually, she did.
The receptionist blinked.
"Do you have an appointment?"
Aria smiled sweetly.
"I'll just call him."
The receptionist didn't believe her.
Not even a little.
Until—
Ethan Vale walked out personally.
The entire lobby froze.
He didn't even glance around. Just walked straight to Aria.
"…Why are you here?"
She handed him the bag.
"Delivery service. Five-star rating. No refunds."
He looked inside. "…You brought food?"
"I brought love," she corrected. "Food is just the packaging."
Behind them, the receptionist mentally resigned from life.
—
Then came the real chaos.
The receptionist returned with tea, awkward and flustered.
Aria accepted it kindly.
Took a sip.
Then—without hesitation—held it out to Ethan.
"Try. It's good."
The receptionist: internal screaming
Ethan: takes it and drinks
Receptionist: soul leaves body
Aria smirked. "See? Not poisoned."
"…Disappointing," Ethan replied.
"Next time, I'll try harder."
—
As they turned to leave, Ethan paused.
Looked at the receptionist.
"Next time, no need for appointments. She has full access. Private elevator."
Silence.
Then—
"…Yes, sir."
Aria tilted her head, smiling faintly.
Another door opened.
Another step closer.
And somewhere in the background—
System sighed.
"You're dangerous."
Aria chuckled softly.
"Correction."
Her eyes gleamed.
"I'm unforgettable."