THE BLEEDING HEART

FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM

CHAPTER 10 SWEET AUDACITY

When Ian walked into the CEO's office to deliver the morning schedule, he immediately noticed the dark, heavy circles bruising the skin under Kenneth’s eyes. Kenneth was slumped slightly in his leather chair, staring at his laptop, his jaw tense and his overall aura radiating severe exhaustion and stress.

Despite the harsh, cold words Kenneth had hurled at him on the morning after their encounter, Ian felt a profound sense of gratitude and affection toward this complicated man. He knew Kenneth was carrying a heavy burden, even if he didn't know the dark truth behind it.

Instead of brewing the usual, extra-strong black espresso that Kenneth always demanded to abuse his body with, Ian decided to do something incredibly bold. He meticulously brewed a cup of warm chamomile tea, infusing it with a small spoonful of organic honey.With quiet, careful steps,

Ian walked over and gently placed the steaming porcelain cup onto the mahogany desk.Kenneth glanced up from his laptop, his expression instantly souring as the sweet, floral aroma of the tea hit his nose. He looked at the cup, then up at Ian, his brow furrowing deeply.

"What on earth is this, Sue? I distinctly asked for an espresso. I have a mountain of board meetings today."Ian swallowed hard, bracing himself for the inevitable yelling, but he stood his ground. He looked directly into Kenneth’s tired eyes with his striking, clear sky-blue gaze.

"You look like you haven't slept in days, Mr. Vance," Ian said softly, his voice trembling slightly but filled with a profound, undeniable sincerity. "Black coffee will only make your heart race and increase your anxiety. Chamomile helps calm the nerves and reduces stress. Please... just drink it. For your health."Kenneth stared at the steaming cup, and then back up at Ian’s hopeful, innocent face.

The sheer, unadulterated audacity of this boy—someone he had treated like garbage, someone he had strictly ordered to keep their relationship professional—standing in his office and openly caring for his well-being was infuriating. It threatened Kenneth's control. It broke through his defenses.Yet, as he looked at Ian's soft, flushed cheeks, that small, long-dead part of Kenneth’s heart stirred violently.

A strange warmth bloomed in his chest, fighting against the cold ruthlessness of the mafia don."Are you defying my direct orders now, Sue?" Kenneth asked, trying to force his voice to sound cold and menacing, though his eyes betrayed a deep, lingering fascination. "Since when do my secretaries dictate what I consume?"

"I'm not defying you, sir," Ian offered a tiny, tentative, and incredibly cute smile, his sky-blue eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm just looking out for my boss."Before Kenneth could respond or snap at him again, Ian quickly turned around his face burning a bright pink, and practically scurried out of the executive office, closing the glass door safely behind him.

Left alone in the quiet room, Kenneth stared at the closed door for a long time. He looked down at the warm cup of tea, the steam gently rising into the air. A normal tyrant would have thrown it in the trash. But Kenneth slowly reached out, his large hand wrapping around the warm porcelain. He lifted it to his lips and took a sip.

It was perfectly sweet, perfectly warm—exactly what his exhausted body needed.Kenneth drank every single drop, his gaze fixed on the empty desk outside where his clumsy, beautiful secretary sat, completely unaware that he had just tamed a monster.