I Captured the Attention of the Cold CEO.

If anyone had asked me what I wanted out of life, I wouldn’t have said much. A peaceful home, a few people I could tolerate, maybe even care about, and a life that didn’t feel like it was constantly slipping through my fingers. That was enough. Friday afternoons at the university canteen were predictable. It was almost too predictable. Considering I've spent two years of studies here, it'd be absurd if I didn't know how it normally goes. Plastic chairs scraping against the tiled floor. The dull hum of conversations overlapping into one long, indistinct noise. The smell of food that was either too oily or too suspicious to trust. I preferred sitting at the far corner, away from most people. It wasn’t that I disliked them. I just didn’t have the energy to engage. I had just opened my book, barely settling into the quiet I had carved out for myself when… “AHHH!” A loud shout exploded right beside my ear. My entire body jerked violently, my chair screeching backwards as my books slipped from my hands and scattered across the floor. My heart slammed against my ribs. “Bruhhhh…!” I whipped around, clutching my chest. “Noah!” He was already bent over laughing. Actually laughing. Not even trying to hide it. “Gemezue, you should have seen your face…” “I almost died!” I snapped, glaring at him. “We literally just turned nineteen. I made sure to stretch the ‘teen’ part. “ “Why are you still behaving like a crackhead? What if I was eating? I would have choked!” “That would’ve been dramatic,” he said, nodding thoughtfully. “Very cinematic.” I stared at him, blinking slowly and deliberately. Why was I even friends with this kid in the first place? This is basically my fault. I heave a deep sigh as I lean down to gather my books, muttering under my breath. “You are unbelievable.” “Hold up,” he said quickly, suddenly stepping closer. “Wait…before you get angry…” He slid something across the table. An ice cream cup. Chocolate. My favourite. Just for a second, I pause. Then I narrowed my eyes at him. This sly fox! “You’re trying to bribe me.” “I prefer the term peace offering.” “You’re manipulative.” “I’m thoughtful.” I exhaled slowly, trying to maintain some level of dignity. “…Fine,” I said, sitting back down. “I suppose I can overlook this minor incident.” I grabbed the spoon and took one bite. Then another. After which I took three more in quick succession. “…but don’t do it again,” I added between spoonfuls. Noah snorted. “You say that every time.” I didn’t respond. Because at that moment, nothing mattered more than the chocolate melting perfectly on my tongue. “Honestly,” he said after a while, watching me with amusement, “I should just keep these on me at all times. How else am I supposed to prank you without consequences?” I nodded absentmindedly. “Yes. Good idea.” He blinked. “…You’re agreeing with me?” “Mm.” “Wow. You’re really gone.” I ignored him. While we were leaving the school premises together later, and the afternoon sun was casting long shadows across the campus pathways, Noah suddenly reached over and pulled my backpack off my shoulder. I stopped walking. “…Why?” He slung it over his own shoulder and straightened dramatically. “Allow me to serve thee,” he said in an exaggerated tone. “For thou hast graciously offered to feed me at thy humble abode…” “It’s my mother,” I interrupted flatly. “...I, thy loyal servant, shall deem to repay thee with acts of service.” I scrunched my nose. “You’re embarrassing.” “I am dedicated.” “You’re ridiculous.” “Yet you tolerate me.” I didn’t answer that. The truth was…he wasn’t wrong. I didn’t make friends easily. Never had. I was always too quiet, or too shy, or too monotone, basically not ‘friend’ material. But Noah… He had a way of inserting himself into my life without making it feel overwhelming. He was loud, but not suffocating. Annoying, but reliable. He never pushed too far. And whenever he did, he always made up for it. By the time we got to my home, I already knew my mother had gone overboard. I didn’t even need to step fully inside. The smell hit me first. Then the table. “…Mum.” Plates filled every available space. Different dishes, different colours, like she was feeding an entire gathering instead of just three people and a guest. Congratulations, Noah's first visit to my house was a feast; literally. There was even a cake. I remembered telling my mother about how Noah's birthday came after mine and how she'd insisted on me telling him to visit. Probably that's the reason she went overboard. Noah, on the other hand, lit up instantly. “Mrs. Paolo!!!” he exclaimed, rushing forward like he had just discovered treasure. “This is a feast fit for royalty!” I covered my face with my hand. As if it wasn't enough, he continued, “Pray tell, art thou one?” Of course he would say that. Couldn't he wait a little before he shows his true colours? I was expecting my mum to react differently from how she did. Because when I looked up, my mother was laughing. Actually laughing. Oh wow. I'd feel bad, but I know my mum is probably trying not to do too much. Sometimes, I tell her to open a catering academy because she's going to make a lot of money. “Well, aren’t you lively,” she said warmly. “Come, come. Sit.” And just like that, He belonged. For the only friend I've brought home, he seemed to fit in well. Someone walking in could mistake him for my brother. I shook my head as I turned toward my room. “You two better not gossip about me,” I called over my shoulder. I quickly doubled back, grabbing my bag from Noah and pinching his arm sharply. “Ow—!” I didn’t wait. When I returned, he was already eating cake. Messily. There were crumbs everywhere. Perfect. I wanted to record him with my phone, but as if on cue, the front door opened. “Dad!” I rushed to him, hugging him tightly. We walked into the dining room together, and I introduced him to Noah; Who looked like he had just been caught mid-crime. His entire mouth was messy, and he had some red stains on his clothes. For the first time that day, I laughed. I didn't need much from life. Just a continuity of these experiences, and looking at my family and friend gathered at the table, everything felt… complete.