Mated with a human

chapter 17

He turned to leave before she even reacted. She blinked, then hurried after him. “Wait—are u sure u wanna sit up there?”

Luke kept walking. “We don’t have a choice, do we?”

June just puffed her cheeks dramatically and followed behind him.

They climbed the stairs, reached the rooftop door, pushed it open, and stepped into the quiet, cool air. The rooftop was peaceful, almost like another world compared to the noisy canteen.

They walked to the bench and sat down side by side. They unwrapped their lunch and ate quietly. Surprisingly, June didn’t talk—she was unusually silent, just eating slowly.

Luke noticed. He looked at her from the corner of his eye, but didn’t say anything. He just continued eating.

When they finished, June stood up, collected the plastic containers, walked to the bin in the corner, threw everything away, and came back to sit next to him again.

She took a breath, faced him, and spoke.

“We’re done eating… so can we talk?”

Luke raised his eyes slightly. “Talk about what?”

June tucked her hair behind her ear. “Well… yesterday u said something like… if I saw u as a brother, I wouldn’t have other thoughts about u. Remember?”

Luke leaned back, breathing in the cool air. “What is there to talk about?”

June exhaled. “I want u to be specific. What did u mean?”

Luke turned his head fully this time. “I know u like me.” He paused. “Or don’t u?”

Her throat tightened. She tried to laugh it off, lightly slapping his thigh—then froze when she realized what she did.

Luke’s eyes dropped to where her hand was, then moved back up to her face with a cold gaze.

June pulled her hand back instantly. “I-I didn’t mean—”

Luke spoke first. “See what u just did? And u still deny u don’t like me?”

She looked down, then took a deep breath and met his eyes.

“Okay… listen. Yes, I admit I liked u when I first saw u in the coffee shop. But now, seeing how close we’re becoming… I see u as my big brother. I swear.”

Luke looked away for a moment. Then suddenly, he took off his glasses, pushed his hair back, and faced her.

“What about now? Still deny u like me?”

June froze. His face was clear—no glasses, no hair covering his forehead. She opened her mouth wide, staring at him like she wasn’t breathing.

Before she realized it, her hand moved on its own toward his face—she quickly caught herself, stopping mid-air. She snapped back when she felt his hand lightly brush her wrist before he pulled away.

June swallowed. “Well… not bad. At least I have a handsome brother. Lucky me.” She grinned wide.

Luke sighed, pushed his hair back down, wore his glasses again. June studied him.

“Why hide yourself like that? Don’t want girls chasing after u? Honestly… wise move.”

She then stood and walked to the railing. Luke followed.

“I just like myself like this,” he said quietly.

Before June could answer, the speakers turned on with a loud click. The principal’s voice echoed:

“Students, school is dismissed for today. Please head home. We will see each other again on Monday.”

The whole school erupted in excitement.

Luke and June walked out of the rooftop and down the stairs. Students were already running, cheering, talking loudly.

Luke headed for the gate—but June was still walking beside him.

He stopped and looked at her. “Aren’t u supposed to go in your car?”

June smiled casually. “Didn’t come with it today. So I’m walking with u.”

Luke didn’t say anything. They walked together, June talking endlessly while he listened quietly like always.

_____

At Gerald Group…

Dyran sat in his office, his chair turned slightly toward the tall glass window. From there, he could see the entire city spread below him — shining towers, moving cars, and the endless hum of life. He rotated lazily in his stool, bored, watching the light reflect off the glass buildings.

Then, a soft knock came at the door.

Before he could even respond, it opened — and in walked her.

That same beautiful girl from the other day.

She carried a neat stack of files in her hands, her heels clicking lightly against the floor.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Dyran,” she greeted politely, walking up to his desk. “Here are some files for you to check. When you’re done, please press the intercom — I’ll send someone to collect them.”

She turned to leave, but Dyran’s voice stopped her.

“Wait.”

She froze mid-step, turning her head slightly toward him. “Yes, Mr. Dyran?”

He stood, walking around his desk until he was standing right in front of her. His eyes locked on hers, his tone soft but deliberate.

“What are you doing tonight?”

She blinked, clearly caught off guard. “I’m… not available,” she said, her voice calm but firm.

Dyran smirked. “How about you make yourself available for me?”

That earned him a raised brow and a little smile. “Sorry to disappoint you, mister, but you don’t get to tell me what to do. When I say I’m not available, I mean it. Take it or leave it.”

She turned to go, but his hand shot out, catching her wrist. With a swift pull, she stumbled and fell right into his chest.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, the room went quiet — her hands pressed lightly against his chest, his grip firm on her waist. The air between them thickened, heavy with tension.

Dyran’s lips curved into a low smirk. “Don’t make me repeat myself. You’re going to make yourself available…”

She cut him off, her voice low but sharp. “Or what? You’ll bite me to death?”

He laughed quietly, his breath brushing against her ear. “Why would I bite a beauty like you? Besides…” He leaned closer, inhaling slightly. “You smell nice.”

Before she could respond, a knock came — the door opened.

They immediately stepped apart, pretending to be casual, but it was too late. The man at the door had seen everything.

It was Mr. Gerald’s personal assistant.

He looked between the two of them, expression unreadable. “Dyran, Mr. Gerald says you can head home early today. There’s no more work for you.”

Then, turning to the girl, he said firmly, “Jay, you have work to finish.”

Jay nodded quickly and left without a word.

When she was gone, the PA looked back at Dyran, his voice low. “You should know your father won’t like what you’re doing.”

Dyran only smiled faintly, saying nothing. He picked up his car keys, grabbed his jacket, and left the office.

As he exited the building, the PA sighed and went straight to Jay’s department. He stopped beside her desk and said quietly, “You should know your place. Don’t mess around with Dyran.”

Jay didn’t look up from her papers. She just nodded once and continued working.

---

Later that evening…

Dyran slid into his sleek black sports car, pulling the door closed with a soft thud. He loosened his tie, leaned back, and dialed his friend.

“Kyeran,” he said as soon as the call connected. “Tell me there’s a party tonight. I need to blow off some steam.”

A grin tugged at his lips as he revved the engine and sped off.