LOVE SPEAKS[I'm attracted to you]

After finishing his meal, he stood up, brushing his hands off before heading back to his office. She watched him go, a feeling of frustration settling in her chest.

Her brother was already inside when they entered, leaning lazily against the desk, scrolling through his phone. He glanced up when they walked in. "Oh, look who finally took a break."

The family friend ignored him and went straight to his desk, already pulling out another document.

She took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Do you actually like me?"

The room fell silent.

Her brother's eyebrows shot up. "Whoa." He quickly straightened, looking between the two of them.

The family friend, on the other hand, didn't even flinch. He simply turned a page, his cold exterior never breaking. "I do."

Her brother's mouth dropped open. "Huh?!"

She frowned, ignoring her brother's reaction. "Then why do you act like this?"

Finally, he looked up, his expression unreadable. "Because I'm not much into those things."

Her brother scoffed. "Oh, you have to be kidding me."

She felt her chest tighten. "What does that even mean?"

The family friend exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "I don't think like others do. I don't know how to be warm. I don't know how to do… all of this."

Her brother folded his arms. "But you do know. You're just stubborn."

She stepped closer, her voice softer now. "You're already warm—to me."

His jaw tightened slightly. "That doesn't change anything."

Her brother shook his head. "This is ridiculous. Just admit you're scared."

The family friend's gaze darkened.

She swallowed, feeling the weight of his words settle in her chest. "So what now? You'll just pretend this doesn't exist?"

He held her gaze for a long moment before finally saying, "I'm like this. It's better that way."

Then, without another word, he turned back to his work, his cold presence pushing them away.

Her brother sighed heavily. "You're impossible."

She didn't say anything. She just stood there, staring at him, knowing deep down that he was running—from her, from himself, from them.

Sienna Clarke was used to attention.

People always admired her—her beauty, her confidence, her presence. She and her brother, Jason Clarke, were the kind of siblings that turned heads wherever they went. But none of that mattered right now.

Because the only person she wanted to see her was Vince.

And yet, he refused to.

As his cold words settled in, she felt her chest tighten. She didn't want to cry—not in front of him, not in front of her brother—but the ache was too much.

Jason noticed first. His eyes flickered to her, then narrowed at Vince. "Hey," he said sharply, "look at her."

Vince, who had been flipping through his documents, finally glanced up.

Then, he saw it.

The silent tears slipping down Sienna's face, the way she bit her lip to keep herself from sobbing.

For a moment, his fingers twitched. His cold mask didn't crack, but something in his gaze softened—just a little.

Jason crossed his arms. "You happy now?"

Vince didn't answer. Instead, he slowly walked toward her.

Sienna quickly wiped at her face, turning away. "It's fine," she muttered. "I don't care anymore."

But Vince reached out, hesitated for a second, then gently took her wrist, stopping her.

She froze.

He didn't say much—he never did. But his voice was quiet, low, as he spoke.

"Don't cry."

Sienna swallowed hard. "Then stop making me."

Vince let out a slow breath. His grip on her wrist tightened slightly before he let go.

Jason watched the exchange with raised brows, arms still folded. "That's all you're gonna say?"

Vince didn't answer him. His focus was still on Sienna.

Then, after a long pause, he finally spoke again.

"I don't want to hurt you."

Jason blinked, looking genuinely surprised for once.

Sienna stared at Vince, her heart pounding.

It wasn't much. It wasn't a grand confession.

But for someone like Vince—someone who had spent years burying his emotions—it was something.

Vince wasn't the type to offer comfort.

He had spent years keeping people at a distance, mastering the art of cold detachment. But right now, with Sienna's silent tears still glistening on her cheeks, something inside him shifted.

Before he could stop himself, he stepped closer.

And then, without a word, he wrapped his arms around her.

Sienna stiffened in shock. Vince had never been one for physical affection—especially not like this. But as the warmth of his embrace surrounded her, she melted into him, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt.

Jason, watching the scene unfold, let out a low whistle. "Well, damn."

Vince ignored him. He rested his chin lightly on Sienna's head, his voice steady but quiet. "I don't want to hurt you."

Sienna tightened her hold on him. "You're not."

He exhaled. "You don't get it."

She pulled back slightly to look up at him. "Then make me understand."

His grip on her loosened, but he didn't step away. His eyes—cold to everyone else—held a flicker of something raw, something vulnerable.

"Sienna," he murmured, "I don't know how to be what you want."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair before meeting her gaze again. "I don't… feel things the way you do. I don't know how to love the way people expect. I've never needed anyone before."

Sienna's chest ached. "And now?"

His jaw tightened. "Now, I do. And it terrifies me."

She stared at him, her heart pounding. "Then why push me away?"

"Because it's safer," he admitted. "For you. For me."

Jason, still standing there, shook his head. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

Vince shot him a glare, but Sienna barely noticed. She was still searching his face, trying to understand the man in front of her.

Softly, she whispered, "You think loving me will hurt me?"

His throat bobbed. "…Yes."

She reached up, gently touching his face. "Then you don't know me at all."

Vince didn't move, didn't breathe.

Jason smirked. "Yeah, bro. You're screwed."

Vince finally exhaled, his fingers brushing against Sienna's waist before he pulled away. The cold mask slipped back into place, but something had changed.

For the first time, she had broken through.