Chapter 5

It was already night when Lisa got back home.

She was sobbing quietly. She hadn’t expected the treatment she’d received from Bertolt, not after everything that happened.

Lisa fumbled through her contacts, thumb hovering over Tesa’s number, but she stopped just before dialing.

“Tesa would be asleep,” she murmured. “And I don’t want to disturb her with my whining. She already warned me about these Schmidt people… proud, arrogant. I thought I was different.”

She collapsed onto her bed without even changing into her nightclothes.

“Bertolt… I only saved your brother,” she whispered to the ceiling. “Why the anger?”

Her phone screen dimmed beside her as her thoughts drifted. Should I call Reinhardt? Would he even want to hear from me?

She hadn’t realized how much she’d grown attached to him. His quiet inscrutable presence always drew her in. He hadn’t spoken to her since the time they almost kissed, and she couldn’t tell whether he felt the same or not.

“I know he wasn’t going to kiss me,” she muttered, turning on her side. “He was just… delirious... I think I imagined it.”

As if she’d imagined it, her doorbell rang.

“Uhn?” Lisa sat upright on her bed, startled. “Who could it be at this hour?”

She padded quietly to the door and peeked through the peephole. A tall figure stood outside,silver hair glinting under her corridor light.

“Reinhardt?” she gasped. “No, no, it can’t be. I must be imagining things.”

“Hello?” a familiar voice came from the other side, smooth and calm. “I’m sorry to disturb you. It’s Mr. Reinhardt....your boss.”

Lisa stiffened. Reinhardt? Here?

“Did he follow me home?” she whispered. “Or... did he come to fire me?” But he could’ve just sent an email.

Slowly, she unlocked the door.

“Can I come in, ma’am?” Reinhardt asked, half-smiling. He normally wears that smile when conversing with her.

He never smiled at anyone else. Around others, his face turned is always as cold as ice.

“Y…Yes, S…sir,” Lisa stammered, stepping aside.

Reinhardt walked in, composed and quiet.

“How did you know my address?” Lisa asked after a pause.

“Sir?” he teased softly. “Please, stop calling me that. And... the company driver brings you home every day, remember? I simply asked him for directions.”

“Mr. Reinhardt... I’m so sorry for—” Lisa began, still stammering.

“No, Lisa,” he interrupted gently. “I’m the one who should apologize. What Bertolt did was wrong. And… thank you....for coming to my aid.”

He hesitated, eyes softening. “But the rules are there for a reason. I’m sorry if we seem… mysterious.”

He scratched the back of his head, a small, awkward smile tugging at his lips, the kind of boyish gesture Lisa had never imagined from someone like him.

“I….uh…please, sit,” Lisa said quickly, realizing he was still standing. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even offer you a seat. I don’t have any of those exotic wines you drink, though.”

Reinhardt chuckled, a sound Lisa doesn't believe comes from her boss. “Thanks, Lisa. I’ll take anything. Even water will do.”

Lisa felt her heartbeat quicken. It wasn’t often a billionaire, let alone her boss, laughed in her tiny apartment.

For the first time, Reinhardt really looked at her.

Without her usual office jacket and stiff posture, Lisa seemed… softer. Her hair was loose, strands hanging over her forehead in a way he’d never noticed before.

As she handed him the glass of water, he noticed that she already unbuttoned the top buttons of her shirt,exposing her cleavage.

His eyes lingered for a second but caught himself and looked away.

“Mr. Reinhardt… you look tired. I’m sorry you had to come all the way here,” Lisa said quietly.

“I’m Reinhardt,” he corrected, his voice low and calm. “Just Reinhardt.”

Lisa paused for a moment, caught off guard by the warmth in his tone.

“I… I was so scared of what you might say when you came out of the office,” she admitted, her eyes dropping to the floor. “When Bertolt shouted, I panicked. I didn’t know if I could handle another reprimand… so I left.”

Reinhardt took a slow step closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming in the small room. “Lisa, I understand. The reason I came wasn’t to scold you. I came to apologize for everything. For how things went when you were… taking care of me.”

Her eyes went up, meeting his gaze for the first time that night. The intensity in his scarlet eyes made her heart race. She felt a sudden warmth in her chest, and when their fingers brushed as she handed him the glass of water, a jolt of electricity ran up her arm.

“Oh… I understand, sir,” she whispered, stepping back slightly. “I didn’t think much of it.”

“Lisa,” he said with a smile tugging at his lips. “It’s Reinhardt.”

Their eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, the room felt impossibly small. The air between them was charged, almost tangible. Lisa’s breath hitched as she realized just how close he was close enough that she could feel the faint heat radiating off him.

Reinhardt’s stares were as though it was to have a glimpse of her soul, she could hardly move. He shifted slightly, just enough that the tension hummed in the space between them. Lisa’s pulse raced. She wanted to say something, anything, but her voice caught.

Just as he thought of reaching for her hand, his phone flashed across the desk. The screen lit up with Bertolt’s name.

“Bertolt?” Reinhardt said, his voice tight, a sudden edge of tension creeping in.

“I heard… she just woke from the coma,” Bertolt’s voice came through, urgent and strained.

Reinhardt stiffened, stepping back slightly from Lisa. She looked at him, confused, sensing the weight of whatever he had just heard.

“Nancy… is up?” Reinhardt’s voice stammered, mixed with disbelief and uncertainty.

He ended the call abruptly, the charged moment with Lisa broken. Without another word, he bid her goodnight and turned away, leaving Lisa completely in confusion.