Chapter six

Friday afternoon arrived peacefully.

Stephanie walked downstairs after waking up and followed the aroma of something delicious into the spacious kitchen. There, she found Mrs. Linda and Grace discussing a shopping list spread across the kitchen island while Chef Daniel prepared meal nearby.

"Good afternoon," Stephanie greeted with a smile.

The three of them immediately turned toward her.

"Good afternoon, Miss Stephanie," Mrs. Linda replied warmly. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did. Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Mrs. Linda answered. "Grace is about to go to the supermarket to restock the groceries."

Chef Daniel walked over with a mug of warm milk.

"Here you are, Miss Stephanie."

"Thank you."

She accepted the mug and took a small sip.

Mrs. Linda handed a long shopping list to Grace.

"These are everything we'll need for the week."

Grace nodded.

Stephanie glanced at the list before looking back at them.

"You're going shopping?"

"Yes," Grace replied.

"We're running low on some supplies."

Stephanie smiled.

"Then let me do it."

The room instantly fell silent.

Mrs. Linda blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"I'll go shopping today."

Mrs. Linda quickly shook her head.

"Oh no, Miss Stephanie. You shouldn't trouble yourself."

"It's not your responsibility."

Stephanie chuckled.

"That's exactly why I want to."

She looked around the kitchen.

"You all have been taking care of me every single day while I do almost nothing."

Mrs. Linda immediately disagreed.

"That's because it's our job."

"I know." Stephanie smiled gratefully. "But I feel useless just sitting around all day."

She gently rested a hand on her baby bump.

"The doctor also said light walking is good exercise."

"So," Stephanie continued, "let me do today's shopping."

Grace hesitated.

"We can finish it in less than an hour."

"I know."

Stephanie smiled.

"But today... let me feel a little normal."

The three staff members exchanged glances.

Finally, Mrs. Linda sighed in defeat.

"Alright."

Stephanie's face lit up.

"But only today."

"I promise."

"And the driver goes with you."

"Deal."

Mrs. Linda handed her the shopping list.

"Thank you."

Stephanie happily finished her milk before heading upstairs to get ready.

About thirty minutes later, She arrived at one of the city's largest supermarkets with her driver.

The automatic glass doors slid open as she entered.

She grabbed a shopping cart and slowly walked through the aisles, carefully picking every item on the list.

She was comparing two brands of cereal when—

"Ahhhh!!"

A deafening scream echoed across the supermarket.

Another followed.

"Oh my God! It's Kai Ray!"

"I can't believe he's here!"

"Take a picture!"

"Please, just one selfie!"

Within seconds, customers rushed toward the entrance.

Employees abandoned their counters in excitement.

Stephanie looked up in confusion.

"What is going on?"

Curious, she peeked around the corner of an aisle.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Kai Ray.

He had just entered the supermarket, dressed casually yet impossibly handsome.

He wore fitted black trousers, a sky-blue long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, polished Italian leather shoes, and an elegant silver wristwatch that caught the lights overhead.

Despite the crowd surrounding him, he greeted everyone with a gentle smile, patiently taking selfies and signing autographs.

Stephanie quickly looked away.

"Why today of all days?" she whispered.

She lowered her head and pushed her cart deeper into another aisle.

"If I stay out of sight, he'll never know I was here."

She hurriedly picked the remaining groceries, praying the crowd would keep him occupied.

Unfortunately...

Fate had other plans.

As she reached for a box of cereal on the top shelf, a familiar voice spoke softly behind her.

"Hey..."

Her entire body froze.

Her fingers tightened around the shopping cart.

Slowly... she closed her eyes.

Not now...

Please... not today.

She took a deep breath before turning around.

Kai Ray stood a few steps away.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Kai's heart pounded.

This was the first time he had seen her in person since that unforgettable night.

No security camera...

No photographs...

Just her.

She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

For months he had only watched over her from a distance.

Now she was standing right in front of him.

He almost forgot how to breathe.

Stephanie forced a polite smile.

"I'm sorry..."

She pretended to study his face.

"Are you talking to me?"

Kai understood immediately.

She was pretending not to know him.

He respected it.

"Yes." He smiled gently. "I noticed you're shopping too."

Stephanie nodded briefly.

"Yes... but I'm just leaving."

She turned to push her cart away.

"Stephanie... please."

His voice made her stop.

She didn't turn around.

Kai swallowed nervously.

"Could... we talk for a few minutes?"

Silence.

She remained motionless.

Her heartbeat grew faster.

She had spent months avoiding this very moment.

Slowly, she turned to face him again.

"What is there to talk about, Mr. Kai Ray?"

Her tone was calm, but distant.

Kai hesitated.

He had rehearsed countless conversations in his mind.

Yet now...

He couldn't find the right words.

Finally, he spoke.

"Would you... have lunch with me?"

Stephanie stared at him in disbelief.

For several seconds she wondered if she had heard him correctly.

"Lunch?"

Kai nodded.

"Please."

Immediately, She looked around anxiously.

Fans were still wandering nearby.

Several people were already pointing their phones in Kai's direction.

Panic filled her chest.

"If someone sees us together..." she whispered, "it'll be all over the internet."

She tightened her grip on the shopping cart.

"I can't let that happen."

After much persuasion, Stephanie reluctantly agreed.

"Just lunch," she said firmly. "Nothing more."

Kai smiled with relief.

"I promise."

Once Stephanie finished shopping, Kai instructed her driver to take the groceries back to the villa.

"I'll have someone help you unload everything," Kai told the driver.

"Yes, sir," the driver replied respectfully.

Not wanting anyone to recognize them together, Stephanie quickly slipped into the back seat of Kai's luxury SUV. She deliberately sat as far away from him as possible, leaving a noticeable distance between them.

The driver started the engine and quietly drove onto the busy street.

She glanced out the window the entire time.

Her fingers nervously twisted together on her lap as countless thoughts raced through her mind.

She had promised herself she would never meet him again.

Yet here she was...

Sitting beside the father of her unborn children.

Kai stole occasional glances at her.

She looked nervous.

Very nervous.

He wanted to say something, but every sentence he had practiced over the past months suddenly disappeared from his mind.

Silence filled the car.

Only the soft hum of the engine could be heard.

Neither of them knew how to begin.

About twenty minutes later, the SUV pulled into one of the city's most luxurious restaurants.

Before arriving, Kai had already reserved the entire restaurant for one hour.

No customers.

No reporters.

No fans.

No cameras.

Only the restaurant staff remained, and each employee had been strictly instructed to respect the guests' privacy.

Earlier before, after seeing Stephanie leave the villa through the security cameras, Kai had immediately asked Ken to arrange everything.

It was the perfect opportunity to finally speak with her.

A waiter greeted them politely.

"Welcome, Mr. Kai."

Kai nodded.

"Thank you."

The waiter led them to a quiet table beside a large glass window overlooking a beautiful garden.

Stephanie looked around anxiously.

The restaurant was completely empty.

"There's... no one here," she said softly.

Kai smiled.

"I booked the entire place."

She looked at him in surprise.

"You did?"

"I didn't want you worrying about cameras or gossip."

For the first time since they met that day, Stephanie looked directly into his eyes.

"...Thank you."

Kai's heart skipped a beat.

"It's the least I could do."

The waiter handed them the menus.

After a few minutes, they placed their orders before he excused himself.

Once they were alone again, the silence returned.

Kai gently cleared his throat.

"Thank you... for agreeing to come."

Stephanie kept her eyes on the table.

"It's fine."

"I know this wasn't easy for you."

She gave a small nod but remained quiet.

Kai noticed how tense she still looked.

"You can relax," he said softly.

"No one will disturb us."

"I made sure of that."

Stephanie looked around once more before letting out a small breath.

Moments later, the waiter returned carrying their meals.

The delicious aroma instantly filled the table.

After carefully arranging the dishes, he bowed respectfully.

"Please enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," Kai replied.

The waiter quietly walked away.

Kai smiled.

"Let's eat."

Stephanie nodded.

Slowly, she picked up her cutlery and tasted the food.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"It's... really good."

Kai smiled.

"I'm glad you like it."

She nodded.

"It's delicious."

Seeing her enjoy the meal somehow made him happier than receiving another business award.

For several minutes, they simply ate in comfortable silence.

He finally broke it.

"So..."

Stephanie looked up briefly.

"How have you been?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm happy to hear that."

He paused before asking another question.

"Are you comfortable at the villa now?"

Stephanie nodded.

"Yes."

"The staff have been very kind to me."

Kai smiled.

"I'm glad."

"If there's ever anything you need, anything at all, don't hesitate to tell Ken."

"You don't have to keep doing so much for me."

"I want to."

She lowered her eyes.

"You've already done enough."

Kai shook his head.

"No." He spoke quietly. "I haven't."

His words made Stephanie pause.

There was so much guilt in his voice that she didn't know how to respond.

Kai took a sip of water before speaking again.

"Would you mind telling me a little about yourself?"

Stephanie looked surprised.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"There really isn't much to tell."

Kai smiled gently.

"I don't believe that."

She looked at him curiously.

"Everyone has a story."

Stephanie let out a quiet sigh.

"My story isn't interesting."

"It doesn't have to be."

He leaned forward slightly.

"I'd still like to hear it."

Stephanie remained silent for a moment.

Then, after a long pause, she looked out the window.

"I never knew my parents..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I was abandoned at the gate of an orphanage on a cold night."

Kai slowly lowered his fork.

His heart tightened.

Stephanie forced a faint smile.

"I suppose... that's where my story begins."