The next morning, Evan dragged himself into the office.  

His eyes were bloodshot, his steps heavy.  

He tried to straighten his back,  

but fatigue clung to him like a shadow.  

A coworker leaned over with a grin.  

“Hey, Evan, gaming all night again? Those dark circles are brutal.”  

He forced a smile, said nothing.  

By noon, Zack—his team lead—walked over and clapped him on the shoulder.  

“Kid, you keep this up and you’ll burn out.”  

The tone was light, but the concern was real.  

“In sales, the one thing you can’t lose is your spark.  

If you look tired, the clients feel it too.  

Rest when you can, yeah?”  

Evan nodded weakly, forcing another smile.  

But he knew—rest wasn’t the issue.  

It was *her*.  

Every night, he found himself waiting.  

Waiting for that short, distant reply.  

Waiting for something he couldn’t name.  

Two more days passed.  

Sienna was working every night again.  

Evan didn’t dare message too often—  

just once after work, always the same words:  

> *Don’t drink too much.*  

> *Take care of yourself.*  

Her replies came late, sometimes at two or three in the morning—  

short, almost mechanical: *Got it.* *Mm.*  

Still, it was enough.  

Enough to remind him he hadn’t been erased from her world.  

Until that afternoon.  

His supervisor appeared beside his desk,  

a grin half-hidden under a serious tone.  

“Evan, don’t make plans tonight.”  

Evan blinked. “Why?”  

“The chairman—Mr. Wong—is hosting drinks with clients tonight.  

Big deal. You’re coming with us.”  

Evan’s chest tightened.  

*Mr. Wong.*  

Instantly, a picture formed in his mind—  

the hotel lounge, the golden lights,  

and *her*.  

His pulse quickened.  

He knew he couldn’t refuse.  

Not tonight.  

Because this wasn’t just another business meeting.  

It was a door—  

a chance to see her again,  

even if just from across the room.