Before Jace noticed her, Nerissa quickly changed direction and headed for the elevator at the far end of the corridor.
“There you are, Nerissa!
I’ve been looking all over the place.
Your phone’s off!
It’s almost lunchtime, and Mr.
Lowell told me to make sure you get something to eat,” Olivia Carter said as she stepped into the elevator with her.
Nerissa gave an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, Olivia.
My phone died on its own.
I was just about to go find you at the cafeteria.”
“Perfect timing, then.
Come with me — Mr.
Lowell mentioned your stomach’s a bit sensitive, so I’m supposed to keep an eye on you during meals.”
Olivia casually looped her arm through Nerissa’s, and they exited the elevator together.
Since they were registered as staff, they had cafeteria cards from the hospital and could just swipe for meals during lunch hour.
Nerissa grabbed a tray and followed Olivia to a table.
As they sat down to eat, a sudden buzz rippled through the cafeteria.
People nearby were whispering and sneaking glances in one direction.
Curious, Nerissa looked up — and instantly saw that cool, distant figure standing out in the crowd.
He came to the cafeteria too?
Honestly, he didn’t really vibe with that setting.
Not far away, Jace was by the window getting his food.
He didn’t grab much — just a few dishes — and with one hand holding his tray, he found a seat close by, not too far from where Nerissa was sitting.
As soon as he sat down, Jace casually looked up and shot a glance in Nerissa’s direction.
That glance — it had layers.
Nerissa felt it instantly.
Her heart skipped, and she quickly lowered her head, pretending to be extra focused on her food.
Right on cue, Olivia leaned in, all gossipy.
“Nerissa, quick, look — ten o’clock to your left.
That hot guy just looked at you!
Do you know him or what?”
Nerissa didn’t even need to look.
She already knew who Olivia meant.
She ducked her head a little more and mumbled, “Nope…
don’t know him.”
“He’s, like, the office heartthrob!
The whole cold, untouchable vibe?
That’s totally his thing.
You went up to the third floor today for that scan, right?
Man, missed opportunity not running into him.” Olivia let out a dramatic sigh.
Cold and untouchable?
Nerissa stuffed more food in her mouth, lips twitching with an inward eye-roll.
Cold?
Please.
The things he’d done to her in bed…
let’s just say “untouchable” was nowhere in his vocabulary.
“Neri, let me tell you something,” Olivia leaned in with a tone full of sisterly advice.
“As designers, we gotta be a bit flexible.
Next time you bump into one of those good-looking guys, don’t waste time — just add them on WhatsApp.
Look at their outfits, clearly moneyed.
These are the kind of high-quality clients we need to catch, got it?”
She was clearly trying to instill some street smarts into her.
This girl had everything going for her — polite, sweet, and hardworking — but way too passive.
Didn’t know how to make the first move.
“Yeah, I get it.
Thanks, Olivia,” Nerissa nodded sincerely, though in her mind she was already sighing.
Add them on WhatsApp?
Yeah…
not happening.
One of them had already blocked her long ago.
Networking really takes it out of you.
*****
Meanwhile, across the cafeteria, Jace was eating with a level of disinterest that suggested the food was just there for show.
“You actually dragged me to the cafeteria today?
Jace, seriously?
The guy who treats this place like a ghost town?” said Leo with a smirk.
“Come on, the reason’s kinda obvious, isn’t it?”
Jace kept picking at his lunch, voice bland.
“Hmm?
What reason could I possibly have?”
“Cut the crap, man.” Leo let out a breathy chuckle.
“You’ve been here for like ten minutes, and I swear you’ve already sneaked peeks at that girl at least three times.
Don’t play dumb.
Are you here for food or for her?”
Jace’s lips curled slightly, silent but telling.
Seeing that Jace didn’t even try to explain himself, Leo instantly got the message.
“What’s up, hooked after just two rounds?
Can’t get enough of her now?”
Jace shot him a flat look.
“Eat your food and talk less.”
“There you go again.
You’re a grown man in your twenties, what’s with the shy act?
If you’re into it, just admit it.
That girl looks all clueless and innocent, who would’ve thought she’d have you so wrapped around her finger?
Is she that wild in bed or something?
Got some tricks up her sleeve, huh?” Leo was clearly intrigued.
Now he was curious to see what it was like himself — tasting that college girl freshness.
Jace frowned ever so slightly, dropped his fork, and calmly warned, “We should never mess with the same girl.”
“Why not?”
“It’s just…
gross.”
Leo was speechless.