Business is business, and personal matters should stay separate. Kaleb Gray had emphasized this countless times. Despite being in a romantic relationship, at work, they had to act like mere acquaintances. Even though they lived together, they couldn't leave or arrive at work side by side.

Janelle Thomas often complained about this. Dating wasn’t a crime, so why couldn't they be open about it? However, Kaleb insisted that he didn't want their personal lives interfering with their professional ones. Moreover, if their relationship went public, Janelle would face more gossip than he would. At the time, Janelle appreciated his reasoning, thinking it was his way of protecting her.

That perspective shifted with the arrival of Cataleya Myers. On her first day at the company, Kaleb personally helped her complete her onboarding paperwork. Known for being strict and impersonal with employees, Kaleb's presence in the HR office raised eyebrows. Cataleya, a charming young woman, boldly called him "Kaleb" in front of everyone.

A colleague nudged Janelle discreetly, suggesting that this new girl must have connections, since even Kaleb personally vouched for her. Janelle dismissed the idea. No one knew better than Janelle how Kaleb kept personal and professional matters separate. He never allowed her to use his name at work or even travel in the same car to and from the office.

Kaleb always maintained that business should be conducted professionally, and relationships had no place in the workplace. Even when shareholders and the board pushed to introduce connected individuals into the company, Kaleb remained firm. His stance was clear: if they were not qualified, they should leave.

Janelle fully expected Kaleb to reprimand Cataleya, but instead, he sighed and said, "This is the office. Don't mess around." He then personally introduced her to each department. "This is Cataleya Myers. She's the sister of a family friend, here for an internship fresh out of college. Please show her the ropes," he announced sincerely.

Oddly, Janelle couldn't quite recall how she spent the rest of that day or the exact words exchanged in her argument with Kaleb. However, his earnest expression when he asked everyone to "please show her the ropes" was etched into her mind. That day marked not only her first encounter with Cataleya but also her realization: Kaleb's principle of separating personal from professional matters had exceptions.

Kaleb had a long list of rules for Janelle to follow, yet it became clear that Cataleya was exempt from those constraints. She existed beyond the boundaries of Kaleb's regulations.

"If there's nothing else, you should go."

Janelle Thomas had remained quiet for too long, prompting Kaleb Gray to finally close the file and glance at her. There were no explanations, no reassurances, nothing at all. She knew there was no point in asking; the answers would be the same as always. It was like when she had asked him why he was always seen with Cataleya Myers.

The responses were invariably, "Does it matter?" "Why do you always focus on things like this?" "I've explained before, I don't want to repeat myself." Her heart felt as if it were encased in ice, but she battled back the tears threatening to spill, determined to act unaffected.

"Mr. Gray, I need this project. I need a chance to prove myself. I..."

Just then, the door swung open without warning, and Cataleya bustled in, chattering away, "I brought you a slice of spiced honey cake, Kaleb..."

She didn't knock, didn't have a badge, and interrupted without hesitation—anyone else, even Janelle, would have faced Kaleb’s cold reprimand. But Cataleya received only a bland response:

"If there's nothing else, please leave."

Cataleya pouted, annoyed, and after placing the cake down, she casually picked up a jacket she’d left on the sofa and sauntered out.

It was then Janelle noticed how Cataleya had already left her mark in Kaleb's office, despite being employed for less than three months. Kaleb's business laptop was decorated with colorful stickers, cute trinkets were scattered across the desk, and a woman's purse hung nearby.

Even the one thing Janelle had managed to persuade Kaleb to keep—a mug she had made herself—had been swapped for a pink cup that was unmistakably girlish.

"What do you want to say?" Kaleb asked.

Janelle wanted to say she needed a chance to prove herself—not just to him, but to his parents, who looked down on her, and to the colleagues who might gossip if their relationship became public. She wanted to prove she was truly worthy and capable of being with him.

But it dawned on her in that moment that this relationship had always been her journey alone. No matter how hard she tried to keep up, always racing ahead—Kaleb would never pause to wait for her, not even for an instant.

So in the end, she just smiled.

She said nothing more, simply, "It's fine, there's nothing more I want to say."

That day, Janelle Thomas uncharacteristically took a half-day off from work and hurried home. As the lush forests and distant mountains zipped past her car window, her mind drifted back to Kaleb Gray's parting words:

"If you have further doubts about my decisions, please contact your direct supervisor. I can't deal with your personal emotions during work hours."

His coldness was as relentless as ever.

Janelle had wanted to ask so many questions, but in that moment, her desire evaporated into insignificance. She suddenly felt lost, as if the Kaleb she remembered—the one who had smiled and agreed to give their relationship a try, the one who complained about their matching pajamas but wore them anyway—was nothing but a fantasy.

A few months ago, when she'd questioned him about his attentiveness to Cataleya Myers, he’d at least given a dismissive, "We're just friends. Please be kind to her; there's no need to make a big deal out of it." Now, he offered not even a cursory explanation.

Just before she collapsed onto the sofa, dragging her heavy suitcase with her, Janelle couldn't help but wonder: How did they end up here?