6kv Chapter 471 A Cute Couple
Chapter 471 A Cute Couple
"w-we're just a boss and employee, ma'am...we're not a couple or anything!" she said quickly, her voice a little too forced and uncharacteristically flustered.
the couple only waved cheerfully, the man adding with a wink, "employee or not, you two look rather cute together!...reminds me of the days my wife and i started to go out!"
"oh, you!~" the lady blushed at her husband's comment as she lovingly held his arms as they entered the changing room.
as the door clicked shut behind the couple, i turned back to nina, propping myself against the counter with a grin i knew would get under her skin, and said,
"guess we're not fooling anyone, huh?"
she crossed her arms with a dramatic harumph, tilting her chin up in mock disdain. "keep it professional, kafka." she retorted, though the faint pink dusting her cheeks betrayed her usual composure.
i didn't need to press her to know her thoughts had wandered. the idea of the two of us running this place together like a married couple had clearly stirred something in her.
the wistful look that flickered in her eyes for the briefest moment was impossible to miss. it wasn't just embarrassment; it was softer, dreamier, like the thought had snuck past her defences before she could shove it aside.
i opened my mouth, ready to tease her about it, but her sharp gaze snapped to mine, defensive.
"what are you smirking at?" she asked inquisitively.
"nothing." i quickly said, though the amusement in my voice wasn't exactly subtle.
her eyes narrowed as if she didn't believe me, but she let it go, huffing as she turned away.
for a moment, silence lingered between us, but i could feel her thoughts churning. she glanced at me, then away, like she wanted to ask something but couldn't bring herself to do it.
finally, she crossed her arms tighter, her voice brisk and edged with curiosity as she asked,
"how do you even know so much about this place? all that stuff about minerals and circulation...you sounded like you'd been working here for years."
"i pay attention." i replied vaguely, enjoying the flicker of irritation that crossed her face.
"maybe if they weren't so insufferable!" she shot back, aiming another playful swipe, which i sidestepped just in time.
her irritation only seemed to grow with every missed attempt.
"stand still, you coward!" she demanded, lunging toward me.
"not a chance, my angry little sapling." i said, laughing as i sidestepped her again. "i value my life, thanks."
she growled under her breath, her frustration mounting as she tried to land a hit. her strikes were quick, but i was quicker, weaving out of her reach each time.
"nina..." i said between laughs. "...you're really going to tire yourself out before the next wave of customers-..."
ding~ ding~
as if summoned by my words, the distant chime of the entrance bell interrupted us. both of us froze mid-motion, turning toward the sound. moments later, the soft hum of approaching voices grew louder—much louder than before.
nina straightened, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeves as she threw me a sharp look.
"looks like we're about to get busy." she said, her tone all business now, though her flushed cheeks betrayed the lingering embarrassment from our scuffle.
i adjusted my posture, cracking my knuckles with exaggerated flair.
"i'm ready for anything." i said confidently, then paused just long enough to catch her gaze and continued saying in a cheesy manner, "as long as you're by my side."
her eyes widened, and the blush that had started to fade came rushing back in full force, unable to believe that she was getting embarrassed over such a cringey line.
she opened her mouth as if to retort, but no words came out. instead, she quickly turned away, busying herself with organising the counter, though it was already perfectly tidy.
i watched her for a moment, the corner of my mouth twitching upward. she muttered something under her breath, though i couldn't make it out. whatever it was, the way her lips pressed together told me she wasn't as annoyed as she wanted to appear.
as the first of the new customers stepped through the door, nina threw me a glance over her shoulder.
her expression softened just enough to reveal a flicker of something tender, something possessive, almost as if she were thinking that as annoying and bratty as i was, she wouldn't mind spending the rest of her life running the inn with that same person, keeping him as an employee who just can't run away from her no matter what...