Chapter 6

After last night, Nani found himself in an unusually good mood, though he couldn't quite figure out why. He arrived at the company feeling lighter than usual. Something that definitely wasn't like him. Normally, everyone at the office, including Win, would go out of their way to avoid him in the morning. But today? Even Win gave him a curious glance, noticing the rare hint of ease in his expression.

After sensing Nani's good mood, Win follow Nani closely to Nani's office because of curiosity. Win narrowed his eyes at Nani, watching him with growing curiosity. It wasn't every day that the usually cold and serious Nani walked into the office looking this... relaxed. It was weird almost unsettling.

"You're in a good mood today," Win commented, leaning against Nani's desk with a smirk. "Did you finally scare off all your business rivals? Or did someone confess their love for you?"

Nani rolled his eyes setting his coffee down. "You talk too much, Win."

Win chuckled, but his teasing was cut short when he noticed something, Nani reaching for his phone the moment it buzzed.

Normally, Nani wouldn't even glance at his phone during work hours unless it was an urgent business matter. But now? He picked it up almost immediately, typing something back without hesitation.

Win's eyes narrowed further, a knowing grin spreading across his face. "Who are you texting?" he asked, tilting his head. Then, as if a lightbulb had gone off, his smirk widened. "Wait a minute... don't tell me. It's Sky?"

Nani froze for half a second, just enough for Win to catch it before he quickly regained his composure. "Mind your own business," he said coolly, locking his phone and setting it aside.

Win gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "No way. The heartless Nani, replying to messages first thing in the morning? And with that kind of speed?" He grinned. "It has to be Sky."

Nani sighed, already regretting coming into work in a good mood. "Go back to your office, Win."

But Win wasn't letting this go anytime soon. "Oh, I'm doing my job just fine," he said, still grinning. "But watching you text Sky like a lovesick schoolboy? Now that's entertainment."

Nani closed his eyes, raising a single finger in the air as if counting down. Win immediately recognized the silent threat, his eyes widening. Without another word, he turned on his heel and made a swift move toward the door. He had messed around enough to know that if Nani was counting, he had about three seconds before a well-aimed smack landed on his head.

Nani let out a deep breath, shaking his head. Finally, some peace—

The door cracked open. Win peeked his head back in, grinning like the menace he was.

"Oh, by the way" Win said, completely unfazed by the danger, "tell Sky that me and Dew want to invite him for lunch."

Nani grabbed the nearest object, thankfully, just a folder and chucked it at the door. Win dodged just in time, laughing as he disappeared down the hall.

The restaurant was buzzing with the lunchtime crowd, but at their table, things were lighthearted as usual. Win and Dew had practically shoved Sky into the seat next to Nani, something Sky didn't seem to mind.

Sky was happily eating, occasionally jumping into Win and Dew's playful conversation. Win was about to steal a bite from Nani's plate when a cheerful voice called out.

"Sky! Nani!"

All four of them looked up to see Peeta, one of their classmates, approaching with a bright smile. She barely glanced at Nani before turning her full attention to Sky.

"Oh my god, Sky! I haven't seen you in forever," she said, reaching out to touch Sky's arm in a casual yet too familiar way. "You never text me back, you know?"

Sky laughed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah... sorry about that. I've been busy."

Peeta pouted playfully. "Too busy for me? That's harsh."

Nani felt his grip on his fork tighten. For some reason, Nani felt... off. Something about the way Peeta leaned in slightly when she spoke, the way she rested a hand on Sky's shoulder for just a second too long, it all felt... irritating. Not that it was his business.

When Peeta finally left, Sky turned back to the group like nothing had happened, but Nani found himself leaning back in his chair, suddenly feeling distant.

Win could sense that Nani's usual cool demeanor had returned., raised an eyebrow at him. "Something wrong?"

Nani shrugged, picking up his drink. "Why would something be wrong?"

Win asked "No reason. You just suddenly look like you want to throw someone out the window."

Sky, who had been taking a sip of his drink, blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

Nani ignored them. But for the rest of lunch, he was noticeably quieter, his usual sharp comebacks dulled. And when Sky nudged him playfully, asking if he was okay, Nani just gave a short nod.

The moment he was back at the office, everything felt off. His mood had turned sour, and now every little thing irritated him. The way his employees hesitated before speaking.

His employees hesitated before speaking, their words cautious, measured like stepping through a minefield. One unlucky intern stuttered while handing him a report, and Nani barely spared him a glance before coldly taking the folder. The intern practically bolted away.

His second assistant, usually quick and efficient, faltered under his sharp gaze. "Spit it out" Nani cut in, his tone clipped.

She gulped. "The board meeting has been moved to four."

After the meeting, Nani come back to his office. Nani exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. The way his computer lagged for half a second. The faint sound of whispering outside his office. The fact that no one dared to meet his eyes.

Win, who had been lounging on the couch in Nani's office, finally sighed. "Okay, what is this?" He gestured toward Nani, who was furiously typing on his keyboard. "Who pissed you off? Because this is, like, next-level grumpiness, even for you."

Nani shot him a look so cold it could freeze over the whole office "I'm fine."

He glanced at Dew, who was scrolling on his phone across the room. "Back me up here. Doesn't he look extra mad today?"

"It is true. You're worse than usual."

Win grinned. "See? Even Dew agrees, and Dew usually doesn't care."

Nani finally snapped "Do you two not have work to do?"

Win leaned back, crossing his arms. "Oh, I do, but this is way more interesting." His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Let me guess... this has something to do with Sky?"

At the mention of Sky's name, Nani's fingers paused over his keyboard just for a second. A tiny slip, but enough for Win caught to it immediately. His mouth dropped open in exaggerated shock. "Oh my god, it is really about Sky."

Dew, who had been quietly scrolling through his phone, finally looked up and hummed. "Interesting."

Nani shot them both a sharp look, one that promised a painful end if they didn't drop it.

Win, knowing he had pushed enough for now, raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. We'll leave you to your brooding, Mr. Mysterious." He smirked as he strolled toward the door, Dew following behind with a knowing glance.

The moment they were gone, Nani exhaled heavily and turned his chair around, facing the massive windows of his office. The city stretched out before him, bright and busy, but his mind wasn't on the view.

What the hell was wrong with him?

He had never cared about trivial things like this before. Sky could talk to anyone he wanted. Sky could smile at anyone he wanted.

And yet... Nani's mood had been ruined the moment Peeta got too friendly with him.

His grip tightened slightly on the armrest. No. This wasn't him. He refused to let himself feel like this. And he definitely wouldn't let Sky get any closer.

Tomorrow

Nani's footsteps echoed in the quiet hospital hallway. Lisa still hasn't gotten to discharge form the hospital yet, and he'd come to visit her. . But as he reached her room, his gaze immediately shifted to the figure standing by the window, his back to him.

Sky.

The sight of him, that familiar mess of hair and sunshine smile. He took a deep breath, trying to remind himself of the barrier he'd put between them. No matter how much Sky seemed to shine, Nani couldn't afford to let him get too close.

"Sky." Nani said, his tone as cold as he could manage, his footsteps now deliberately louder to announce his presence.

Sky turned around with that puppy-like grin of his, his face lighting up when he saw Nani. "Nani! I didn't expect to see you here."

"Just visiting Lisa," Nani replied curtly, his gaze not quite meeting Sky's. He carefully placed the flowers on the bedside table, deliberately avoiding Sky's eyes.

Sky blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before he quickly masked it with a smile. "Oh, I see. I'm here for the same reason. Just checking in on her."

"You don't need to stand so far away," Sky said softly, a teasing tone in his voice. "I'm not contagious."

"I'm fine." Nani snapped, finally turning to meet Sky's eyes with a sharpness.

Lisa shifted uncomfortably in her bed, feeling the awkwardness between Nani and Sky. She could tell something wasn't right, but she couldn't put her finger on it. The air was thick with tension, and she wanted to say something, anything, to break the silence, but she wasn't sure how.

Then, she remembered something Win had said when he and Dew visited her earlier.

Win had been talking non-stop that day, his voice full of excitement. "You know, Lisa, something's going on with Nani and Sky. It's like... they're more than just friends."

At first, Lisa hadn't believed it. She had worked with Nani long enough to know that he didn't get distracted easily, especially by someone like Sky. But Win kept talking about how Nani acted differently around Sky—how he seemed to care more than he wanted to admit. Win even said that Nani had been protective of Sky a few times.

"Nani's always so serious," Win had laughed. "But with Sky? He's acting all... different. It's like he's got a thing for him, but he won't admit it."

Lisa had thought Win was just talking nonsense at first. Nani didn't seem like the type to get all emotional over someone. But now, staying here in the room with Nani and Sky, she was starting to believe that Win was right.

The way Nani had acted, especially when Sky was around. He wasn't just shutting him out. No, it was almost like he was trying to send a message. Maybe to Sky. Or maybe to everyone around them, that he was angry. But at what? Or whom? And why?

The questions spun in her mind like a whirlwind, but Lisa knew one thing for sure: what was happening between Nani and Sky was way more than she'd originally guessed. And it was starting to feel a lot like Nani was trying to keep a flood of emotions under tight control... even if it was tearing him apart in the process.

After a while, Nani looked at Lisa, who had finally fallen into a peaceful sleep. He decided it was time to go. He gently stood up, walking toward the door with a quiet, purposeful stride. Sky followed behind him, his presence a little too close, a little too quiet.

Nani didn't say anything. It was as if the words had all dried up between them. Nani had his reasons for keeping his distance but that reasons still weren't clear to Sky, but Nani wasn't about to explain. It was better this way. Sky could think what he wanted. Nani didn't need to know.

They reached the parking lot in silence. Nani reached his car and, without turning around, opened the door. He didn't even bother to say goodbye.

Sky hesitated, watching Nani get into the car, his back turned. He felt that familiar pang in his chest, the sense that something was off, that there was a wall Nani had put up again. He couldn't figure out why.

Nani was always so closed off, so Sky just stood there, watching him, unsure whether he should say anything.

As Nani started the engine, Sky thought he might leave it at that. Maybe it was best not to push him. But before Nani could drive away, something unexpected happened. The car sputtered, stuttered, and then came to a halt.

Nani cursed under his breath, leaning out of the car to check the engine. He quickly pulled out his phone and called the garage. The mechanic on the other end told him it was too late to do anything tonight. The tow truck could come only tomorrow.

Sky, who had been standing quietly at a distance, couldn't ignore the situation anymore. "Need some help?" he asked, his voice uncertain but kind.

Nani looked up. His pride told him to tell Sky to go home, that he didn't need anyone's help. But something in the way Sky stood there, looking concerned, made Nani reconsider.

"Fine," he muttered "you can give me a ride home. But I'm not asking for a favor."

Sky's face lit up a little, but he kept quiet as Nani got out his things of his car and climbed onto the back of Sky's motorbike. . As they rode, Sky couldn't help but wonder what was going on in Nani's head.

Sky wanted to ask, but something kept him from doing so. He didn't know if Nani would open up, and it seemed wrong to press him when he clearly didn't want to talk. So he stayed quiet, the question swirling in his mind.

Just then, a car in front of them suddenly slammed on its brakes, and Sky had to swerve quickly to avoid it. The sharp movement threw Nani off balance for a moment, and before he could regain his footing, his hand automatically reached out, wrapping around Sky's waist to steady himself.

Sky's heart raced for a different reason now, his breath catching at the unexpected closeness. He could feel the heat from Nani's hand against his side, the tension in the air thickening.

Nani pulled his hand away quickly, but not before Sky noticed the faint blush creeping across his face. "You good?" Sky asked, though his voice had dropped a little, his own heart still pounding from the near-miss.

Nani didn't respond right away. He was still processing the moment. "Yeah, I'm fine." Nani said, his tone cool again, trying to distance himself even though his pulse still hadn't slowed.

The ride remained silent, each passing second filled with the unspoken tension between them. As they neared Nani's condo, the first few drops of rain began to fall. It started off slow, but within moments, the downpour intensified. By the time Sky turned into the parking garage, it was raining heavily, the sound of the water hitting the concrete echoing in the quiet night.

Sky slowed the motorbike and pulled up in front of the entrance. He glanced over his shoulder, feeling the weight of Nani's gaze. Even he trying to keep the distance but let him drive in a heavy rain like this, it is too dangerous.

"It's too dangerous to drive in weather like this. You're staying until it stops." Sky blinked, surprised. He had expected Nani to let him leave, but Nani's words left no room for argument.

As they stepped in, the sound of the rain pounding against the windows filled the space, adding to the sudden stillness between them. Sky had been to Nani's condo before, but he had never actually entered. Now, walking through the door, he couldn't help but be struck by how modern and sleek everything was.

"This place is... incredible," Sky remarked, eyes wide as he looked around. "I didn't expect it to be this... well put together."

Nani didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked toward a closet, pulling out a towel and tossing it over to Sky. "You're soaked. Use this to dry off," he said flatly, though his eyes softened for a brief moment.

Sky caught the towel, grateful for the gesture, and immediately started drying his face and hair. Nani moved toward his bedroom without a word, disappearing behind the door. Sky looked around again, a little nervous now.

A few minutes later, Nani emerged from the bedroom, having taken a quick shower and changed into his usual soft, comfortable pajamas. The transformation was surprising—he was usually so put-together, so serious, but in these clothes, he looked... well, normal. Relaxed.

Sky couldn't help but steal a glance at him. Nani was different like this, no sharp suit, no cold demeanor. Just him.

It was strange, seeing Nani so unguarded. Sky tried not to stare, but his gaze kept drifting back to him. He had never seen Nani in this light before, and it was making him a little... unsure of himself.

Just as Sky was about to say something, his stomach growled loudly, betraying him.

Sky's face flushed a deep red. "I—uh... I didn't eat lunch." he mumbled, embarrassed.

Nani, who had been walking toward the kitchen, couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped him. It was a rare sound, almost like a chuckle, and it made Sky feel even more awkward.

"Guess that's your stomach telling me it's hungry too." Sky till trying to hide his embarrassment as he sat on the couch, trying to ignore the awkwardness in his chest.

A few minutes later, Nani emerged with a plate in hand an expertly cooked steak, sizzling gently with a perfect sear. Sky's eyes widened. Steak? He hadn't had steak in a while, let alone one that looked this good.

Sky hesitated before picking up his fork. It had been a while since he'd had steak, and he wasn't entirely sure what it was supposed to taste like. But as soon as he took his first bite, he couldn't help but smile.

"This... is really good," Sky said between bites, his voice a little more enthusiastic than he intended. "I don't really eat steak much, but... you're a really good cook."

Nani glanced over, his eyes softening just a little. "It's nothing. Just don't choke on it," he replied, though his tone carried a subtle hint of concern.

Sky, still focused on the food, didn't notice how quickly he was eating. He took another bite, but suddenly, something went wrong. He'd taken a larger piece than he meant to, and before he knew it, he was choking.

Nani was quick to react. He was by Sky's side in an instant, grabbing a glass of water and offering it to him. "Slow down." Nani said firmly, his usual cold demeanor replaced with an almost protective tone.

Sky, still trying to catch his breath, took the glass gratefully and sipped carefully, his face still flushed with embarrassment. He couldn't believe he'd choked on steak at Nani's place. Of all the things, of all the moments, this had to be it.

"I—I'm fine." Sky stammered, his voice hoarse. He looked up at Nani, who was still watching him with a concern.

Nani didn't respond immediately, just watching Sky for a moment longer before nodding and leaning back, arms crossed casually. "Eat slower next time." he said with his usual coolness slipping back into place.

Sky, now more aware of the tension between them, nodded sheepishly, trying to suppress the smile that threatened to form. "Yeah, yeah. I will. Thanks... for the food, and for... uh, helping."