The first thing Primrose does to welcome a beautiful sunny day is letting out a dramatic sigh. No matter how many times she tries to tell her editor, the lady keeps insisting that she should come to the company's event and that it would be even better if she had a partner with her.

The raven head doesn't understand her editor's excitement, how the woman tells her that this is the perfect opportunity to increase her popularity as an author in the writing industry. She is confused, no one knows who she is, so why bother doing that? But the lady doesn't give up and just like that, Primrose receives messages asking her to come to the event. The number of messages she has received ever since the company announced the upcoming event can be piled up into a mountain now, it's annoying and exhausting.

Primrose knows her editor means no harm, attending the party means she can give her works the boost they need to get nominated for best author of the year, and her editor wants that for her. But she is not entertained with the idea that her secret identity can be revealed, no matter how much reassurance she receives from her team. She always hides behind her pen name, Azure Rose, for a reason.

"This is ridiculous…" she grumbles, looking at her phone screen as another message from the editor pops up.

Such fortitude and persistence are the exact reasons why Primrose can't bring herself to say no. The editor even promises her that no one will know who she is as the team will introduce her as the author's trusted assistant instead of giving out her real identity. Her promise is the final nail in the coffin and the raven head sighs, replying to the message with a simple yes.

Now she needs to find a partner, maybe she can ask Nathaniel to come with her. Her brother would never say no to any of her requests.

Or at least, that is what she has assumed to be true…

"Sorry Prims, I can't help you on that day." Nathaniel is on the other side of the line, his voice is filled with concern "Ember is scheduled for an appendectomy surgery this week, but I want to be there for her after the surgery."

"Oh goodness, is she okay? Did you tell mom and dad? Do you need help with anything?"

"We're good for now. I told Mom and Dad already, they told me that we're welcome to stay at their house for Ember's recovery."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Nathaniel. I shouldn't have called and asked about my company's event…" the thought of her younger brother and his girlfriend's future surgery makes Primrose feel guilty for even bothering Nathaniel with her own issues.

"It's okay. Ember is strong, she can get through this. I'm sorry I can't help you sis." Nathaniel sighs and Primrose can imagine how he is wearing a remorseful face for not being able to help her.

"I'll think of something else, maybe it's the perfect reason for me not to attend the event too." she giggles at the thought "Anyway, take care of yourself, Nat. And send my best wishes to Ember too."

"Of course. I'll talk to you later."

As they hang up the call, a wave of disappointment wash over Primrose. She knows that Nathaniel has a good reason to turn her down and she admires how devoted her younger brother is to Ember, his girlfriend. But the thought of being unable to secure Nathaniel as her partner makes the raven head sigh. Now she has to actively search for another person, maybe someone from her editing team, maybe her Marlin, maybe even her Dad... Those people can be a good option for her.

She can even invite Lilian to come with her, she knows how much her best friend loves to go out and have fun. But the brunette once told her that most events of a publishing company are boring and she prefers a more upbeat party, not a bunch of authors coddling around and expressing their taste in writing.

"I just need to ask all of them if they can come with me or not…"

And with that, Primrose pulls up all the possible people who can accompany her to the event.

Three hours later, she finds herself exhausted by how many phone calls she made.

"This has to be a curse…"

Her father is going on a business trip that day.

Marlin scoffs at her silly request, telling her that he doesn't want to waste his time being a statue by her side.

And most of the guys in her team are either dating or have asked someone else to be their date.

Primrose grips her phone tightly, wondering if she is being cursed or if her luck is so little that she can't even find a single soul to accompany her to the company's event.

"I hate my life…"

Slamming her face into the pillow, she lets out a desperate scream. During this time, there is only one person who she can rely on, Lilian Collins, her best friend. The brunette will never cease to give up on her when Primrose needs her the most.

"Nope!"

Primrose stares at her best friend as if the young woman is growing a second head. Her answer, simple and condensed, is like a knife cuts through butter. Lilian never holds back when she is asked to do something she doesn't like.

"Wha-? L-Lilian, come on!" the raven head pleads to her "You have to help me!"

"Nope, I don't have time or energy to entertain those elite authors." Lilian looks at her friend, raising a brow "Besides, you have a ton of guys to ask, why coming to me?"

"All of them are not available. My dad will be on his business trip, Nat has to take care of his girlfriend, and my other colleagues already have a date or are asking another person. I only have you left, Lilian!"

The brunette crosses her legs, wearing an amusing smile on her face. Either Primrose actively denies the possibility of going with Caleb or she truly forgets about him. As her best friend and wingwoman, Lilian is happy to remind her that there is another person who can become her date for the event.

"You know, Primrose. Caleb is probably your best option."

"What?"

"You can ask Caleb to come with you. He seems to take a shine on you, so why not?" the brunette smiles amusingly at the changes on Primrose's face, from surprised to unsure to reconsider her proposition "Besides, with his dashing good look, I'm sure you both will draw much positive attention to your new book. A win-win situation, right?"

Primrose bites on her bottom lips, not knowing what to say. The fact that Lilian can speak up so casually about Caleb and her makes her feel guilty for not telling her best friend the truth about their past situation. Still, she doesn't want to disclose this information, at least not yet. If she can withhold it to herself forever, she will do it.

Talking about Caleb, their relationship stays the same, maybe it's moving in a more positive direction. After that night, she still finds herself uneasy at the sight of him. Primrose feels lucky that he works as a surgeon as she rarely sees him at the apartment, allowing her to relax even if it's just a little bit.

When they do have a chance to encounter each other, whether it is Primrose returning from her meetings or Caleb getting back from work, it's no longer awkward silence between them. There is a small hello, a soft nod of acknowledgment, a warm smile from him, and maybe a blush on her face. The interaction, while small and fragile, serves as a bridge between them. This bridge is not fully built yet, but each step is linking them closer to each other.

Caleb, ever the gentleman, knows that she still guards her heart. Instead of pushing for an outcome, he goes with the flow of their newfound connection. Primrose knows this as there are times when she just ignores his effort and goes back into her apartment, only to meet his gentle gaze again the next day. His calm and composed nature helps him navigate through the turmoil of Primrose's feelings without stressing her in the process.

His actions, while she still finds them unnecessary, slowly capture her attention. So when Lilian mentions his name and how he can be her partner, Primrose fights back at the temptation to say no.

"Come on, Prims! He is your last resort…" Lilian sings, her eyes twinkling in amusement "Better go get him or you're gonna be a single old granny forever."

"Hey, that was uncalled for! I'm not an old single granny!" the raven head huffs at her friend, cheeks turning red due to embarrassment.

"So you're gonna ask him then?"

The brunette's question once again catches her off guard. Another awkward silence fills the air as Lilian sighs, she is both amused and annoyed at her friend's lack of conviction.

"Want me to ask him for you? I won't mind!"

Before giving Primrose any moment to answer, Lilian steps out of her office and walks toward Caleb's office. Her friend is running after her, trying to stop her from acting crazy. The raven head feels like she is given no option to choose, Lilian is convinced that Caleb is the only one who can be her date to the event.

"Lilian, sto-!"

"Caleb!" she calls out his name, knocking on the door of the office "Are you in there?"

The door slides open, with the young lord standing in front of them, surprised to see his colleague and Primrose.

"How can I help you ladies today?"

Leaning against the door frame, Caleb casually puts his hands in his pockets and a warm smile forms on his lips. Lilian goes through her friend's problem with a short and condensed summary, eyeing Primrose's slowly growing annoyance.

The raven head looks at her friend in disbelief, how can she just casually walk to him and announce her problem like that? It makes her feel like Lilian is telling her personal issue to everyone. She knows that her friend only means well and that what she is doing stems from the goodness of her heart, but this interaction makes the young mage feel like she is being betrayed by her own best friend.

"So? What do you think, Primrose? Ready to be Mr. Handsome Surgeon's date?"

Instead of getting an answer from her best friend, Lilian is met with Primrose's pouting face, her onyx color eyes become visibly uncomfortable at the question. Without saying anything, the young mage turns her heels and leaves, ignoring Lilian's call.

"Uh oh…" the brunette covers her lips, muttering "That doesn't look good…"

Caleb's eyes glued onto Primrose's petite back before turning his attention to his colleague. The young doctor wears a remorseful expression on her face, but he can see underneath that expression is a playful smile, as if she has finally captured Primrose's little secret. While he understands that Lilian is only jesting her friend, what she did earlier was crossing the boundary Primrose has around her.

"You should be more gentle to her, Lilian."

"Oh Caleb, are you her knight in shining armor now?" the brunette winks at him "She will be okay, it takes more than what I said to truly piss her off."

"How can you be so sure?" he asks again, this time, genuinely interested in their friendship dynamic.

"We have been together since we were in diapers, I know her very well. She is not the type to hold a grudge against anyone."

"Even if that person breaks her heart?"

There's a hint of surprise in Lilian's eyes as she looks at him, puzzling at his words. The serious expression he wears when asking her that, it is as if he knows something about Primrose that even she, her best friend, doesn't know. As his question hangs in the air piques her curiosity, she turns to him and asks the important question.

"Do you know something that I don't?"

"What do you mean?" he responds with another question, still wearing a calm face.

"You…I don't know, for some reason, I feel like you two already have a connection way before I introduce both of you to each other."

It seems like there are things that Primrose doesn't tell Lilian…

The young lord looks at her, pondering at the thought of whether or not he should tell her the truth. After a swift moment of consideration, Caleb decides not to disclose anything. Primrose has every right to keep their previous connection a secret and he will respect her choice. Besides, no one wants to expose their vulnerability to another person, even if they are their best friend and trusted ally. This hidden story of theirs, Caleb will ensure it stays in the dark until his lovely maiden is comfortable enough to tell everyone.

"Maybe you're thinking too much." he smiles, answering her question.

The way Caleb words his response intrigues her. Unlike Primrose, who wears her heart to her sleeves, Lilian can not read this man's expression. Something about his warm smile is a stark contrast to his overall stoic expression, is he also hiding something, or is his answer a genuine one? She might never know.

"You know, it's easy to see what is in Primrose's mind, her emotions are anything but hidden beneath a fake smile. It's endearing…" the brunette hums a bit before continuing "There are times when I see her cry without knowing the reason, and yet, those tears are not for the weak."

"And why is that?"

Lilian smiles, remembering the fond memory. She leans against the wall, pondering her thoughts. The image of Primrose crying in her room, small shoulder shaken lightly as she held back the sob, too afraid this fragile side of her would worry everyone. But in contrast to those tears, when the raven head looked out to the window, holding a steady gaze at the celestial blanket that covered the dark, velvety sky…

"She cried with eyes of strength that I had never seen before."

Caleb chuckles at her words, there is warmth in his silver orbs as he attentively listens to the story. It's nice to hear a different perspective coming from someone who is close to her, it makes him feel like he understands Primrose more. The depth of her emotion, her resilience to all the obstacles, and the way she shines through the darkest part of her life, his raven head has always been an amazing person. And yet, even when he knows how capable and strong she is, Caleb still wants to protect and shield her from all the harm that comes her way, whether it is from the outside world or matters of the heart.

"Well, I have kept you here long enough, Caleb." Lilian waves her hand playfully "Be sure to get ready for her invitation!"