---- Chapter 154. Tara hesitated, unsure how to respond to Jonah's apology. "Don't feel pressured. I owed you an apology for that incident," he said. She looked up at him, emotions flickering in her eyes. It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. Even the original host probably never imagined that the one who finally stood up for her was Jonah. As the elevator doors opened, the restaurant staff welcomed them with genuine enthusiasm. Tara's attention was drawn away.

She walked beside Jonah to the table he had reserved. She glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows. The floor wasn't very high, but the entire lake came into view ata glance. The scenery was breathtaking. Jonah had already placed the order. Not long after they sat down, the dishes started arriving one by one. He looked at Tara across the table. "Try it. See if it suits your taste." Tara took a bite of the steak and looked up with a smile.

" It's really good." ---- But the moment she met his eyes, she found him watching her with an unreadable expression. Panic surged in her chest, and she almost looked away. Then his low voice came again. "Your smile is beautiful." Tara's face turned bright red. She quickly lowered her head and focused on her plate. "Thank you, Mr. Pearson," she murmured. Maybe it was because she realized Jonah had been quietly helping her all along, but she couldn't help but feel at ease around him.

Though they barely spoke during the meal, the atmosphere between them was surprisingly comfortable. When they returned to the parking lot, Tara didn't head for the back seat this time. She had already done it once, and that might have been excused as a mistake, but twice would've felt deliberate. So this time, she got into the front passenger seat. Jonah hadn't seemed to mind before, but she still felt it was important to show respect.

After fastening her seatbelt, she said, "I've already troubled you enough today. You treated me to dinner, and now you're even driving me home." Jonah's voice was steady as he replied, "It's nothing. ---- Don't worry about it." She held onto the seat belt and sneaked a glance at him. Jonah turned the steering wheel. His handsome profile was calm and serious. Tara found it hard to steady her heartbeat. A heart that hadn't been stirred in years was finally starting to feel something.

In her eyes, he seemed to shine. She couldn't help but think he was incredibly handsome. His driving was as steady as his personality. It was smooth and reliable, which made her feel safe. When the car pulled into the building's parking lot, Tara unbuckled her seatbelt and got out. She moved to open the back door to get her heavy shopping bag. Jonah was faster. He opened the door and lifted the bag himself. The weight made him frown as he glanced at Tara's slender frame.

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He was surprised she was carrying something so heavy. "Next time you're carrying something this heavy, just message me. I'll help," he said. Tara thought he was just saying that to be polite. After all, she'd be leaving the headquarters in a little over a month. They wouldn't be in the same place anymore. ---- "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Pearson. I can manage, " she replied. Jonah didn't let her carry the bag and walked into the elevator with her.

Inside the elevator , Tara caught a faint, pleasant scent from him. She watched silently as he carried the bag. His arm muscles flexed slightly as he placed the bag by her door. Jonah turned to her and said, "Get some rest this afternoon." Tara nodded and opened her door. "I'll head in. Goodbye, Mr. Pearson," she said. "Go on," he replied. Jonah didn't leave right away. Instead , he watched her drag the shopping bag inside.

Only then did he press the elevator button and stride in, disappearing from view. Tara looked down at the bag stuffed with things. His subtle scent still seemed to linger in the air. To her surprise, she realized she had fallen for a man like him. He was thoughtful and attentive, yet always respectful of her space. 1 He had investigated the incident involving the original host, fired those responsible, and removed every trace of ---- her name from the internet.

If she hadn't brought it up, he probably never would have told her. Just these acts alone made it impossible for her not to feel something . In her past life, there was a quote she had always believed in. "Don't listen to what someone says. Watch what they do." Tara let out a quiet breath and shook her head. She couldn't believe where her thoughts had gone. He was Jonah-someone so far beyond her reach. No matter how hard she tried, she could never get close.

She quickly composed herself and looked up, only to find Alice standing across from her, staring in confusion. Alice had just seen her space out, then smile to herself. She had even watched as Tara shook her head like she was acting out a scene. None of it looked normal. It was like she had turned into a different person. "Are you... feeling okay?" Alice asked. Tara lifted the shopping bag and said, "I bought a bunch of snacks and fruits. Was gonna share some with you..." "Tara, sweet Tara!

I was just worried about you earlier. Let me give you a shoulder rub or a leg massage ," Alice said. ---- The workday flew by. That flicker of emotion from earlier had been pushed aside. Tara threw herself into her tasks, determined to earn her paycheck. One afternoon, Tara was working when Grace quietly reminded her to stay focused. Tara blinked in confusion. She had been working diligently the whole time.

About twenty minutes later, she stretched and took her water bottle to the break room to refill it. As she stepped out, she almost bumped into Jonah, who was walking slowly. Noah followed behind him. Jonah paused, seemingly because he had noticed her. His eyes briefly flickered toward the water bottle in her hand before slowly meeting her gaze. Tara's eyes widened. ''Good afternoon, Mr. Pearson." After saying that, she hurried past them and rushed back to her desk.