Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 142: A Taste of Home

At exactly five in the afternoon, Zephany checked the time on her phone, the digital numbers glowing against the dimming light inside her office. Her eyes blinked a few times, adjusting to the shift from the glowing screen back to her paperwork.

She carefully stacked the remaining documents and placed them in her folder. With a soft sigh, she stood and grabbed her bag, her posture as neat and quiet as always.

Outside the Air Media building, the sky was already tinged with soft purples and blues. The city bustled with the noise of rush hour traffic, but Zephany remained focused, weaving through the crowd with her usual polite nods and soft steps.

She made her way to her parked car, then pulled up the address Kaelion had sent earlier. A private building near the heart of the city.

As she drove, her thoughts wandered. Despite everything, she felt a little better after Kaelion’s call. It wasn’t that she wanted to avoid Kendrick. She just didn’t know how to face him yet, not after last night. Not after all the feelings she had tried to ignore began to surface again.

The building Kaelion described wasn’t hard to find. It was tucked away just off a quieter street, shielded from the main road by a row of slender trees and a high black gate. The sleek design and subtle signage confirmed she was in the right place.

Zephany parked in front, adjusted the small cardigan over her blouse, and took a deep breath before stepping out.

Almost immediately, the glass door of the entrance swung open.

"Idol! You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you!" Kaelion beamed as he stepped out, waving both arms excitedly.

Zephany’s eyes widened for a second, her heart thudding as she looked around quickly. "Please, lower your voice," she whispered, stepping closer. Her voice was quiet and slightly panicked. "If anyone saw you with me, it’d be a disaster."

Kaelion blinked, then looked around. The street was empty, save for a few parked cars and no pedestrians in sight.

"Sorry," he said with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head. "I forgot we’re not supposed to look too friendly in public. Come on, let’s go inside."

Once indoors, the tension in Zephany’s shoulders eased. The reception area was clean and minimalistic. Soft lighting glowed from the ceiling and framed pictures of Kaelion’s performances lined the walls.

"This way," he said, motioning toward a hallway. "I’ll give you a quick tour."

As they walked, he pointed to various rooms. "Recording booth. Audio editing. This one’s for visual content and livestreams. And here—" he stopped in front of a glass door with a polished metal handle, "this is the music room."

Before he opened it, two people appeared around the corner. A man in his mid-thirties with round glasses and a woman a few years younger holding a tablet.

"Oh, right. Let me introduce you," Kaelion said. "This is Jace, my manager. And Kana, my assistant."

Jace gave a slight bow, smiling. "We’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Zephany. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."

Kana echoed the gesture, blinking with curiosity. "You’re really here. Wow. Kaelion wasn’t kidding."

Zephany returned the gesture politely, her voice soft. "Nice to meet you both. I’m sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble at all," Jace said, eyes briefly shifting to Kaelion, who was grinning ear to ear.

Kana leaned closer to Jace as they followed behind. "I’ve never seen him this excited. He’s like a different person."

"Yeah," Jace muttered back. "Look at him. He’s practically glowing."

Inside the music room, the air changed. The walls were lined with acoustic panels, shelves filled with guitars, keyboards, and other instruments neatly organized along the sides. A baby grand piano sat proudly near the center.

Zephany took a moment to look around. Her eyes softened. "You have a nice studio here."

Kaelion smiled, stepping aside as she wandered deeper into the room. She walked over to the guitar rack first, gently brushing her fingers over the strings of a sunburst acoustic. Then she moved to the keyboard, tapping a few keys and adjusting the settings. The notes filled the room like soft water.

"You know how to play all these?" Kaelion asked, genuinely amazed.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled faintly. "My mom enrolled me in music lessons when I was a kid. Piano was our favorite, but I learned the rest along the way."

Kaelion clapped his hands once. "Idol, you’re really amazing. Watching you makes me feel like I should study more seriously."

On the other side of the room, Jace and Kana stood quietly.

Kana whispered, "As expected of a musical prodigy. No wonder she was so famous before."

Jace nodded. "Just sad she left the music scene. Imagine if we could convince her to sign here. She’d shake the industry."

Kana tilted her head, watching Zephany run her fingers across the drum set, then expertly adjust the cymbals. "She’s not just talented. She’s a genius."

"I wonder if Kaelion’s planning to ask her to join. Think she’d say yes?"

"If anyone can convince her, it’s him."

The two of them kept glancing between Zephany and Kaelion.

"Look at his face," Kana whispered. "He’s smiling like a schoolboy. I’ve never seen him like this."

"You think they’re perfect for each other?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Kana giggled. "He’s totally blushing. It’s unreal."

Jace scratched his chin. "Too bad though. Isn’t Zephany married?"

"Oh, right! That other prodigy. What was his name again? Starts with K... Kendrick?"

"Yeah, Kendrick. Saw his video once. That guy’s insane. Cool, calm, sharp... and ridiculously good-looking."

"If he joined the entertainment industry, he’d be a superstar. Like, action movie type. That intense gaze."

Both sighed.

"Kendrick and Zephany do seem perfect for each other. Kind of feel bad for Kaelion now. Feels like those K-drama second male leads. Always the sweet one, but never gets the girl."

Back in the center of the room, Kaelion and Zephany were seated on the floor by the keyboard, now talking over chord progressions.

"Do you mind if I come here after work?" Zephany asked gently. "I want to start composing the song tomorrow. For now, I should go home. Ken might be waiting for me."

Kaelion’s eyes lit up at her first question. "Of course, Idol! You can come anytime you like. I already told the staff you’re welcome."

But the mention of Kendrick made something in his expression falter, just for a split second. He recovered quickly, still smiling.

"Thanks again," Zephany stood and brushed off her skirt. "Today was fun."

Kaelion stood too, walking her to the entrance. "It was. And I’ll be waiting tomorrow. Let’s make something amazing."

She nodded with a small smile, then slipped out the door.

Kaelion stood there for a moment longer, watching as her car disappeared down the street. Only then did he let out a small sigh, turning back into the studio.

Meanwhile, Jace and Kana exchanged glances.

"Poor Kaelion," Kana whispered.

"Yeah," Jace said, adjusting his glasses. "That smile was way too sincere."

"You think he knows he doesn’t stand a chance?"

"Maybe. But I don’t think he cares."

"That’s the scary kind of love," Kana muttered. "The kind you give even when it hurts."

Jace nodded. "Let’s just hope it doesn’t end like those sad dramas."

As Kaelion walked past them, he gave a thumbs up. "We’re gonna make something great, guys. Just wait."

They both smiled back, though quietly wondering if their artist was about to get his heart broken for the first time.

---

The moment Zephany stepped into the apartment, the scent of something warm and savory instantly filled her nose. It was rich, familiar—garlic, herbs, maybe something braised?

Her shoulders eased slightly as she shut the door behind her. She placed her bag quietly by the shoe rack, slipping off her heels, the soles of her feet sighing in relief.

The comforting aroma led her to the kitchen, where she slowed her steps at the sight before her.

Kendrick stood at the stove, his back to her, sleeves casually rolled up, apron loosely tied around his waist. He moved with calm precision, flipping something in the pan before reaching for the bowl beside it. His hair was a bit tousled, likely from leaning over the steam, and the faint sound of music hummed low from his phone sitting on the counter.

She paused at the edge of the room, eyes softening. It reminded her so much of their first week here—the quiet clinks of utensils, the smell of food, the image of him cooking like it was the most natural thing in the world.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

It was warm. Familiar. Homey.

Her chest tightened a little as she watched him. The walls she tried to build around her heart were beginning to crumble, one gentle moment at a time.

What am I really scared of?

She clenched her fingers lightly against her side, eyes not leaving him.

Things already happened. No matter how much I deny it, I can’t stop myself from liking him... from loving him.

Why don’t I just embrace it?