After breakfast the next morning, Julian was preparing to leave for work as he adjusted his watch. Gregory had already started the car outside, while Sophie skipped down the staircase two steps at a time, with her backpack bouncing behind her and her eyes burning with the energy only children could certainly have so early in the day.
"You said we might stop for a croissant today if we're early," she reminded Julian in a voice full of hope and mischief.
Julian looked amused, but he quickly buried the expression. "Is that so?" he asked instead.
"Mhm! Also… did you know Lucas beat me at chess last night?" she said as she threw her bag to the nearest couch, forgetting the croissant promise. "Every single game… I didn't even stand a chance." Her attention was already shifted as
Hearing his name mentioned, Lucas briefly looked up from the drawing he was making, surveyed the two of them, and then went back to his drawing without a word.
Julian smiled at Sophie. "I told you he plays well, he's consistent but I'm sure you'll win some."
"He's unbeatable," Sophie insisted. "But he doesn't even seem to care about it or show off."
From the doorway, Madame Miller spoke with her usual dismissive sigh. "It's just a child's game Sophie, there's no need to get so worked up over a few pawns and castles."
Sophie rolled her eyes and whispered to Julian in a conspirational tone, "She calls rooks castles. I tried correcting her, but never again."
Alex suppressed a smile as she stepped into the room, dressed in clean jeans and a comfortable blouse. She had obviously overheard the conversation, and Sophie's whisper to Julian.
"I'll need to stop by the store today," she said, looking at Julian. "We've run through most of the art supplies, and I need some additional materials for Lucas's lessons."
"Come with us then." Julian said coldly. "I'll drop you off after we leave Sophie at school."
Alex was surprised by the way he responded without hesitation, but the coldness hurt her a bit. Just a quiet command filled with that dry, effortless authority he seemed to wear like an expensive coat.
"Are you sure? I could…"
"I said it's fine." He said sharply.
Madame Miller mumbled something about being too forward, barely concealing the irritation in her voice.
Alex paid no attention to her, but Julian turned his head slowly like someone deciding whether the mumble was worth his response. "If you have an issue Madame, I suggest you say it directly."
A tense silence suddenly filled the room.
Madame Miller's face went red, but she lowered her head and began rearranging the napkins on the table aggressively.
"Of course not, Mr. Blackwood… I was just talking to myself."
Alex couldn't hide her reaction, a smirk spread across her face and she made sure the old lady saw it.
Unaware of the drama playing out, Sophie was already pulling Julian. "Let's goooo!"
Lucas lifted his head again in his corner, but said nothing… only looked at Julian, then went back to his drawing. Alex saw the look, and it was not empty… it was as if he was taking note of everything.
Ten minutes later they were on the road, with Sophie sitting beside Julian and Alex in the passenger seat. Sophie was chatting away about school gossip, her chess marathon with Lucas and the promised croissant after school. Julian listened attentively, chipping in where necessary in that cool voice of his that he seemed to only reserve for Sophie.
In the backseat, Alex watched them both. It was strange… seeing Julian like this. He was distant at the breakfast table, a wall of cold silence. But here he was in the car being responsive to a chattering child… he seemed almost soft, and she wasn't sure how to feel about that.
Julian Blackwood, the man who was said to be a cold and emotionless CEO, letting a little girl argue with him about whether a croissant or a muffin was the superior breakfast pastry… and he seemed to be enjoying it.
But why was he different to her and the others in the house?
Alex leaned her head against the window and decided to watch the passing trees and houses instead.
When Sophie had been dropped off, she gave Julian a warm smile and then tapped Alex's window. "Lucas is very kind you know, you just have to listen with your eyes."
Then she was gone… vanishing into a crowd of uniforms and morning chatter.
The drive to the store was filled with an empty silence with just the two of them in the car. Julian focused on the road, while Alex watched the scenery from her window. When they finally entered an art store between a bookstore and a jewelry boutique, the silence between them still didn't break as they made their way across wooden shelves filled with various art supplies.
Julian picked up a large sketchpad and handed it to her. "He likes thick-grain paper, he tears right through it if it's thinner."
"You know his preferences well," Alex remarked in surprise.
"I watch." he said with a shrug.
The way he said it in a defensive manner made Alex pause. "You… pay attention to what he likes?" she asked cautiously.
Julian sighed. "I don't have a choice, he won't talk to me."
Alex said nothing and followed him through the aisle, grabbing a box of pencils and paint. When she reached for a small packet of erasers, her fingers brushed against his.
"Sorry." she said quickly and pulled away.
"Don't be."
She looked up and saw he was looking at her, with an intensity that was beginning to make her knees wobble, like she was a puzzle he was trying to figure out.
when their eyes met, he quickly looked away.
"I'll pay," he said.
Alex followed him to the register without a word, her heart was beating too fast. That look in his eyes, it was probably nothing, but why had it felt like something more?