Mr. Li secretary is a dashing mother of twins.

As James returned home after his delightful evening at Annie's, a sense of contentment washed over him like never before. For the first time in a long while, he found himself smiling, the memory of Annie and her warm, welcoming home filling him with a sense of happiness he hadn't known was possible.

As he settled into bed, James couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that lingered within him. The image of Annie and her children laughing and sharing a meal together danced through his mind, igniting a newfound longing within him.

For the first time in his life, James allowed himself to dream of a future filled with love and laughter, a future that resembled Annie's in every way. He imagined himself with a loving wife by his side, a woman as kind and caring as Annie, and children who filled his home with joy and laughter.

As he drifted off to sleep, James made a silent vow to himself. He would do whatever it took to create a life as happy and fulfilling as Annie's. And though he knew the journey ahead would be challenging, he also knew that with determination and perseverance, anything was possible.

With a smile on his lips and a sense of hope in his heart, James closed his eyes, ready to embrace the possibilities that lay ahead. For in Annie's home, he had found not just inspiration, but a vision of the happiness he longed for, a happiness he was determined to make his own.

As Annie busied herself in the kitchen, her mind was a whirlwind of frustration and annoyance. "Unreasonable, shameless man," she muttered under her breath, chopping vegetables with more force than necessary. "Who does he think he is, inviting himself over and expecting me to cook for him?"

As she stirred the pot on the stove, Annie couldn't help but roll her eyes at the memory of James gobbling down his food like an eating machine. "Honestly, it's like he's never seen food before," she grumbled, shaking her head in disbelief.

But despite her annoyance, Annie couldn't deny the tiny spark of amusement that flickered within her. "Well, at least he appreciates my cooking," she admitted begrudgingly, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

With a sigh, Annie turned her attention back to her cooking, determined to make the best of the situation. "Fine," she muttered to herself, "I'll cook for him this once. But he better not make a habit of it."

And with that, Annie set to work, channeling her frustration into the delicious meal she was preparing for next day. After all, if she couldn't teach her boss a lesson, she could at least enjoy the satisfaction of knowing she had outdone herself in the kitchen.

Next Morning:

The sun crept gently through the thin cotton curtains of Annie's modest apartment, casting a warm golden hue across the living room. The scent of cinnamon and warm milk filled the air, mingling with the sound of little feet padding across the floor.

Emma was already awake, curled up beside her favorite stuffed duck, while Ethan sleepily toddled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and holding tightly onto his blue sippy cup.

Annie, already in her work blouse but still barefoot, had her hair twisted up in a loose bun, trying to multitask—preparing breakfast, packing lunch, and mentally rehearsing her day's schedule for the office.

All the while, her mind kept flitting back to the night before.

"Did that really happen? Did the great CEO Li really drop by... again? Eat like he hadn't eaten in days and casually tell me I'm cooking his lunch every day now? Shameless, smooth, and far too charming for my peace of mind..."

She shook her head and poured the warm porridge into bowls. "You're not thinking about that ridiculous man again, Annie. Focus."

Meanwhile, just a few miles away, James Li stood at his floor-to-ceiling window, coffee in hand, dressed in his crisp grey suit. His usual calm demeanor had a subtle crack in it this morning—an odd lightness he wasn't used to.

"So... she cooks like a queen, raises two kids like a warrior, and still manages to make me laugh. That's rare."

He glanced over at the brown paper bag on the table—his lunch. Last night, he'd jokingly insisted she cook for him daily... but this morning, he was silently hoping she actually had.

He checked the time, then the mirror. For the first time, he noticed himself adjusting his tie... twice.

8:30 a.m. | JL Conglomerate – Main Lobby

Annie walked in, holding Ethan's tiny hand—he had insisted on dropping her at the elevator himself like a "big boy." She kissed him goodbye and handed him to the nanny waiting downstairs, then quickly straightened her bag and hurried to the executive floor.

To her surprise, James was already at his desk, seemingly focused—but the moment she walked in, he glanced up.

"Morning," he said casually, but his tone had a little spark—too calm, too friendly.

Annie narrowed her eyes. "You're early today, Mr. Li."

"I didn't want to miss my secretary," he replied smoothly.

Annie blinked. "Or your lunch?"

James chuckled. "Well, that too. But don't flatter yourself. I just have a busy day planned."

Annie dropped the lunch bag gently on his desk. "Then let me know if your majesty would like dessert, or if you're bringing an army to dinner tonight too."

She turned to leave his office with practiced grace, her heart betraying her with a tiny flutter.

James watched her go, hiding the grin tugging at his lips.

"Now that's the sarcasm I was waiting for."

Just as she reached the door, his voice stopped her. "Ms. Annie."

She paused, back straight. She turned slowly, raising one eyebrow with just the right amount of secretary professionalism. "Yes, Mr. Li?"

He held up the bag. "You didn't label today's menu."

There it was—a flicker. The tiniest purse of her lips, the slight narrowing of her eyes.

James noticed.

Seriously? You want handwritten lunch descriptions now? Should I design a menu card too, Mr. Gourmet CEO?

Her lips parted as if to speak, but she caught herself. Her gaze softened half a notch, then she gave a tight, polite smile. "I thought the contents would speak for themselves."

He leaned back, brow raised. "Maybe. But I've developed a personal standard. My meals come with handwritten notes. It's tradition now."

A sharp breath in. James caught it. Her jaw tensed slightly before she spoke.

Tradition? You've had exactly one homemade lunch and now it's a legacy? This man...

Still, her voice remained composed. "I'll take it under consideration."

James smirked. "You are dangerously close to being my favorite cook, Ms. Annie."

Her expression shifted again—a twitch of her brow, an exhale that was almost a sigh.

And you're dangerously close to being an overgrown child in a luxury suit.

She nodded, dry and civil. "Noted."

Then came a pause—a delicate change in air pressure between them. Not flirtation, not yet. Something more personal. Uncertain.

James's voice lowered, the edge softening. "Annie… Thank you. For yesterday. For today."

For the first time in the entire exchange, her carefully drawn expression faltered. Her eyes widened just a fraction, and her lips parted in surprise.

No. Don't make this complicated. Don't make it feel like something. Don't look at me like that.

The flicker passed. She straightened again.

"You're welcome," she said simply. Then, recovering some of her armor: "Just… don't get used to it."

"Oh," he said, the smirk returning to his lips, quieter this time, more thoughtful. "But I already have."

She gave a small, dry chuckle—not quite amused, not quite annoyed. The kind of sound that held a hundred things unspoken.

Then she turned, walking away, heels tapping a precise rhythm down the corridor.

James watched her go, noticing the smallest shift in her shoulders—tense, but curious. Deflective, but not distant.

He looked down at the lunch bag again, then leaned back in his chair, one finger resting on his lower lip.

Those looks. That energy. She says nothing… but her expressions say everything.

This woman might just be the most unpredictable chapter of my life—and I haven't even read the first page.

It was going to be a very good day indeed.