( Ethan’s pov)

I watched Raina’s stream last night about X-Reveals.

I would not lie, the whole thing was intense.

X-Reveals had called her a murderer in his latest video and honestly... that was too far even for him. Sure, he had gotten a few things right before. The Soul Beauty deal for one. Somehow he always seemed to know things before they became public. But accusing Raina of murder?

That was insane.

I leaned back in my chair, phone in hand, replaying parts of the stream in my head.

Raina was... complicated.

Even now, after everything between us, there were moments where I still could not fully read her. Before we started dating, she had fascinated me because of that mystery around her. She always looked like she knew something nobody else did. Calm one second. Cold the next. Sweet when she wanted to be. Completely unreadable when she didn’t.

Honestly, that was part of why I fell for her.

And despite all her strange habits and secrets, one thing I knew for certain was this:

She was not a killer.

X-Reveals was wrong about that.

I sighed and opened VTube on my phone.

"Yeah..." I muttered to myself. "I’m gonna have to unfollow his channel."

Just as my thumb hovered over the button, my phone rang.

Unknown number.

I frowned slightly before answering.

"Hello?"

"Is this Ethan Crux?" a professional male voice asked.

"Yes, this is he."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Crux. My name is John Grainger. I’m the Director of Talent Acquisition for Parallex Headquarters."

I straightened immediately in my seat.

Headquarters?

"Mr. Crux," he continued smoothly, "I’m calling in regard to your recent application for promotion."

My stomach tightened.

"I thought I didn’t get it," I said carefully.

"Yes, about that." The man cleared his throat lightly. "There appears to have been an internal review issue regarding your evaluation file. After reassessing your performance metrics, client portfolio, and recommendations, HQ determined that not only were you qualified for the position you applied for... you were significantly under-evaluated."

I blinked.

What?

"We would like to formally offer you the position of Senior Creative Director at Parallex Headquarters."

For a second I genuinely thought I heard him wrong.

Senior Creative Director.

That was not just a promotion.

That was three levels above where I expected to land.

The salary alone had to be insane.

"Oh my God..." The words slipped out before I could stop them. "Sir... thank you. I honestly don’t even know what to say."

"You can say yes," he replied with a light chuckle, "and report to HQ tomorrow morning."

"Yes," I said immediately. "Absolutely yes, sir."

"Excellent. We’re looking forward to having you onboard, Mr. Crux."

"Thank you, sir. Truly."

The call ended.

For about three full seconds I just sat there staring at my phone.

Then it hit me.

"YES!"

I shot up from the couch so fast I nearly knocked over the coffee table.

Holy shit.

Holy shit.

I actually got it.

Not only got it — they practically handed me the keys to a better life overnight.

My chest felt light again for the first time since the day I quit.

I grabbed my phone and immediately called Raina.

She picked up on the second ring.

"Hey baby," she said softly.

"Raina," I said breathlessly, unable to hide the grin stretching across my face, "you are not going to believe this."

A pause.

"What happened?"

"Parallex HQ just called me."

Her tone changed instantly. "Wait... what?"

"They offered me a position at headquarters."

"Oh my God, Ethan."

"Senior Creative Director."

There was complete silence for exactly one second.

Then—

"ETHAN!"

I laughed.

"I know!"

"That’s huge!" she shouted. "That’s literally huge!"

"I still can’t believe it."

"You deserve it," she said immediately, her voice full of certainty. "I’m serious. Nobody deserves that more than you."

God.

Why did hearing her say that feel so good?

"When do you start?" she asked.

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" she laughed. "Wow. They really moved fast."

"I don’t even care," I admitted. "I’m just happy."

"I’m proud of you," she said softly.

That one hit deeper than everything else.

"Thanks, baby."

"So..." her voice turned playful, "does this mean my boyfriend is officially corporate elite now?"

I laughed. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves."

"Too late. I’m already imagining you in expensive suits."

"Well... I do look good in one."

"Mhm. Debatable."

"Rude."

She laughed again.

"I have something to handle tonight," she said after a moment, "but I’ll definitely come by later, okay?"

"Of course."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The call ended and I stood there grinning like an idiot.

Then I went to tell Mum.

I found her in the living room folding laundry.

"You look happy," she said immediately, eyeing me suspiciously.

"I got promoted."

Her hands froze mid-fold.

"You what?"

"I got promoted to headquarters."

Her eyes widened.

"Oh my God."

She stood up immediately and hugged me so tightly I almost lost balance.

"I knew it," she said proudly. "I knew they would finally see your worth."

I smiled against her shoulder.

"Dinner," she suddenly declared.

"What?"

"We’re celebrating tonight and that’s final."

"Mum—"

"No arguments." She pointed at me dramatically. "Invite your friends. I’m making a proper feast."

I laughed. "You really don’t have to go that far."

"Yes I do."

And once Mum made up her mind, there was no stopping her.

So I started making calls.

Marcus first.

Then Kuro.

Then Jade.

I could have just dropped a message in the group chat, but honestly? I was too excited for that.

Calling felt better.

Raina texted afterward saying she would be late because of work, but promised she would come.

That alone put me in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Later, I went shopping with Mum for groceries and helped her cook.

Or... tried to help.

Mostly she bossed me around while I chopped vegetables incorrectly.

By evening the entire house smelled incredible.

Turkey.

Roasted potatoes.

Mac and cheese.

Honey glazed carrots.

Stuffing.

Fresh rolls.

There was enough food on that table to feed a small village.

Around seven the doorbell rang.

I opened it to find Marcus standing there holding a bottle of wine.

"Ethan!" he shouted dramatically before pulling me into a hug. "Look at the future corporate billionaire!"

I laughed. "Get in here."

The moment he stepped inside he inhaled deeply.

"Jesus Christ," he said. "It smells amazing in here."

"MARCUS!" Mum called from the kitchen.

"Mrs. Crux," he said warmly as he walked in, "always a pleasure."

"I’ve told you to call me Grace."

"One day," he promised.

He handed her the wine.

"I didn’t know what kind you liked, but I promise I didn’t grab the cheapest thing off the shelf."

Mum laughed brightly.

A few minutes later the bell rang again.

Kuro and Jade.

They had clearly come straight from work.

Kuro loosened his tie the second he entered.

"My man," Marcus said, pulling him into one of those aggressive male handshakes that somehow turned into shoulder bumps halfway through.

Jade greeted Mum politely before turning to me.

"Congratulations again," he said sincerely. "You earned this."

"Thanks."

Kuro dropped onto the sofa.

"HQ’s already losing their minds over you," he said. "Brian’s been pacing around like a divorced father."

Marcus burst out laughing.

"Seriously?"

"Oh it’s bad," Kuro said. "Clients have been calling all day asking where Ethan went."

I would not lie.

Hearing that felt good.

Not out of bitterness exactly.

More like validation.

Proof that I had not imagined my own worth all this time.

"Alright boys," Mum called. "Help set the table."

"I’m coming," I said.

"Same," Kuro added.

Marcus groaned dramatically but got up anyway.

Even Jade joined in.

Five minutes later the table was fully set and everyone finally sat down.

I kept glancing at my phone.

Marcus noticed immediately.

"Your girlfriend still not here?"

"Not yet," I said. "She said she’d be late."

"Ooooh," Marcus teased. "The mysterious girlfriend."

"You act like she’s classified information."

"You kinda made her classified information."

"That’s because only Kuro’s met her," Jade added.

Kuro raised both hands instantly.

"Hey, that was work related."

"Sure it was," Marcus said suspiciously.

I laughed and shook my head.

"They’re right though," I admitted internally.

It was strange.

I had somehow dated Raina this long without properly introducing her to everyone.

The doorbell rang.

"she’s here" Mum said immediately.

I stood up so fast Marcus started laughing.

"Relax Romeo."

I ignored him and went to open the door.

And there she was.

Raina stood outside in a black coat with her hair falling neatly over one shoulder, looking effortlessly beautiful as usual.

The second she smiled at me, the rest of the room disappeared for a moment.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey."

I took her hand and walked her inside.

"Well there she is!" Marcus shouted dramatically.

Everyone cheered.

I laughed.

"Guys," I said, resting a hand lightly against her back, "this is my girlfriend, Raina Takahashi."

"Hi," she said warmly. "It’s nice to finally meet everyone."

Jade stood first.

"We’ve heard a lot about you," he said with a smile as they shook hands.

"Hopefully good things."

"Mostly."

She laughed softly.

Then Kuro.

"Miss Raina," he greeted respectfully.

"Kuro. Nice seeing you again."

Marcus stepped forward next.

"Okay," he said honestly, "I see why Ethan’s been hiding you."

Raina raised an eyebrow.

"You’re a lot prettier than he described."

"Marcus," I warned.

"What? I’m being respectful."

Raina laughed.

"You must be Marcus," she said.

"The one and only."

Then Mum approached and immediately hugged her.

"Raina dear, it’s so good seeing you again."

"Mrs. Crux," Raina said sweetly, "you look amazing tonight."

That instantly worked.

Mum blushed immediately.

"Oh stop."

I nearly rolled my eyes.

Raina smiled innocently at me.

Dangerous woman.

Dinner finally began.

And honestly?

It felt... nice.

Normal.

Everyone talked over each other.

Marcus told embarrassing college stories about me.

Kuro shared office drama.

Jade talked about work.

Mum kept forcing extra food onto everyone’s plates.

Even the conversation about X-Reveals somehow turned casual.

"You handled that stream really well," Jade told Raina.

"Yeah," Marcus agreed. "That guy’s insane."

Raina smiled politely.

"Thank you."

Seriously? Weren’t you guys the same people who introduced me to the channel

The night passed faster than I expected.

By ten people started leaving.

Kuro and Jade headed out first.

Raina had an early shoot the next morning, so she left shortly after.

I walked her to the car.

"You looked happy tonight," she said before getting in.

"I was."

She smiled.

"Good."

I leaned down and kissed her softly.

"Drive safe."

"You too, Mr. Senior Creative Director."

I laughed as she pulled away.

Back inside, Marcus stayed behind to help clean.

Eventually we convinced Mum to go sleep.

After the dishes were done, we collapsed onto the couch.

Marcus pulled out a cigarette.

"Dude," I immediately said, "you know you can’t smoke in here."

"Oh right. Sorry."

He tucked it away again.

A quiet pause settled between us.

Then—

"Your girlfriend’s really pretty."

"I know."

"But..." he frowned slightly, "she feels familiar somehow."

That caught my attention.

"What do you mean?"

"I don’t know." He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "Like I’ve seen her before."

Strange.

Because I had felt the exact same thing when I first met her.

Like there was something oddly familiar about her face.

"Maybe she just has one of those faces," I said eventually.

Marcus nodded slowly.

"Yeah... maybe."

Then the conversation drifted elsewhere and the night carried on quietly after that.