Clara chuckled, "Come on, Roger's got a wife and kids. He's hardly the perennial bachelor."

"Yeah, but the guy doesn't have a son, does he? The Hicks lineage is hanging by a thread. What's the use of marrying early if you don't secure an heir? Look at me-hit the jackpot on the first try with a little successor. Honey, you've got to admit that I'm pretty impressive, right?"

She couldn't help but smile at lan's swagger, feeling that in moments like these, she saw the real him.

lan was a man of flesh and blood, full of highs and lows, and

not the man who used to bury every emotion deep down inside.

She patted his head affectionately and played along, "Oh, very impressive. I think you deserves a kiss."

Then, she leaned in close, planting a quick peck on his cheek.

Just as she was about to pull away, lan's arms snaked around her waist, holding her tight.

His voice, low and husky, tickled her ear.

"Thanks for reminding me. I haven't properly thanked the mother of my child. Thank you, my love."

His words prefaced a passionate kiss that unfolded in the backseat of the car.

Up front, Dawson, ever so discreet, lowered the privacy screen.

He couldn't help but smirk; now that Mr. Hayes' son was in the picture, maybe it was time to start planning his own wedding.

At a red light stop, he shot a text to his girlfriend.

[Babe, when should we make it official?]

Elsewhere.

Sasha had just left the set when she was met with the excited shrieks of her colleagues.

"Oh my gosh, Sasha, your boyfriend's here to pick you up again! How can he be so dreamy?"

Her gaze followed the direction they were pointing, locking eyes with Chase's smiling ones.

Inside, she scoffed at the thought of this 'dog of a man' who just couldn't kick his acting habit. Had he forgotten that he was just playing the role of her boyfriend?

She forced a smile. "You guys go ahead. See you tomorrow."

"Sasha, when you've got a catch that hot and caring, you better lock him down before someone else does, or you'll be crying over spilled milk!"

If only someone would take him off her hands, she mused.

After bidding her friends goodbye, she made her way over to Chase.

He opened the car door for her with a gentleman's charm, teasing, "I think they're onto something. If you don't consider promoting me from pretend boyfriend to the real deal, you might just find yourself weeping as someone else snaps me up."

Sasha flashed him a fake smile. "Don't worry, that day will never come."

Unfazed by her response, Chase reached into the car, pulled out a bag, and handed it to her.

"Can't you muster up a single sweet word? After all, I stood in line to snag this bubble tea for you."

Sasha regarded the bag and the bubble tea inside, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through her. This brand was notoriously hard to get, often requiring a long wait.

She had complained on social media after a failed attempt to buy one, only for Chase to deliver it to her the very next day.

If this man wasn't such a flirt, such a player, so darn cocky, she might actually give him a chance.

But then she remembered the mean things he'd said behind her back, and any budding affection quickly froze over.

Yet the temptation of the sweet, creamy bubble tea was too much to resist.

She took several satisfying sips, smiling contentedly. "This is the best bubble tea ever. It's just unbeatable."

Chase leaned in closer, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Is it really that good? Let me have a taste."

Before Sasha could react, he bent down and took the straw, still marked with her lipstick, into his mouth.

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