"Hey, maybe he forgot his phone," Skylar offered gently, her voice soft and reassuring as she tried to ease the tension that hung heavy in the air between them.

She reached across the table and lightly touched Arcadia's hand, offering a silent gesture of support.

Arcadia sighed, the sound carrying a weight of unspoken worry. She took a slow sip from her ube caramel taro, the sweet taste doing little to dispel the uneasy feeling that had settled deep in her stomach.

The comforting warmth of the drink offered only a small measure of solace against the unsettling uncertainty.

"I hope so too," Arcadia replied, her voice still tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "But I'm not really familiar with the name Jenna. Alaric didn't mention her to me."

She swirled the remaining liquid in her cup, the gentle movement a small reflection of the turmoil inside.

"Maybe she's new and Alaric just didn't pay attention," Skylar suggested, offering a plausible explanation to ease Arcadia's apprehension.

Arcadia nodded slowly, "Perhaps..."

The word hung in the air, a fragile bridge between her worry and her desire to maintain her trust in Alaric.  She took another sip of her drink, the sweet taste of a small comfort against the lingering unease.

Despite the unsettling phone call, a quiet determination settled over her. She wouldn't jump to conclusions.  She trusted Alaric wholeheartedly and would wait for his explanation, her faith in their relationship is a quiet anchor against the rising tide of uncertainty.

Arcadia hadn't waited long. A buzz from her phone broke through her thoughts, and a quick glance revealed Alaric's name on the screen.

Relief washed over her, quickly followed by a flutter of nervous anticipation. She answered immediately, her heart pounding a rhythm against her ribs.

Before she could even form a greeting, his familiar voice filled her ears, washing away the lingering unease and replacing it with a rush of warmth and relief.

"Baby, hear me out, please? Don't be mad, okay? I swear I forgot my phone at the office, and when I finally got it back, I missed your call. I'm so sorry, it's completely my fault. Can you forgive me?" Alaric's words tumbled out in a rush, a blend of apology and explanation delivered with heartfelt urgency.

Arcadia unconsciously smiled, the tension melting away as his hurried explanation washed over her. The worry lines etched on her brow smoothed out, replaced by the soft glow of happiness.

"No, it's okay," she replied, her voice light and relieved.

A playful glint sparked in her eyes.

"Why should I be mad? Did you do something wrong?" she teased, the lingering unease completely dissipated by the sound of his voice and his earnest apology.

The warmth of his words and the reassurance in his tone were more than enough.

"No, I did not! I'm completely devoted to my little fairy," Alaric replied, his voice laced with a playful affection that made Arcadia's heart skip a beat.

A chuckle from Skylar across the table made Arcadia blush, a rosy hue spreading across her cheeks. She playfully glared at her friend, who simply grinned back, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Alaric! Stop saying those words!" Arcadia chided playfully, though the reprimand held no real bite, only a gentle teasing tone.

"Okay, okay, baby. As you wish," Alaric conceded good-naturedly. His voice softened, the playful banter giving way to a warmer tone. "By the way, are you eating now?"

"Yes, just a few snacks with Skylar," Arcadia replied, her smile widening.

The earlier tension was completely gone, replaced by the comfortable warmth of their connection. The simple act of talking to him had erased all the worry and uncertainty.

"That's good. Text or call me when you're going home, okay? I'll pick you up," Alaric said, his voice firm and reassuring, the gentle authority in his tone both comforting and endearing.

"But... aren't you busy?" Arcadia asked, a hint of concern still lingering in her voice.

"Not anymore. I settled everything earlier, and my time is all yours," he replied, his words conveying a clear and unwavering commitment.

Arcadia rolled her eyes playfully, even though he couldn't see her, a small smile playing on her lips. The gesture was more a reflection of her affection than annoyance.

"About earlier," Alaric continued, his tone softening, "the company hired Jenna without consulting me. Don't even bother worrying about that matter; I already fired her. I'm so sorry for making my baby upset because of that."

His apology was sincere, laced with genuine remorse for causing her any distress. The incident, once a source of worry, now felt insignificant in the face of his unwavering devotion.

Arcadia's eyes widened in shock, a mixture of surprise and disbelief washing over her features. Her mouth parted slightly, the words caught in her throat.

Even Skylar's eyes widened, mirroring Arcadia's astonishment; the unexpected news was clearly a surprise to them both.

The comfortable atmosphere of the milk tea shop shifted again, this time with a wave of stunned silence.

"W-what? You don't have to, Alaric!" Arcadia exclaimed, her voice laced with panic.

The impulsive act of firing someone, especially for such a seemingly minor reason, felt both overwhelming and unnecessary. The intensity of his reaction to her unease was both touching and slightly alarming.

"But I mind, baby. No one can make you feel upset, not even me, okay?" Alaric's voice was husky, the raw emotion evident even through the phone.

The intensity of his feelings was palpable, a stark contrast to his usually playful tone.

In the office, unseen by Arcadia, Alaric loosened his necktie, the simple gesture a small attempt to alleviate the tension that coiled tightly in his chest. He swiveled his chair around, his calm and gentle face a stark contrast to the ruthlessness he'd just displayed.

Jenna, her face pale and streaked with tears, stared at him, unable to comprehend the words she'd just heard. The disparity between Alaric's fierce protectiveness towards Arcadia and the cold efficiency with which he'd dismissed her was jarring, a painful revelation of the chasm that separated his treatment of them.

The gentle tone he'd used with Arcadia was a world away from the harsh reality of her sudden unemployment. The contrast was stark, and deeply unsettling.

"Enjoy your day with Skylar, okay? I have to settle something first, and then I'll pick you up later," Alaric said, his tone shifting back to its usual warmth.

He ended the call, a small smile lingering on his lips, but as he turned to face Jenna, the shift was instantaneous.

His gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a steely coldness that sent a shiver down Jenna's spine. The ruthlessness in his eyes was unmistakable, a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play.

"I don't hit women," he stated firmly, his voice devoid of any warmth. "But I want you to slap yourself for me. Twice."

His words were sharp and merciless, leaving no room for negotiation or understanding.

Jenna trembled at the command, fear gripping her as she realized the gravity of her situation. The contrast between the man who had just spoken so tenderly to Arcadia and the one now confronting her was striking, and the weight of his authority felt suffocating.