Chapter 10 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

After the night of admitting their true feelings to each other, the relationship between Khang and Diem Tram entered a new, more natural and warmer phase. Shared dinners are no longer a contractual obligation, but become a time both of them look forward to after a busy working day. The accidental touches of hands in the kitchen, the meaningful glances exchanged while working — all become more real than ever.

"You seem much happier these days," Hoai Thu commented when Diem Tram stopped by the bakery one morning, unable to hide her smile as she observed her friend humming a cheerful tune while preparing the dough.

"Is that so?" Diem Tram asked, trying to keep her face calm even though she couldn't deny the change in her heart.

"Don't hide it from me anymore," Hoai Thu said, crossing her arms over her chest with a mischievous look in her eyes. "Did something happen between you and that chef?"

Diem Tram blushed, finally unable to hide it from her closest friend. "Maybe," she admitted, her voice quiet but filled with happiness. "Things have become much more complicated than I originally expected."

***

At Cam Luong restaurant, Kien also quickly noticed a change in Khang's attitude - he became happier and more open with the staff, no longer keeping a cold distance like before. "I must say, Ms. Diem Tram has really brought a breath of fresh air to him," Kien commented in a private meeting, unable to hide his sincere joy for his close colleague.

"I think, you're right," Khang replied, a rare smile flashing across his lips. "I never thought I could feel like this, especially after everything that happened to my family before."

"So are you going to make it all come true?" Kien asked frankly, his eyes full of sincerity. "I mean, beyond the scope of that contract?"

Khang was silent for a moment, considering that direct question. "I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it," he finally replied. "But I need to be careful, especially during this sensitive period when Uncle Phat is still finding ways to sabotage everything."

***

That afternoon, while Diem Tram was testing a new cake recipe in the restaurant kitchen, a guest suddenly appeared at the reception desk, asking to meet her privately. When she stepped out, Diem Tram was surprised to realize that it was Ho Yen Chi, the woman she had met at the previous anniversary party.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Yen Chi asked, her voice was polite but contained a sharpness that was hard to detect.

Diem Tram nodded and led her to a quiet corner of the table in the restaurant. "What do you want to talk about?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm even though she was starting to feel wary inside.

"I just want to tell you straight," Yen Chi said, her cold eyes looking straight at Diem Tram. "I know clearly that the relationship between you and Viet Khang is not as simple as what is announced to the public. I have researched, and I know, you only appeared in his life right at the time he needed a wife to inherit the family fortune."

Diem Tram felt her heart tighten at that direct accusation, but she tried to keep her expression calm. "I don't know what you're implying," she replied, her voice harder than she expected.

***

"I have no intention of exposing you to the public, at least not yet," Yen Chi continued, her voice filled with calculation. "But I want you to understand clearly, my family and Viet Khang's family have an important business cooperation agreement, and that part of the agreement inherently includes marriage between me and him. You are in the middle of a plan that has been arranged for a long time, and I advise you to think carefully before continuing on this path."

"This is Viet Khang's decision, not yours or anyone else's," Diem Tram replied, her voice resolute even though she couldn't help but feel confused at the newly revealed information. "If he wanted to marry you, he would have done it a long time ago."

Yen Chi smiled coldly, stood up and prepared to leave. "We'll see if that's still true, when the truth about your contract is revealed," she said, her tone carrying a clear veiled threat. "I won't wait long."

When Yen Chi left, Diem Tram stood silently in place, feeling a deep fear rising in her heart. She realized that what she and Khang were trying to build, no matter how genuine, was still at risk of being destroyed by the plots and calculations of the people around them, who were willing to do everything to achieve their own goals.

***

That night, Diem Tram decided to tell Khang the entire conversation with Yen Chi, even though she couldn't help but worry about his reaction. "She said, her family and his family once had a cooperation agreement that included marriage," she said, carefully observing Khang's expression.

Khang clenched his fists, his face became visibly tense. "That was many years ago," he explained, his voice filled with irritation. "Yen Chi's father once proposed an arranged marriage to strengthen the business partnership, but I flatly refused from the beginning. Unexpectedly, she still holds that hope until now."

"She threatened to expose the truth about our contract," Diem Tram said, her voice unable to hide her concern.

Khang pondered for a long time before speaking, his eyes containing a new determination. "I'll talk to her myself," he said. "I need to make it clear, unequivocal, that there is no possibility between me and her other than a simple business partnership."

"You think that will work?" Diem Tram asked, not completely confident in that solution.

"I'm not sure," Khang replied honestly. "But I won't let her use threats to control our lives. No matter what happens, I want you to know, I will always be on your side."

***

That firm affirmation somewhat reassured Diem Tram, but she still couldn't completely dispel the anxiety creeping into her heart. She thought that, if the truth about the contract was truly exposed, not only would both of their reputations be damaged, but what they had worked so hard to build - both business and love - would also be at risk of complete collapse.

"I think we need to prepare a backup plan," Diem Tram said, trying to think realistically about this dangerous situation. "In the worst case scenario, if the truth is revealed before you officially inherit."

Khang nodded and held her hand with deep respect. "We will find a solution together," he said. "But whatever happens, I want you to know one thing clearly — what I feel for you has nothing to do with the inheritance or the original contract. That's the only thing I'm absolutely certain of in all this chaos."

That sincere affirmation helped Diem Tram regain some of her composure, even though she knew clearly that the road ahead would have many more challenges waiting for both of them, as those with private intentions constantly sought to sabotage the happiness they were trying to preserve.

***

The next day, as promised, Khang proactively arranged a private meeting with Yen Chi at her company's office, determined to definitively end all misunderstandings that remained from many years ago. "I want to make it clear, once and for all," he said, his voice steady without hesitation. "Between you and I there will never be anything more than a business partnership. I hope you respect that decision, and respect my relationship with Diem Tram."

Yen Chi looked at him for a long time, her eyes containing many complex emotions before finally sighing, her usual cold confidence gradually giving way to a rare tiredness. “I understand,” she said. "But you should also understand, I don't completely believe that what happened between you and her was real. It appeared too timely, too convenient for your inheritance."

"That's something I can't prove to you with words," Khang replied, his voice becoming a little softer. "But I hope, over time, you will realize the truth for yourself."

When he left Yen Chi's office, Khang was still not entirely sure whether that conversation really helped defuse the potential threat, but he felt somewhat relieved to have frankly expressed his stance, ready to face any consequences to protect what he cherishes most in his life right now.