Chapter Text
The office of K, Sumeru’s renowned matchmaker and self-proclaimed "Love Guru," was a riot of warm hues and soft textures. Paper hearts swayed gently from the ceiling, bathed in the golden light of a faux chandelier. Lavender candles flickered on the reception desk, mingling their scent with roses in a vase. Alhaitham, standing stiffly by the doorway, took it all in with an air of disapproval.
“I’m wasting my time,” he muttered. “I can’t believe I let Cyno actually convince me to come here.”
A man with a short, asymmetrical bob cut, sitting behind the desk looked up. He had a youthful face with delicate, sharp features. But his piercing and annoyed gaze made Alhaitham regret even more being there. His indigo eyes flicked up at him as he approached the desk, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Excuse me, I have an appointment at 10 a.m. with Mr. K?”
The receptionist arched his brow, but turned to his computer to check on the information.
“Let me guess, dragged by a meddling friend? Or was it a family intervention? Always a classic.” Alhaitham’s brow twitched, but he refused to rise to the bait.
“Alhaitham, is that correct?” Alhaitham nodded and the man grabbed a clipboard from the counter and slid toward him.“Fill this out. Unless, of course, you’ve got the tragic details of your love life memorized.”
Alhaitham stared at him, brow furrowed. “Is it always this… welcoming here?”
The receptionist merely scoffed, clearly unbothered, and went back to his screen. Alhaitham sighed, picked up the clipboard, and found an empty chair in the corner of the room.
The packet of papers was thicker than Alhaitham expected.
This feels excessive, he thought, flipping to the first page. Still, he figured being thorough would make it easier to prove to Cyno that this whole process was a waste of time.
He began to scan the first few questions. They were simple, like, appearance, what he does for a living, what is his preference and some others.
- What qualities do you value most in a partner?
Alhaitham scribbled, Intelligence, independence, honesty.
- Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?
He rolled his eyes and wrote, No. Attraction at first sight, maybe. Love takes more than that.
- What is your idea of a perfect date?
Alhaitham paused, tapping the pen against the clipboard. He finally wrote, Something quiet and meaningful. No unnecessary theatrics.
- What are your biggest dealbreakers in a relationship?
Without hesitation, he jotted, Dishonesty, emotional manipulation, lack of ambition.
- Do you believe in soulmates or destiny?
His pen hovered over the paper before he wrote in sharp letters, No.
After a few more standard questions, Alhaitham reached a section labeled "Personal Preferences" with more specific prompts:
- Favorite book genre?
Philosophy.
- Morning person or night owl?
Morning.
- Biggest pet peeve?
Unnecessary small talk.
He let out a low sigh, flipping to yet another page, only to find a more personal and oddly abstract section:
- Describe what "home" feels like to you in one sentence.
He frowned at the question before writing, A space where I am away from distractions and unnecessary chaos.
- What’s your biggest fear in relationships?
He hesitated for a moment but then wrote, Wasting time.
He stood up and handed the clipboard to the other man, finished at last. “And this is all it takes to find someone perfect?”
The man smirked. “You’re asking the wrong person. Hold tight; Mr. K will see you shortly.”
He disappeared through a door, leaving Alhaitham to wait in the lavender-scented quiet. Moments later, the door reopened, and the receptionist motioned for him to enter.
Inside, the room was brighter, dominated by a pristine white desk. Behind it sat a man who didn’t look up immediately, blonde hair cascading in loose waves around a face that seemed almost too elegant for the office’s gaudy surroundings. He was furiously scribbling onto a notepad, his movements sharp and decisive. A small sign on the desk read Kaveh .
Alhaitham cleared his throat. Loudly.
The blonde finally looked up, his eyes darting across Alhaitham’s figure before settling on his neutral expression and no-nonsense posture. His gaze flicked down, taking in every detail, from Alhaitham’s carefully composed demeanor to the faint irritation evident in his stance.
Those eyes were striking—vivid and sharp, like twin jewels burning against the backdrop of Kaveh’s elegant but slightly frazzled appearance..
“Alhaitham, welcome, you’re early,” Kaveh said, leaning back in his chair with a casual grin that somehow felt too self-assured for someone working in a room filled with dangling paper hearts. “You must be Cyno’s friend.”
“Oh, so you know I’m here against my better judgment,” Alhaitham replied evenly.
Kaveh laughed and gestured to the armchair in front of his desk.“Yes. But don’t worry, it’s normal for us to receive appointments made by friends on someone’s behalf. Skeptics are my favorite clients. Go on, take a seat, and let me figure out why someone like you has no one.”
Alhaitham blinked at the bluntness but moved to sit, his posture perfectly straight. “I wouldn’t describe myself as ‘having no one.’ I have friends. Relationships, however, are a distraction, and I see no need to pursue them.”
Kaveh smirked. “Ah, a classic case.” He started flipping through Alhaitham’s recently filled-out profile. “The ‘too practical for love’ type. Don’t worry, I’ve dealt with your kind before. By the time we’re done, you’ll be writing poetry and baking heart-shaped cookies for someone special.”.”
“Highly doubtful,” Alhaitham deadpanned.
Kaveh’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly, his tone turning teasing. “You know, people with your attitude are usually the ones who fall the hardest for their significant other. And lucky for you, I’ve never failed. Not once.”
“And yet,” Alhaitham said, leaning back with his arms crossed, “you’re about to.”
Kaveh’s smile widened. “We’re just getting started. Trust me, I’m very good at what I do.”
“I’ll reserve judgment,” Alhaitham replied dryly.
“Of course you will,” Kaveh replied, scanning the answers. His expression softened as he read through them, though he kept his thoughts to himself. “Well, Mr. Alhaitham, this is going to be... interesting.”
Kaveh set the clipboard down with a deliberate thud, propping his elbows on the desk and leaning forward slightly. His sharp crimson eyes locked on Alhaitham’s with a mix of curiosity and challenge.“Let’s chat for a bit. Do you always approach things with this level of skepticism, or is this subject just special?”
Alhaitham raised an eyebrow. “Skepticism is merely logic in disguise. And logic tells me this process is subjective at best and pointless at worst.”
Kaveh snorted, his grin widening. “Spoken like a man who’s never been in love. But that’s fine. Logic can be a fun challenge to work with.” He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled thoughtfully. “You’re a puzzle, and I like puzzles.”
Alhaitham’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his tone calm. “If I’m a puzzle, I’d argue that I’m already solved. There’s no mystery here. I simply don’t prioritize romantic entanglements.”
Kaveh tilted his head, studying him. “That’s where you’re wrong. You might think you’re solved, but all I see is a man who’s missing a few key pieces. You just don’t realize it yet.”
Alhaitham’s lips twitched, not quite a smirk, but close. “And you, the self-proclaimed expert, think you have the missing pieces?”
“Not think. I know,” Kaveh said confidently, tapping the clipboard with his pen. “But first, I need to figure out exactly where those gaps are. Your answers tell me a lot, but I need more.”
He leaned back, his tone shifting to something lighter. “So, tell me—what kind of person would make you stop using words like ‘distraction’ and ‘entanglement’?”
Alhaitham gestured toward the clipboard. “I already answered that. Isn’t it enough?””
Kaveh chuckled softly “Let me guess, someone that doesn’t ask too much”
“That would be preferable,” Alhaitham said dryly.
Kaveh laughed, a sound both genuine and slightly exasperated. “Right. Because love is best when it’s quiet and unobtrusive, like a well-organized bookshelf.”
“Exactly,” Alhaitham replied without hesitation.
Kaveh shook his head, still smiling. “You’re going to be a tough one, Alhaitham. But I like a challenge. And trust me, by the time I’m done, you won’t even recognize yourself.”
Alhaitham leaned back, his expression unreadable. “Assuming that’s possible.”
Kaveh scribbled a few notes on his notepad, nodding to himself. “I think that’s enough for today. You’re dismissed.”
Alhaitham raised a brow. “You’re not going to ask anything else? Like if I have any preferences for appearance?”
Kaveh stood up, extending a hand toward him. “Don’t need to. I’ve got enough to work with. Nice to meet you, Alhaitham.”
Alhaitham rose as well, shaking Kaveh’s hand firmly. “Likewise, Mr. K.”
Kaveh’s smile didn’t waver, though there was a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Please, just Kaveh is fine. I’ll contact you when I have something settled. Until then, be prepared.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Alhaitham replied, turning to leave.
As he stepped out, the scent of lavender lingered faintly in the air, though Alhaitham doubted it would leave much of an impression. This entire ordeal, however, might.
“Hey,” came a voice from the office door. Alhaitham didn’t need to look up from the stack of documents he was reviewing for tomorrow’s trial to know who it was. Cyno.
“Mhm.” Alhaitham acknowledged his colleague’s presence without glancing up. He knew from experience that outright ignoring Cyno would only invite worse disruptions.
“How was it?” Cyno asked, making himself comfortable on his office couch.
“Be specific,” Alhaitham replied curtly, signing off on a document before placing it neatly into a folder.
“Your appointment with K yesterday. You know, the matchmaker. Are you in love already? Should I prepare my best man speech?” Cyno raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Alhaitham scoffed, rolling his eyes as Cyno chuckled at his own joke.
“I don’t think he’s a miracle worker, Cyno. How could I possibly meet someone and fall in love in less than a day?”
“Well,” Cyno said, pulling out his phone, “I found out about him through Sethos, and guess what? He met his perfect match right after leaving K’s office. Look at this.” Cyno held out his phone, showing Alhaitham a picture of Sethos at a restaurant. “He sent me this a while back. That’s the girl he matched with. They’ve been together for two months now. If K can find someone for Sethos, then I’d say there’s hope for anyone, even you.”
Alhaitham glanced at the photo, something about the other person seemed familiar. They were wearing red eyeliner, and their short bob hair was neatly styled. Then it clicked.
“That’s a man,” he said flatly, handing Cyno’s phone back to him.
“What?” Cyno furrowed his brows and looked at the picture again.
“The person with him—it’s a man. Specifically, K’s assistant. I met him at the office yesterday.” Alhaitham leaned back, recalling the assistant’s attitude and silently wondering how he and Sethos could possibly work as a pair.
Cyno blinked, then snorted. “But even so, looks like Sethos didn’t just find a match—he found a spark.”
Alhaitham deadpanned. “Did you really wait until the end of the day just to waste my time with nonsense?”
“You’re just jealous I’m always electrifying with these jokes,” Cyno said smugly. “But, no.”
Cyno strode over to Alhaitham’s desk, file in hand, and slapped it down before jabbing a finger at a highlighted section. “You flagged my chain of custody summary as ‘vague.’ It’s not vague—it’s concise.”
“It’s incomplete,” Alhaitham corrected, barely looking up. “You didn’t account for the two-minute gap during the transfer of evidence. The defense could argue tampering, and the jury might buy it.”
Cyno crossed his arms. “You are unbelievable. I already fixed that in the supplemental file. Do you read everything , or just the parts you feel like criticizing?”
“Of course I read it,” Alhaitham said with a faint smirk. “I’m pointing it out because the supplemental file wasn’t cross-referenced in the main report. Which is, by definition, an oversight.”
Cyno groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Fine, I’ll revise it, especially since it’s for tomorrow. But—” He was interrupted by the sharp trill of Alhaitham’s phone ringing.
“I thought you always kept it on silent mode,” Cyno pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
Alhaitham didn’t want to admit the truth: he’d turned the sound on after Kaveh said he’d call, solely to pursue his mission of proving the man was a fraud. Instead, he calmly reached for the device, glancing at the screen. The caller ID showed Unknown Number, but he picked up anyway.
“Hello, this is Alhaitham.”
“Ha! You actually answered! For a moment, I thought you gave us the wrong number,” came a bright, slightly exasperated voice. Alhaitham immediately recognized it as Kaveh.
“What is it? I’m with a coworker right now,” Alhaitham said flatly, eyeing Cyno, who was now fiddling with his miniature Aranara figures, clearly pretending not to eavesdrop.
“Oh, right, straight to business,” Kaveh replied, clearing his throat. “I said I’d call when I found a match for you, and ta-da, here I am!”
A long pause . “Do I need to be involved in this conversation?”
“Excuse me? Yes, you absolutely need to be involved! It’s your date, Mr. Alhaitham.”
“I assumed you’d just tell me where to go and when,” Alhaitham replied, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world.
“Anyway, I just wanted to deliver the news personally since it’s your first time, but my assistant will email you the details about your date and schedule. Be prepared to be wooed. ” Kaveh’s satisfaction was evident, even through the phone.
“Do I have a choice?” Alhaitham asked, already feeling a headache coming on.
“I mean… I’m not gonna force you or anything—”
“Fine, I’ll go,” Alhaitham cut him off. “I just hope it won’t be boring.”
“I would never!” Kaveh replied, his smile practically audible. “It’ll be great. I’ll call again to confirm once the details are set.”
“Thanks… I guess.”
“No problem! I hope you enjoy your date, Mr. Haitham. See you.”
The line went silent, and Alhaitham leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh.
“What was that?” Cyno asked, suddenly looking concerned. “Do we have a problem?”
“I do,” Alhaitham replied, rubbing his temples. “I have a date.”
He had thought that Kaveh would schedule the date for the same week, but instead, he had been considerate enough to pick a time that worked for both him and his date. Alhaitham was glad his date had agreed to meet at the easiest location on Kaveh’s plan—a simple bookstore with a café inside.
He arrived ten minutes early, a habit born from efficiency rather than nervousness. The cozy café Kaveh had chosen was filled with warm lighting and soft jazz music, the hum of conversation blending with the occasional clink of porcelain cups. It was... acceptable. Kaveh had mentioned that the café was known for its ambiance and pastries, though Alhaitham suspected the real reason was that it perfectly matched Kaveh’s aesthetic sensibilities.
He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve as he scanned the room. His date hadn’t arrived yet, which suited him just fine. It gave him a moment to mentally prepare—though he couldn’t imagine what for. Kaveh’s pep talk before the date had been unnecessary and excessive.
"Don’t be yourself, well, be yourself, but the less critical, more personable version of you. And smile! But not in a condescending way!"
Kaveh's voice echoed in his mind, annoyingly persistent. Alhaitham imagined the kind of advice he had given his date.
Alhaitham sighed and sat at the table Kaveh had reserved, a small one by the window. He busied himself by observing the surroundings: the barista working efficiently behind the counter, the couple exchanging quiet laughter at the next table, the decorative bookshelf filled with novels no one would likely read. He didn’t notice the approach of someone until a shadow fell over his table.
“Alhaitham, right?”
He looked up and blinked. His date was there—a man with a sharp suit, warm smile, and an air of confidence.
“Yes,” Alhaitham replied, standing briefly in polite acknowledgement before sitting back down.
“I’m Elias,” the man introduced himself, taking the seat opposite Alhaitham.
They exchanged a few pleasantries before a server came to take their orders. Elias ordered a lavender latte and a slice of lemon tart, while Alhaitham opted for black coffee.
“So,” Elias began, leaning slightly forward, “Kaveh told me you’re some kind of genius. Major in Linguistics, right?”
Alhaitham blinked. “I wouldn’t describe myself that way.”
“Oh, don’t be modest,” Elias said with a smile. “He mentioned you’re fluent in multiple languages.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t make me a genius,” Alhaitham replied evenly. “It’s simply a matter of study and practice.”
Elias laughed lightly. “You’re humble too. That’s refreshing.”
Alhaitham tilted his head slightly, unsure just how much Kaveh had shared with this man. The conversation moved forward, but cracks began to show early.
Elias spoke about his job as an event planner, describing the glamorous parties he organized and the high-profile clients he catered to. He was originally from Fontaine but really liked the atmosphere of Sumeru. Alhaitham nodded along, though he found himself disinterested. He asked a few questions to keep the conversation going—just as he’d promised Kaveh—though his responses were curt and analytical.
“So,” Elias said after a while, “what do you do for fun? Any hobbies?”
“Reading,” Alhaitham said simply.
He waited, expecting more, and when none came, he offered, “What kind of books?”
“Academic journals, usually.”
His smile faltered for a split second before he recovered. “Oh, that’s... unique. Anything lighter? Fiction, maybe?”
“I won’t deny any form of knowledge, but I find most fiction to be too predictable,” Alhaitham said, taking a sip of his coffee.
His eyebrows rose. “Predictable?”
“Yes. Most narratives rely on common tropes and follow expected structures. It’s rare to find something genuinely innovative. While some might consider it the only form of entertainment, to me, it feels more like white noise. It’s fine, but it doesn’t change anything.”
That was when Alhaitham realized this was the most he’d spoken the entire evening. Elias seemed to realize it too, if the way his lips parted slightly was any indication. The air between them grew awkward as Elias attempted to steer the conversation to lighter topics like genral topics and traveling. But Alhaitham’s straightforward nature made that difficult.
When the food arrived, another hiccup emerged.
“This lemon tart is divine,” Elias said, gesturing to her plate. “You should try it.”
“No, thank you,” Alhaitham replied.
“Not a fan of desserts?”
“I prefer not to consume excessive sugar,” he said, cutting the conversation short.
By the time the date hit the one-hour mark, the atmosphere had shifted from mildly strained to downright uncomfortable. Alhaitham found himself analyzing every little detail: the overly saccharine tone of Elias’s laugh, his constant attempts to keep the conversation light, and even the way he gestured too broadly while speaking. He knew he was being critical, but he couldn’t stop.
Meanwhile, Elias seemed increasingly aware of his scrutiny.
“Well,” he said at last, his smile now more perfunctory than genuine, “this has been... interesting.”
“Yes,” Alhaitham replied, not realizing the potential sting of his tone. “It has.”
As they stood to leave, Elias smiled at him. “Thanks for the evening. Best of luck to you.”
Alhaitham nodded. “Likewise.”
He left quickly, and Alhaitham was left standing by the table, aware that something had gone wrong but unable to pinpoint exactly why.
When Alhaitham returned home, the soft glow of his apartment lamps greeted him, a stark contrast to the lingering awkwardness from the disastrous evening. He’d barely set his keys down when his phone buzzed on the counter. He glanced at the screen.
Kaveh: How did it go? Don’t leave me hanging!
Alhaitham : Is it standard procedure to keep messaging your clients?
Kaveh: Actually, yes. Come on, how was it?
Alhaitham sighed, already anticipating where this conversation was headed.
Alhaitham: Disastrous.
Kaveh’s response came almost instantly.
Kaveh: What?! How? What happened? Did he not show up?
Alhaitham : He showed up. That wasn’t the problem
A pause. Then the typing bubble appeared, lingered, disappeared, and returned.
Kaveh: Okay, now you have to tell me everything.
Kaveh: What went wrong?
Alhaitham hesitated for a moment, but he knew Kaveh wouldn’t relent until he elaborated. He settled on the couch and began typing.
Alhaitham: He was superficial. Everything he said was either predictable or clearly rehearsed. He talked too much, and his laugh was… excessive.
The typing bubble appeared almost immediately again.
Kaveh: “His laugh was excessive”??
Kaveh: Are you kidding me? You’re rejecting people over how they laugh?
Alhaitham: It wasn’t the laugh itself. It was how frequently he used it.
Alhaitham: Every sentence didn’t require a punctuating giggle.
Kaveh: Oh my god.
Kaveh: What about the rest? Did you even try to enjoy yourself?
Alhaitham: I attempted to engage in conversation, but there wasn’t much substance. His job seemed to revolve around shallow parties and surface-level interactions. It’s not my fault there was nothing compelling to work with.
There was a longer pause before Kaveh replied.
Kaveh: Wow. Okay. Let’s break this down. First of all, not everyone is going to fit into your rigid definition of “substance.”
Kaveh: Second, did it ever occur to you that he might’ve been nervous? Or trying to impress you?
Alhaitham : Why should that matter? Authenticity is key. If someone feels the need to impress me by being inauthentic, they're not the right match.
Alhaitham: I was being myself the whole time.
Kaveh’s next message was almost comically long.
Kaveh: Look, Mr. Perfect, this isn’t some academic debate where people get graded on their performance. Dating is messy. It’s awkward. It’s about figuring out if there’s a spark despite all the imperfections. And for the record, authenticity doesn’t mean dumping your entire personality onto someone in an hour.
Alhaitham frowned at his screen.
Alhaitham : Are you lecturing me on authenticity while you hide behind your "perfect matchmaker" persona? I don't think you should be lying to people like that.
The response came quickly, sharp even through the text.
Kaveh : Excuse me? I am very good at my job, thank you.
Alhaitham: Evidently not.
The silence that followed was palpable. He leaned back against the couch cushions, briefly considering whether he’d crossed a line. Then his phone buzzed again.
Kaveh: You’re lucky I’m committed to this, or I’d drop you as a client right now.
Alhaitham: Committed? I’m beginning to think you just don’t like failing.
Kaveh: Oh, I don’t fail. And you’re not going to be the first, Alhaitham.
He smirked at Kaveh's message, ‘no more Mr. Alhaitham, huh?’
Kaveh : By the way, I had a feeling you'd be like this. So I already scheduled your next date. Friday evening, same time. I've got someone lined up who might actually manage to tolerate you.
Alhaitham: And if I decide not to go?
Kaveh: Then you’d prove you’re afraid I might be right.
The challenge was clear, even through the screen. Alhaitham let the silence stretch for a moment before finally replying.
Alhaitham: Fine. Friday it is.
Kaveh: Good.
Kaveh: And maybe try not to find fault in every little thing this time? It’s a date, not a peer review.
Alhaitham: Noted.
As he set the phone down, a faint smirk lingered on his lips. Despite the frustratingly earnest tone of Kaveh's messages, there was something almost... enjoyable about the exchange. The frustration from that day had long since faded, now replaced with curiosity about what Kaveh had prepared for him next.
They were once again face to face in Kaveh's office, but this time, there was no enthusiasm in Kaveh’s eyes. They stared at each other for a good five minutes in silence. Alhaitham sat across from him with his arms crossed, his face a mask of impassive frustration. Kaveh, on the other hand, was a bundle of barely contained irritation, his crimson eyes narrowing at the man before him.
This was right after another failed date—his fourth in a row. Kaveh had sent a message requesting to meet in his office, ‘To talk,’ he’d said.
“It was a disaster,” Alhaitham began flatly, breaking the silence. “Again.”
Kaveh groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What now? Let me guess… they talked too much about themselves? Didn’t know the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’? Or maybe, oh, maybe they dared to have a preference for pineapple on pizza?”
Alhaitham’s eyes narrowed. “They ate with their mouth open.”
“Oh, for the love of—” Kaveh slammed his hand on the table. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re impossible! Of course, it didn’t work out. You’ve already decided that no one is good enough for you!”
Alhaitham leaned back, his voice calm but biting. “And you’ve already decided that everyone has a perfect match waiting to be found, as if the universe has nothing better to do than tie invisible strings between people.”
Kaveh bristled, his crimson eyes blazing. “They ended up like this because of you, Alhaitham! You’re too stubborn! You act like it’s my fault when you’re the one sitting there, judging every little thing instead of actually trying to connect!”
“I don’t know why we’re still doing this,” Alhaitham retorted, his tone sharp. “You know I don’t believe in your fantasies, and frankly, I’ve been proven right with every failure you’ve lined up for me.”
Kaveh leaned forward, jabbing a finger in Alhaitham’s direction. “They failed because you don’t want them to work! You’re sabotaging every date because you’ve already convinced yourself it’s pointless!”
Alhaitham raised an eyebrow, his voice cold and even. “Now it’s my fault? At least I’m not the one deceiving people, promising them happiness with someone they’ll supposedly ‘connect’ with.”
“Deceiving—” Kaveh’s voice rose, and he stood up so quickly his chair nearly toppled. “You think I’m deceiving people? You think this is easy? I’ve helped hundreds find real happiness! But you? You make it impossible! Honestly, I want to grab you and—”
“And what?” Alhaitham challenged, leaning forward, his voice dangerously low. Kaveh ran a hand over his face in frustration. “What happened, Kaveh? Is that pretty little mouth of yours afraid of lying to me again?”
Kaveh’s jaw dropped, his face flushing with a mix of rage and embarrassment. He sputtered incoherently before staring at Alhaitham in disbelief. “What did you just say?!”
“Ah,” Alhaitham said with an infuriating smirk, “there it is. I’ve finally rendered the great guru speechless. Should I consider that my greatest accomplishment yet?”
Kaveh let out an angry growl, his face red as he pointed a trembling finger at him. “You are insufferable ! If you weren’t such an arrogant, closed-minded, self-centered—”
“—Logical and realistic individual?” Alhaitham finished coolly.
“I’m this close to throwing my coffee at you!” Kaveh seethed.
Alhaitham looked at him with irritating calmness. “Careful, Kaveh. You don’t want me to complain online about the famous K, ruining that pristine reputation of yours.”
Kaveh sat back down, taking a deep, shuddering breath as if trying to stop himself from lunging across the table. “I will find your match,” he said finally, his voice trembling with determination. “Not because you deserve it, but because I refuse to let you ruin my perfect record.”
Alhaitham’s smirk didn’t falter. “I look forward to watching you try.”