My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 52

**TITLE: He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**
**Chapter 52: Micah’s Joy**

Oriana’s forthright and honest remarks left Micah momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence that caught him off guard this time.

His mind fixated on a few particular phrases, and as he observed her, a warmth washed over him. The simple act of seeing her transformed his mood, igniting a subtle joy that crept across his features, impossible to conceal.

His eyes sparkled, and his eyebrows danced with unmasked delight, betraying the happiness that surged within him.

Oriana, keenly observant, noticed the sudden shift in his demeanor. A flicker of confusion crossed her face. Why did Micah’s mood change so swiftly, flipping from upset to elated in mere moments?

Yet, the sight of his smile brightened her heart, casting away any lingering doubts. After all, who could resist the charm of a handsome man’s grin?

Feeling a swell of pride, she let her words flow without a filter. “And it’s not that I lost my appetite. I was just too busy secretly admiring your waist, which made me forget to eat a few more bites.”

The moment those words escaped her lips, a wave of panic washed over her, freezing her in place.

She chastised herself internally, realizing she should just keep quiet and focus on her meal.

“No, Micah, I didn’t mean anything else. I was merely complimenting your waist—it looks fantastic. I wasn’t teasing or being disrespectful,” she quickly defended, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

But Micah, who had initially been taken aback by her boldness, was now completely enveloped in joy.

A hearty laugh bubbled up from his chest, filling the space between them with warmth and lightness.

Oriana blinked in astonishment, her eyes wide.

Micah rarely laughed so openly; in fact, this was the very first time she had witnessed such a genuine display of mirth from him.

His laughter erupted so unexpectedly, it seemed almost foreign to him, causing him to cough lightly as he tried to regain his composure.

Oriana, sensing the tension dissipating, gently smoothed the fabric of his back, finally surrendering to the moment.

“Go ahead and laugh, but just take it easy,” she teased, her voice softening.

He coughed again, his lips tinged with a hint of red, and tears of laughter shimmered at the corners of his eyes.

With a resigned sigh, Oriana offered a sincere apology. “Sorry.”

Micah attempted to gather himself, struggling multiple times to regain his usual demeanor, though the tremors in his shoulders betrayed his lingering amusement.

“You were staring at my waist and forgot to eat?” he teased, his low, sultry voice now laced with a playful, indulgent tone that made her ears tingle with excitement.

Oriana inhaled deeply, feeling a mix of embarrassment and thrill as she admitted, “Yes. My mistake. Let’s just eat—I promise I won’t stare anymore.”

“It’s fine,” Micah replied, a mischievous glint in his eye as he hooked his long index finger around the apron tied at his waist. “If you want to look, then look. No need to be sneaky about it.

“But you still have to remember to eat.”

Despite his lightheartedness, Oriana found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on her meal.

As soon as the lunch break concluded, she bolted from the table like a rocket, her heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and urgency.

As he turned to leave, he suddenly recalled the reason for his visit and hurried back.

“Mr. Caldwell, Jett Wren, the director of the research center, sent an invitation. He wishes to schedule a dinner with you.”

Kieran paused, considering the implications. “From what I understand, this dinner is arranged by Grant.”

Initially, Micah appeared indifferent. With his stature, he had no obligation to attend social events, nor did he need to report to anyone—no authority, not even the director of the research center, could compel him to comply.

Yet, the mention of Grant caused a subtle tension to ripple through Micah’s brows.

The room fell silent for a few heartbeats, before Kieran heard Micah’s low, gravelly response.

“This afternoon. Tell them it’s not negotiable.”

Kieran nodded, his expression serious. “Understood.”

*****

James strolled through the sprawling campus alongside Luna, eventually leading her to the team office.

“This is our headquarters. Mr. Flint has been away in the province, delivering a report for the past few days.”

He guided Luna to a spot by the window, gesturing grandly. “This will be your seat from now on. You’ll have a perfect view of the scenery outside—the artificial lake. The vista here is the finest in the entire building.”