It had been two days since Elijah slapped Luca.
Two days since he told himself he was done. Over it. In control again.
But every time his phone buzzed, he looked.
Every time he stepped into the Veltran-Reyes building, he half-expected—half-hoped—to see Luca.
And every time he didn't, it left an ache.
Because the only thing worse than being betrayed…
was being missed by the one who did it.
---
Thursday – Reyes Global Headquarters
"Elijah?" Mia knocked gently, peeking into his office. "You okay?"
He didn't look up. Just stared at the city skyline like it could explain something he hadn't yet understood.
"I'm fine," he said.
"You haven't left this office in sixteen hours."
"I'm working."
"You're punishing yourself."
That made Elijah look at her. "Is that what you think I'm doing?"
Mia sat down on the couch across from him. "No. It's what I know you do when he's near. Every time Luca shows up, you throw yourself into work like love is a disease you can cure with spreadsheets."
"It is a disease," Elijah muttered. "And he was the infection."
---
Later That Day – Veltran-Reyes Boardroom
Elijah stood at the head of the long glass table, every executive seated and waiting for the final presentation that would end the merger process.
Except one chair was empty.
Luca's.
Elijah didn't want to care.
Didn't want to feel that flicker of… disappointment?
Where the hell was he?
Then—just as he turned to speak—the door opened.
And there he was.
Luca Veltran. Late. Unapologetic. Beautiful as ever.
Dressed in a navy-blue turtleneck under a sleek black coat, hair brushed back, confidence radiating like sin.
"Sorry I'm late," he said with a faint smirk. "Couldn't decide which tie said 'sorry for the hostile takeover.'"
Polite laughter filled the room.
But Elijah? He said nothing. Just glared.
Because beneath the sarcasm and tailored charm, Elijah could see it—the slight bruise still fading on Luca's cheek.
From his slap.
And somehow… that made his heart twist.
---
After the Meeting
"Elijah," Luca said, catching him outside the boardroom, "I need a minute."
"No."
"One minute."
Elijah turned. "Fine. One minute. Say what you need to say so we can go back to pretending we're just business partners instead of ex-lovers who used to dream under the same sky."
Luca flinched. "You still remember those dreams?"
"I remember everything," Elijah whispered. "Unfortunately."
Luca stepped closer. Too close.
"You hate me."
"I do."
"But you still look at me like you want me."
"I look at you," Elijah said slowly, "like I want to erase you. Not want you."
"Then why didn't you sign the final merger form yet?"
That stopped Elijah cold.
"You had it in your hands two days ago. You hesitated."
He didn't deny it.
"You're scared," Luca murmured.
Elijah's voice was cold. "No. I'm thinking. Something you've never done before making decisions."
Luca smiled sadly. "That's not true. I made one very hard decision six years ago."
"You destroyed me."
"I saved you."
"You abandoned me."
"I would've died if I stayed. And they would've taken you too."
Elijah's breath caught in his throat.
"They?" he asked, quieter this time.
Luca glanced around. "Not here. Not like this."
"Then when?"
Luca hesitated. Then handed Elijah a slip of paper.
A hotel keycard. Room 1212. 9PM.
"If you want to know the truth," he said, "meet me."
---
That Night – 9:03PM
Elijah stood in front of Room 1212.
He hadn't planned to come.
He had even driven past the hotel, twice.
But here he was—hand shaking slightly as he slid the card through the lock.
Click.
He opened the door.
Luca stood near the window, hands in his pockets, moonlight falling across his face like something cinematic.
"I didn't think you'd come," he said softly.
"I didn't think I would either."
Luca gestured to the couch. "Sit."
"I'd rather stand."
Luca nodded. "Okay. Then I'll talk fast."
And he did.
He told Elijah everything.
About the men who had backed the Veltran rise to power. About Elijah's father's deals that turned from business to blood. About the threats. The silent wars. The moment they told Luca:
> "Give us Reyes Corp, or we bury him."
"How do I know this is true?" Elijah asked, voice hollow.
Luca pulled out a flash drive.
"Because I kept evidence. Everything. I've been building a case for six years. And I want you to have it."
Elijah took the drive, hands trembling slightly.
"Why now?" he asked.
"Because if something happens to me," Luca said, walking closer, "I want you to survive again. But this time… without losing me."
And then—for the first time in six years—Elijah let him.
He let Luca pull him into a soft, slow embrace.
And for a second, just one second…
He didn't feel hate.
He felt home.
---