The city skyline glared back at Aria like it knew something she didn't. Typical. Even the weather felt dramatic whenever she had to deal with him.
She stepped out of her car, heels hitting the marble like she owned the building… which she didn't.Unfortunately.
This was Jeon Jungkook's skyscraper.Home of the man who had spent the last three years blocking every major move her company tried to make.The kind of enemy who smiled in interviews and stabbed you in the stock market.
And today, she had to walk straight into his territory.Fun.
Aria adjusted her blazer, squared her shoulders, and walked into the lobby like she wasn't silently planning a hundred ways to throat-punch him.
The receptionist looked up. "Ms. Aria, he's expecting you."
"Of course he is," she muttered. "He probably rehearsed the smirk too."
On the top floor, the elevator doors opened to reveal that office. All glass. All ego.Jungkook's domain.
Aria pushed the doors open without knocking.If he wanted respect, he could buy some on Amazon.
Jungkook didn't even flinch. He stood at the window, back to her, looking like a magazine cover had come to life....sharp suit, sharper shoulders, and an attitude worse than a rainy Monday.
"You're late," he said, voice calm enough to annoy her on purpose.
"I'm exactly on time," she shot back. "Your clock is just as broken as your personality."
He finally turned.
Yeah… he was still annoyingly gorgeous. The universe had jokes.
His gaze flicked over her, slow and assessing, like she was a contract he was deciding whether to destroy or sign for fun.
Aria didn't break eye contact.He didn't either.And the entire room felt like the beginning of a war they'd already lost pieces of themselves to.
"Sit," Jungkook said, motioning to the chair opposite him.
"I'd rather stand."
"Suit yourself."He sat down, crossing his arms. "But since you're here for my partnership,"
"I'm here because a dozen investors think forcing us into a joint project will 'stabilise the market" she said, adding air quotes she knew would irritate him. "Trust me, working with you is my last wish on Earth."
Jungkook raised a brow. "Is that so?"
"It's literally tattooed on my soul."
He leaned forward, eyes locked on hers. "Good. Hate keeps you sharp. I'd hate for this to be boring."
Oh he did not just say that.
Aria stepped closer to his desk, palms flat on the polished wood. "I don't need to hate you to beat you. But it definitely helps."
Jungkook stood too, closing the space until they were eye to eye, breath to breath.Too close.Way too close.
"You won't beat me," he said quietly. "You never have."
"Give me one reason," she shot back, "why I shouldn't walk out of this building and tank your next launch."
He held her gaze, the challenge between them sharp enough to cut.
"Because," Jungkook said, voice dropping, "you want this partnership as badly as I do."
She froze.
He smirked. The signature one she hated more than taxes. "And you know I'm right."
Aria stepped back, breaking the tension before it swallowed them both. "Fine. We'll work together."
He nodded. "Try not to break anything."
"Oh trust me," she said, heading for the door, "the only thing that might break in this building… is your ego."
The door shut behind her with a satisfying click.
Jungkook exhaled, staring at the space she'd just occupied.
"This is going to be a disaster," he muttered.
But the tiny smile tugging at the corner of his mouth?Yeah.He didn't believe that for a second.