Saturday mornings at the Ariston Corporation were usually quiet, the kind of slow day where even the elevators hummed lazily. But Jace still arrived with the same cold precision, his black suit sharp, his expression unreadable. And naturally, Selena had to follow.
They didn't speak on the drive there. Not a word. Not even a glance.
But the silence between them wasn't peaceful—
It was heavy. Thick. Almost alive.
Selena tried to distract herself by staring out the window, reminding herself over and over again: Three months. Only three months. Don't fall for his charm, don't fall for his mood swings, and certainly don't fall for his looks.
But every time she repeated it, her heart ignored her.
When they reached the office floor, Jace walked ahead, not even checking if she followed. Yet Selena noticed something strange—his steps slowed, just barely, as if making sure she didn't fall behind.
Inside his spacious office, sunlight spilled across the polished floor. Selena settled at the desk he'd set up for her across the room. Jace sat behind his massive table, flipping open his laptop.
Not five minutes passed before the office phone buzzed.
Selena reached for it, but Jace lifted a single hand—
A small gesture, cold but commanding.
"I'll take it," he said, his voice low.
That was when Selena's phone vibrated.
Andrew Gomez:
Selena, are you free around 12? I'm at the café opposite your company. Can we meet? Even if it's just for a few minutes.
Selena's lips curved unconsciously.
Andrew was warm. Sweet. Familiar.
The exact opposite of the storm called Jace.
She typed back quickly:
Yes, I can meet you.
12 noon.
She put her phone on silent just as Jace's voice hardened across the room. He was on a video call now, speaking with someone from an overseas branch. His tone was clipped and icy, pure CEO mode.
Selena watched him silently.
The way he leaned back, sleeves rolled up, veins visible on his forearms.
The sharp jawline.
The focus.
The danger.
Stop looking, she scolded herself. It means nothing. Nothing at all.
By 11:50, her stomach growled faintly. Lunch break was near.
Jace was still deep in the call, brows furrowed, speaking in a calm but lethal tone. Whoever was on the call was definitely getting fired.
Selena rose quietly.
She waited—just a moment—to see if Jace would look her way.
He didn't.
He didn't glance at her.
He didn't ask where she was going.
He didn't even notice she stood up.
It's fine, she told herself. It's just lunch.
She placed her phone in her bag, smoothed down her skirt, and walked to the door.
But as she reached for the handle, something tightened in her chest.
A strange pull.
A whisper of guilt.
Or fear.
Or… something else she refused to name.
She pushed the feeling aside.
It's only Andrew. A harmless meeting.
Selena stepped out quietly, letting the door close behind her without a sound.
Inside the office, Jace continued speaking—but for a split second, his eyes flickered toward the door.
A tiny crease formed between his brows.
He had felt her leave.
Even without looking.
But he didn't stop the call.
Not yet.