Alva slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings. She was in her office, but she had no memory of falling asleep. Cody's voice cut through the haze, and she turned to see him sitting in front of her, concern etched on his face.
"You okay, sweetheart?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.
Alva nodded, trying to shake off the drowsiness, but her body felt heavy, her limbs aching with exhaustion. Cody's eyes narrowed as he beckoned her closer.
Without thinking, Alva stumbled toward him, her legs trembling beneath her. Cody caught her easily, gently guiding her onto his lap. A wave of relief washed over her as she settled against the warmth of his body.
"I'm fine," she mumbled, her head resting against his chest. "Just… exhausted. Mostly because of you."
Cody let out a quiet chuckle, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "Sorry for wearing you out."
Thirty minutes later, Alva stirred again, her eyes blinking open to find Cody watching her with quiet intensity.
"Were you just… watching me sleep?" she asked, her voice husky.
His lips curved into a soft smile. "That's how you say thank you? Then, you're welcome."
He kissed her forehead. "I've watched you sleep in my bed, in my arms, on my chest. I never get tired of your face, love."
Alva's heart fluttered, a warm smile tugging at her lips.
"I'm hungry," she said, starting to get up, but Cody pulled her back onto his lap.
"I'm serious, I'm starving," she insisted, trying not to laugh.
Cody's eyes gleamed with a different kind of hunger. "Your stomach might be hungry… but I'm craving something else."
Alva raised an eyebrow, half amused. "What do you mean?"
His hands slid gently over her sides, sending shivers down her spine.
"I'm really hungry," she repeated, playful now. "I need actual food."
Cody's eyes darkened. "My body needs you right now."
Alva leaned close, her lips barely an inch from his. "This is an office, not a hotel, or your house where we can do anything, anytime."
He didn't flinch. "Then come over tonight," he said, voice low and rough.
Alva smiled, kissed his lips briefly, then stood up, leaving him sitting in his chair—his eyes burning with longing.
♠♠♠
Vicky's heart ached as she watched Brian ignore her, day after day. She missed his teasing smile, the way he made her laugh without trying. Now, he treated her like she was invisible, and it hurt more than she'd expected.
She tried pretending it didn't matter, but the loneliness was getting harder to ignore. Brian had made her feel seen—like she mattered. And now? Now there was just a cold silence where he used to be.
One afternoon, she saw him chatting with Kyle. She ran toward him, breathless.
"Brian! Brian!" she called, but he didn't even turn.
Kyle glanced at Brian, then back at her, giving a small nod before walking off.
Vicky's voice trembled. "Can you please stop pretending I don't exist?"
Brian didn't say a word, his gaze fixed somewhere past her. Frustrated, Vicky snatched the phone out of his hand.
"Remember when we met? You grabbed my phone and asked for my name?" she said, desperate.
Brian's eyes flickered. For a second, she saw a crack in his armor. But it didn't last.
"I remember," he said coldly. "I remember you brushing me off every time. If it weren't for that beach or that stupid photo, we wouldn't even be talking right now."
Vicky blinked back tears. "I'm sorry for how I treated you. I know who took the photo."
Brian's jaw tightened. "I don't care. If you think it was me, maybe it was. Maybe I hired someone to follow you, to take pictures, to spy on you. Maybe I wanted to see you without clothes. I don't need forgiveness, Vicky. I want you to hate me."
Tears spilled down her cheeks. She rushed into his arms. "I know it wasn't you," she whispered.
His body softened slightly. "Maybe you're wrong," he said. "Maybe it was me."
"No," she sobbed. "It was my mom. I blamed you because… you were there. And I was angry."
Brian stared down at her. "So you talked to me because of how you felt?"
She nodded. "I'm sorry."
He held her tighter, then gently kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry too," he whispered.
Then he let her go… and walked away.