Alina sat at the edge of the long mahogany dining table in Jesse's family house, laptop propped on a stack of cookbooks for eye level. Behind her, a carefully placed potted plant and a framed painting of a basket of oranges attempted to create a "professional backdrop," though she silently cursed the faint smell of fried plantains wafting in from the kitchen.
Naomi had helped set up the call virtually from her office, muting herself for support but remaining on standby through chat.
It wasn't ideal, holding the biggest meeting of the quarter in someone else's house, in someone else's world-but time hadn't waited, and neither had Vantage Group.
Across the screen, Marcus Lang and his board were still present, watching her presentation slides with inscrutable expressions. Alina sat upright in a black silk blouse, her voice crisp as she discussed market projections, long-term dividends, and partnership potential.
"...and as you can see, with our tech division absorbing two of the fastest-growing startups in the past year, we're primed for exponential growth across Q4," she said confidently.
From the corner of the room, Jesse sat silently on the couch, legs bouncing, his eyes fixed on nothing. He hadn't said much since the earlier argument. His head was buzzing-with memories of his father, the contracts, Victor's betrayal, and now Alina fighting for her company in the middle of his chaos.
"Jesse?" Gran's voice came through the hallway suddenly, loud and chipper. "Do you want tea, or are you still sulking like a wet chicken?"
Alina froze. She muted herself just in time to catch Marcus's eyebrows twitch slightly on the call.
Jesse turned slowly. "Gran, please..."
"I'm just saying," Gran continued from the kitchen, louder now, "you've got the face of a man who lost a fortune in fish stocks. You want ginger or lemon?"
Alina threw a look over her shoulder.
"Gran, *please!*" Jesse whispered.
Alina quickly unmuted and resumed as if nothing had happened. "Apologies for the background noise, Mr. Lang. Working remotely comes with the occasional comedy."
Marcus gave a polite smile. "No worries. At least you're not freezing in a boardroom like we are."
Laughter rolled gently across the screen.
Alina pushed forward. "To summarize, Vantage's alignment with my company would not only position you for stronger equity but place your brand directly in the center of our upcoming global tech expansion."
She clicked to the final slide.
There was a pause as the board whispered among themselves off-screen. Jesse watched Alina closely-how she masked the nerves beneath her firm posture. How she didn't flinch once under the pressure. He was in awe... and riddled with guilt.
Gran, oblivious to the tension in the room, stepped in holding a tray. She didn't even hesitate before walking across behind Alina, full view of the camera.
"Here's your tea, sweet girl," she said sweetly, placing it next to Alina's laptop.
Alina gave a tight smile without turning. "Thank you, Gran."
"Oh! You're on camera?" she said, peering straight into the webcam. "Hi there, important people!"
Jesse nearly face-palmed.
Alina reached out and gently guided Gran away with one hand. "We're almost done."
"Well don't let me ruin your little TED Talk," Gran grinned, disappearing back into the kitchen.
Jesse mouthed an apology. Alina merely nodded and refocused.
After another beat, Marcus returned to the center of the screen. "Ms. Alina, your proposal is impressive, as always. We'll conclude deliberations by morning, but I'll say-off the record-we're leaning favorably toward your direction."
Alina's heart jumped, but she kept her face even. "Thank you, Mr. Lang. I look forward to hearing from you."
The screen went dark.
Alina exhaled, removed her earpiece, and slumped slightly. "That... was a ride."
Jesse stood, walking over. "You killed it."
She looked up at him, the walls slightly lower between them now. "Despite the interruption?"
He chuckled. "Gran's not one to sit out any performance."
"She really waved at the board like it was bingo night."
He sat across from her. "You impressed them, Alina. Even through all this. I couldn't have done that in your place."
"That's because you wouldn't be wearing heels and talking equity with a tray of tea in your face."
He laughed softly, but the smile faded too quickly.
She noticed. "Jesse?"
He leaned back in the chair, eyes distant again. "Do you ever wonder how someone becomes what they are?"
She tilted her head. "You mean your dad?"
He nodded. "I keep trying to remember if there was a moment... where he changed. Or if he was always that way."
"You were just a kid, Jesse. It wasn't your job to track his transformation."
"No, but it's in me. Whether I like it or not." He paused. "That side. That darkness. It's mine by blood."
Alina stood, moving toward him. "You're not him."
"I punched a guy unconscious in an alley three months ago," he said bluntly. "The only reason the cops didn't arrest me was because you had lawyers clean it up."
Alina blinked, but didn't flinch. "You were protecting me."
"That's still violence. That's still... his legacy."
Alina took his hand. "No, Jesse. That's *your* choice. Your fight. You're not your father. You've been rewriting your own story since the moment we met."
He looked at her, eyes wet. "Then why do I still feel like he's winning?"
A silence passed between them.
Then Gran reappeared, unbothered as always, holding a plate of sliced fruit. "You two need some pineapple. Pineapple fixes everything."
Jesse wiped his eyes and laughed softly.
Alina took a slice. "Thank you, Gran."
She looked between the two of them, then sat down. "You know what your problem is? You both think strength means pretending you're not afraid."
Alina raised a brow. "Are you about to give us a life lesson?"
"I'm about to give you pineapple and unsolicited advice," Gran said. "You're both scared. Good. It means what you're doing matters. But don't let fear turn you into liars."
Jesse glanced at Alina. "She's got a point."
"I hate that she does," Alina muttered.
Gran stood. "Alright then. Eat, rest, and stop moping like rejected soap opera stars. You've got wars to win."
She wandered off again, humming off-key.
Alina and Jesse sat in silence for a moment longer.
Then Jesse whispered, "I want to end this."
Alina looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
"I want to take down my father and Victor. For good."
"Jesse-"
"I'm done hiding. I've spent years running from him, hoping the past would die quietly. But it's not. It's clawing back. So maybe it's time I turned around and fought."
Alina stared at him. "What are you planning?"
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I'll figure it out. Just... promise me something."
"Anything."
He took her hand. "Don't let them see you bleed. But don't push me away when you do."
Alina gave a soft smile, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. "Same promise goes to you."
Outside, the sky darkened. But inside that dining room-cluttered with tea, fruit, and laptop cables-a strange calm settled between them. One battle was done.
But the war was just beginning.