Raya's heels clicked softly on the polished marble floor as she approached the cluster of men standing beneath the grand chandelier. Her eyes found Adrian's tall figure, his back straight, posture commanding as always. Beside him stood Elias Blake, patriarch of the Blake empire, sharp in a grey tailored suit, his cane resting lightly in one hand.
Raya inhaled quietly, steadied her steps, and slipped her hand gently into the crook of Adrian's forearm, catching his attention. He looked down briefly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.
"Grandpa," she greeted with a graceful smile, "it's a pleasure to see you again."
Elias turned, his brows lifting in brief surprise, then softening.
"Well," he chuckled, "you've started calling me something more intimate. That's good."
Raya's hand subtly tightened around Adrian's arm, her nerves spiking at the slip. Seraphina always called him Grandpa Blake, not just Grandpa.
Adrian noticed. Of course, he has to.
