Morning light crept into the apartment slowly.
Aria woke before her alarm. For a moment, she forgot everything. Then she remembered.
Adrian.
She sat up quietly and listened.
The apartment was silent.
She slipped out of bed and walked toward the living room, her steps soft. Adrian was still on the couch, blanket half-slipped to the floor, one arm resting over his eyes. He looked calmer in sleep, younger somehow.
She paused, unsure whether to wake him.
Then he stirred.
"Morning," he said, voice rough from sleep.
"Sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to stare."
He lowered his arm and gave a faint smile. "It's fine. I'm used to worse mornings."
She laughed lightly and walked toward the kitchen. "Do you want coffee?"
"Yes," he said. "Very much."
They stood side by side in the small kitchen, moving around each other carefully. It felt strange, but not uncomfortable. Like they had done this before, in another life.
Aria handed him a mug. "How did you sleep?"
"Lightly," he admitted. "But enough."
She nodded. "Same."
They leaned against the counter, sipping quietly.
"You didn't leave," Aria said after a moment.
"I said I would stay," he replied. "I meant it."
She looked at him then. "You don't usually keep people this close, do you?"
"No," he said. "You're an exception."
Her heart skipped, but she kept her tone calm. "That sounds dangerous."
"It is," he said, almost smiling.
A knock broke the moment.
Aria stiffened.
Adrian's posture changed instantly.
"I'll get it," he said.
He opened the door carefully.
The security man stood outside again. This time his face was serious.
"We tracked the message," he said. "It wasn't a bluff."
Aria's chest tightened.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"They want leverage," the man said. "And they're testing how close they can get."
Adrian nodded once. "I want full coverage. No gaps."
The man agreed and left.
Aria wrapped her arms around herself. "So this is just the beginning?"
Adrian turned to her. "Yes. But that doesn't mean we lose control."
She searched his face. "And what if I say I don't want to run?"
He studied her carefully. "Then we plan around that."
She exhaled slowly. "Good."
Later that day, Adrian insisted on walking her to work.
People passed them. Life moved on. No one knew what was happening beneath the surface.
At the corner, Aria stopped.
"You don't have to come any further," she said.
"I know," he replied. "But I want to."
She smiled. "You're stubborn."
He shrugged. "Only when it matters."
They stood there for a moment.
"You're going to get tired of this," she said quietly. "Of me."
He shook his head. "No. I'm already tired of pretending you don't matter."
The words settled between them, heavy but honest.
Aria didn't respond right away. She didn't trust her voice.
"I'll see you later," she said finally.
"Yes," he said. "You will."
She walked away, not turning back this time. She didn't need to.
Adrian watched her disappear into the crowd.
He pulled out his phone.
"Move forward," he said calmly. "They crossed a line."
He ended the call and slipped the phone away.
For the first time in a long time, fear wasn't the strongest thing in his chest.
It was determination.
And something else he wasn't ready to name yet.