"So you mean that happened?" Maya said, glancing up from her cup, eyes blown wide.
"Yeah," Aria mumbled, sinking onto the sofa. "And I actually slapped him."
Maya nearly choked on her tea. "You what?"
Aria's face felt hot. "He had that coming." She stopped short, burying her noise into the cushion clutched tight."Okay, maybe I overreacted a little."
Maya's laughter filled the tiny living room. "A little? Girl, if I were you, I'd have hit him twice. Who does he think he is?"
Aria chuckled softly, though exhaustion hung heavy on her face. She had come straight from her evening job. The room smelled faintly like vanilla candles which Maya likes and the steady hum of the ceiling fan helped calm her racing thoughts. Maya leaned back, "you should have slapped the manager too"
Aria tried not to laugh but failed. "I should have"
Maya was the friend she'd grown nearest to during her final college year. Back then, they crossed paths at a cozy coffee spot where each worked odd hours, scraping by on tight wages and nonstop workdays.
That initial meeting stuck with Aria, sharp in her mind even now. It was Maya who stepped in after she fumbled a full tray of baked treats without warning. Ever since, they've stuck together no matter what.
Maya had quit that cafe job after landing a better one at Novare Systems, a well-known tech firm, but they still stayed close
"But seriously, you okay? You've been running around nonstop lately. Between the bakery, hospital, and shifts, I barely see you breathe."
Aria's smile faltered. "I don't have a choice."
Maya nodded quietly "I know". She nudged Aria's shoulder. "How's Ethan"
Silence settled for a moment. "He's okay for now, but he needs to be transferred abroad very soon"
Then Maya suddenly perked up. "Actually, that reminds me. We've got a small event coming up soon where i work, Novare Systems. They're hiring a few temps to help out with serving and setup. It's not much, but the pay's decent for a night."
Aria blinked. "You think I can get in?"
"I already put your name down." Maya grinned. "You're welcome."
Aria's lips curved. "You're serious?"
"Of course. What else are best friends for?"
Aria hesitated but nodded. "Okay… yeah. I'll take it. I need all the money I can get right now."
"Good." Maya stretched. "Now, go shower. You look like someone fought a mixer and lost."
Aria threw a pillow at her. "You're the worst."
"And still your favorite."
---
Morning arrived, pale light slipping through the slats in Lucian's window. Below, the city stretched wide, towers of glass and metal catching the early glow.
Caleb walked in, a tablet in hand and a frown. "You might want to see this, boss."
Lucian glanced up from the file he was reviewing. "If it's another proposal from Axton's people, tell them…"
"It's not," Caleb interrupted, placing the tablet down. "It's about you."
Lucian's brows furrowed. On the screen, a headline flashed bold and loud:
Novare CEO Caught in Scandal with Married Woman
Beneath it was a photo of him, holding a woman by the arm as she stumbled in front of a hotel he had a meeting in. He had just helped her from falling but the angle caught by the camera made it look very intimate
Lucian's jaw tightened. "That's misleading."
Caleb tilted his head. "Yeah, well, the internet doesn't care. The woman's husband is already giving statements to the media, twisting the story"
Lucian's fingers tapped against the tabletop. "Of course he is"
Caleb leaned on the wall, arms folded "People are starting to talk, even some of the board members"
Lucian leaned back, jaw tight "Handle it"
"Already working on it," Caleb said, then smirked. "Though I gotta say, if you were having an affair, the internet would love you more."
Lucian gave him a glance, half irritation, half amused "Tell me again what makes you worth having around?"
"Since I'm the one who actually stay with you you when things go south,"
Caleb muttered, heading for the door. He worked for Lucian, sure, but he also stuck around as a buddy, the only guy tough enough to handle his icy vibe."
....
The event came faster than Aria thought it would. Novare's main office sparkled beneath the glow of the city, its glass walls bouncing off the horizon just like a shiny surface.
She'd stood nonstop for hours, shifting trays into place, scraping leftovers off plates, faking a grin whenever needed. Sure, the cash made it okay, yet her legs begged like mad just to sit down.
When the party was ending, she quietly moved off, holding her little bag tight.
Getting into the elevator, as it started
shutting, a hand popped through right before it shut completely.
They reopened, revealing a tall man in a charcoal suit, only one word came to mind at that moment
"Handsome".
Probably one of the company's executive she guessed
Before she got lost in thought, someone else burst into the elevator, a reporter, maybe, given the ID tag swinging at his chest.
"Mr. Knight," the journalist started when the elevator started moving "Care to comment on the rumor about your affair with Mrs. Locke? Is it true?"
Lucian's expression didn't change "I'm not doing interviews right now"
"Then maybe your girlfriend can?" the man pushed, smirking.
Aria jerked her head up. "What.."
Lucian cut her off, his voice smooth but low. "She won't answer questions. We'd appreciate privacy."
The reporter's eyebrows lifted.
Lucian looked directly at him now. " And I'd prefer if that stayed out of print. For now."
The guy blinked, eyes darting.
"Uh…right, right."
He stepped out on the next floor, phone still clutched tightly, eyes shining with a look that made Lucian curse inwardly.
Once the doors shut, Aria faced him.
"Girlfriend? Seriously, what just happened?" she snapped.
Lucian sighed, rubbing his temple. I'm sorry you got dragged into that."
The doors opened and he walked out before she could even say another word.
....
The following day, right after sunrise, a loud shriek burst from Maya's room.
"Aria! Get up, you've got to see something!"
Aria staggered from her bedroom, wiping at her face. "What.. "
Maya pointed at the TV, wide-eyed.
Novare CEO's Secret Girlfriend Revealed?
The grainy lift video moved at slow speed.. Her face couldn't be seen properly, yet the way she stood beside him, his arm draped across her shoulders, it was definitely her. The reporter must have recorded with a hidden camera.
Aria's mouth swung open. "Oh no..."
Maya grabbed the remote. "Hey... isn't that you?"
Across the city, Lucian stared at the same headline, expression unreadable.
Caleb wandered into the room, phone tucked in his grip while a sly smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Caleb strolled into the office, phone in hand and a teasing grin playing on his lips.
"Well, that's one way to fix your image," he said, dropping into the seat opposite Lucian.
"I didn't plan for that."
"Still worked," Caleb said. "Half the internet's already forgotten about the scandal. Now they're obsessed with the mystery girlfriend."
Lucian let out a breath, pushing the folder away. "People lose interest fast."
Caleb cocked his head sideways. "Then again, what's her name?"
"No idea," Lucian said flatly. "Just someone who happened to be there."
Caleb chuckled. "And you're not even curious?"
Lucian shot him a cold look. "Why would I be?"
…..
Late that night, his phone buzzed. He paused a little when he saw the caller ID.
Grandma.
He hesitated a second,then grabbed it.
"Hey, Grandma."
"Oh, Lucian, dear," her voice came through, warm but brimming with excitement. "I saw the news! You didn't tell me you had someone."
Lucian pushed his thumb against the bridge of his nose."It's not what it looks like."
"Oh, nonsense," she interrupted.
"Vincent and I were just saying how glad we are that you're finally seeing someone. Bring her over next weekend. I want to meet her."
"Grandma…"
"No excuses," she said, cheerful but firm. "It's been years since you brought anyone home, Lucian. Don't keep us waiting."
The call ended before he could say another word.
He let out a slow exhale, staring at the screen in disbelief.
Caleb, who had been half-listening from the couch, raised a brow. "Grandma, huh?"
Lucian shot him a quick, hard glance.
Caleb grinned. "You're not seriously thinking of showing up alone, are you?"
Lucian leaned back, gaze turning to the city beyond the window. He didn't really care about the girl , but the situation had just become one he couldn't ignore. He sat back, exhaling slowly, then glanced toward Caleb, who was trying, and failing, not to grin.
"Don't say it," Lucian warned.
Caleb raised his hands. "Wasn't gonna. But… you're really going with this, huh?"
Lucian leaned forward, voice low. "Look her up for me."
Caleb's grin widened. "Hmm"
Lucian ignored him, eyes locked on the horizon past the window.