🌸 MOMENTS LATER

Moments later, Aria’s phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at the screen.

Her eyes widened immediately.

Her heart almost stopped.

“Omg… it’s my aunt,” she whispered in panic.

“I’m doomed…”

Ryan looked up at her calmly while she stared at the phone like it was a bomb about to explode.

Aria quickly took a deep breath.

Then she answered the call, forcing her sweetest voice.

“Hello, Aunty…”

But her aunt clearly wasn’t in the mood.

“Don’t try to manipulate me with that sweet voice, Aria!”

Aria winced slightly and pulled the phone a little away from her ear.

Ryan quietly watched her reaction.

Her aunt continued from the other side of the phone.

“When were you planning to call me? You’ve been gone for a month now! Ever since you left you only send texts! When did you last call me?”

Aria pressed her lips together guiltily.

“And tell me,” her aunt continued firmly, “is work that stressful? Are you eating well? Are they treating you properly there? If they are not treating you well you should come back home immediately!”

Aria quickly shook her head even though her aunt couldn’t see her.

“No, no, Aunt. I’m perfectly fine!”

Ryan leaned back slightly in his chair, quietly listening.

Aria continued gently.

“It’s just that I’ve been very busy with work. Everything is new so I’m still trying to adjust.”

Her voice softened.

“But I promise I’ll start calling you more often, okay?”

She smiled warmly as she spoke.

“You know I love you.”

There was a small pause from the other side of the phone.

Ryan rested his chin lightly against his hand, watching her.

Her soft voice.

Her gentle smile.

Her bright eyes.

To him, at that moment, she looked like the most beautiful thing in the world.

Her aunt sighed on the phone.

“You better. I worry about you too much.”

Aria nodded softly.

“I know.”

“And are you eating well?”

“Yes, Aunt.”

“Sleeping well?”

“Yes.”

“Are there good people around you?”

Aria paused slightly at that question.

Her eyes unconsciously moved toward Ryan.

He was still watching her.

Their eyes met for a second.

Aria quickly looked away.

“Yes… there are good people here.”

Ryan’s lips curved slightly, amused.

Her aunt continued.

“And no boy problems, right?”

Aria nearly choked on air.

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

Aria forced a laugh.

“N-no! No boy problems!”

Ryan took a slow sip of his coffee, clearly enjoying her panic.

Her aunt hummed suspiciously.

“Good. Focus on your work.”

“I will, Aunt.”

“And call me tonight.”

Aria nodded quickly.

“I will.”

“Alright. Take care of yourself.”

“I will, Aunt. Bye.”

“Bye.”

The call ended.

Aria slowly lowered the phone and let out a long breath.

Ryan spoke casually.

“No boy problems?”

Aria immediately looked at him.

“You’re not a problem. You’re a contract.”

Ryan smirked slightly.

“Is that so?”

Aria quickly stood up from the chair, embarrassed.

“I have to go to work.”

Ryan simply watched her.

Still amused.

Ryan slowly stood up from his chair.

Aria had just picked up her bag, ready to leave.

Before she could take another step, his voice stopped her.

“You’re not going to work today.”

Aria turned around immediately.

“What?”

Ryan walked closer to her, his expression calm but firm.

“You need rest.”

Aria frowned slightly.

“I’m fine.”

Ryan didn’t even hesitate.

“I’m not arguing with you.”

His tone was quiet, but final.

“No work today.”

Aria blinked, a little shocked by how serious he sounded.

“Ryan, I’m really okay. I already missed work yesterday—”

“And you almost collapsed last night.”

He cut her off.

Aria opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Ryan crossed his arms slightly as he looked down at her.

“And I’m not repeating myself.”

His voice softened just a little, but the authority in it was still there.

“You’re staying home today.”

Aria sighed softly.

“But—”

Ryan leaned slightly closer.

“You have to listen.”

She looked up at him.

“Why?”

Ryan answered without hesitation.

“Because I’m older than you.”

Aria stared at him for a second.

Then she narrowed her eyes.

“That’s not a valid reason.”

Ryan’s lips twitched slightly.

“For me it is.”

Aria crossed her arms now.

“You’re being bossy.”

Ryan shrugged calmly.

“You already know that.”

Aria tried to hold her serious face…

…but she almost smiled.

Ryan noticed.

“Sit.”

He pointed toward the chair again.

Aria hesitated.

Ryan raised one eyebrow.

Slowly… she walked back and sat down.

Ryan nodded once, satisfied.

“Good.”

Aria looked up at him again.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Ryan picked up his coffee again like nothing happened.

“Very much.”

# 🏢 CARTER GROUP INTERNATIONAL 🏢

## Hours Later ⏱️

### CEO’s Office 📊

Katy stood nervously in the middle of the large office.

The room itself was intimidating.

The tall glass windows.

The quiet atmosphere.

The massive desk.

And behind it… sat the most powerful man in the building.

Ryan Carter.

Her hands were slightly clenched together as she waited.

Her heart was beating fast.

*Why did the CEO call me here?*

Her mind kept replaying last night.

The party.

Aria disappearing.

Running through the cold streets.

Then suddenly seeing their boss appear out of nowhere asking about Aria like his life depended on it.

And the way he carried her.

The way he looked furious.

Katy swallowed nervously.

*Did I do something wrong?*

*Am I about to get fired?*

Ryan finally lifted his eyes from the file on his desk.

His gaze settled on her.

Calm.

Sharp.

Observing.

“You were with Aria last night.”

It wasn’t a question.

Katy immediately bowed her head slightly.

“Yes… sir.”

Ryan leaned back in his chair.

“You saw what happened.”

Katy’s fingers tightened together.

She didn’t know what to say.

Ryan continued calmly.

“Not every man would show up like that for one of his employees.”

His voice was steady.

“Unless there is something between them.”

Katy’s head lowered even more.

“Sir… I didn’t ask any questions, I promise.”

Her voice was small.

Respectful.

“Who would question you, sir?”

Ryan studied her for a moment.

Then he stood up slowly from his chair.

Katy’s heart skipped.

He walked around the desk, stopping a few steps away from her.

His presence alone made the room feel heavier.

“I just want to make things clear.”

Katy nodded quickly.

“Yes, sir.”

Ryan’s voice remained calm.

But serious.

“Aria is my woman.”

Katy’s eyes widened slightly.

She hadn’t expected him to say it so directly.

Ryan continued.

“She’s more important to me than you might think.”

Katy felt a mix of surprise and relief.

So… Aria wasn’t in trouble.

Ryan folded his arms loosely.

“The reason she didn’t tell you about us is because we don’t want unnecessary attention.”

His gaze sharpened slightly.

“You know how people are in workplaces.”

Katy nodded slowly.

“Yes… sir.”

Ryan continued.

“I’m telling you this because you are her friend.”

The room became quiet for a moment.

Then he added calmly,

“And because I believe this conversation will stay in this room.”

Katy quickly nodded again.

“Of course, sir. I would never speak about something like that.”

Ryan studied her face for a second longer.

Then his expression softened just slightly.

“Good.”

Katy finally allowed herself to breathe a little.

Ryan turned and walked back to his desk.

Before sitting down again, he added one last thing.

“And Katy.”

She straightened immediately.

“Yes, sir?”

Ryan looked at her.

“If anything strange ever happens around Aria again…”

His voice became colder.

“You come to me first.”

Katy nodded immediately.

“Yes, sir.”

Ryan gave a small nod.

“You may go back to work.”

Katy bowed her head respectfully.

“Thank you, sir.”

She turned and walked toward the door.

But the moment she stepped outside the office…

She stopped in the hallway.

Her mind was spinning.

*Aria…*

*You’re dating the CEO of Carter Group…*

She covered her mouth slightly in shock.

“Oh my God…”

# 🏠 KIM’S HOUSE

The sound of something shattering echoed through the living room.

A glass had just been thrown across the room.

Kim stood in front of the couch, furious.

Her face was twisted with anger as she stared at the man standing before her.

The man looked terrified.

Kim pointed at him sharply.

“You had **one job!**”

Her voice was loud enough to make the servants outside the room freeze.

“One simple job!”

The man lowered his head.

“Ma’am… I tried—”

“Don’t lie to me!” Kim snapped.

She began pacing across the room angrily.

“You’re telling me you couldn’t handle **that girl**?”

Her voice became more mocking.

“She looks like a little innocent child… so small… so weak…”

She turned to glare at him again.

“And yet you’re standing here telling me you failed?”

The man tried to speak again.

“Ma’am, she hit me—”

Kim laughed coldly.

“She hit you?”

Her laughter suddenly stopped.

“And that stopped you?”

The man swallowed nervously.

“She hit me with something on the head… twice. I blacked out.”

Kim stared at him in disbelief.

“You’re a grown man.”

She stepped closer, her heels clicking sharply on the floor.

“And you’re telling me a tiny girl knocked you out?”

Her voice rose again.

“Do you know how much planning went into that night?!”

She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.

“I gave out invitations.”

“I arranged the drinks.”

“I made sure she would be there.”

Her eyes burned with anger.

“And somehow you still failed!”

The man stayed silent.

Kim walked back to the couch and sat down heavily, still furious.

Her fingers tapped angrily on the armrest.

After a moment, she spoke again.

Cold.

Dangerous.

“Do you know what the worst part is?”

The man slowly looked up.

Kim leaned back slightly.

“Ryan showed up.”

The man’s eyes widened.

Kim’s jaw tightened.

“He took her away.”

She laughed bitterly.

“Just like that.”

Her nails dug into the couch.

“All my plans… ruined.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Then Kim slowly smiled.

But the smile wasn’t friendly.

It was cold.

“Fine.”

She leaned forward slightly.

“If the first plan failed…”

Her eyes darkened.

“We’ll just make a better one.”

The man shifted nervously.

Kim’s voice dropped lower.

“Because I promise you one thing.”

Her lips curved slightly.

“That girl…”

“…will not stay beside Ryan Carter for long.”

# 🏠 RYAN’S MANSION

Aria was lying across the long couch in the living room.

One leg hanging over the side.

Her hair slightly messy.

A pillow hugged tightly in her arms.

She stared at the ceiling with the most bored expression anyone could imagine.

The house was too quiet.

Too big.

Too empty.

Ryan had forbidden her from going to work.

And now she was suffering the consequences.

“Ugh… I’m dying of boredom,” she groaned dramatically.

No one answered.

Of course.

The maids were quietly working somewhere else in the mansion.

Aria rolled over on the couch and grabbed the pillow tighter.

Then suddenly…

She started singing.

Loudly.

And very dramatically.

“🎵 Why is this hoooouse so big and emptyyyyy… 🎵”

She sat up on the couch and continued.

“🎵 And why am I so booored todaaaay… 🎵”

Her voice echoed through the quiet living room.

She didn’t even care if anyone heard her.

She kept going.

Even louder.

“🎵 Ryan said stay hoooome and rest… but resting is the worsssst! 🎵”

She threw one arm dramatically in the air like she was performing on a stage.

Then she stood up on the couch.

Completely committed to the performance now.

“🎵 If boredom was a crime I would be dead todaaaay— 🎵”

She suddenly spun around on the couch…

And froze.

Right there.

Ryan was standing at the entrance of the living room.

His suit jacket still on.

His hands in his pockets.

Watching her.

Silently.

Aria gasped loudly.

“Omg!”

She almost slipped off the couch.

Ryan raised an eyebrow slowly.

“How long have you been there…?” she asked nervously.

Ryan walked further into the room calmly.

“Long enough.”

Aria covered her face in embarrassment.

“Oh no…”

Ryan stopped a few steps away from the couch.

“You sing loudly.”

Aria peeked at him through her fingers.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

Ryan tilted his head slightly.

“You also stood on my couch.”

Aria immediately jumped down from it.

“I can explain.”

Ryan looked at her calmly.

“Go ahead.”

Aria tried to think of something.

Anything.

“My legs were… exercising?”

Ryan stared at her.

Silent.

Aria sighed in defeat.

“Okay I was just bored.”

Ryan finally let out a small breath that almost sounded like a laugh.

Almost.

Aria noticed.

“You’re laughing at me!”

“I’m not.”

“You are!”

Ryan loosened his tie slightly.

“You’re supposed to be resting.”

Aria crossed her arms.

“I rested.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

“That was resting?”

Aria pointed at the couch.

“I rested there for two hours.”

Ryan nodded slowly.

“And then you started a concert.”

Aria groaned.

“I told you I’m bored!”

Ryan studied her for a moment.

Then he said calmly,

“Get ready.”

Aria blinked.

“For what?”

Ryan turned slightly toward the hallway.

“We’re going out.”

Aria’s eyes widened.

“Wait… really?”

Ryan glanced back at her.

“Yes.”

Aria suddenly looked excited again.

“Where are we going?!”

Ryan’s lips curved just slightly.

“You’ll see.”

Aria smiled softly.

She looked at him carefully.

“Ryan… you’re tired.”

Ryan had just loosened his tie and placed his jacket over the arm of the chair. He looked a little more relaxed now, but the tiredness in his eyes was still there.

“You’ve been working since morning,” Aria continued gently. “You need to rest, okay?”

Ryan paused.

He hadn’t expected that.

Aria stepped a little closer.

“We can go tomorrow morning,” she added. “Or maybe after work tomorrow.”

Ryan watched her quietly for a moment.

Then a slow smile appeared on his face.

“Do you now care?”

His voice carried a teasing tone.

Aria blinked.

“W-what?”

Ryan took a step closer.

“I asked if you care.”

Aria suddenly felt nervous.

Her fingers started playing with the edge of her sleeve.

“Um… I… I mean… you’ve been working all day.”

She avoided his eyes.

Ryan took another step closer.

The distance between them slowly disappeared.

“Aria.”

She looked up.

His voice was softer now.

“Do you care?”

Her heart started beating faster.

His eyes were looking directly into hers.

Too directly.

She felt her cheeks getting warm.

“I—”

She suddenly turned her head away.

“Have you eaten?”

Ryan stared at her for a second.

Then he chuckled quietly.

“You changed the topic.”

Aria looked at the floor.

“I didn’t.”

Ryan stepped even closer now.

So close she could feel his presence around her.

“You did.”

Aria swallowed nervously.

“Did you eat?” she repeated quickly.

Ryan didn’t answer.

Instead, he slowly lifted a hand.

His fingers gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

Aria froze.

Her breath caught.

His touch was warm.

Too warm.

Ryan lowered his head slightly.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Aria’s voice became smaller.

“Which one…”

Ryan looked at her lips for a second.

Then back at her eyes.

“Do you care?”

Aria’s heart was racing now.

“I…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Ryan stepped even closer.

There was almost no space left between them.

Her back instinctively moved slightly until it touched the edge of the couch.

Ryan’s hand moved gently to her cheek.

He tilted her face up a little.

Aria looked completely nervous.

But she didn’t pull away.

Ryan studied her face.

Her soft eyes.

Her flushed cheeks.

The way she was breathing faster now.

Then he said quietly,

“You’re terrible at hiding things.”

Before Aria could respond—

Ryan leaned down.

And kissed her.

At first she froze in shock.

Her eyes widened.

But the kiss was warm.

Deep.

And firm.

Ryan’s hand moved behind her head, holding her gently as he kissed her.

Aria’s hands slowly grabbed the front of his shirt.

Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

She had never felt something like this before.

Ryan kissed her again.

And again.

This time slower.

But deeper.

Aria slowly relaxed into the kiss.

Her eyes closing without realizing it.

She didn’t want him to stop.

And Ryan…

Had no intention of stopping anytime soon.