The Next Morning 🌸
Aria slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, everything felt… quiet. Too quiet.
Then—pain. Her body ached everywhere. Her back, her legs… even the smallest movement made her wince.
She froze. Her breath hitched. And then it all came rushing back.
Last night. Ryan. Everything.
It replayed in her mind so clearly, so vividly… as if it had just happened minutes ago. Her cheeks burned instantly.
"Oh my God…" she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. She had really… she had really slept with him.
Aria turned her face into the pillow, wishing the bed would swallow her whole. What had she done?
Her heart started beating faster, not from excitement—but from fear. From doubt. From the painful question she couldn't escape: What did it mean to him?
Was she just… another girl? Another temporary distraction? Just his employee… someone convenient?
Her chest tightened painfully. Because the truth was—she didn't know. And that hurt more than anything else.
Her fingers slowly gripped the sheets beneath her. Embarrassment flooded her whole body. She felt small. Stupid. Exposed.
"I'm so embarrassing…" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
The sound of running water reached her ears. Ryan was in the shower. Right there. So close.
Aria's heart skipped nervously. For a second, panic took her completely over. She didn't want to face him. Not now. Not like this. Not after everything.
"I need to leave…" she murmured quickly, almost to herself.
She forced herself to sit up— "Ah…" A sharp ache shot through her body, making her wince immediately.
"Seriously…?" she muttered under her breath, her face flushing again. Jeez… that man was actually a monster.
Taking a deep breath, she carefully got out of bed, moving slowly, cautiously, like even the air around her might hurt.
That's when she noticed it. The sheets. They were different. Clean. Changed.
Aria blinked, staring at them for a moment. He had already changed them… while she was asleep.
Her heart gave a small, confused tug. She didn't know why… but that made her feel even stranger. Like last night had already been… erased. Like it didn't matter.
She swallowed hard and quickly looked away. "Stop overthinking…" she whispered to herself.
Her clothes were neatly placed nearby. Of course they were. Ryan was always… precise like that. Controlled. Untouchable.
Unlike her right now.
Aria quickly picked them up, her movements careful and quiet. Her body still ached with every step as she got dressed, trying not to make any sound.
The shower was still running. Good. She didn't want him to come out and see her like this—flustered, awkward, broken in a way she didn't understand.
Once she was dressed, she took one last look around the RoomRoom. The bed. The space. Him—behind that bathroom door.
Her chest tightened again. "…This shouldn't have happened," she whispered.
Then, without another word—she turned and walked out. Slowly. Quietly. Like she had never been there at all.
The hallway felt colder. Too big. Too empty. Each step she took made her body ache again, reminding her of everything she was trying to run from.
"Seriously…" she muttered weakly, holding her side a little. "He's actually insane…"
But even as she said it—her voice wasn't angry. It was… soft. Confused. Hurt.
She finally reached her RoomRoom and quickly slipped inside, closing the door behind her.
The moment it shut, her shoulders dropped. All the strength she was holding onto disappeared instantly. She leaned against the door, staring at the floor. Silent. Lost.
Her hand slowly moved to her chest. Her heart was still racing. And no matter how much she tried to deny it—it wasn't just because of what happened.
It was because of him.
Ryan's Bedroom 🍓
The sound of the shower stopped. A few seconds later, the bathroom door opened, and Ryan stepped out, water still dripping lightly from his hair, a towel resting on his shoulders.
The RoomRoom was quiet. Too quiet.
His eyes instinctively moved to the bed—empty. He paused. "…Huh."
For a moment, he just stood there, looking around the RoomRoom like she might magically appear. But she wasn't there. Aria was gone.
Ryan frowned slightly, his brows pulling together. "Where is this girl?" he muttered under his breath.
He walked further into the RoomRoom, glancing at the neatly arranged space. Everything was in place… just like he liked it except her.
His gaze dropped to the bed. The sheets he had changed earlier were untouched now. Cold. Like she had left a while ago.
He let out a quiet breath, running a hand through his damp hair. "…She just left?"
There was a hint of disbelief in his voice. No note. No message. Nothing.
Ryan let out a small, almost amused scoff. "Unbelievable."
But then—a slow smile tugged at his lips. "…Is she shy?"
The thought lingered in his mind, and for some reason, it didn't annoy him. If anything… it amused him—a lot.
He could almost picture her—flustered, embarrassed, avoiding eye contact.
His smile deepened slightly. "Cute…" he murmured unconsciously.
Shaking his head lightly, Ryan walked over to his wardrobe and began to get dressed, his movements calm and composed—back to his usual self. Cold. Controlled. Untouchable.
But there was something different today. Something subtle. Something… lighter.
Once he was fully dressed, he picked up his phone and dialled a number. It rang twice before the call was answered.
"Hello, boss." His assistant's voice came through, professional as always.
Ryan leaned casually against the table, his tone relaxed—almost too relaxed. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
There was silence on the other end—a long… confused silence.
Ryan raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting.
"…Sir?"
"I asked a simple question," Ryan said calmly. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Another pause. This time, even more awkward.
“Uhm… y-yes, sir. I do have a girlfriend."
Ryan nodded slightly, as if the assistant could see him. "Good."
The assistant blinked on the other end, completely lost now.
Ryan continued, his tone thoughtful: "What kind of things do you buy her?"
"…Sir?"
"To make her happy," Ryan clarified. "Or when she's upset with you."
There was another long pause. You could almost hear the assistant panicking through the phone.
“Well… um…”
Ryan waited patiently, his expression calm but his fingers lightly tapping against the surface beside him.
"Flowers, sir," the assistant finally said. "Girls like flowers."
Ryan hummed softly. "Flowers…"
"And chocolates," the assistant quickly added, gaining a bit of confidence. "Sometimes gifts. Jewellery, maybe. Or… taking her out somewhere nice."
Ryan listened carefully, his expression slowly turning more thoughtful. "Hmm."
He glanced briefly toward the door, toward the direction of Aria's Room. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…And if she's avoiding you?" he asked.
The assistant froze again. "Sir… are you—"
"Just answer."
"…Then she's definitely upset," the assistant said carefully. "You'd need to make it up to her. Properly."
Ryan's lips curved slightly again. Upset, huh… So that's what it was. Not regret. Not indifference. She was upset.
That made things… easier.
"Alright," Ryan said calmly.
"Sir… can I ask—"
Ryan ended the call. Just like that.
The assistant stared at his phone in shock. "…What just happened?"
Back in the RoomRoom, Ryan slipped his phone into his pocket. His expression was unreadable again, but his eyes… held something new. Something sharper. More interested.
"Aria…" he murmured under his breath.
Then he turned toward the door, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "Let's see how long you can avoid me." 😏
Dining Room 🍽️
The table was already set. Everything was perfect—fresh juice, hot coffee, a full breakfast prepared with precision. Just the way Ryan liked it.
Ryan walked in, his steps calm and steady, his expression unreadable as always. He pulled out a chair and sat down, adjusting his sleeves slightly before reaching for his coffee.
But he didn't drink it. His eyes lifted instead, scanning the RoomRoom. Once. Twice.
Then his gaze settled on one of the maids standing nearby. "…Where is Aria?"
His voice was calm, but there was something beneath it—something sharp.
The maid immediately lowered her head. "She is in her room, sir."
Ryan's fingers paused on the cup. "In her room?"
A slight frown appeared on his face. At this hour?
He set the cup down slowly. "Go and call her."
The maid hesitated for just a second—Ryan's eyes lifted again. Cold. Direct.
"Breakfast is ready," he continued, his tone slightly firmer now. "What are you waiting for?"
The maid quickly bowed her head. "Yes, sir."
But before she could turn—Ryan spoke again. "Or do you want her to starve?"
The maid froze. "N-No, sir!"
"Then go."
"Yes, sir." She quickly turned and hurried out of the dining room.
Aria's Room 🚪
The RoomRoom was quiet. Too quiet.
Aria sat on the edge of her bed, still in her clothes, her hair slightly messy, her hands resting in her lap. She hadn't moved much since she got back.
Her mind was a mess. Her body still ached. And her heart… that was the worst part.
She stared blankly at the floor, lost in her thoughts. How am I supposed to face him…?
Just thinking about Ryan made her chest tighten again. His face. His voice. Last night.
She quickly shook her head. "Stop it…" she whispered to herself.
A knock on the door startled her. Aria flinched slightly.
"Miss Aria?"
Her breath caught. "…Yes?"
"Sir asked me to call you. Breakfast is ready."
Aria froze. Ryan… he called her?
Her fingers tightened slightly on her dress. "I—" she hesitated. "I'm not hungry."
There was a pause outside. Then the maid spoke again, more carefully this time. "Miss… he sounded serious."
Aria closed her eyes for a moment. Of course he did. It was Ryan. Everything about him was serious.
She slowly stood up, ignoring the slight pain in her body. "…Okay. I'm coming."
"Alright, miss." The maid's footsteps faded away.
Aria stood there for a few seconds after that, trying to gather herself, trying to act normal, trying to pretend nothing had happened.
She took a deep breath. "You can do this…" she whispered. Then she walked to the door.
Dining Room 🍽️
Ryan sat quietly, his fingers lightly tapping against the table. Impatient, though he didn't show it much.
The moment he heard footsteps approaching, he stopped. His eyes lifted toward the entrance.
And then—Aria appeared.
She walked in slowly. Carefully. Her gaze lowered, avoiding his completely. Her movements were slightly stiff, almost like she was trying not to feel the pain in her body.
Ryan noticed immediately. Everything. The way she walked. The way she avoided looking at him. The way her hands slightly clenched at her sides.
His eyes darkened slightly. Interesting. Very interesting.
Aria stopped a few steps away from the table. "…Good morning," she said softly, her voice almost too quiet.
Ryan didn't respond immediately. He just looked at her. Studied her. Like he was trying to read every single thought in her mind.
The silence stretched, making her even more nervous.
"…Sit," he finally said.
Aria hesitated for a second—then slowly pulled out a chair and sat down, still not looking at him.
Ryan leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze never leaving her face. "…You left early."
His voice was calm. Too calm.
Aria's fingers tightened slightly under the table. "I… didn't want to disturb you," she said quietly.
A lie. And they both knew it.
Ryan's lips curved slightly. "Disturb me?" He leaned forward just a little, his voice dropping. "You think you can disturb me?"
Aria's heart skipped nervously. She stayed silent.
Ryan watched her for a moment longer—then suddenly, he reached for the plate in front of him. "Eat."
Aria blinked, surprised. "…I said I'm not—"
"Eat."
This time, his voice was firmer. Commanding. No room for argument.
Aria slowly picked up the fork. "…Yes, sir."
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly at that. Sir? Interesting. Very interesting.
A slow smirk appeared on his lips. Oh, she was definitely avoiding him. And that only made him more interested. 😏
Ryan looked at her, his gaze steady and unmoving. "Aria…"
Her name rolled off his tongue slowly. "Why are you avoiding me?"
The question was simple—but it hit hard.
Aria's grip on her fork tightened slightly. Her eyes stayed glued to her plate. "I'm not avoiding you…" she said quietly, her voice soft and careful. “I just… um…”
Her words started to fall apart because she didn't even know what to say. What excuse could she possibly give?
Before she could finish—the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house.
Aria blinked, slightly startled. Ryan didn't even turn, like he already knew.
Footsteps followed. Then more. And more.
Aria slowly lifted her head—and froze.
One maid walked in. Then another. Then another. Each of them carrying something in their hands: massive, beautiful arrangements of flowers filled with roses, lilies, and soft pastel petals, carefully wrapped and tied with elegant ribbons. They were breathtaking.
Aria's eyes widened. "…What—"
Before she could process it, three more maids walked in, this time carrying sleek black briefcases.
Her heart skipped. They stepped forward in perfect sync and stopped right in front of her. Then—they bowed.
"All of this is for you, Miss Aria."
Silence. Complete silence.
Aria just stared. Her brain refused to catch up. "For… me?" she whispered, her voice sounding so small compared to everything in front of her.
The flowers alone were overwhelming, but the briefcases… One of them was gently placed on the table and opened.
Aria's breath caught instantly. Diamonds. Necklaces. Jewellery that sparkled under the light so brightly it almost hurt her eyes.
Another case opened: stacks of neatly arranged cash, more money than she had ever seen in her life.
The last one: pure, shining gold bracelets and chains.
Aria's heart started racing uncontrollably. "This… this is too much…" she whispered, shaking her head slightly. Her hands instinctively pulled back, like she was afraid even to touch any of it.
She slowly turned her head—and looked at Ryan.
He was already looking at her. Calm. Composed. Like this was nothing. Like this was normal.
"…Ryan…" Her voice trembled slightly. "What is all this?"
Ryan leaned back slightly in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "For you."
Just two words. Simple. Direct.
Aria blinked. "But… why?"
Her voice carried confusion, and something else—something softer.
Ryan studied her face for a moment, then spoke: "You looked like you were going to run away this morning."
Aria froze.
"I don't like that." His tone wasn't harsh; it was calm, but firm. Like a statement, not an opinion.
Ryan leaned forward slightly, resting his arm on the table. "I don't do things halfway, Aria."
His eyes softened—just a little. Barely noticeable. "But when I decide something… I take care of it properly."
Her heart skipped.
"I won't let you feel like you don't matter."
The words hit her harder than anything else. Not the money. Not the diamonds. That.
Aria's chest tightened, her emotions suddenly overwhelming her. Because he wasn't treating her like she was nothing, he wasn't pushing her aside. He wasn't pretending last night didn't happen.
Instead—he was doing the complete opposite.
But still… "This is too expensive…" she said softly, almost helplessly.
Ryan's lips curved slightly. "Then get used to it."
Aria stared at him, completely speechless. Her heart was racing so fast she could barely think straight. No one had ever done something like this for her before. No one had ever made her feel this… seen. Important. Special.
And yet—it was too much. Way too much.
She looked back at the gifts again, then at him. "I don't need all this…" she said honestly.
Ryan tilted his head slightly. "I didn't ask what you need."
Her breath caught.
"I'm giving you what I want to give you."
Her cheeks flushed deeply. She didn't know whether to argue… or accept it.
Ryan watched her struggle silently. Then, after a moment, he spoke again: "Keep it."
His tone softened just a little. "…Or throw it away. I don't care."
A pause. Then— "But don't avoid me again."
Aria's heart skipped again. She slowly looked up at him, and this time—she didn't look away.
Days Later 🌸
Aria stepped out of the bathroom, steam still clinging lightly to her skin. She stared at herself in the mirror for a second.
"…You survived," she muttered. Barely.
After everything that had happened, after him, after those ridiculously expensive gifts, after avoiding eye contact for days—she was finally going back to work like a normal person.
"Act normal," she told herself, pointing at her reflection. "You're just an employee. Nothing else."
A pause. "…Right."
Company Entrance 🏢
Aria had barely stepped through the doors when—
"ARIA!"
She flinched. There she was. Katy. Standing with her hands on her hips like a detective who had just caught a criminal after weeks of investigation.
Aria forced a smile. "Hi, Katy—"
"Girl," Katy cut her off immediately, narrowing her eyes. "You disappeared for like THREE WEEKS."
Aria blinked. "…It wasn't three weeks."
"It felt like three weeks," Katy said dramatically, crossing her arms. "Are you okay? Did you get kidnapped? Were you sick? Did you run away? Did you secretly get married??"
Aria stared at her. "…Katy, relax."
Katy leaned closer. "I've been ready to fight someone for you, you know."
Aria let out a small laugh despite herself. "I'm fine," she said, shaking her head. "Seriously. But one thing—" She raised a finger. "I am NEVER going to any party again."
Katy blinked. "…That bad?"
Aria paused. Images flashed in her mind—Ryan. That night. Everything.
Her face instantly heated up. "…You have no idea."
Katy's eyes widened. "Oh?"
That one word carried too much meaning. Too much curiosity. Too much excitement.
Aria immediately started walking. "Let's just go to work."
Katy gasped and rushed after her. "NO, NO, NO—YOU CAN'T JUST DROP THAT AND WALK AWAY!"
Inside the Office 🏢
The two of them walked side by side, but Katy kept sneaking glances at Aria like she was looking at a completely different person.
Finally, Katy grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop.
Aria blinked. "What?"
Katy leaned in. "Girl…" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "How did you manage to bag the CEO?"
Aria almost tripped on her own feet. "WHAT?!" she whisper-yelled.
"Shhh!" Katy quickly covered her mouth. "Do you want the whole company to hear?!"
"You're the one shouting!" Aria hissed, pulling her hand away. "And what do you mean 'bag the CEO'???"
Katy raised an eyebrow. "Oh, don't play innocent with me."
Aria froze. "…What do you know?"
Katy smirked. "I know enough."
Aria's heart dropped. "Katy—"
"He told me to keep it a secret," Katy added casually.
Silence. Aria blinked. "…He WHAT?"
Katy nodded proudly, flipping her hair. "Yes. Me. Trusted. By the CEO."
Aria looked like she might faint. "Oh my God…"
Katy leaned even closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So now you have to tell me EVERYTHING."
Aria shook her head quickly. "No—no, no, there is no 'everything'—"
"Yes there is."
"Katy—"
"Like," Katy continued, completely ignoring her, "how is he when he's not in meetings?"
Aria opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. "…Normal?"
Katy gave her a flat look. "Boring answer. Next."
Aria groaned. "I'm not doing this."
Katy grabbed her arm again dramatically. "Does he smile??"
"…Sometimes."
"DOES HE LAUGH??"
"…Rarely."
"DOES HE SLEEP LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING OR LIKE A VAMPIRE IN A COFFIN??"
Aria burst out laughing. "I don't know, Katy!"
Katy squinted at her. "You're lying."
"I'm not!"
Katy crossed her arms again. "Okay fine," she said, pretending to calm down. "Last question."
Aria sighed in relief. "Finally."
Katy leaned in even closer. "…Is he romantic?"
Aria froze. Her mind instantly went to the flowers, the gifts, and his words: I won't let you feel like you don't matter.
Her cheeks turned pink. "…I don't know."
Katy's jaw dropped. "YOU DON'T KNOW?!"
"Katy!" Aria quickly covered her mouth this time. People were starting to look.
Katy pulled her hand away slowly, eyes wide. "Aria…" she whispered dramatically. "You are hiding something HUGE."
Aria turned away quickly, trying to hide her face. "I'm not—"
"YOU ARE BLUSHING!"
"I am NOT!"
"You are RED!"
"I AM NOT RED!"
Katy gasped loudly. "Oh my God…" She grabbed Aria's shoulders. "You like him."
Aria froze. Completely froze. "…No."
Too fast. Too defensive.
Katy's eyes narrowed slowly. "Aria…"
Aria pulled away quickly. "I have work to do!" And just like that, she walked off—fast. Very fast.
Katy stood there, watching her leave. Then slowly, a huge grin spread across her face. "Ohhh, this is going to be fun."
Lunch Time 🧆
The clock struck lunch, and like clockwork, chairs moved, people stretched, and conversations started.
Aria let out a small breath, closing her laptop. "Finally…" she muttered.
Katy immediately stood up beside her. "Come on, I'm starving. If I don't eat now, I might collapse dramatically in front of everyone."
Aria laughed softly. "You say that every day."
"And one day, it will be true," Katy said seriously. "And you'll regret not feeding me."
Aria shook her head, smiling, and the two of them walked out together toward the company café like usual. Everything felt… normal. Too normal. Which, honestly, made Aria a little suspicious. But she ignored it.
Big mistake.
They had barely reached the entrance of the café when—
"Ma'am." A man in a neat uniform stepped in front of them.
Aria blinked. "Yes?"
"Please follow me this way."
Katy immediately frowned. "Why? The food is this way."
The man remained calm. "Someone instructed that she is not supposed to be eating here anymore."
Silence. Aria froze. Katy blinked, then slowly turned to look at Aria. "…She?"
Aria looked away. She already knew. Ryan. Of course it was him. Who else would do something this ridiculous?
"Katy, it's fine," Aria said quickly. "Let's just eat here—"
"NO." Katy grabbed her arm immediately. "We are following him."
"What?!"
"I want to see what rich-people nonsense this is," Katy whispered excitedly.
Aria sighed. Of course she did.
So, with zero choice left, Aria let herself be dragged along as they followed the man down a quieter hallway. The further they walked, the quieter it got. Fewer people. Less noise. More… expensive-looking.
Katy leaned closer. "If this turns into a kidnapping, just know I'll fight."
Aria deadpanned. "You'll faint."
"Okay, yes," Katy admitted. "But still."
The man stopped in front of a door and opened it. "Please."
Aria stepped in first—and froze. Katy walked in behind her—and gasped. "WHAT IS THIS?!"
The RoomRoom was beautiful, quiet, private, and elegant. But that wasn't even the shocking part. The table was full of food—so much food—perfectly arranged, neat, and colourful, like something out of a luxury hotel.
Aria just stood there, blinking. "… There's no way…"
Katy slowly walked forward like she had entered heaven. "Am I dreaming?" she whispered.
The man bowed slightly. "Enjoy yourselves. I'll be outside. If you need anything, just let me know." And just like that, he left, closing the door behind him.
Silence. Then—Katy turned slowly to Aria. "…Explain."
Aria sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I don't want to."
Katy pointed dramatically at the table. "YOU HAVE TO!"
Aria looked at the food again, then at the door, then back at the food. "… He's insane."
Katy gasped. "Insane?!" She ran to the table and picked up a strawberry. "THIS is not insanity. This is LOVE."
"It's not love!" Aria quickly said.
Katy popped the strawberry into her mouth. "Mmm. Expensive love."
Aria couldn't help but laugh a little. "Katy…"
"No, listen," Katy said, grabbing her arm and pulling her closer to the table. "Whatever you did—keep doing it."
"I didn't do anything!"
"Then EXIST HARDER," Katy said dramatically.
Aria laughed again, shaking her head. But her eyes drifted back to the table. All this… just for her?
Her chest tightened slightly. Because no matter how much she tried to deny it, she knew exactly who did this. And why.
Katy was already sitting down, happily eating like she hadn't seen food in years. "Aria, sit!" she said with her mouth full. "Don't let rich-man efforts go to waste!"
Aria hesitated for a moment… then slowly sat down. Still overwhelmed. Still confused. But also—a little warm inside.
Katy suddenly paused mid-bite, then slowly looked up at Aria. "…So."
Aria sighed. "No."
Katy grinned. "…How was he?" 😏
Aria choked. "—Katy!" She coughed, quickly grabbing a napkin as her face turned bright red.
Katy didn't even flinch. She just watched, patiently, like a hunter watching its prey struggle.
"How… how was who??" Aria stammered, avoiding her gaze completely.
Katy raised one eyebrow. "Oh, please." She leaned even closer. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."
Aria's heart started pounding. "No, I don't—"
"Yes, you do."
"Katy—"
"You're not 12 years old," Katy said calmly, cutting her off. A pause. Then she added, even more dangerously— "…Unless you are?"
Aria froze. Her grip on the glass tightened. Her eyes dropped to the table. And just like that—her mind betrayed her.
Images. Memories. Ryan. His voice. His touch. The way he looked at her—the way he didn't hold back.
Her breath hitched slightly. Her cheeks burned even hotter. She looked like she might actually melt into the chair.
Katy's eyes widened slowly. "Oh my God…" she whispered.
Aria immediately shook her head. "Don't say anything."
"You're remembering."
"I'm NOT remembering!"
"YOU ARE!"
"I'm not!"
Katy leaned back in her chair, completely stunned now. "Aria…"
Aria covered her face with one hand. "Please stop."
Katy blinked at her, then suddenly sat up straight. "Wait."
Aria peeked at her through her fingers. "What?"
Katy stared at her as if she had just unlocked a secret. "…Was it good?"
Aria froze again. Completely froze.
That silence—that very loud silence—was all the answer Katy needed.
Katy slammed her hand lightly on the table. "I KNEW IT!"
"Katy!" Aria whispered harshly, looking around nervously.
Katy leaned in again, lowering her voice dramatically. "Girl…" Her expression turned serious for once. "…You look like you went through a life-changing experience."
Aria opened her mouth—then closed it again. Because… what was she even supposed to say? That she could barely walk the next morning? That she didn't even understand how things got that intense? That she still couldn't look at him properly without her heart going wild?
"…I hate you," Aria muttered under her breath.
Katy gasped. "No, you don't. You love me because I ask the important questions."
Aria shook her head, trying to calm herself down. But it was useless. Her mind was still stuck there. On him. On that night.
Katy suddenly softened a little, watching her closely. "…But seriously," she said more gently this time. "Are you okay?"
Aria paused. That question… it hit differently. She slowly lowered her hand from her face. "…I don't know."
Katy blinked.
Aria looked down at the table again. "At first, I thought it didn't mean anything to him…" she admitted quietly, her fingers playing with the edge of the napkin. "But then he does things like this…" She glanced at the food, the private RoomRoom, everything. "…And I get confused."
Katy watched her for a moment, then smiled softly. "Yeah…"
Aria looked up at her.
Katy leaned forward slightly. "That's called falling for someone complicated."
Aria's heart skipped. She quickly looked away again. "… I'm not falling for him."
Katy didn't even argue this time. She just smiled slowly, knowingly. "…Sure." 😏
Hours Later 🍒
Hours later, the workday finally ended. Aria walked toward the sleek black car waiting outside, ready to finally leave the Office behind for the day.
Just as she was about to open the door, a voice called out: "You must be Aria."
She froze. Slowly, she turned. A woman was walking toward her—confident, annoying, and smirking like she owned the place.
Aria raised an eyebrow. "Yes. And…?”
The woman stopped a few steps away, smiling like she was about to deliver a royal decree. "I'm Kim."
Aria tilted her head, her expression polite but icy. "Oh. Kim? Is there something I can help you with?"
Kim's smile faltered slightly, then tightened into a glare. "Look, Aria—or whatever you call yourself—" she began, her tone sharp, "I'm asking you to stay the hell away from my man, Ryan. He's mine. His parents know it, not you. His mother tried to warn you too, but you act like you're deaf. I don't want to do this again, but I hope you've heard me."
Aria's jaw tightened. She stared at Kim for a long, calm moment—like she was studying a fly buzzing too close to her face. Then she smiled. Slow. Sharp. Dangerous.
"Wow."
Kim blinked.
"You really said all that, didn't you?" Aria's voice was low, almost mocking. "Do you pause to breathe when you talk, or do you just vomit words because you think yelling louder makes you right?"
Kim's face darkened. "Excuse me?"
Aria took a step closer, her eyes cold and unflinching. "Let me make this very simple for you, Kim. You don't get to boss me around. You don't get to claim ownership over anyone. And most importantly—you don't get to speak to me like I'm some pathetic little girl."
Kim opened her mouth, but Aria held up a hand, cutting her off.
"Save it. I don't care about your imaginary claims, your jealousy, or your desperate need to feel important. Ryan is not a prize; he's a man, and last I checked, I don't need permission from a stranger with bad taste in hair and attitude to exist near him."
Kim stepped forward, trying to intimidate her. "You have no idea whom you're dealing with—"
Aria laughed. A cold, sharp laugh that made Kim falter.
"Oh, trust me," Aria said, tilting her head, eyes glinting, "I know exactly who I'm dealing with. And I also know that someone who thinks screaming and threatening makes them powerful is really just small. Really, really small."
Kim's face went pale.
Aria leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "So here's the deal: you stay in your lane, keep your mouth shut, and stop wasting your breath on people who don't care. Because if you open it one more time, I will make sure you regret it. Loudly. And trust me—I'm very good at regrets."
Kim blinked, stunned, completely speechless.
Aria straightened, looked her up and down one last time, and smirked. "Now, unless you brought me a reason I should care—which you didn't—step aside. Or better yet, go cry somewhere far away where no one can hear your whining."
Kim's lips quivered. She wanted to argue, but the fire in Aria's eyes stopped her.
Aria walked past her, climbed into the car, and closed the door with a soft click. As the car drove away, Kim was left standing there… fuming, defeated, and utterly humiliated.
Aria leaned back in the seat, smiling faintly to herself. Some people… she couldn't take seriously. And Kim? Definitely one of them.
Ryan's Mansion 🏰
The house was eerily quiet. Too quiet.
Aria stepped inside, the sound of her heels barely making a noise on the marble floor. She sighed softly. "Finally… peace."
She walked to her RoomRoom, dropping her bag on the bed. Shower first. Eat later. Relax. Maybe even nap if she felt bold.
The hot water washed away the day's tension, the heat melting her muscles, and for a few blissful minutes… she felt like she could actually breathe.
Afterwards, she made her way to the kitchen, her stomach growling louder than she wanted to admit. She heated some leftovers, the steam curling around her fingers, when the puppy came bounding toward her.
"Ugh, no, no, no!" she said, laughing as the little ball of energy jumped up. "Go! Eat! Stop attacking me!"
The maid appeared just in time and scooped up the pup, setting it down with a small bowl of food.
Aria finally took a deep breath and sat down to eat herself. A few bites in, she leaned back, stretching. Her eyes wandered lazily around the quiet Mansion.
Then—an idea. A mischievous one. Why not?
Ryan was at work. She was alone. And maybe… just maybe… she could sneak into his RoomRoom and take a nap.
She smirked. "Just for fun," she whispered.
Ryan's RoomRoom 🚪
Aria tiptoed down the hallway, trying to be stealthy. The door was slightly ajar. Perfect.
She pushed it open… and froze.
There he was. Ryan. Standing in the middle of the RoomRoom with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
Her eyes practically went wide enough to see the ceiling. "…Oh my God."
Her brain short-circuited. Her stomach flipped. Her cheeks instantly burned red.
Ryan raised one eyebrow, unimpressed. "You're in my room."
Aria swallowed hard, trying desperately to act casual. "Oh… uh… yeah! I—I thought you were at work…"
Ryan's lips quirked into the faintest smirk. "I came back early."
Her eyes darted down, trying not to look, but somehow failing spectacularly. "Right… early… of course…" she stammered.
He didn't move. Just stood there. Calm. Dominant. Barely covered by that towel.
Aria wanted to run, hide, apologise, faint—everything at once. Instead, she tried to play it off. "I… um… just thought I'd… check something. Yeah. Totally normal."
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly, dark and sharp. "Check something?"
She nodded furiously. "Yes. Totally. Very normal."
Her brain screamed at her to shut up, but her mouth had other ideas: "Anyway, I—I'm gonna—uh—leave!"
Before she could make a move, Ryan's voice stopped her: "Sit."
Her heart skipped. "…What?"
"Sit. On the chair."
Aria blinked, torn between obeying and running. Finally, she slowly moved toward the chair, sitting stiffly, like a deer caught in headlights.
Ryan stepped closer, the towel doing nothing to hide the broad lines of his shoulders. "Why are you here?" he asked calmly, his tone deceptively casual.
"I… um… just… bored?" she said weakly, her voice cracking slightly.
Ryan's lips twitched into the smallest, sharpest smile. "Bored… in my room?"
Aria's knees nearly buckled. "…Yes?"
He didn't answer immediately. Just looked at her. The air between them thickened. Her heartbeat thudded painfully in her chest.
She had no idea if she should be embarrassed, angry, or… excited.
Ryan leaned against the edge of his bed, towel still barely covering him, his eyes holding hers. "You really think you can just wander into my room whenever you feel like it?"
Aria swallowed, trying to regain some dignity. “I… thought it was okay…”
He smiled again. "Thought?"
Her brain went fuzzy. "…Yes, thought. Totally thought. Absolutely thought."
Ryan's smirk deepened. "Interesting."
Aria groaned softly, covering her face with her hands. This… this was not going to end well for her. Or maybe it would… because with Ryan, she never really knew.
His hand—warm, firm, impossibly strong—held hers. The words lingered in the RoomRoom:
"Do you want me to… make love to you?"
Her head snapped up, eyes wide. "…W-What?"
Ryan's gaze was calm, almost unreadable. Yet it held something dangerous—something that made her heart pound like a drum.
"Did you hear me?" His voice dropped, soft but commanding, filling the space between them.
Aria's fingers trembled in his grip. Her mind screamed, yet her body reacted before she even realised. "I… I—" she stammered, words failing her completely.
Ryan leaned just a fraction closer. His thumb brushed lightly over the back of her hand, sending shivers through her. "You don't have to answer right away," he said, his tone deceptively gentle. "Just… think about it."
Her eyes darted away, her face flaming red. Think about it?
She felt dizzy. Confused. Excited. Terrified—all at once.
"You… you can't just say things like that!" she whispered, trying to pull her hand back.
Ryan didn't let go. He tightened his hold slightly, but his expression softened just enough to make her doubt her resistance. "Why not?" he murmured. "It's just a question. And I need to know… if you want it too."
Aria's breath came in short, panicked gasps. "Ryan… I… I can't…" she tried again, but her voice was weak, almost pleading.
He tilted his head slightly, eyes never leaving hers. "Then tell me when you can," he said, his thumb still brushing against her hand in a slow, deliberate motion.
Her heart hammered violently in her chest. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run. But part of her… didn't want to.
Ryan's hand was warm, steady—his presence… suffocatingly close, yet somehow safe.
Her lips parted, trying to form words. Nothing came out.
And Ryan held her hand tighter, leaning just slightly closer, his gaze intense enough to melt her resolve.
Aria's mind spun. What am I doing? Why does this feel like the most natural thing in the world?
Her breath caught again, and for a moment… all she could do was stay frozen, trapped in that dangerous, electrifying silence between them.