CHAPTER 4

ARIA

The moment I unlocked the apartment door, I kicked off my heels.“Freedom!” One heel flew across the room and landed perfectly on the sofa. The other… Hit the flower pot. Crash.

 

“Oh no.” I froze. From the kitchen, my grandmother’s voice echoed through the apartment. “Aria Bennett!”I closed my eyes. “I’m already sorry.”

 

She walked into the living room with a wooden spoon in her hand and narrowed her eyes at the broken pot.“You’ve been home for exactly five seconds.” “I know.”

 

“And you’ve already destroyed something.” I flashed my sweetest smile. “It’s called making an entrance.” Grandma sighed dramatically.

 

“One day you’ll be the reason I need blood pressure medicine.” I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “But you’ll still love me.” She tried to hide her smile.

 

“I’ll think about it.” “I’ll cook for a week.” “You’ll burn my kitchen.” “True.” She finally laughed and gently patted my cheek. “Go wash your hands. Dinner’s ready.”

 

The smell of freshly cooked chicken curry filled the tiny apartment. Unlike Blackwood International, nothing here matched. The sofa was old.

 

The dining table had a tiny crack running across one corner. The curtains were faded after years in the sun. But this little apartment was home. It didn’t smell like expensive perfume.

It smelled like spices, tea…And love. I sat down at the table and took a bite. “Oh my God…”Grandma smiled proudly. “Too salty?” “No.”

 

I pointed my spoon at her. “If anyone ever asks me what happiness tastes like…” “I’ll bring them here.” Her eyes softened. “You always know how to make an old woman smile.” “I learned from the best.”

She reached across the table and fixed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “So…”

 

“How was your first day?” I groaned dramatically and dropped my forehead onto the table. “Don’t ask.” “It was that bad?” “Worse.” She poured me another cup of tea.

 

“Tell me.” I lifted my head and lowered my voice. “‘Miss Bennett.’” Grandma blinked. ”What?” I narrowed my eyes, trying to imitate Damien’s serious expression. “‘You’re early.’”

 

I deepened my voice even more. “‘Observation is more valuable than intelligence.’”Grandma covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. I stood up, folded my arms behind my back and started pacing around the room.

 

“‘Miss Bennett.’” “‘Coffee.’” “‘Miss Bennett.’” “‘File.’” “‘Meeting.’” “‘Don’t disappoint me.’” Grandma burst into laughter.

“Oh, dear…” “Does the poor man know any other words?” “I don’t think so.” I crossed my arms. “I’m convinced he was born wearing a suit.”

 

Grandma laughed so hard that tears gathered in her eyes. “You shouldn’t make fun of your boss.” “I’m not.” I shrugged innocently. “I’m doing an impression.”

 

She pointed her spoon at me.“Just don’t let him hear it.”I smirked.“He’d probably schedule a meeting just to fire me.”

 

The apartment echoed with our laughter. For the first time since yesterday…I felt light. Safe. Happy. Grandma suddenly rested her chin on her hand. “So…”

 

I immediately recognised that tone. “What?” “Is he handsome?”I nearly choked on my tea.“What?” “Your boss.” I coughed.“Where did that come from?”

 

“You’ve mentioned him at least ten times since you came home.” “I was complaining!” “Were you?” “Yes!” She smiled knowingly. “People usually don’t remember someone’s eyes when they’re complaining.”

 

Heat crept into my cheeks. “I never said anything about his eyes.” Grandma raised an eyebrow. “You just did.” I groaned and buried my face in my hands. “I walked right into that one.”

 

She reached over and squeezed my hand. “I haven’t heard you laugh like this in months.”My smile slowly faded. Neither of us spoke for a moment. Ever since my parents died…

 

Laughter had become rare in this house. Grandma gently brushed her thumb across my knuckles.“I’m proud of you, Aria.” “You’ve been through more than most people your age.”

 

“But you still smile.” I looked down at my plate. “Sometimes I smile because I’m scared.” “I don’t want people to know.” She gave my hand another squeeze.

 

“Being brave doesn’t mean you’re never afraid.” “It means you keep going anyway.”

A lump formed in my throat. I stood up quickly and hugged her. She hugged me back without saying a word. Sometimes… Silence was enough.

 

Later that night, I volunteered to throw out the trash. The cool evening air brushed against my face as I stepped outside. The street was unusually quiet.

 

Almost too quiet. A strange feeling crept over me. Like someone… Was watching me. I slowly turned around. Nothing.

 

Just a black sedan parked across the street. Its windows were so dark I couldn’t see inside. I stared at it for a few seconds. Then shook my head.

 

“You’re imagining things, Aria.” I threw the trash away and headed back inside. As I disappeared into the building… The headlights of the black sedan remained off.

 

Inside the car, a man watched the apartment window where the lights had just turned on. His phone vibrated. “Has she settled in?” “Yes.” “And Damien?” “He suspects nothing.”

 

A slow smile curved across the man’s lips. “Excellent.”He ended the call without another word. His eyes never left the apartment.

“So enjoy your peaceful nights while you can…” “They won’t last forever.”

 

Sleep refused to visit me. I had tossed and turned for almost an hour before finally giving up. "Great," I muttered, throwing the blanket aside. "First day at Blackwood and I've already developed insomnia."

Grandma was fast asleep. Careful not to wake her, I slipped into my hoodie, grabbed my wallet, and headed to the twenty-four-hour convenience store around the corner.

 

The cool night air was refreshing. The streets were almost empty. Five minutes later, I walked out of the store holding a steaming cup of coffee. There was a small wooden bench outside.

 

I sat down, wrapping both hands around the warm cup. The first sip made me sigh. "Heaven..." Then, without realising it, I started talking to myself. "Miss Bennett..."

 

I straightened my back and deepened my voice, trying to imitate Damien. "'Coffee isn't for enjoyment.'" I snorted. "'Coffee is fuel.'" Another sip. "'You're holding the cup incorrectly.'" I rolled my eyes dramatically. "'Observation is more valuable than caffeine.'"

 

A deep chuckle came from beside me. He answered, "I never said that." I froze. Slowly, very slowly...I turned my head. A man sat beside me wearing a black cap and a sleeveless shirt, his broad shoulders revealing strong arms covered with defined muscles.

 

A black tattoo curled around his left bicep before disappearing beneath the fabric. He lifted his coffee. Grey eyes met mine. "I was going to say..." "'Miss Bennett... coffee is meant to be enjoyed.'"

 

My jaw dropped."...Mr. Blackwood?"  He took another unhurried sip of his coffee. I narrowed my eyes. "Are you following me?" One dark eyebrow lifted. "I was about to ask you the same question."

 

I blinked. "Excuse me?" "You've invaded my elevator." He counted on his fingers. "My office." "And now my coffee shop." I folded my arms.

 

"Your coffee shop?" "No." A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "But I've been coming here for years." "Oh." I glanced around the nearly empty convenience store. "So this isn't one of Blackwood International's secret branches?"

 

He looked at me with a completely straight face. "Should I buy it?" I laughed. "See? That's exactly why rich people are dangerous."

"And why is that?" "You people solve everything by buying it." He considered my answer for a moment.

 

“Hhmmm….Not everything." I took another hot sip of my coffee. His lips curved into an amused smile.

"I've been here the whole time." My face burned. "You... heard all that?" He said with a big smile."Every word." I covered my face with one hand. "I should probably move to another country."

 

He laughed. "That seems a little extreme. Is your boss really that scary?" I groaned. "You have no idea." He asked. "Tall?" I replied. "Unfortunately." "Handsome?" I hesitated. "...Unfortunately."

 

His grin widened. "So he's handsome." "I didn't say that." "You literally just did." "I hate observant people." "I've been told it's one of my better qualities." For the first time all day...

 

I laughed without forcing it. He held out his hand. "I'm…." His phone suddenly vibrated. He glanced at the screen. The smile on his face disappeared for the briefest second.

 

"Sorry," he said, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Looks like I have to go." He stood. I realised just how tall he really was. Before walking away, he looked back at me.

 

"Oh..." "If you see your boss tomorrow..." "Tell him coffee is meant to be enjoyed." I laughed. "I'll make sure to tell him." He tipped the brim of his cap with two fingers.

"Good night, Miss Bennett."

 

Hidden in the darkness, someone lowered a camera. Click. A photo of Damien. Click. A photo of Aria. The stranger smiled. "Game on."