12

The sharp sound of Adriana’s hand against Antonio’s cheek hung in the air like a crack of thunder, leaving silence behind.

Hardin and Tessa froze mid-doodle, their pencils hovering above the page as they looked up at their mother, stunned.

Eros also stood motionless for a beat, blinking in surprise. No one in the room had ever seen Adriana lash out like that—her composure was a fortress rarely breached.

As Adriana’s chest heaved, her voice then shook from fury. “How dare you speak to me like that in my office, right in front of my children?”

Her eyes blazing, her arm still slightly raised, her fingers trembled from the force she’d just delivered.

But Antonio… He barely flinched. Instead, he straightened slowly, rubbing his reddening cheek with a smirk that only made Adriana's blood boil more.

“Get out,” she hissed in a voice lower but laced with steel, her hand pointing toward the door.

Eros didn’t wait for him to argue. He stepped forward, his voice dangerously calm. “You heard her. This is the last time you walk in here without an official invitation.” He uttered.

But Antonio only stared into Adriana’s face in silence. He held her gaze for a long moment, a moment showing something different about him—less arrogance, more desperation.

But still, his pride wouldn't let him leave without one final word. Then, he stood and adjusted his cuffs before offering one final look at her.

“I won't stop, Adriana. Not until you're mine again,” he blurted, and with this, he turned and walked out of the glass door.

After his disappearance, Adriana let out a shaky breath and turned toward the floor-to-ceiling window. With her arms crossed tightly over her chest, the view in front of her was fascinating, but her mind wasn’t seeing any of it; her heart was still racing.

“I slapped him in front of my twins,” she suddenly whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

Then, Eros approached carefully, giving her space but close enough to anchor her.

“He pushed you too far. You reacted like any mother would,” he said.

“I lost control in front of my kids, Eros,” she muttered.

“They’ll understand that you were only trying to deal with a bratty adult.” Eros said gently, and this made Alethea chuckle faintly.

“Still. It wasn’t very CEO-like,” she muttered.

“Please,” Eros scoffed playfully. “You looked like a queen defending her throne. I'd invest in you all over again just from that slap.”

Eros said with a smile, and just then, a soft knock interrupted them. Her secretary peeked in with the ordered food, and Adriana nodded.

“Thank you, Ama,” she said, her voice once again smooth and composed, as she collected the package from her.

Later that night, Adriana lay under her covers, in the dim light. Just as she closed her eyes, a familiar knock tapped gently on her door.

She didn’t need to ask who it was. “It’s open,” she called out, her voice muffled by the pillow.

Eros stepped in quietly. “Sorry to bother you so late again,” he said.

“You clearly enjoy these late-night intrusions. Go on, what now?” Adriana said without turning. “

Eros walked over to her bed and stood beside it, his hands in his pockets, looking unusually thoughtful.

“I’ve been thinking about the business trip Antonio proposed,” he began, and this got Adriana’s attention.

She instantly sat up, her eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. “What about it?” she asked.

“I think... you should go,” Eros replied.

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

Eros held her gaze and then talked. “He wants to manipulate you emotionally. That’s why he insisted on it being just you and him. But what if you flipped the script? What if you manipulate him instead?”

“You’re suggesting I play along?” Adriana asked, her eyes narrowing, as she folded her arms across her chest.

“Exactly,” Eros said.

“Get in his head. Let him believe he’s still got a chance. Let him think something could ‘rekindle.’ He’ll let his guard down, and then, you'll rub the feelings on his face. Let him feel a little part of what you felt,” he emphasised.

“And what happens when he tries something? He’s not exactly known for subtlety.” Adriana asked.

“You’ll handle him. You’ve done that before…with me. Besides, I have a feeling he’ll try the old trick, claiming all the rooms are booked except one. You know the drill,” he said.

“Antonio and his cheap tactics,” Adriana commented, letting out a sarcastic laugh.

“But that’s to your advantage,” Eros added. “Make him think he’s winning. Let him fall deeper, and then you pull the rug out from under his feet. Toy with his emotions.”

Adriana paused for a moment, chewing on the idea. “I didn’t peg you for the emotionally manipulative type,” she stated.

Eros shrugged with a grin. “Revenge has a way of unlocking hidden talents.”

Adriana raised an eyebrow. “I take it this was your brilliant midnight revelation?”

“Not just that,” he said, sitting lightly on the edge of her bed. “I have another idea. One that’ll drive the final nail into your manipulation skill,” he added.

“What kind of idea?” Adriana asked, tilting her head.

Eros leaned forward. “I’ll tell you the night before you leave. Think of it as… motivation,” he teased.

Adriana rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the curious smile tugging at her lips. “You love keeping secrets, don’t you?”

“I prefer ‘timed reveals'. Sleep well, Riana.” Eros said, standing up, and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.

Before Adriana could retort, he quickly rushed away from her and then paused to flash her one last smirk.

“Crazy ass,” Adriana muttered under her breath, unable to stop the smile tugging at her lips as she watched him exit her room.

Her hand instinctively rising to her cheek, she brushed the exact spot where his lips had landed, and her smile grew.

The next morning, sunlight bathed the breakfast table in a warm golden hue as Hardin and Tessa finished their toast. Their laughter echoed through the penthouse as the chauffeur arrived to drive them to school.

Adriana and Eros also shared the backseat of his car, both dressed in sharp attire for the office.

“Are you sure you can handle him?” Eros asked, watching the blur of city buildings as they zipped past.

“I’ve got this, Eros,” Adriana replied without hesitation, her voice smooth and assured. “He needs to believe the trip was my idea. I want him chasing shadows,” she added.

“Remind me never to get on your bad side,” Eros said, with a crooked grin appearing on his face.

“You already did, remember?” Adriana smirked, and Eros let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying her fire.

Later that morning, Adriana’s office door opened.

“Wow. An official invitation already?” Antonio exclaimed, stepping in with his signature smirk.

“Maybe if you learn how to behave, I might consider going on your proposed trip.” Adriana said, glancing up from her monitor, her expression cool.

“You’re serious?” Antonio asked with a blink, the smirk on his face faltering slightly.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Do you have anything that could make me lie about this?” Adriana answered with an arched brow.

Then, Antonio slowly took the seat across from her, studying her carefully. “What about your husband? He’s okay with his wife flying off with her ex-husband... who, if I may remind you, is still very charming.” He said, and flashed a smile.

“You were doing so well until you opened your mouth again, Antonio. I said, "Behave.” Adriana said with narrowed eyes.

“Alright, alright.” Antonio stated, raising both hands in a mock surrender. “

“The meeting’s in Paris. Tomorrow morning, you’ll fly with me in my jet.” He continued with a shrug.

“No. We’re using mine,” Adriana objected.

A low whistle escaped his lips. “Billionaire ex-wife strikes again,” he muttered.

“When are we returning?” Adriana asked, ignoring his jab.

“The day after the meeting,” he replied swiftly.

“Here, my hangar address. Be there before 11 AM tomorrow,” Adriana said, sliding a sticky note across the desk without meeting his eyes.

“I’ll be early,” Antonio said, this time without the teasing tone.

With his collar adjusted, he stood, studied her for a second longer, and then walked out without another word.

Moments later, Eros stepped in, his frame filling the doorway as Adriana ended a call.

“So…when?” he asked as he settled in front of her.

“Tomorrow. Paris,” Adriana replied to him without looking up from her keyboard.

“Then I guess tonight’s the night I finally tell you about the idea,” he muttered.

This made Adriana’s fingers still on the keys. “Why not just tell me now?” she asked, raising her eyes.

“Wrong place. Wrong timing. You’ll thank me later,” he grinned, walking backward toward the door, and with a wink, he vanished.

That night, the clock ticked closer to ten, and Adriana lay restless in bed. Her mind wouldn’t slow down as every possible scenario with Antonio kept replaying. Every look, every word, every trap she planned to set for him.

But just then, Eros' unexpected knock came soft, interrupting her thoughts.

The door creaked open, and he stepped in without waiting for permission.

“It’s late, Eros,” she sighed and said, without looking at him.

“I know, but I couldn’t wait any longer,” Eros said, his voice low.

And again, without permission, he approached her bed and sat beside her.

“If you’re here to waste time, don’t,” Adriana said, her eyes still closed, as she continued to back him.

“I’m not here to joke, Riana. Sit up,” Eros said, the weight in his voice pulling Adriana upright instantly.

She turned to face him, her brows furrowed. “What is it?” she asked.

“I meant what I said… the other night. About getting lost in the middle of all this, even if it wasn’t supposed to happen,” he muttered in a serious tone, his eyes searching hers.

“We’re not doing this,” Adriana exhaled sharply and looked away.

“I think we already are. The idea is an action,” he said, and before Adriana could argue, he leaned forward and swept the blanket covering her aside.

At the twink of an eye, his hand found her waist, and then, he kissed her—slowly at first, then deeper.

His hand tracing the curve of her thigh, Adriana’s breath caught in her throat as his lips moved to her neck. His breath hot against her flesh, his fingers pressed lightly into her skin that hadn’t been touched in what felt like a lifetime.

“Eros…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

But Eros didn't stop. “You’ve been starving, Riana. So have I,” he mumbled.