22. Heart to Heart

“Cecil, tell me I’m seeing this wrong,” Aria said, her voice a tangled mix of disbelief and dread as she stared at the message on her phone.

Cecil leaned over and read the text aloud, brow lifting. “‘Silver Moon Estate, Maui Drive.’ I mean, I know where Maui Drive is… but there’s no house number. So that basically means… the whole block? Maybe even more?”

“I’m not talking about that part, you goof!” Aria groaned, clutching the phone tighter. “I’m talking about the first part. Silver Moon Estate. That’s his house. I know it.”

“Oh… that…” Cecil smirked. “Well, isn’t that better? No nosy federation staff, no security guards giving you side-eye. Wasn’t that exactly what you wanted? Private audience with the brooding Chairman, no interruptions…”

“Ugh, don’t start.” Aria rolled her eyes and pushed herself up from the chair. “Let’s just go. I don’t want to be there when it’s dark. Let’s get this over with before dinner starts.”

They hit the road, and in less than an hour, they were pulling up to the gates of the Silver Moon Estate. Before Cecil could even tap the horn, the massive wrought iron gates swung open slowly and silently—too silently, as if the estate itself was holding its breath.

“Okay… that’s seriously high-tech,” Cecil muttered, impressed as they drove forward.

“They have cameras, Cecil,” Aria said flatly, her fingers drumming nervously on her lap. “They knew we were coming. They saw us. Probably listening right now too.”

“I know that,” Cecil replied, eyes twinkling with mischief. “But I’m just trying to kep you from fainting from too much nervousness. I don’t even need to use my senses to feel your heart trying to break out of your chest. Relax. You’re going to make the Chairman’s super-hearing think there's a stampede on his lawn.”

Aria shot her a glare, but the corner of her mouth twitched despite herself.

Cecil drove slowly, her eyes darting from one side of the estate to the other, drinking in every inch of the breathtaking surroundings. 

The golden light of the setting sun bathed the landscape in a surreal glow. It was like something out of a fantasy novel—regal, untouched, and intimidatingly perfect.

“Oh my goddess,” Cecil whispered, practically slack-jawed. “Is this even real? This place looks like it belongs in a movie or a dream! Or maybe a royal wedding fantasy—”

“Cecil,” Aria cut in, clenching her hands. “Please. Drive. Faster. The longer we admire this damn fairytale estate, the longer I have to sit in this car dreading what’s coming. I’d like to end my suffering before nightfall, if that’s okay.”

Cecil laughed under her breath but obliged, speeding up just enough to keep the peace. “Fine, Your Highness of Anxiety.”

As they reached the mansion’s circular driveway, both women expected a modest reception—maybe a housekeeper, maybe no one at all. What they didn’t expect was the full ceremonial welcome.

A neat line of uniformed servants stood in formation on the marble steps, heads bowed slightly, and at the very front was none other than Julian, looking far too pleased with himself.

“Welcome to Silver Moon Estate, Ms. Harper, Ms. Lambert,” Julian greeted with a charming smile as he stepped forward and shook their hands. His tone was polished and professional, but the twinkle in his eye gave him away as he glanced at Cecil.

Aria blinked, overwhelmed. “Uh… Isn’t this a little too much? We’re not alphas or royals. We’re just—” she glanced awkwardly at Cecil, “—us.”

Julian’s grin widened. “You’re absolutely right. You’re not royalty. But you are our Alpha’s personal guests… and that’s a privilege most don’t get, Ms. Harper. Now, if you’ll follow me, he’s waiting for you in the garden.”

As they followed Julian into the grand foyer, Aria tugged lightly at Cecil’s sleeve and whispered, “I think I’m going to throw up.”

“Too late for that now. You’re already Cinderella walking into the palace,” Cecil whispered back, grinning.

They had barely made it halfway through the polished hallway leading toward the rear garden when a presence made them both pause. Heavy footsteps approached with calm confidence.

And just like that, Mason Larkin appeared from the shadows of the corridor, already walking toward them.

Aria's breath caught in her throat. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, his long, dark blonde hair tied up in a messy bun, a bit sweaty, his expression unreadable, and yet somehow, everything about him screamed power and poise.

He didn’t speak immediately.

Neither did Aria.

They just stared at each other as if their eyes were talking to each other.

Julian cleared his throat, raising a brow with a smirk playing on his lips. “So… where will the meeting take place? I need to inform the maids where to deliver the drinks.”

Mason heard him, but didn’t even blink in his direction. His eyes remained locked on Aria, gaze sharp and unreadable. “We’ll talk in my study,” he said coolly. Then, without missing a beat, he asked, “What would you like to drink, Ms. Harper?”

Aria straightened her back, trying to steel herself against the weight of his attention. Her voice was soft, just a little too shaky for her liking. “It’s fine. Really. We came from a café. I don’t need anything… I just need to speak with you.”

A flicker of something—amusement? Frustration?—passed through Mason’s eyes, but he nodded. “Very well. To the study, then.” He finally turned to Julian, breaking that piercing gaze. “You heard the guest. Cancel the drinks.” He gave Julian a pointed look, his brows lifting briefly in a wordless warning.

Julian pressed his lips together to keep from grinning. 'Someone’s trying really hard to stay unaffected,' he thought.

[Noted. I’ll make sure no one interrupts your little heart-to-heart,] Julian said smugly through their mind-link.

“Understood, Alpha,” he said aloud, his tone perfectly neutral, except for the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

“This way, Ms. Harper,” Mason said, his voice smooth but firm as he gestured toward the hallway leading to his private office.

Aria hesitated for just a second before following him, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she walked behind the man who made her pulse race for all the wrong reasons.

Cecil and Julian stayed behind, watching the two retreating figures disappear around the corner, then looked at each other with a meaningful smile.

As Aria followed Mason down the hallway toward his office, something unexpected hit her senses...

The faint, alluring scent lingered in the air around him. She blinked, caught off guard. 'What is that smell? Shouldn’t he be smelly since he is a bit sweaty? Why… why does he smell so damn good?' she thought, baffled and a little frustrated.

Her steps slowed down, but she continued walking as she closed her eyes, subtly taking a deeper breath. 

It was intoxicating... Earthy, clean, and masculine with just a hint of something she couldn’t name. 

Like danger wrapped in velvet. It clung to him like a second skin, invading her thoughts and stirring something deep and unwelcome inside her.

'What kind of trickery is this?' she wondered as her pulse quickened. 'Get a grip, Aria. You’re here to talk business, not sniff the damn Alpha like a lovesick pup.'

*THUD*

Without warning, she walked straight into his chest.

It was firm, warm, and solid as stone. 

His strong, steady hands instinctively caught her, anchoring her before she could stumble backward.

Her eyes snapped open, stunned, and instantly met his gaze—those sharp, magnetic eyes already watching her, unreadable and intense.