The office buzzed with an energy unlike any other day. Every department — from design to logistics — was in full throttle, running on caffeine, adrenaline, and sheer determination. Tomorrow was the big day: Eclipse Fashion Week. The culmination of months of endless work, sleepless nights, and unspoken tension was finally here.
Olivia walked through the office with her clipboard in hand, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floor in rhythm with her heartbeat. The place looked like a war zone — models were being fitted, designers were doing last-minute adjustments, and the PR team was finalizing interviews and press kits. Yet, amid all the chaos, Olivia's composure was the only thing keeping everyone sane.
"Grace, did the final batch of accessories from Atelier M arrive?" Olivia asked without looking up from her notes.
Grace, who was practically jogging to keep up with her, nodded quickly. "Yes, they came in an hour ago. I've sent them to the styling room for sorting."
"Good. And the stage lighting—has the testing been done?"
"The technical team said they're starting in an hour."
Olivia gave a small nod, relief flickering briefly in her eyes. Everything needed to go perfectly. No mishaps, no delays. The company's reputation — and Aiden's brand — was riding on this.
By noon, Olivia had already attended three meetings: one with the press coordinator, another with the model supervisor, and one final round with the event planners. She hardly noticed the time passing until Grace appeared again with a soft reminder.
"Olivia, it's almost 1 p.m. You should take a break."
Meanwhile, upstairs in his office, Aiden was just ending a tense meeting with the board of directors. They had been breathing down his neck for weeks, wanting reassurance that the company's investment in this year's fashion week would pay off.
"Everything is under control," Aiden said with a steady tone, his expression unreadable. "Our team is exceptional. The designs, the marketing, the lineup — all of it is aligned with the brand's vision."
When the board members finally left, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. His mind immediately went to Olivia. She had been the backbone of this entire project — tireless, precise, and unwavering. Without her, they wouldn't have made it this far.
As if on cue, his phone buzzed.
Olivia:Lighting test at the venue in 30 minutes. Do you want to join?
Aiden typed back quickly.
Aiden:Of course. I'll meet you there.
He stood, adjusted his tie, and grabbed his coat. Despite how exhausted he was, there was something about seeing Olivia in work mode that always gave him a second wind.
The venue was already alive with movement when they arrived. Spotlights flashed across the half-finished runway, technicians shouted orders, and stylists hovered around racks of garments like anxious hawks.
Olivia stood near the front row, clipboard in hand, watching as the lighting team ran through the sequences. Her brows were furrowed in concentration.
Aiden approached quietly and stood beside her. "You've been working nonstop," he said, his voice low.
She glanced up, startled. "So have you."
He smirked. "Touché."
They stood side by side, observing the stage as the lights dimmed and flared, testing every possible combination. The models were rehearsing their walks, and the soft thump of music filled the air.
By late afternoon, Olivia was sitting with the designer team for the final outfit approvals. Fabric samples were spread out before her, sketches pinned to the wall, and half-finished dresses hung on mannequins nearby.
"These three will be in the finale sequence," said Emma, one of the senior designers. "Do we still want the gradient lighting effect on them?"
"Yes," Olivia said, flipping through her notes. "But let's make sure the camera angles are adjusted so the shimmer fabric doesn't overexpose under the flash."
The designers nodded, scribbling down her notes. She moved through the room efficiently, checking every last detail — zippers, stitching, even how the models should pose during the final walk.
Just as she was reviewing the last piece, Aiden walked in. The team immediately straightened up.
"Don't mind me," he said with a polite nod. "I just wanted to see how things are progressing."
Olivia motioned for him to join her. "We're finalizing the order for the main walk."
He looked at the lineup she'd arranged — confident, structured, and balanced perfectly between dramatic and elegant. "This is good," he said quietly. "Really good."
A small smile touched her lips. "Thank you."
When the meeting wrapped up, most of the designers filtered out, leaving only the two of them.
"You've handled everything flawlessly," Aiden said, leaning against the table. "I don't think I've said it enough."
Olivia gave a tired laugh. "Flawlessly is a strong word. I'm just trying to make sure it doesn't all fall apart at the last minute."
"You've done more than that," he said softly.
For a moment, the air between them shifted. The exhaustion, the months of teamwork, the unspoken understanding — it all seemed to hang there, almost tangible.
But before either could say more, Grace appeared at the door. "The press team wants to confirm tomorrow's schedule."
She blinked, snapping out of the moment. "Right, I'll be there in a second."
Aiden straightened, his tone professional again. "Go ahead. I'll finish up here."
Night fell before either of them realized it. The staff had started leaving, the venue quieting after a long, frantic day. Olivia sat in her office, checking through the final agenda for tomorrow's event — media timings, designer appearances, and guest seating arrangements.
Her phone buzzed.
Aiden:Still in the office?
Olivia:Just finishing the checklist.
Aiden:Come up to the roof for a minute.
She hesitated, then decided a short break wouldn't hurt.
When she stepped onto the rooftop terrace, Aiden was already there, leaning against the railing, looking out at the glittering city.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked.
He turned, a faint smile on his lips. "I figured you needed some air."
"I won't argue with that," she said, walking up beside him. The cool breeze brushed against her face, carrying the faint sounds of the city below.
The night air was crisp, carrying the faint hum of traffic and the glow of the city's lights. Aiden and Olivia stood side by side on the rooftop terrace outside the office, the quiet between them surprisingly comfortable.
"You've done well," Aiden said finally, breaking the silence. His tone was softer than usual, almost thoughtful. "The whole project came together faster than I expected. You handled the team… better than anyone else could've."
Olivia gave a small, amused huff. "That almost sounded like a compliment."
Aiden's lips curved faintly. "It was." He paused, watching her out of the corner of his eye. "Once Fashion Week is over, you should take a break. You've been carrying too much on your shoulders lately. Let Grace or the others handle things for a while."
Olivia turned to him then, her expression unreadable. "A break?" she repeated quietly. "That won't really be necessary."
Aiden frowned. "Why not?"
She exhaled softly, the city lights reflecting in her eyes. "Because after this week… I won't be here anymore."
The words made him freeze. "What do you mean?"
Olivia's tone stayed calm, but there was something firm beneath it. "Aiden, have you forgotten already? You were the one who doubted me. The one who thought I was involved in the leak and treated me like I couldn't be trusted." She didn't sound bitter — just factual, her voice steady. "I resigned because of that. And when you came to ask me back, I agreed only because I wanted to finish what I started — this Fashion Week project. Nothing more, nothing less."
Aiden's jaw tightened slightly, guilt flickering in his eyes. He remembered that moment all too well — his own suspicion, his frustration clouding his judgment, and Olivia's calm but cutting resignation letter sitting on his desk.
"I thought…" He hesitated, struggling to form the words. "I thought we'd moved past that."
"We did," Olivia said simply, meeting his gaze. "But that doesn't change what was agreed. I came back to fix the mess. And now that it's almost done, I'll take my leave — just as planned."
Her words weren't harsh, but they struck deeper than anger could.
She stepped back from the railing, brushing her hands as if to signal the conversation's close. "Anyway, I should go finish the reports for tomorrow's rehearsal. Big day ahead."
Aiden watched her walk toward the door, the sound of her heels soft against the concrete. His throat felt tight, his thoughts tangled.
"Olivia."
She turned slightly, her hand still on the door handle.
"Do you really plan to leave right after the event?"
She nodded once. "That was the deal, wasn't it?"
The wind swept between them, carrying the silence with it.
Finally, Olivia offered a small smile. "Goodnight, Aiden. You should go home too."
And with that, she slipped inside, leaving the rooftop door to swing shut behind her.
Aiden stood alone beneath the night sky, staring at the door long after she'd gone.
He'd been the one who doubted her.
And yet, somewhere along the way, she'd become the person he trusted most.
He exhaled slowly, the weight of her words settling in his chest.