The following days passed in a blur.
After Olivia's recovery, she and Aiden threw themselves back into work. The Euphorian Maison collaboration was nearing its final phase — a tense mix of deadlines, revisions, and late nights filled with coffee cups and the rustling of papers.
But it all paid off.
When the final presentation concluded, applause echoed through the room. Their campaign was a complete success — the investors were thrilled, the clients impressed, and even Aiden allowed himself a rare, small smile when the CEO of Euphorian Maison personally thanked them for "redefining elegance with substance."
Olivia had never seen him look so quietly proud. It wasn't just about the deal; it was about what they'd built together — the rhythm of trust, mutual understanding, and the unspoken ease that made them work as one.
They returned to their country a week later, both a little exhausted but satisfied. Back to the familiar hum of the Ashford headquarters — glass walls, polished floors, and the faint scent of coffee that seemed to follow them everywhere.
Life resumed as usual… almost.
Something had changed between them.
Their conversations were easier now, filled with quiet humor. Olivia had learned to read Aiden's subtle expressions — the twitch of his lips when he was amused, the slight frown when he was thinking too hard, the way his gaze softened when he looked at her and forgot to hide it in time.
And Aiden… well, he found himself noticing things he shouldn't.
The way she tilted her head when she was deep in thought, the little hum she made when working on spreadsheets, the way her laughter filled the silence of his office like sunlight through glass.
Neither said anything. But both knew it — whatever this was between them, it wasn't just professionalism anymore. It was something gentler. Warmer. Something that quietly lingered when no one was watching.
Still, they were good at pretending. And so the days passed in familiar rhythm.
The day slipped into evening faster than either of them realized. The last few employees left one by one, lights dimming floor by floor, until only Aiden and Olivia remained — still buried under paperwork and half-drunk coffee cups.
By the time they wrapped up, the clock read nearly nine.
"Finally done," Olivia sighed, stretching her arms. "I think my back forgot what it means to stand up straight."
Aiden closed his laptop and rubbed his temple. "You shouldn't complain. You volunteered to help with the sorting."
She gave him a mock glare. "Excuse me, I saved you from drowning in reports."
He allowed a faint smirk. "Noted."
They packed up their things and stepped out of the office together. The night was cool, the air humming faintly with the sound of distant thunder.
But by the time they reached the lobby, fat raindrops were already splattering against the glass walls.
Olivia frowned, standing near the entrance, watching the rain turn into a steady downpour. She pulled out her phone to check ride apps — every cab either booked or delayed.
Of course.
Aiden, meanwhile, headed toward the parking lot, clicking his car keys, unaware that Olivia hadn't followed. When he didn't see her car behind him, he frowned and turned around — and sure enough, she was still standing near the building's entrance, staring hopelessly at the rain.
He walked back, rolling down his window as he pulled up to the curb. "Why are you still standing there?"
Olivia turned, half surprised, half sheepish. "I didn't bring my car today. I thought I'd just book a cab."
"And?"
She held up her phone helplessly. "No luck. No cabs, no rides. Apparently, even the drivers decided to stay dry tonight."
Aiden looked out the windshield, frowning at the sheets of rain hitting the road. "It's only getting worse."
"I know," Olivia muttered, pulling her blazer closer around her.
"Get in," he said finally.
She blinked. "What?"
"I'll drop you," he said, unlocking the passenger door.
"Oh— I mean, are you sure? It's kind of out of your way—"
"Olivia," he said, his tone even but firm. "Get in the car."
She hesitated for only a second before sighing and sliding into the seat. "Fine. But only because I'd rather not swim home."
The rain grew heavier as they drove. The windshield wipers struggled to keep up, and thunder rolled above the city like a warning. On the radio, a calm voice advised residents to stay indoors due to flash flood warnings.
Olivia watched the streaks of water slide down the glass, the streetlights outside blurring into gold and gray.
When they finally reached her apartment complex, the rain was coming down in sheets. She turned to look at Aiden, concern flickering across her face.
"You shouldn't drive in this weather," she said softly.
Aiden didn't respond immediately, eyes fixed on the road ahead. He could barely see past the downpour.
She bit her lip. "Aiden?"
He sighed quietly, glancing toward the storm. "…You're right. It's getting dangerous."
Olivia hesitated for a moment, then took a breath. "Then… you should stay."
Aiden turned to her so fast his neck almost snapped. "What?"
Her face turned crimson immediately. "I mean— you shouldn't risk driving in this! And there's no hotel nearby. You can just… stay the night here. It's safer."
He blinked, processing her words.
Her eyes darted anywhere but his. "Don't make me repeat it, it's embarrassing enough."
Aiden's lips twitched, but he nodded slowly. "Alright."
They sat in the parked car for a moment, the sound of rain thundering around them. It felt oddly intimate — the small space, the quiet tension, the awareness of each other's closeness.
Then Aiden killed the engine, and they both stepped out, running through the rain toward the building entrance.
By the time they reached her apartment, both were slightly soaked, breathing hard, and avoiding each other's eyes like teenagers caught in something they couldn't name.
Olivia unlocked the door, stepping aside for him to enter. "You can… freshen up. I'll get you something dry to wear."
Aiden gave a short nod, his hair still damp and falling into his eyes. "Thanks."
She disappeared into her room, rummaging through a drawer before returning with a folded pair of gray trousers and a light shirt.
"These should fit," she said, handing them to him. "They belong to John. He's about your height."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Your second brother, right?"
Olivia nodded. "Yeah. He drops by sometimes, so I keep a few of his things here."
"Understood," Aiden said simply, though something about the image of another man's clothes in her apartment tugged faintly at his thoughts.
She pointed toward the guest room. "Bathroom's inside. You can change there."
He nodded and disappeared down the hall.
By the time he returned, Olivia had changed into comfortable pajamas — soft blue cotton with tiny stars, her hair tied up messily. She was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, stirring something on the stove.
Aiden paused for a moment, leaning against the doorframe.
He had seen her in countless settings — professional, composed, fiery during meetings — but never like this.
Barefoot, relaxed, glowing in the warm kitchen light. She looked… soft. Real.
She glanced over her shoulder and caught him watching. "What?"
He straightened quickly. "Nothing. I didn't know you could cook."
A mischievous smile tugged at her lips. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Mr. Ashford."
He smirked faintly. "Enlighten me, then. What's on the menu?"
"Nothing fancy. Just stir-fry and noodles. I was too tired for anything elaborate."
He stepped closer, rolling up his sleeves. "Tell me what to do. I'll help."
She raised an eyebrow. "You? In the kitchen?"
"Don't sound so doubtful," he said dryly. "I can follow instructions."
"Alright then," she said, handing him a knife. "Chop these vegetables. Small pieces. And no, don't look at me like that — I mean small."
He gave her a look but started cutting obediently. She watched him for a moment, then turned back to the stove, hiding a grin.
Ten minutes later, the kitchen smelled amazing.
Aiden set the last bowl down as Olivia served the food. They sat across from each other at her small dining table, the rain still pattering outside like soft music.
He took a bite — and stopped. His eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"It's good," he said, genuine this time.
Olivia smirked proudly. "Of course it is. I made it."
He chuckled under his breath.
They ate quietly after that, the comfortable kind of silence that didn't need words. Every now and then, their eyes met, and something unspoken lingered there — something they both felt but neither dared name.
When dinner was done, Olivia leaned back, stretching with a content sigh. "Not bad for a rainy evening."
Aiden looked at her — her messy bun, her warm smile, the faint flush on her cheeks — and felt something unfamiliar settle in his chest.
Not bad at all, he thought.
Not bad at all.