Dinner ended with laughter and clinking dishes.
The rain still fell relentlessly outside, its rhythmic drumming a steady backdrop to the cozy quiet of the apartment.
After clearing up, Olivia brought two mugs of hot chocolate and handed one to Aiden as they sat in the living room.
"So," she said, curling her legs under her on the couch. "Since we're stuck here, we should do something fun. Want to watch a movie?"
Aiden, sitting a careful distance away, nodded. "Sure. Pick whatever you want."
A mischievous gleam flashed in her eyes. "Anything?"
"Yes."
A minute later, she clicked on The Haunted House 3.
Aiden's brows furrowed the moment the ominous title appeared on the screen. "A horror movie?"
"It's a classic," she said cheerfully. "Everyone says it's terrifying."
"That's supposed to make me want to watch it?"
"Oh, come on. Don't tell me you're scared."
He gave her a look so sharp it could've cut glass. "I'm not scared of something that's clearly fictional."
Olivia gasped, feigning realization. "Wait… it is that, isn't it? You're afraid of horror movies!"
"I'm not," he said quickly, a little too quickly. "Fine. Play it."
Her grin widened. "Your funeral."
The movie started harmlessly enough — dim lights, creaky doors, the usual suspense. Olivia munched popcorn contentedly while Aiden sat stiff beside her, pretending to be perfectly composed.
Then it happened.
A sudden ghostly shriek filled the screen, and a pale figure flashed across in slow motion.
Aiden let out an involuntary "Ah—!" and grabbed Olivia's arm.
She froze, staring at him in disbelief.
He realized what he'd done and immediately released her, straightening as if nothing had happened. His ears were scarlet. "That… was unexpected."
Olivia blinked, trying to keep a straight face. "Right. Very sudden. Totally understandable."
"I wasn't afraid," he muttered. "It was just loud."
"Of course," she said with an overly serious nod, biting her lip to hide the laugh that threatened to spill out.
Ten minutes passed peacefully — or so he thought. The next scene showed the ghost crawling out from under the couch.
Olivia didn't even have to look at him to know what was coming.
Aiden, whose legs were comfortably on the floor seconds ago, suddenly stiffened. His gaze dropped to the space beneath their couch. Then, very discreetly, he lifted both legs onto the cushions and crossed them.
Her shoulders started shaking.
Aiden noticed. "What?"
"Nothing," she said, voice trembling from suppressed laughter.
Her "nothing" lasted until another jump scare hit — and Aiden flinched again, almost knocking the bowl of popcorn off the table. That was it. Olivia burst out laughing.
She laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach.
Aiden blinked, completely mortified. "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?"
Olivia gasped between giggles. "Nothing—nothing at all. It's just—the movie! It's hilarious. So bad it's funny."
He narrowed his eyes. "You're lying."
"I'm not! Look at that ghost! It's clearly CGI!" she said, still laughing.
He crossed his arms, muttering under his breath, "If you want to change it, go ahead. Doesn't matter to me."
Still grinning, Olivia nodded and switched to a romantic comedy. "Fine. Let's go with something safer for your nerves."
Aiden's ears turned red again, but he didn't argue.
They spent the rest of the night watching lighthearted scenes filled with laughter and banter. It was easy, natural — two people who'd worked side by side for months now simply enjoying each other's company without pretense.
By the time the credits rolled, it was close to midnight.
Olivia stretched, yawning softly. "Well, that was nice. Much better than seeing you scream at ghosts."
"I didn't scream," Aiden said automatically.
"Right," she teased. "You were just… expressively startled."
He gave her a long, withering look that only made her laugh harder.
"Goodnight, Mr. Ashford," she said sweetly, heading toward her room.
"Goodnight," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck — and for some reason, smiling to himself when she wasn't looking.
The next morning, the light was dim and gray. Rain still pounded against the windows, heavier than before.
Olivia emerged from her room in a loose sweatshirt, her hair slightly messy from sleep. She found Aiden already awake, sitting on the couch, watching the morning news with a deep frown.
"Morning," she greeted, stretching. "You're up early."
He turned toward her, his hair still a little tousled. "Morning. The storm hasn't stopped. They're advising everyone to stay indoors."
Olivia glanced out the window — the streets were flooded, rain falling so thick it blurred the city beyond. "Guess we're not going anywhere today."
"It seems not," he said quietly.
She walked closer, holding a mug of coffee. "Well, it's safer this way. And honestly…" she smiled softly, "I'm not complaining. Last night was fun."
Aiden's ears turned pink. His mind immediately replayed the image of him grabbing her during the movie. He cleared his throat, sitting a little straighter. "About that… I wasn't scared, just surprised."
Olivia hid her grin behind her mug. "Of course, Mr. Ashford. You're absolutely fearless."
He exhaled, resigned. "…Everyone has their own weaknesses."
"Exactly," she said warmly, taking a sip. "Even you."
For a moment, they just looked at each other — her smile playful, his expression unreadable but softer than usual.
The day passed quietly. With offices closed, they decided to work from her living room. Olivia sat cross-legged on the floor with her laptop, while Aiden worked from the couch, answering calls and reviewing reports.
It was surprisingly comfortable — the steady sound of rain, the faint aroma of coffee, and the soft rhythm of two people in sync without needing to talk much.
By the time evening came, they'd both finished their pending work. Dinner was simple, leftovers from the night before, eaten with easy conversation and the occasional shared smile.
Afterward, Olivia switched off her laptop, stretched, and said, "Let's play something."
Aiden looked up from his tablet. "Play?"
"Yeah. Like a game. You know, to pass the time."
He raised an eyebrow. "We're not in college anymore."
"That doesn't mean we can't have fun," she said, grinning. "Let's do a question game. I ask something, you answer honestly, then it's your turn. Deal?"
He hesitated. "…What kind of questions?"
"Simple ones. I promise I won't pry."
He sighed softly. "Alright. Go ahead."
Olivia: "What's your favorite time of day?"
Aiden: "Early morning. Before everyone else wakes up. It's quiet."
Olivia: "Figures. You seem like the kind of person who finds peace in silence."
Aiden: "Peace is efficient," he said dryly. "Your turn."
Aiden: "Why did you choose to become an assistant instead of… I don't know, managing your own firm?"
Olivia: "Because I wanted to learn. I thought working under someone successful would teach me more than starting blind."
Aiden:pauses, then quietly "You've learned well."
Olivia blinked, startled by the unexpected praise.
Olivia: "Okay, next question. What do you do when you're stressed?"
Aiden: "Work."
Olivia: "Of course you do. Workaholic."
Aiden: "What about you?"
Olivia: "Eat chocolate. Or rant to Emily until she blocks me for the night."
He chuckled softly, the sound deep and warm. "That explains your desk drawer."
Olivia: "You noticed?"
Aiden: "You keep your stress snacks in the bottom left corner. You think I wouldn't?"
She smiled, surprised he paid attention.
Aiden: "What scares you the most?"
Olivia went quiet for a moment. "Losing control," she admitted softly. "Not being able to fix things when they fall apart."
Aiden's gaze softened. "You don't have to fix everything alone."
She looked up, meeting his eyes. For a long moment, neither looked away.
Her heart thudded quietly in her chest. The air between them felt warmer — intimate, unspoken.
She broke the gaze first, clearing her throat. "Your turn."
"What scares you?"
He glanced at her, expression unreadable. "…Losing someone I care about."
Her breath caught. There was a softness in his tone she hadn't heard before — vulnerable, honest.
She didn't push. Didn't tease. Just smiled gently and said, "Then make sure you never do."
The game continued for a while — light questions mixed with laughter, playful teasing, and a few quiet pauses that said more than words could.
By the time the clock neared midnight, the rain had softened into a gentle drizzle. Olivia yawned, closing her eyes for a moment.
"You should rest," Aiden said quietly.
"So should you," she murmured sleepily, leaning back on the couch.
He smiled faintly. "Go to bed, Olivia."
"Fine…" she muttered, eyes already half-closed. "Goodnight, Mr. Ashford."
He stood, turning off the lights, his gaze lingering on her peaceful face. "Goodnight, Olivia."
As he walked toward his room, he couldn't help but think — somewhere between the laughter, the ghost movie, and the quiet confessions, something had shifted between them.
Something real.