Jamila keeps her professional mask of confidence and competence, hiding the emotional turmoil swirling inside her.
Her voice comes out slow, calm, and emotionless—almost robotic. Mimi and Oscar find confidence in Jamila's composure as she smoothly handles the non-stop questions coming from James Adolf and Julian's personal lawyer, Laura Sanchez.
Laura has a charming presence—radiant blonde hair styled to attract attention, flawlessly pale skin, big blue eyes, and plump lips. Her red mermaid gown hugs her slender figure, creating graceful waves along her curves.
Jamila notices how Oscar, next to her, is completely mesmerized by Laura, while Mimi's gaze lingers on Laura's… assets, round and pushed up.
Laura says suddenly, "You've drafted a very clear plan, Ms. Hassan."
Jamila nods as if it's nothing new for her to be appreciated—which is true. Her eyes secretly fall on Julian, who hasn't said a word yet, observing everything while sipping water as if it were wine.
A small pang hits her chest—bitter and slightly painful, though she refuses to admit it. At first, Jamila thought Julian remembered her. But seeing how he treats her as just another person in the room…
Her chest tightens when Laura leans too close to Julian, her arm brushing against his, her lips nearly grazing his ear.
Vile envy makes Jamila's skin crawl. She grips her pen under the table so hard that it hurts her skin. No logical explanation makes sense. She knows it—and she hates it.
"Ms. Hassan," James says, pushing forward a highlighted paragraph of the bank slip, "you're suggesting to make these six hundred million dollars white through a casino?"
"Yes. The Laurent family owns twenty casinos in Las Vegas alone. It's the safest route."
"Hmm, I agree. Julian can handle it, right? Isn't that right, handsome?" Laura chimes sweetly, rubbing Julian's knuckles.
Jamila's chest burns with maddening, unreasonable jealousy beneath her calm face.
Julian smiles. "Of course, beautiful. It's not a big deal when there's a smart woman like you handling my legals."
Smooth, charming, effortlessly flattering.
Laura blushes slightly at his bold implication. James looks at Julian, waiting for a signal.
Julian's eyes finally land on Jamila, who's watching him with a blank, emotionless gaze.
"I like the plan you came up with," he says.
His calm declaration hangs in the air—flat, void of the flicker she'd seen when he first entered.
Jamila's eyes flutter slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Acceptance.
Someone raised in mansions and castles, surrounded by luxury and beauty—someone sitting before her to turn twenty billion dollars of black money white.
How could he remember a girl he had dinner with five years ago? A simple girl who could blend into a crowd or stand out if she wanted to.
She inhales deeply, calming her racing heart.
"Then, shall we move forward with this arrangement?"
Julian nods. "Let's meet next Monday with proper papers instead of drafts."
Oscar adds, "That's amazing, Mr. Laurent. In that case, let's consider this a finalized deal."
Both sides exchange pleasant after-talk while refreshments are brought in. Jamila stands up.
"Bringing coffee?" Mimi asks.
Jamila nods before walking away. Confused by her own feelings, she just wants to be out of the same room as Julian.
She's never admitted it out loud—not even to Nova, who knows everything about her. That first New Year's Eve in London, far from her family in India, she had dinner with a handsome stranger and shared one of the most amazing conversations of her life.
That man hadn't asked for her number, nor had she, out of fear of seeming clingy. Never in her wildest dreams did Jamila imagine that man was Julian Alexander Laurent.
A small, bitter smile clouds her face as she makes coffee. A secret crush from five years ago stands before her now—and for the first time in years, her unwavering confidence wavers at the sight of Laura beside him.
She returns, calming her nerves under layers of logic and caffeine. Thunder booms outside, lighting up the room now and then, making her flinch slightly.
At Blue Stack Law Firm, Jamila Hassan is known as the most nonchalant lawyer with zero filter among her colleagues. But her professionalism is top-tier, which makes her a client favorite.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the room. Heads turn as she serves everyone their cup.
James smiles politely. "It smells good, Ms. Hassan."
Jamila nods, handing Laura her cup.
Laura narrows her eyes slightly. "Um, I don't drink sweet coffee. Not good for my waistline."
James, Oscar, and Mimi laugh at Laura's pout, but Jamila just looks at her flatly, her squinted eyes sharp enough to make Laura stop smiling.
Laura lets out a nervous laugh. "Then again, since Ms. Hassan gave such thought, I'll make an exception."
Mimi whispers, "Mila's side-eyes are seriously dangerous."
Oscar chuckles, sipping his coffee.
Finally, Jamila stands beside Julian and places his cup before him.
Julian's eyes follow her every move. Their fingers brush ever so slightly, sending a jolt through her. Her stomach twists. Julian's face remains unreadable.
"How long have you been working here?" His deep, raspy voice comes quietly—only loud enough for her to hear amid the chatter.
"Two years."
She turns to meet his intense emerald gaze. The faint smile tugging at his lips steals her breath.
"Smart."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Julian takes a sip of his coffee, hiding a smirk. Jamila shrugs slightly, walking past him, her throat burning for reasons she refuses to admit.
This is wrong, she tells herself. Utterly nonsense, she tells herself again, settling back into her seat.
"You…" Julian's eyes widen with disbelief. "Do you know Nova Celestia?"
James chokes on his coffee, coughing loudly. Laura gasps, handing him water. "You okay?"
Jamila frowns, skeptical of Julian's tone.
"Yes. We're best friends."
Julian's eyes widen even more. "You're friends with that—"
Jamila's eyes darken in warning. Julian gulps, his cool façade evaporating under a nervous laugh.
All because Jamila's coffee tastes exactly like Nova's. One cup of coffee that tangled everyone and everything—making Julian wonder…
How did it happen that both he and his brother fell for two best friends?
He knows about Aaron's feelings for Nova—he saw it on the CCTV footage from the 30th-floor terrace, when the secret room opened using a password only known to Laurent family members and two cleaners.
And since Aaron never approaches women, it left no doubt in Julian's mind.
"Why are you asking about Nova?" Jamila asks.
"Coffee…" Julian takes another sip.
Jamila nods. "Yeah, I taught her how to make it. Explains a lot."
Julian glances at her through his lashes. Her calm, unbothered attitude warms something inside him despite the odd twist of events.
Laura smirks knowingly and nudges James. "Seems like I no longer need to act as his fake love interest."