Andrian and Maya just stood there, watching her lose it.
"Okay," Maya finally said, blinking, "so apparently she's not dying."
"What's going on? Why are you so angry? Did something happen?" Andrian's voice came from behind her.
The moment Fidelia saw them coming closer both Andrian and Maya she snapped her laptop shut.
"Nothing. I'm good," she said quickly, her tone too sharp to sound casual. She forced her expression into something neutral, but the tightness in her jaw betrayed her.
She squeezed her face as if trying to calm herself, but inside, she was spiraling.
On that screen behind the closed lid her coin, the one that had been in solid profit before, was now tipping. Badly. Not just her profits, her capital was bleeding out too.
And it wasn't even her money. It was Andrian's.
A wave of nausea rolled through her. She could almost feel her knees giving way. She couldn't tell him not when the truth was that she'd hacked into his account, taken the money, planned to make a quick profit, and quietly put it back.
But now… she was losing it. All of it.
And if the numbers kept falling, she wasn't sure if she'd lose just the money—or something much, much bigger
"Hi, Maya."
"Hey, Fidelia. How are you feeling now?" Maya asked, glancing over from the counter.
"I'm better, thank you," Fidelia replied with a small smile.
Then her nose twitched. "Do I smell something burning?"
Maya groaned. "I said it was going to be a disaster…"
Before Fidelia could respond, Andrian's voice came from behind them.
"Maya, get out of my kitchen," Andrian's voice cut in as he walked past. "Now. Go, go, go—quickly!" He waved her away like she was a child caught stealing cookies.
Maya scoffed but obeyed, tossing the spatula onto the counter. "Fine. But don't come crying to me when your taste buds regret it," she muttered, heading out.
The sizzling sound of whatever she'd been making filled the air just as the sharp chime of the doorbell rang through the house.
"Please get the door for me," Andrian called out from the kitchen.
Fidelia hesitated for a second before walking over. She opened the door to find a delivery boy standing there, holding two big paper bags.
"Delivery for Andrian," he said. "Chicken and beer."
Fidelia took the bags, a slow smile tugging at her lips. So… he'd already ordered food, knowing full well Maya's cooking was a lost cause.
"Andrian how cheap of you..you couldn't even believe in me" Maya spat out.
"I'm glad I didn't because we have all been starving now" Andrian replied.
Maya snorted but she still grabbed a lap of chicken and a beer.
They settled around the dining table, plates of steaming chicken and a couple of cold beer bottles between them. The rich smell of fried spices filled the room.
Maya was already halfway through her drumstick when she pointed it at Andrian. "So… tell her about the board meeting. You know, the one where the jaws were dropping left and right."
Andrian gave her a warning look. "Maya…"
"What?" Maya said innocently. "It's not my fault Charlotte decided to stroll back into your life like some movie villain entrance."
Fidelia's fork paused midair. "Charlotte?"
Andrian hesitated. "She's… someone I used to know."
Maya snorted. "Translation—she's his ex."
Fidelia blinked. "Oh."
"Not just any ex," Maya went on with too much glee. "She's the one who almost got a ring."
"Maya," Andrian's tone was sharper now.
"What? She should know," Maya replied, unbothered.
Fidelia tilted her head, feigning casual interest. "So… she's back now?"
Andrian's jaw tightened. "Yes. She's also on the board now."
"Wait," Fidelia frowned. "She's in your company?"
Adrian shrugged. "Apparently."
Maya set her fork down. "Not just back. She's already making moves. I saw her chatting with Damien after the meeting. All smiles, all charm."
Adrian gave a dry laugh. "You're reading too much into it."
"No, I'm not," Maya said, shaking her head. "I'm telling you the girl is crazy she was after Damien the whole time, not Andrian. She loves Damien. Always has. And guess what? Getting close to Andrian was just her shortcut back trying to get to Damien"
Fidelia blinked, half-amused, half-shocked. "Wait… so you're saying she's was with Andrian … but actually wanted Damien?"
Maya nodded like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Exactly"
Fidelia leaned her chin on her palm, smirking. "And what about Damien? Does he feel the same way about her?"
Maya let out a low laugh. "If Damien wanted her, he would've had her years ago. No, I think he likes the attention but he's not the settling type. Charlotte just refuses to accept that."
"Maya."
Maya threw her hands up in surrender. "Fine, I'll shut up." She looked at Fidelia. "But between you and me, if Charlotte's back, she's not here to play nice. She's… strategic."
Fidelia poked at her fries. "And you trust her?"
Andrian's gaze met hers. "No. But I know how to deal with her."
The conversation drifted between teasing Adrian, picking apart Charlotte's 'strategy,' and Fidelia asking questions every time she got lost in the web of connections.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, his fork resting on the side of the plate as he chewed slowly, clearly lost in thought.
Fidelia noticed and tilted her head. "You've been quiet. What's on your mind?"
He exhaled. "That challenge I made in the boardroom today… I need to sort it out before the next meeting."
Her brows lifted. "You mean the one where you told them you could close the deal before the quarter ends?"
He gave a small smirk. "Exactly. It wasn't just talk. Now I have to actually make it happen, and some of those people will be praying I fail."
Fidelia poked at her food. "So… what's the plan?"
"I already have a few names in mind," he said, glancing at her. "Contacts I can pull in. But it's not going to be simple. There are competitors circling the same project, and if I make one wrong move, they'll use it to undermine me in front of the board."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she teased.
Adrian gave a quiet laugh. "A little. I like pressure—it makes me sharper. But I also know I can't afford any distractions right now."
"Meaning me?" she asked with a faint smile.
He reached over, brushing her hand. "No. Meaning I'll need you to keep me grounded while I'm chasing this deal. And maybe…" He leaned closer. "…remind me why it's worth winning in the first place."
She shook her head but couldn't help smiling back. "Fine. But if you crash, don't expect me to come dragging you out of the mess alone."
"I won't crash," he said simply, his tone full of certainty.
By the time the plates were pushed aside and the glasses refilled, the air between them had shifted. The wine had done its work—not enough to cloud their heads, just enough to blur the edges and let the teasing slip through more freely.
Andrian leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on her. "You keep looking at me like you're planning something."
Fidelia smirked, swirling her glass. "Maybe I am. Or maybe you're just imagining things."
"Hmm." He tilted his head. "Dangerous woman."
"Coming from you?" she shot back, laughing softly.
His smile deepened, and for a moment neither of them spoke, the quiet charged with unspoken thoughts. Across the table, Maya had her head resting on her folded arms, completely knocked out, the soft rise and fall of her breathing the only sound breaking the spell.
Fidelia glanced at her, then at him. "Guess she couldn't keep up."
Adrian's gaze didn't move from her. "Guess not. Which means…" He leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice. "…I get you all to myself."
She raised a brow, but her lips curved. "Careful, Adrian. Beer makes you bold."
"Beer?" His eyes sparkled. "No. You make me bold."
"You know," Andrian leaned in, voice low, "we didn't get to finish what we started last time."
Fidelia didn't move away. Their eyes locked, the air between them heavy, charged.
"So?" she asked, almost challenging.
"I'm suggesting… we do."
She arched her brow. "Oh? When you're done suggesting, then."
"I'm done," he replied without hesitation.
"Alright… So you mean we should continue this?" Her lips curved in a teasing smile as she moved closer, gently pushing him down until he was lying back on the couch. Her eyes searched for him for a moment before she kissed him slowly, deep, lingering.
When she pulled back, she kissed him again, her head tilting slightly, lips brushing his.
"Yes… we really should," Andrian murmured, his chest rising faster, heart pounding.
Fidelia suddenly leaned back, a sly glint in her eyes. "Nah… I'm cool."
Andrian shut his eyes and sighed.
She grinned at his reaction.
"You need to stop doing that," he muttered, sitting up halfway.
"Stop what?" she asked innocently.
"Pulling away." He tried to steady his breathing as he pushed himself up.
"Alright," she said, eyes glimmering with mischief. "I won't."
And before he could speak, she pushed him back down, her lips crashing onto his with more heat this time, sealing her promise
Her lips found his again, deeper this time, their breaths quickening as the air between them thickened with heat. His hands slid around her waist, drawing her closer until she was straddling him, the soft press of her body making his pulse race.
Andrian rose, holding her easily in his arms, his mouth never leaving hers as he carried her toward the bedroom. The world outside that room no longer existed.
Inside, they tumbled onto the bed, tangled in each other's arms. Every kiss grew more urgent, every touch more lingering, fingers tracing skin as clothes were slowly, deliberately discarded. Her soft gasp against his lips sent a shiver down his spine.
They explored each other in fevered devotion, the sound of their breathing and the rustle of sheets filling the dimly lit room. Desire surged between them intense, hungry, unstoppable as they gave in to what they had been holding back for far too long.