Aria stood outside her building, adjusting the strap of her bag for the third time.
She wasn't nervous.
At least, that's what she told herself.
A black car pulled up quietly in front of her. The windows were tinted, the body polished. It didn't look like it belonged on her street.
The door opened.
Adrian stepped out.
He wasn't wearing a suit this time. Just dark jeans and a simple shirt. Still neat. Still calm. Still very much him.
"You're early," she said.
"I didn't want to be late," he replied.
She nodded, unsure why that answer made her chest feel warm. He opened the car door for her, and she hesitated before getting in.
"This feels… fancy," she said.
"It's just a car," he said, then added, "Don't let it scare you."
"I'm not scared," she said quickly.
He glanced at her, a small smile touching his lips. "Good."
They drove in comfortable silence for a while. The city slowly woke around them. Shops opening. People rushing. Life moving like nothing had changed.
But something had.
"Did you sleep?" Adrian asked.
"A little," she admitted. "You?"
"Not much."
She looked at him. "Because of last night?"
"Yes," he said honestly.
She appreciated that he didn't pretend otherwise.
They stopped at a small café near her workplace. Nothing fancy. Just quiet and warm.
"You said I owe you coffee," he reminded her.
Inside, they stood side by side while waiting for their order. Their shoulders almost touched. Almost.
"You didn't have to do this," Aria said again, softer now. "Drive me. Watch over me."
"I know," he said. "I wanted to."
That simple sentence stayed with her.
Outside the café, he handed her the cup.
"Text me when you get inside," he said.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're serious about this 'watching from a distance' thing."
"Yes."
She smiled, then grew thoughtful. "What if I don't want distance?"
He froze for just a second.
"That," he said carefully, "is a conversation we'll have later."
She nodded, understanding more than she expected.
Before she left, she turned back. "Adrian?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. Not just for last night. For today."
He held her gaze. "You're welcome, Aria."
She walked into her building without looking back this time. But she felt his eyes on her anyway.
Adrian stayed in the car long after she disappeared inside.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go. He was used to control. Distance. Clean lines.
Aria blurred all of that.
His phone rang.
"Sir," his assistant said, tense. "There's movement. The people from last night—they're connected to something bigger."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Send me everything," he said. "And increase security around Aria."
"Is she a priority now?"
He didn't hesitate. "Yes."
He ended the call and leaned back, exhaling slowly.
Aria Bennett had walked into his life by accident.
But protecting her?
That was no longer optional.