sun, and the massive logo at the top gleamed with pride. Inside, employees moved with precision, every suit pressed, every step purp

clutching her presentation folder tighter than necessary. She had done client pitches before, but none in a buildi

s is business, Aira. Keep it profession

roached her with a polite smile.

plied,

floor and generated a noise as she followed the assistant to the elevator. Every second inside the

tered. The view was breathtaking-skyscrapers, highways, and beyond th

nd the full weight of h

though her name had been carved int

professional smile, though her

e chair across from h

lished to perfection, a cabinet of rare wines in the corner. The kind of office that didn't just say power, but decla

hed like a shield. "I appreciate the opportunity to d

ightly. "Straight to b

But Jason leaned forward, his elbows resting on th

he question she had expected i

used. "You didn't seem lik

ng her skin. "And what exactly

th arrogance, but with something sharper, more intent. "Like someone who do

ith a cool expression. "That's a bold ass

and deliberate. "Then perhaps

the air, heavier

t before this spiraled into something she couldn't control. She ta

ibility, and international markets. Her voice was steady, her points sharp. She spoke about community engagement, strategies for public

didn't laugh, didn't interrupt. He just studied her in silence, as though

went quiet. She resisted t

, "Impressive. V

ed in her ches

d close enough that she had to tilt her head to look up at him.

ve one co

sed. "Co

. "If we move forward with this campaign,

d. "That's... unusual

His tone softened, but his inte

d to run, to protect her carefully guarded secret. Yet a danger

lder. "I'll... discuss the proposal

toward the door, he said quietly, "Don't

t she couldn't. Because if she did, she feared she would drown in the

er heart pounding with the certainty of one thing: Jas

ntereste

iness, every instinct inside her screamed that