eh's

ramen. The evening sun cast long, warm shadows across her apartment, but she couldn't shake the unease lin

ges, but her mind kept wandering back to Aiden. Those intense amber eyes, the way his presence seemed

n't like she'd ever see him again. She was just an insignificant blip

. It was probably Sasha, ready for their promised "girls' night" in. But after the trauma of t

le. Relief washed over her when she saw Sasha standin

ce muffled but cheerful. "I come bearing

ounter and grinning. "I've got popcorn, chocolate, chips, and enough sugary drinks to fuel a smal

mile at Sasha's boundless

rst movie was a classic, full of unrealistic meet-cutes and over-the-top love confessions. Nevaeh found herself laughing more than s

schievous gleam in her eye. "Okay, but seriously," she said, popping a handful of

re's no deal! I just... ran int

doesn't do coincidence, babe. Especially not with men like Aiden

ed her. "Please! The only thing we have in common is our mu

in? Girl, you have a death wish! The man is basically royalty in

moment. And kind of ridiculous. But he was also-" She stopped herself, realizing she was a

de, just be careful, okay? Aiden Klein is powerful, and people like

aded, and she nodde

ldn't help wondering if Aiden Klein was already comp

-

en'

s beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. His desk was immaculate, a symbol of th

ll from his estranged father, but none of it could erase the nagging memory of Nevaeh Spencer's laugh.

etitors, negotiated deals with world leaders, and survived the most public betrayal imagin

ing in with an apprehensive expressio

ghtened. "What

ilding, demanding higher wages for our lower-level employees. They'

nother headache settling in. "Have security h

. "It might be worth addressing person

a PR disaster on top of everything else. "Fine. I'll deal with it." He rose

tood her ground in the coffee shop, her laugh fearless and genuine, even in his presence

-

Aiden stepped into the chaos, his expression as cold and composed as ever. Reporters swarmed him,

glared at Aiden. "You can't ignore us for

me, something felt off. He caught a glimpse of one protester in particular: a young woman holding a sign that read, *Every

sed the crowd. "I understand your frustrations," he began, his voi

ered against the pavement, just inches from his polished shoes.

but what he found instead shocked him. The woman with the 'Everyone Deserves to Be Heard` sign h

them faded, and Aiden was left staring at the last perso

the police arriving, sirens blaring and lights flashing. The crowd began to

first time in years, felt an unfamiliar tug in his chest-something dang