The Cross

t walk into Damien

arri

ettos sharp enough to draw blood, and her signature scarlet lipstick painted like a warning

conversation. Even the glass seemed to hum under her heels. But s

them

lake & Bloom had chosen today of all days to sh

his wasn'

a decla

hed open the tall glass doors

, amused but

sleeves rolled, tie loosened. "You finally gave in t

"I came to remind you that las

tly. "And this outfit? That

war

ore that same lipstick the first time we kissed. Remember? Your 24th bi

hings," she said tightl

rcling the desk slowly

away from two years ago. I'm not some broken debutante begging for closure. I have an empire. I

ont of her i

around

tilting he

rmured, "do you k

hitched. Ju

s all h

art-stopping second, she thou

w much she w

lie to me, Ari. You're still the fire th

oved h

a

t getting i

aid with a crooked grin

-

egy Meeting, Joi

able, murmuring in cautious tones. A massive presentation screen loomed at the front,

r seat at the h

t directl

had buzzed for weeks - fashion meets tech. Elegance meets power. Two empires fused

e media

forward. "Sh

her assistant, who

llouts. Projections. Branding shifts. She absorbed

still buzzing f

gotten the memo that h

rie

blin

r. "Your thoughts on the

st

d. Pr

balizing resources. Paris and Berlin give us untapped brand equity, especially with the fashion-tech crossover. Focus on Mi

le

a slo

Dam

id," he

dly. "Try to k

-

y - Elevator

Ariella stepped into

, Damien

oors shut behind

e as the elevator be

ed strai

ared

humiliate me in ther

u did that al

be

ending this thing between

she

bli

mirked

end," she clarified. "We

e same

if you

a step

stif

softly. "You're just af

amien. I'm afraid it'll des

it," he sa

r dinged. D

ithout loo

-

- Damien'

ment. The skyline blinked with city lights. Inside, Damien p

ed at h

ld cal

uld s

e wou

t

d removed a faded photograph. Two k

Years before ev

aw cl

remember wh

re

she

o

-

Apartment

hadn't

. Her red lipstick had faded. Her hair was loose. The war paint had me

y

y

st

gh her glass of wine

mber: Open

fr

er me

er: I'm not

slowly, hea

kn

t o

. Qu

ened t

stood

inging to his chest. H

mie

't sleep,

hesi

ed insid

her

r cheek - gen

kissed her,

s sur