Chapter 5 Crossing Paths Again

Aria POV

By noon I already hated everyone.

My inbox looked like it had multiplied overnight, tasks stacked on tasks with red markers and passive aggressive comments from people who pretended collaboration was a personality trait. I stared at my screen, fingers flying across the keyboard as lines of code blurred together.

This was why I preferred machines. They did not gossip. They did not cc HR for sport. They either worked or they did not.

"Aria," a voice said over the partition. "Did you see the update from management"

I did not look up. "Which one. There are twelve."

"The one about restructuring deadlines."

"Tell them restructuring does not magically create time," I said. "And if they want miracles they should hire a priest."

A pause. Then a quiet retreat.

I exhaled and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my eyes. My phone buzzed with a message from HR again. I ignored it. If I did not, I would say something that would get me fired before my first official week even ended.

By the time evening came, my shoulders ached and my patience was gone. I shut down my system, grabbed my bag, and left before anyone could ask me for one more thing.

I did not want to go home yet. The apartment still felt contaminated by memory. So I went somewhere neutral. A small upscale restaurant not far from the office. Quiet. Clean. Predictable.

I ordered pasta and a glass of wine. One glass. I was not repeating mistakes.

Halfway through my meal, just as my shoulders finally relaxed, the door opened.

I felt them before I saw them.

Laughter too loud. Energy too familiar.

I looked up.

Jasmin walked in first, dressed like she had something to prove. Tight dress. Perfect makeup. Her hand looped possessively around Ethan's arm.

My chest tightened.

Of course.

They had not seen me yet. I considered leaving, but my food was almost finished and I refused to be chased out of another space by their existence.

Jasmin spotted me a second later.

Her lips curved.

She leaned closer to Ethan and whispered something that made him grin.

They walked over.

"Well if it is not Aria," Jasmin said sweetly. "I did not know you ate alone now."

I set my fork down slowly. "Funny. I was just thinking the same thing about you."

Ethan chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "No need to be hostile. We are all adults."

"Adults do not sleep with their best friend's boyfriend," I replied calmly.

Jasmin laughed. "Please. You were boring him. I just stepped in."

Ethan leaned back, arms crossed, watching us like it was entertainment. "You always were dramatic, Aria."

Something sharp rose in my chest. "And you always were predictable."

Jasmin leaned closer, lowering her voice. "At least I know how to keep a man interested."

That was when I stood.

The chair scraped against the floor, drawing attention. My heart pounded, but my voice stayed steady. "Congratulations. You can have him. I upgraded."

Her smile faltered. "Upgraded to what. Loneliness"

Before I could respond, the atmosphere shifted.

The noise in the restaurant dipped slightly. Not silent. Just aware.

I felt it again. That presence.

I turned.

He walked in like the room had been waiting for him.

Luca.

Dark suit. Calm stride. His friend beside him laughing about something that died the moment Luca's gaze landed on me.

His eyes sharpened. Focused.

He did not rush. He did not frown. He simply came closer.

And somehow that was worse.

Luca POV

I only wanted food.

That was the plan. Simple. No meetings. No politics. Just a restaurant and silence.

Darius was mid sentence about how my chef had betrayed me by taking a day off when I saw her.

Aria stood near a table, shoulders squared, chin lifted in defiance. Two people hovered in front of her. One man smirking. One woman posturing.

I did not need context. I understood body language well enough.

"That looks unpleasant," Darius said lightly.

"Yes," I replied. "It does."

I walked toward them without thinking. Not fast. Not slow. Measured.

Aria noticed me then. Her eyes widened just slightly before something unreadable crossed her face.

Relief maybe.

I stopped beside her, close enough that my arm brushed hers. I did not touch. I did not need to.

"Is there a problem," I asked calmly.

Jasmin looked me up and down, interest flaring immediately. "No problem at all. Just catching up."

I glanced at Aria. "Are you alright"

She nodded once. "I was about to leave."

"No," I said quietly. "You are finishing your meal."

The authority in my voice surprised even me.

Ethan scoffed. "And who are you supposed to be"

I looked at him then. Really looked.

"I am the man she is with," I said.

Aria inhaled sharply.

Jasmin froze.

Darius smiled behind me.

Ethan's jaw clenched. "Since when"

"Since now," I replied. "And you are interrupting dinner."

I placed my hand lightly at the small of Aria's back. Protective. Possessive without being crude.

"Come," I said to her. "Sit."

She hesitated for half a second, then obeyed.

That did something to me.

Jasmin recovered quickly, flipping her hair. "I did not realize you had such taste."

I smiled thinly. "My taste is excellent."

She flushed.

Ethan looked furious now. "You think you can just walk in and take over"

"I do not think," I said calmly. "I do."

I pulled out a chair for Aria and waited until she sat before taking my own. Darius followed suit, still silent but alert.

"Enjoy your evening," I added to them. "Somewhere else."

For a moment I thought Ethan might argue.

Then Jasmin leaned close to him and whispered, eyes never leaving me.

"That is Luca King," she said softly. "Do you know who he is"

Ethan stiffened.

Her voice trembled with awe. "He owns half this city."

They left without another word.

I turned back to Aria. "Are you okay"

She nodded, eyes bright. "Yes. Thank you."

"Good," I said. "Eat."

Aria POV

My hands shook slightly as I picked up my fork.

"Luca," I said quietly. "You did not have to do that."

"I wanted to," he replied.

The way he looked at me made my stomach flip. Not hungry. Not drunk. Just aware.

After dinner, he walked me outside. The night air was cool, grounding.

"My car is here," he said. "I will take you home."

I hesitated. Then nodded.

As we drove, I caught my reflection in the window. I looked different. Stronger. Wanted.

And for the first time since everything broke, I smiled.

Whatever this was, it was not over.

Not even close.