Chapter 3

Fidelis Aaron, the newly appointed CEO of Fidelis Crystal Corporation, the largest firm in the city, and rapidly emerging to become one of the country's leading corporations.

At the age of thirty, he finally inherited control of the family enterprise.

As he walked through the luxurious corridors of the First Crystal Hotel, which is owned by the corporation, he spotted a familiar blur heading toward the first-carat conference room.

“Nourah!” he shouted, recognizing his lively niece, but the little girl was too swift, zooming past him with uncontainable energy.

“Fidelis, please go after her! She’s upset because I didn’t buy her sweets!” His older sister, Lois, stood at the entrance, her hand resting on her pregnant belly. “You know I care about you—go!”

Only three women in his life had the power to influence Fidelis: his mother, Ruth Aaron; his older sister, Lois Aaron; and his niece, Nourah. To him, the rest of the women were virtually nonexistent.

Reluctantly responding to his sister’s request, he said, “Fine. Tell your husband I need to discuss a project with his company.”

Lois rolled her eyes. “As if you’d ever take ‘no’ for an answer—just go!” she joked, waving him away.

Fidelis felt unfazed. The hotel staff were well acquainted with their family, including their regular visitor from France, Nourah. His sister Lois often traveled from San Francisco with her daughter whenever her husband was away for work.

Upon reaching the lobby, he looked around for the little rascal. A security personnel approached him.

“Mr. Fidelis, she’s at the candy store next to the café. Sam is watching her,” the guard informed him.

Sighing, Fidelis proceeded to the shop, only to find Nourah joyfully conversing with a stranger, candy in hand. His first thought: another woman attempting to use his innocent niece to get closer to him, a tactic he had encountered frequently.

He swiftly took the candy from Nourah’s grasp. “Never take candy from someone you don’t know!” he admonished.

To his astonishment, the woman in the sapphire dress shot him a disapproving look and retorted, “You ought to keep a better watch on your daughter, mister! What type of irresponsible father are you?”

“Irresponsible father?” Fidelis blinked in surprise, caught off guard by her assumption. He had expected to embarrass her and confront another opportunist, but instead, he found himself unfairly judged.

For the first time, Fidelis Aaron, who was usually quick to respond, was left at a loss for words by a woman. Before he could collect his thoughts, the stranger turned and walked away without glancing back.

She didn’t even attempt to flirt with him. Not once.

“Uncle! You scared her away!” Nourah complained. “She was sweet. Really sweet.”

“Well, I’ll be…” Fidelis muttered, furrowing his brow. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

The evening continued, and after a lovely family meal, Nourah collided with a server, spilling a drink onto Fidelis’ jacket.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, Mr. Fidelis!” the nervous server stammered, his face turning pale with anxiety. “Let me… I’ll have it cleaned for you, sir.”

“It’s all good,” Fidelis sighed as he removed the jacket. He passed it along. “Just send it to my penthouse when it’s ready.”

Fidelis resided on the top floor, in a penthouse well away from his family's residence. He had moved out at the age of twenty-two, preferring the freedom that accompanied it. Now, they only gather on weekends or for special occasions, like tonight.

“Is everything okay, Fidelis?” his mother, Ruth, inquired from across the circular table, her keen gaze detecting even the slightest change in his mood.

“I’m fine, Mother,” he reassured her, as his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was his assistant, Brown James, likely sending over documents requiring his signature.

Rising from his seat, Fidelis informed his family, “I need to change. I’ll see Brown in the lobby while I’m at it.”

Downstairs, wearing his pristine white shirt, Fidelis could have easily been mistaken for hotel staff. He met Brown at the bar, where his assistant had already organized the revised documents.

“Good evening, Mr. Fidelis. I apologize for the delay; everything has been updated,” Brown stated, presenting the paperwork.

Fidelis glanced over the documents quickly, pleased with the revisions. “Ensure this doesn't happen again, Brown. I expect these to be perfect when they reach my desk.”

Brown gulped nervously, nodding earnestly. “It won’t occur again, sir. I appreciate the opportunity.”

Just as Fidelis was about to return to his penthouse, a voice rang out through the lobby, “Hey, handsome!”

He turned, surprised to find the woman from earlier—the one who had called him an irresponsible father. Yet this time, her attitude was entirely different. She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling playfully.

Fidelis couldn’t help but notice how she seemed to radiate under the lobby lights, her sapphire dress hugging her figure.

“I need your assistance,” she said, her voice lighthearted. “Help me out, will you?”

His instincts urged him to push her away, but his body betrayed him, irresistibly drawn toward her.

Before he could reply, she stood on tiptoe and boldly pressed her lips against his in an unexpected kiss.

His heart raced, the softness of her lips sending a strange warmth through him. Everything else—the busy lobby, Brown’s awkward presence—faded into the background. All he could concentrate on was the kiss.

It was short but electrifying, and when it ended, Fidelis struggled to open his eyes. Upon finally doing so, the world felt hazy, save for her face.

She smiled up at him, obviously enjoying his bewilderment. “I know. It's a surprise, right? Kissing someone like me. Consider it a bonus for all your hard work tonight.”

She jokingly stuffed ten dollars into his shirt pocket. “Your tip. Thanks again, handsome. Enjoy your shift!”

Fidelis stood in shock, watching her stroll away, utterly puzzled by the whole encounter.

Next to him, Brown's eyes were wide, his hand covering his mouth in astonishment. After a lengthy pause, he stammered, “Mr. Fidelis… you… you kissed a girl…”

Fidelis disregarded him, staring down at the crisp bill nestled in his pocket. The entire incident left him feeling incredulous, but one thing was unmistakable: for the first time in years, Fidelis Aaron felt a wave of desire so intense that it left him completely rattled.