Samuel’s POVAs I watched Aria’s stunned reaction to the gift, my heart pounded harder than ever. I knew this was the right time to share something more profound. My hands felt clammy, and I struggled to steady my voice.“Aria,” I began, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. “There’s something I
Aria’s POVFive Years LaterThe soft light filtered through the large, floor-to-ceiling windows of my perfume studio, Velvet Vibe, casting a warm glow on the shelves lined with glass bottles of essential oils and extracts. The air was filled with the delicate, intoxicating scents of rose, sandalwood
Aria’s POVBefore I could respond to Samuel’s question, the waiter arrived with our two giant pizzas. The sight of the golden-brown crust and bubbling cheese was enough to momentarily distract everyone. Jasmine’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly reached for a slice.As we dug in, savoring the delicious
Aria’s POVAs we stood there, alone in the quiet hallway, the future seemed to hang in the balance. My heart raced, and the question of whether I was ready to face the changes ahead—or to stay with what I had come to cherish—felt overwhelming.Samuel broke the silence with a soft chuckle. “You know,
Aria’s POVFive years. Wow. It’s been a very long time. Jessica and I wheeled our suitcases through the crowd at the airport, and my heart pounded with each step closer to the exit. Memories of Victor and the life I’d tried to leave behind flooded my mind. Jasmine clung to my hand, looking both ne
Aria’s POV“Jessica, look at this,” I said, my voice tinged with disbelief. I pointed to the screen where Thorn Enterprises' logo was prominently displayed.Jessica glanced over and raised an eyebrow. “Wow, that’s unexpected. I didn’t realize Thorn Enterprises could be involved in something like thi
Aria’s POVThe scent of fresh lavender and cedarwood lingered in the air as I shuffled through the accounts for the month. Our perfume studio was almost ready to launch in the U.S. market, and I felt a surge of excitement with each passing day. As I typed in the final numbers, the buzz of activity o
Aria’s POV“I’ll be professional about this,” I finally said to Jessica, though my heart seemed to be ripping my ribcage apart. “I won't let my past with Victor get in the way of my decision-making. If he wasn’t in the picture, I’d probably go through with this meeting. The opportunity is too big to
Aria’s POVThe ride home was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Victor’s hand rested on the gearshift, his fingers brushing mine occasionally. Each accidental touch sent a warm ripple through me, leaving me feeling both nervous and giddy. My heart was still dancing from the events of the night befo
The next morning, The sunlight streaming through the curtains was the first thing I noticed as I stirred awake. As I blinked against the light, memories of the previous night surged back like a wave, crashing over me with startling clarity. My breath hitched, and I sat up quickly, clutching the blan
Aria’s POV"Victor," I murmured breathlessly, barely recognizing my own voice. "Aria," he whispered back, his tone filled with a hunger that matched my own. His lips found mine again, urgent and unrelenting.We stumbled together through the hallway, his hands sliding beneath my blouse, fingertips s
Aria’s POVI jumped from the table, my heart still pounding in my chest, and headed toward the studio door. “Stay here,” I said softly, though my voice wavered with some nervousness and the remaining heat. The air between us still sizzled, making it almost impossible to think clearly.Carefully, I o
When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathless. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and her eyes—God, those eyes—shone with an emotion I didn’t dare put a name to just yet.I rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath as I spoke. “Aria… you’re everything to
Victor’s POVThe entire evening had been a cascade of emotions—love, happiness, nostalgia—and now, standing here, my heart felt like it might burst. I looked at Aria, her expression a mix of hope and nerves as she waited for my reaction. The painting, the bottles, the thought behind it all—it was ov
Aria’s POV“Still thinking of work at this hour?” he teased, his tone light and playful. “Should I be worried you’re pulling me into a midnight brainstorming session?”I glanced back at him, rolling my eyes with a laugh. “Trust me, it’s not that. Just wait. You’ll see.”We reached the entrance of my
Aria’s POVThe party was everything I didn’t know I needed. Laughter rang out like music, echoing through the beautifully decorated terrace. Friends and family filled the space, their joy infectious as they mingled, shared stories, and celebrated together. Even Jessica, who normally claimed she hate
Aria’s POVMy heart pounded as I reached for the door handle. With a shaky breath, I turned it, bracing myself for whatever lay on the other side.The cool night air greeted me as the door creaked open, and I stepped cautiously onto the terrace. My flashlight’s beam darted around the space, but ever