Aria’s POVThe smell of fresh coffee hung in the air as I leaned back in my chair, taking a much-needed break from the endless emails and product planning. My desk was cluttered with notes about the perfume series, but my focus kept slipping to last night.Victor’s words. His warmth. That kiss on hi
Aria’s POVI just remembered that Victor and I had agreed long ago to have the next meeting here for our collaboration’s second product. Jessica then clapped her hands. “Alright, everyone, let’s get this show on the road. Let me just call our own team, Aria.” She left my office as Victor’s entire t
Aria’s POVMy hands trembled as I rifled through the drawer, my eyes scanning every folder, every document. At first glance, it all looked untouched—but I knew better.The blue folder. It wasn’t here.Panic shot through me like a jolt of electricity. “No, no, no,” I muttered, pulling everything out
Victor’s POVThe atmosphere in the hallway was heavy as the last of my team exited the building. Some of them had walked out stiffly, their expressions betraying their frustration at being searched. Others had been more understanding, nodding when I explained that Velvet Vibe’s security procedures w
Victor’s POVThe last two days had been filled with tension—an invisible wall that had settled between Aria and me. I thought we were making progress, slowly finding our way back to a place of trust, but now? Now, she was pulling away again, and I had a feeling it wasn’t just about us this time.The
Aria’s POVI inhaled deeply, the familiar scent of essential oils and raw ingredients filling my senses. The lab was silent except for the soft bubbling of beakers and the occasional scribble of my pen as I jotted down notes. I was alone, and for now, that was exactly what I needed.My hands moved w
Aria’s POVI paced the length of the lab, arms crossed tightly over my chest, while Jessica sat on the stool near the counter, watching me with concern. The vials of stolen work still sat between us, a silent testament to the treachery lurking in our midst, waiting to be exposed.“We need a plan,” J
Victor’s POVI wasn’t going to let Aria face this alone.The moment I left our last conversation, I knew I had to take action. If there was a leak in my company, I needed to root it out myself. I refused to let this drive a wedge between us. She had to see that I was on her side, that there was no r
Aria’s POVThe laughter in the room was easy, flowing like music that hadn’t been played in far too long. It was the kind of afternoon I had only dreamed of during those long, uncertain nights. One filled with light, warmth, and peace.But what caught my eye most wasn’t the cake or the wine or even
Aria’s POVThe sun filtered gently through the sheer curtains, casting golden stripes across the kitchen floor. Outside, the wind rustled the trees in soft waves, the kind of quiet that used to feel like a luxury—but now, it felt like a miracle.I stood barefoot by the open window, sipping tea, watc
Aria’s POV"There they are! By the dock!"The shout tore through the air like a whipcrack. My heart jumped."Get down, Jasmine!" I hissed, pulling her low into the hull of the boat.More frenzied shouts followed, echoing from behind the locked boathouse door. Then came the unmistakable sound of spli
Aria’s POVThe tunnel walls closed in the farther we ran, the air thick with dust and something ancient, something forgotten. The flickering light from my phone barely illuminated the path ahead as Jasmine and I rushed forward, our footsteps echoing off the stone.We had no idea where we were going—
Victor’s POVThe moment Greco grabbed my mother’s arm, I saw red.Alicia struggled against Greco’s grasp, her body twisting as she tried to wrench herself free. But his grip was unyielding—ironclad. His smirk darkened, turning into something twisted, dangerous."You always were stubborn," Greco murm
Aria’s POVI grabbed Jasmine’s hand and pulled her close, my pulse hammering as I ran toward the secret door. My fingers fumbled with the hidden latch, my breath short and uneven. Come on, come on—Click.I shoved the door open just enough for us to slip inside before sealing it shut behind us. The
Victor’s POVThe moment the man at the far table shifted, my entire body went rigid. One second, he was still, the next, his hand dipped into his jacket.A gun? A knife?I was ready to move. One wrong twitch from him, and I’d take him down before he could even stand. My pulse pounded in my ears as I
Aria’s POV"Are Jasmine and I the real targets?" I whispered to myself, the thought chilling me to my core.No. That was silly. I was being paranoid.I shook my head, trying to dismiss the fear that had settled like ice in my veins. The bodyguards said they needed to secure the cabin, and logically,
Aria’s POVI stared at my phone, my fingers gripping it so tightly that my knuckles ached. Still nothing. No calls. No messages. The meeting had to be happening now, but I had no idea what was going on.I tried dialing Victor again. Straight to voicemail. Samuel? No response either.A pit of dread s