Six

ADRIEN

       There's something about her!

"Did you notice the way she was looking at us?" Aries asked me, his tone laced with curiosity.

I barely glanced up from my phone, busy replying to a message from one of our top clients. “Who are you talking about?” I responded absentmindedly, my fingers flying over the screen.

“Who else but Rochelle,” he said, sounding exasperated, like I was supposed to read his mind simply because we’re twins.

I sighed, finally lifting my eyes to meet his. “I didn’t notice anything strange about how she looked at us. I was busy talking with the client we’re supposed to supply products to.” I went back to my phone, dismissing whatever Aries was going on about. “What did you notice anyway?”

Aries leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “The way she looked at us wasn’t normal. It was... different. It felt like she was trying to get our attention.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Maybe she wants something.”

“Like what?” he asked, leaning forward with a curious smirk.

“I have no idea. You tell me, since you observed,” I casually said to him.

He shrugged, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t know. It could be... sex. You never can tell”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Come on, Aries. That’s not possible. Rochelle’s not like that.”

“You speak as if you've known her all your life,” I said.

“Well, we just met… but it doesn't mean I'm wrong. Stop trying to give meaning to nothing. I don't know how she looked at us, but I'm sure she wasn't calling our attention for sex,” I said to him.

“You think?,” he asked, not impressed.

“I know,” I replied, sounding like I believed completely in what I had said.

Aries didn’t press the issue further, but his silence lingered in the air, leaving me wondering if he believed it more than he let on.

We waited for Rochelle to return from her room, but she never showed up. It was odd. Rochelle usually enjoyed staying around to chat or watch a movie. Tonight, she’d been unusually quiet and distant.

Aries tapped his foot impatiently, glancing at the clock. “She’s been in there for a while. Don’t you think it’s strange?”

I looked at him, frowning. “Yeah, it’s getting late. You think something’s wrong?”

He shrugged, his casual demeanor unconvincing. “Why don’t you go check on her?”

“Me?” I pointed to myself, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, you. You’re the more... approachable one,” Aries said, smirking. “Besides, you could do with another round of conversation with her,” he added.

I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t let it go. “Fine. I’ll check.”

“Just what I thought,” he casually said.

As I walked down the hall, the soft glow from the wall sconces cast shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly. Rochelle’s door was ajar, just enough for me to push it open without knocking.

I hesitated, my heart beating a little faster than usual. Why am I nervous? I shook the thought off and stepped inside quietly.

She was standing by the window, her back to me, looking out into the night. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, making her look almost ethereal. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, and the curve of her silhouette was mesmerizing. I couldn’t help but stare.

For a moment, I let my mind wander, thoughts I shouldn’t be having creeping in. She’s beautiful, but this is wrong. I quickly brushed the thoughts away, reminding myself that this was Rochelle—Aries’s friend, our business partner’s daughter.

I took a step closer, clearing my throat. “Rochelle?”

She turned around, startled, her eyes wide. “Adrien? You scared me.”

“Sorry,” I said, my voice soft.

“What are you doing here? You didn't even knock before walking in. What if I was naked?,” she asked.

“Well, you were not naked,” I said, a little smile escaping me.

“What if I was?,” she asked, sounding insistent. It felt like she really wanted me to respond to that question. I could feel the desperation in her voice, and in the way she looked at me.

“We were waiting for you. You’ve been up here for a while,” I said, quickly switching discussion.

She smiled faintly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I just needed some air. Lost track of time.”

I nodded, unsure of what else to say. Her eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, we stood there in silence. The tension was palpable, and I felt an inexplicable pull toward her.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, taking another step closer.

She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just... thinking.”

Her voice was soft, almost vulnerable. I wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but I stopped myself. This isn’t right. Aries would notice.

“Do you want to come back downstairs?” I offered, trying to break the tension.

She hesitated again before nodding. “Yeah, I guess I should.”

As we walked back to the living room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting between us. I needed to be careful. I couldn’t let Aries or Rochelle know how I felt. It wasn’t just about Aries—it was about keeping things professional, keeping things... safe.

I found Rochelle in the living room later that night. She was curled up on the couch, wearing a light nightgown that clung to her figure. A bowl of popcorn sat in her lap as she watched a movie, her laughter filling the room.

I stood in the doorway, watching her. There was something captivating about her in that moment—so relaxed, so happy. The light from the screen danced across her face, highlighting her features. She was radiant.

I walked in, trying to act casual. “Mind if I join you?”

She looked up, surprised but smiling. “Of course not. Come on.”

I sat down beside her, keeping a respectable distance. But my eyes kept drifting to her. The way she laughed, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way her nightgown shifted slightly as she moved—it was driving me crazy.

“You’re not watching the movie,” she teased, catching me staring.

I blinked, feeling heat rise to my face. “Sorry. I was... distracted.”

She chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “By what?”

I hesitated, searching for an excuse. “Popcorn. Smells good.”

She laughed, offering me the bowl. “Here, have some.”

I took a handful, hoping it would keep my mind off her. But it didn’t work. My thoughts kept circling back to her, and I knew I was in trouble.

We sat there in comfortable silence for a while, the movie playing in the background. But my mind wasn’t on the screen—it was on her. Every movement, every laugh, every glance—it all pulled me in deeper.

I needed to stop. I couldn’t let this go any further.