Timed passed...

University

In the library...

The university library was dead silent, save for the faint scratching of pens and the turning of heavy pages.

Way back in the farthest corner of the fiction section, hidden behind a massive row of old encyclopedias, Leo and Ava were trapped in their own quiet world.

Ava was reaching for a thick reference book on the top shelf, standing on her tiptoes. Her fingers just barely brushed the spine....

Before she could lose her balance, a tall shadow fell over her....A long arm reached up effortlessly, pulling the book from the shelf.

Leo stood right behind her, so close she could smell the faint scent of rain and mint that always followed him.

Leo: Looking for this?

Leo whispered, his voice low and deep, vibrating right near her ear...

Ava swallowed hard, turning around slowly. Her back hit the bookshelf, trapping her between the dark wood and Leo's broad frame.

He wasn't looking at the book; he was looking down at her, his expression a mix of curiosity and something he refused to acknowledge.

Ava: Thanks (breathless and nervous)

Ava whispered back, her voice a little breathless.

She reached out to take the book, but Leo didn't let go immediately.

They both held onto the heavy cover, their fingers overlapping.

The silence between them stretched, thick and heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Leo's gaze dropped to her lips for a split second before returning to her eyes.

He felt a sudden, fierce urge to pull her closer, but the rational part of his brain locked the feeling down instantly.

They were just friends. Just university students sharing a study space... Right?

Ava felt his eyes too seeing her face memories her features like it's something very important to him as his eyes went on ava's lips.

she noticed it too the intimate they are feeling the air changed thicken with someone they can't name.

Leo:You should use a stool next time

Leo said softly, finally releasing the book and stepping back, breaking the invisible tension.

Leo: You're too short for the top shelf.

Ava: (Glace at him) I'm not short , stupid.

Ava's face flushed pink, and she quickly hugged the book to her chest to hide the frantic beating of her heart.

Ava: It's just that these shelves are just poorly designed.

Leo let out a quiet, rare chuckle, shaking his head as he walked back to their shared study table.

Ava stayed by the shelf for a moment longer, pressing her cool hands to her warm cheeks, wondering why a simple library book felt so heavy all of a sudden.

The sudden, heavy clack of a deadbolt echoing from the distant main entrance shattered the quiet of the stacks.

Ava blinked, her argument about the shelf design dying on her tongue.

Ava: What was that?

Leo frowned, glancing at his watch. 10:05 PM.

Leo: The automated security system. The library closes at ten on Saturdays.

Other side..

Mia (flower shop)

The afternoon sun was beginning to dip, casting a warm, golden hue over the rows of potted plants lining the windows.

Mia stood at the prep table, mechanically wrapping a bouquet of white baby's breath and lavender...

Her hands were busy, but her mind was completely elsewhere...

Why did he keep showing up...

She frowned, pulled a piece of twine, and tied a knot with a bit too much force.

Every time the shop bell rang, her head snapped up instantly, expecting a certain tall, dark-jacketed figure to saunter through the door.

It was infuriating. She didn't even like him like that. Yet, whenever she looked at a dark velvet rose, she thought of his leather jacket.

Whenever she smelled the sharp, crisp scent of eucalyptus, she thought of how he smelled when he leaned over her counter.

Mia: Get a grip, Mia

she muttered to herself, shaking her head to clear it.

Mia: He's just a regular customer who doesn't actually buy anything. That's it.

levi: Talking to yourself now? Should I be worried?

Mia gasped, her scissors slipping from her fingers and clattering onto the wooden table...

Levi was leaning against the doorframe, his jacket thrown casually over one shoulder.

The shop bell hadn't even chimed-he must have caught it with his hand to keep it silent.

A slow, knowing smirk was plastered across his face, his dark eyes locked onto her flushed cheeks.

Mia: You, How long have you been standing there?

Mia breathed, quickly trying to regain her composure. She picked up the scissors and picked up a stray stem, pretending to be incredibly busy.

Levi: Long enough to hear you arguing with yourself , You looked completely spaced out. What were you thinking about so hard?

Levi said, stepping closer. His boots made a soft, heavy sound against the floorboards. He stopped just on the other side of the counter, leaning forward so their faces were only a foot apart.

Mia:Nothing... Just... shop inventory. We're running low on ribbon.

Mia snapped quickly, avoiding his gaze.

Levi:Is that why your face is completely red?You looked like you were casting a spell on someone in your head.

Levi teased, his voice dropping to a low, playful murmur.

He reached out, his long fingers gently catching the edge of a stray lavender sprig that had tangled in her hair, pulling it out with agonizing slowness.

His knuckles brushed against her cheek, and she felt a sudden, electric shock run straight down her spine.

Mia: wh..what are u doing..

Levi: What I'm doing... just look at my miss Beauty

Mia:( This name...and the way he says my..it's like I'm his he owns me he lov...no)

Mia stepped back, her heart hammering against her ribs... She hated how easily he flustered her, and she hated even more that she couldn't control it.

Mia:I don't cast spells, Levi. And I wasn't thinking about anything important...

she said, her voice a little higher than usual. She crossed her arms defensively, desperately trying to lock down the fluttery feeling in her chest.

Levi: If you say so

Levi chuckled, though he didn't look convinced at all. He twirled the lavender sprig between his fingers, his eyes softening just a fraction as he watched her stubborn expression.

Levi: But if you ever need a break from all that 'inventory' thinking... I'm right here.

Mia: I don't need a break

Mia insisted, turning her back to him to arrange a vase of tulips, her hands shaking slightly.

Behind her, she heard Levi let out a quiet, amused huff. She wouldn't admit it-not to him, and definitely not to herself-but the shop suddenly felt a whole lot warmer.

JONE INTERPRICES...

Meeting hall

The Main Boardroom, Imperial Holdings

The atmosphere inside the grand boardroom of Imperial Holdings was thick with the hum of projectors and the quiet rustle of financial documents.

At the center of the long polished mahogany table sat Mr. Harrison is a powerful international investor whose wealth was only matched by his immense arrogance.

Yuna stood near the front projection screen, clicking through the slide deck as she professionally detailed the projected revenue models for the upcoming quarter.

Her voice was steady, articulate, and completely focused on the presentation.

But Mr. Harrison wasn’t looking at the numbers.

From the moment Yuna had started speaking, Harrison’s eyes had locked onto her.

He leaned back in his leather chair, a slow, predatory smile creeping onto his face as his gaze trailed down her fitted blazer, completely ignoring the data on the screen.

David sat at the head of the table, his posture rigid.

His fingers were laced together over his notebook, his knuckles turning a stark, bloodless white.

His dark eyes shifted from Harrison to Yuna, his jaw tightening by a fraction of a millimeter with every passing second.

Yuna felt the weight of the client's intense gaze. It made her skin crawl, but she was a professional.

She swallowed her discomfort, kept her head high, and didn't say a word, determined not to ruin a multi-million dollar deal over a sleazy look.

She walked over to Harrison's side of the table to hand him the physical copy of the contract.

yuna: As you can see on page twelve, Mr. Harrison, the risk-reward ratio heavily favors your firm,

Yuna said politely, placing the folder in front of him.

Harrison didn't look at the folder. Instead, he reached out, deliberately brushing his fingers against Yuna’s wrist as he took the papers, his touch lingering entirely too long.

Harrison: Forget the numbers, Miss Yuna

Harrison purred, his voice dripping with an uncomfortable familiarity.

Harrison: A beautiful woman like you presenting them makes any deal look attractive.

Harrison:  Tell me, does Jone pay you enough, or do you require a more... personal incentive to keep offering such excellent service?

The temperature in the room instantly plummeted to sub-zero.

David slammed his fountain pen down onto the table. The sharp crack echoed through the silent boardroom like a gunshot.

David: The meeting is over

David said. His voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a terrifying, lethal quietness that made every executive in the room instantly freeze.

Yuna stepped back, her eyes wide as she looked at David.

David: Everyone leave the room. Now

David commanded, his icy gaze fixed entirely on Harrison... He didn't look at his staff, but the absolute authority in his tone brooked no argument.

The executives scrambled, grabbing their laptops and folders in a panicked rush, virtually sprinting out the door to escape the CEO's mounting wrath.

Yuna hesitated, holding her tablet tightly against her chest, but David gave her a brief, sharp nod toward the door.

David: Outside, Miss Yuna

he muttered, his voice tight.

Once the heavy double doors clicked shut, leaving only David and a thoroughly confused Harrison in the massive room, David stood up.

He unbuttoned his suit jacket, walking slowly around the perimeter of the table until he stood directly over the sitting investor....

The sheer physical presence of the cold CEO suddenly felt incredibly oppressive...

Harrison: jone, what is the meaning of this?

Harrison scoffed, though his voice lacked its previous confidence as he looked up at David’s burning, dark eyes.

Harrison:  It was just a joke. There’s no need to be so dramatic over a little compliment to your staff.

David leaned down, placing both hands flat on Harrison's desk, his face inches from the older man's.

David: Listen to me very carefully

Harrison David whispered, a dangerous, dark edge bleeding into his words.

David: The contract is torn up. Imperial Holdings will not be doing business with your firm, now or ever. And if you ever look at her like that again, or if you so much as breathe a word in her direction, I will personally ensure your company is blacklisted from every major market on this continent by sunset.

Harrison’s face went pale. He swallowed hard, realizing too late that he had crossed a boundary he didn't even know existed.

Harrison: You're ruining a massive partnership over a secretary?"

David: She is not just a secretary

David growled, his voice trembling with a possessive anger he couldn't control. He stood up straight, adjusting his cuffs with terrifying calmness.

Harrison’s face went pale. He swallowed hard, realizing too late that he had crossed a boundary he didn't even know existed.

David didn't wait for Harrison to reply. He didn't have security escort him out. Instead, David reached into his pocket and tapped a silent alert on his phone.

Within thirty seconds, the back door of the boardroom opened, and Lucas—David’s trusted right-hand man from the underworld—stepped inside.

No one in the corporate world, not even David's own family, knew that the cold CEO was actually the ruthless head of the city's most feared underground syndicate.

THE MAFIA KING...

David didn't even look at Harrison as he fastened his suit button.

David: Take him to the penthouse basement. No one should know this am I clearly (Angry iced tone...range in his voice can cut down the ice in slice)

Lucas: Yes, sir

his right hand

Harrison: What is the meaning of this?! Let go of me!

Harrison’s protests were instantly muffled as Lucas gripped his arm with an iron vice, dragging him down the private executive elevator before he could make another sound.

Other side

In cabine...

The heavy double doors of the executive boardroom slammed shut, the echo vibrating through the quiet hallway as David stormed back into his private office.

Yuna followed a step behind, her high heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, her arms tightly clutching the meeting folders to her chest.

The atmosphere in the room was suffocating

Just ten minutes ago, they had been sitting across from Mr. Jone's newest international client—

a wealthy, arrogant investor who had spent the entire two-hour presentation completely ignoring the financial slides and staring open-mouthed at Yuna instead.

The client had gone so far as to deliberately brush his hand against hers while accepting a document, making a lingering, suggestive comment about

"the exceptional perks"

of doing business with Imperial Holdings

Before Yuna could even process the discomfort, David had snapped...

In a voice that could freeze water mid-air, David had abruptly cut the investor off, closed his laptop, and canceled the entire multi-million dollar negotiation on the spot without a single word of explanation

Now, inside the privacy of his office, David loosened his silk tie with a harsh, jerked movement, his breathing heavy as he stared out the window, his jaw clenched so tightly a muscle twitched in his cheek.

Yuna: Sir

Yuna started, her voice a mix of confusion and lingering anxiety.

Yuna: Mr. Jone... what was that? That contract took us six months to secure. Why did you do that?

David didn't turn around. His voice was like a low growl.

David:He was out of line.

Yuna: He was an arrogant client, yes, but we've dealt with worse!

David: Miss yuna, he was asking something. Do u understand that, huh...what he said about u do u tae that thing tell me

Yuna took a step closer, frustration finally breaking through her usual sunny exterior.

Yuna: You completely lost control in there. Why do you even care how he was looking at me? It's just business!

At her words, David whipped around. His dark eyes were burning with a cold, fierce anger that Yuna had never seen before.

He crossed the room in three long strides, closing the distance between them until Yuna’s back hit the edge of his mahogany desk...

David: Why do I care?

David echoed, leaning in close, his hands gripping the edge of the desk on either side of her, effectively trapping her.

The familiar scent of his expensive cologne completely enveloped her, making her breath hitch.

Yuna: Yes, why!

Yuna demanded, refusing to back down despite the erratic hammering of her heart. She looked straight into his intense gaze, her voice trembling slightly.

Yuna: Our marriage is just a temporary business deal, David. A contract. Only you and I know that. Our families think it’s real. The public thinks it's real, but we know the truth. It's on paper. So why does it matter to you if a client stares at me?

David: Because I don't want anyone near you!

David barked out, the raw anger in his voice cracking his usual stoic facade.

The room fell into a dead, stunned silence.

Yuna stared up at him, her eyes wide, completely frozen. Her hands pressed against his chest instinctively, feeling the rapid, heavy thud of his heartbeat under his crisp white shirt.

For a fleeting second, neither of them moved. The proximity was intoxicating

the sudden warmth between them entirely too dangerous for a couple bound only by a legal document.

Yuna: Why?

Yuna whispered, her voice cracking as she searched his unreadable eyes for an answer.

Yuna: If it's just a deal... why?

David stared down at her lips, his fingers tightening against the wood of the desk.

A wave of conflicting emotions crossed his face—confusion, frustration, and a sudden realization that he didn't even understand his own possessive reaction.

He didn't have an answer for her.

He wasn't ready to admit, even to himself, that the lines of their fake marriage had completely blurred.

Slowly, David stood up straight, pulling his hands away as if he had been burned.

The sudden loss of his warmth left Yuna feeling strangely cold.

Without saying another word, David grabbed his suit jacket from the chair, turned on his heel, and walked straight out of the private office, leaving the door swinging in his wake.

Yuna dropped the folders onto the desk, her legs suddenly feeling like jelly as she sank into the nearest chair.

Her mind was racing, her face burning, and her chest heaving as she stared at the empty doorway, completely shocked and utterly confused by the cracks in the CEO's icy armor.

Yuna: U are making the situation tought for me David (cru her heart out seating there ..no one heard her no one noticed jus her alone...crying , shocked, confused...)

Others side

University (library)

The sudden, heavy clack of a deadbolt echoing from the distant main entrance shattered the quiet of the stacks.

.

Ava blinked, her argument about the shelf design dying on her tongue.

Ava: What was that?Leo frowned, glancing at his watch. 10:05 PM.

Leo:The automated security system. The library closes at ten on Saturdays.

Ava: Wait...

Ava’s eyes widened as she looked past him into the darkened main corridor. The overhead fluorescent lights hummed and flickered off, leaving only the dim, amber glow of the emergency exit signs casting long shadows across the floor...

Ava: Did they just lock us in?

Leo walked briskly to the heavy glass doors at the end of the aisle. He pulled on the handle. It didn't budge. He tried the electronic keypad next to the frame, but the screen was dead, completely locked down for the night...

leo: We're stuck

Leo said, his voice dropping into a calm, measured register. He turned back to look at her, leaning his back against the locked door and crossing his arms.

Leo:The night guard doesn't do patrols until 2:00 AM.

Ava let out a nervous laugh, clutching her reference book like a shield.

Ava: You're joking, right? Leo, I have a paper due tomorrow. I can't spend four hours trapped in a dark library with...

She trailed off, swallowing the word you.

leo: With me?

Leo raised an eyebrow, a slight, uncharacteristic glint of amusement in his eyes.

Leo: The books are great company. And it's not dark yet.

He stepped closer, taking out his phone to turn on the flashlight. The beam illuminated the narrow space between them, catching the slight panic in her eyes. Despite her words, she wasn't actually moving away from him.

In fact, as the shadows in the corner deepened, she took a half-step into his personal space.

Ava: It's freezing in here

Ava muttered, rubbing her arms. The central air conditioning was still blasting, designed to preserve the old manuscripts.

Leo looked at her for a second, his logical brain telling him to keep his distance.

But seeing her shiver broke his resolve. He unzipped his dark jacket, slipping it off his shoulders, and held it out to her.

Leo:Here.

Ava:I don't need—"

Leo: Take it, Ava. You're stubborn, but you're not immune to hypothermia

he said smoothly, stepping in to drape the heavy, warm fabric over her shoulders himself. His hands lingered near her collarbone for a second too long, his thumb brushing the soft skin of her neck.

Ava caught her breath. The jacket smelled completely like him—rain, mint, and a faint hint of cedar. It was warm, and it made her heart do a violent flip against her ribs.

She looked up, her eyes locked onto his in the dim, shadowed light of the library aisle.

Leo didn't move away this time. The absolute silence of the locked building seemed to amplify the sound of their breathing.

for a brief, terrifying second, the space between them felt entirely too small, and neither of them was thinking about the exit anymore.

Ava: Thanks

she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Leo cleared his throat, pulling his hands back into the pockets of his jeans, though his gaze remained fixed on her face.

Leo: Don't mention it. Let's find somewhere comfortable to sit. We have a long night ahead of us.

Ava: But u know we can't stay here..

Leo: I know. Wait, let me call someone

Ava: (we both take our phone out.. but luck is not with us gosh this network)

Now what... there's no network, and it's heavily raining...

Time passed...

The University Library, East Wing - 2:15 AM

The hours had crawled by in a blur of forced quiet.

Ava was curled up on a leather armchair in Leo's oversized jacket, and her reference book finally closed.

Leo sat on the edge of the study table nearby, his eyes scanning the dark rows of books, completely alert.

A heavy, mechanical thud suddenly echoed from the floor beneath them.

Ava:Did you hear that?

Ava whispered, sitting up straight.

Ava: Is it the night guard?

Leo: No

Leo said, standing up and checking his watch.

Leo: The guard does his walk-through at two. It's past fifteen minutes. If he was coming to this floor, the main lights would have turned on.

Ava: U know so much about the night shifts here huh.

Leo: (nervous)

He walked back to the heavy glass entrance doors, listening closely.

Suddenly, the sharp, metallic jangle of keys cut through the absolute quiet of the building.

Ava bolted upright, the jacket slipping slightly off her shoulders.

Ava: See, i told u... Did you hear that?

Leo: Someone's at the main entrance,

Leo said, standing up instantly.

A heavy thud echoed as the deadbolt turned, and the massive glass doors swung open.

The harsh, bright overhead lights of the main lobby flickered to life, cutting through the amber gloom of the stacks.

A uniform-clad night guard stepped into the hallway, a heavy flashlight in his han, and a ring of keys clipping against his belt.

Guard: Hello? Is anyone still in here? I saw a light on the second floor tracker.

Leo stepped out of the dark aisle first, his face completely calm as he raised a hand.

Leo: Over here.

The guard shone his flashlight toward them, blinking in surprise.

Guard: What are you kids still doing here? The automated system is locked down at ten. Didn't you hear the warning alarms?

Lep: We were in the deep research stacks in the back

Leo explained smoothly, his voice cool and entirely unfazed.

Ava: Yes... The acoustic padding back there blocks out the PA system. We didn't realize the time until the lights went out.

The guard shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh as he hooked his flashlight back onto his belt.

Guard: Man, the automated timers have been glitching all week. You two are lucky I decided to do a physical walkthrough tonight instead of just checking the cameras from the booth. Come on, follow me out before the perimeter alarms set off.

Ava quickly grabbed her reference book, wrapping Leo's jacket tightly around herself as she hurried to catch up with his long strides.

As they walked down the long, bright corridor toward the exit, the sudden shift from the intimate, dark world of the stacks to the bright reality of the lobby made her heart beat oddly fast...

They stepped out through the main turnstiles and into the cool, crisp night air of the university courtyard.

Guard: Make sure you check the time next time, alright? Have a good night

the guard called out, locking the heavy glass doors securely behind them.

Ava stopped on the stone steps, looking at the empty moonlit campus.

She slowly slipped the heavy jacket off her shoulders and held it out to Leo.

Her cheeks were slightly pink, and she found it hard to meet his eyes.

Ava: Thanks ( she whispered).

For... you know. Not letting me completely panic in the dark.

Leo took the jacket, his fingers brushing against hers for a fleeting second.

Leo: Anytime, Ava,

he said softly, a rare, faint smile touching his lips.

Leo: Just try to keep an eye on the clock next time.

Ava let out a soft laugh, waving awkwardly as she turned to head toward the parking lot

Leo : Let me drop u...

Ava: Our parents must be worried..

Leo: I already told them u are with me

Ava: Really...(chucked)

Leo:(chucked) Yes, now let's go

Both went off home...

To be continued.