Chloe stepped into the lobby, smoothing her blouse, exhaling lightly.
Something felt off.
Not bad. Not urgent.
But off.
She glanced around, adjusting her pace, barely registering her surroundings before—
"Coco."
Her breath stalled.
That voice.
That name.
She turned.
And there he was.
Kian.
Standing near the entrance, hands in his pockets, composed but unmistakably present.
Her chest tightened briefly, but she refused to let it show.
Instead—steady, measured.
"Don't call me that."
Kian exhaled lightly, shaking his head just slightly.
"Still pretending it doesn't fit?"
Chloe scoffed. "It never fit. You just wouldn't let it go."
Silence settled for a beat.
Then—Kian tilted his head, gaze unreadable.
"Like the breakup?"
Chloe stiffened.
Her fingers curled slightly around the strap of her purse.
"You weren't supposed to make it harder."
Kian inhaled slowly, assessing her, words careful but cutting.
"And you weren't supposed to make it look easy."
She clenched her jaw briefly, exhaling sharply.
Then—a misstep.
A slight shift in footing, too rushed, too uneven—and suddenly, she was falling forward.
Straight toward him.
Kian barely reacted.
Just instinct. Just movement. Just certainty.
His hands gripped her arms swiftly, stabilizing her, securing her weight before she could hit the ground.
His heart lurched, sudden and sharp.
Afraid she would break.
Afraid she would fall.
Afraid of something neither of them were ready to name.
Then—another presence. Too eager. Too invasive.
Aviana.
She stepped in smoothly, effortlessly, linking her arm through Kian's without hesitation, her body brushing too close, her voice soft but filled with subtle triumph.
"Mr. Ashford, you shouldn't let yourself be too available. People tend to take advantage."
Chloe inhaled sharply, gaze flickering to their linked arms, momentarily stalled.
Maybe they were close?
But then—Aviana's image. Her demeanor. Her presence.
No.
She knew exactly how this was going to go.
And then—it happened.
Kian froze.
Barely a fraction of a second, but unmistakable.
Then—sharp. Immediate. Unapologetic.
He stepped back.
Detached her arm with smooth precision.
And exhaled sharply, wiping his sleeve once as if erasing the contact completely.
Aviana faltered.
Chloe smirked.
She knew it.
She knew exactly how this was going to go.
Aviana straightened, composing herself too quickly, forcing a pleasant expression.
"I was only looking out for you."
Kian didn't blink.
Didn't waver.
Didn't hesitate.
"Shut up and get lost."
Silence.
Aviana stiffened.
Then—recovered, forced a delicate smile, and turned away.
But just as Chloe exhaled, steadying herself—Kian's fingers brushed her wrist.
Firm. Certain. Resolute.
She barely had time to register it before his voice followed.
"Let's go."
No argument.
No pause.
Just movement.
Just certainty.
Just the next step already unfolding before Chloe could decide if she was ready for it.
And as Kian led Chloe through the entrance—Aviana watched.
Watched the ease.
Watched the familiarity.
Watched Chloe step into Kian's space like she belonged there.
Her nails pressed into her palm, jaw tightening just slightly.
She hated Chloe now.
Because Kian had never looked at her like that.
And Chloe had never had to try.