"Sorry for the errors in the chapters, everything is fixed now."
...
I decide to ignore him.
After all, I did nothing wrong.
I resume walking, determined, chin held high, ready to walk past him without even meeting his gaze.
I refuse to give him that power.
But just as I pass him, his hand suddenly closes around my wrist.
Not gently.
Not by accident.
With icy firmness.
I freeze, surprised, my breath catching for a brief second.
— What are you doing? I say calmly, even though my heart is racing, trying to pull my hand away.
He doesn't move.
His gaze slowly drops to my cheek.
The exact spot where Malik kissed me a few minutes earlier.
His face remains perfectly impassive… too impassive.
But I sense something beneath it.
A heavy tension. Strange. Almost unsettling.
— Who was that man? he asks in a low, controlled voice. Too calm to be innocent.
I stare at him, incredulous.
He's serious.
— Excuse me?
— I don't like repeating myself, he says. So tell me—who was the man holding you so… tightly in his arms?
He doesn't let go of my wrist.
I clench my teeth.
That authoritative tone infuriates me.
And above all… who does he think he is to ask me that?
— That is none of your business, Mr. Arrison.
His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.
— I am your partner in this merger, he replies. Anything that could affect this project concerns me.
— A hug has never ruined a merger, I say, my voice trembling slightly despite myself.
I try again to pull my hand away.
His grip tightens just a little.
Not violently.
But enough to make it clear he's not done.
— Let go of me, I repeat, firmer this time, without raising my voice.
— I am being respectful, but I owe you no personal explanation.
A long silence settles between us.
His muscles tense.
He studies me. Intensely.
As if he's trying to read through me.
To understand something that escapes him… or bothers him more than he wants to admit.
My heart is pounding too fast.
I refuse to look away.
Finally, he releases my hand.
I immediately step back, instinctively.
— Don't let yourself get distracted, he says, his voice cold again, almost professional.
— We have a lot of work to do.
— I am perfectly focused, I reply instantly.
And I don't need anyone monitoring my personal relationships.
He slightly looks away.
Annoyed?
Or… hurt?
I'm not sure.
Then he turns on his heel and walks away without another word.
I remain still for a few seconds, slowly rubbing my wrist, still warm from his touch.
Why did he react like that?
And more importantly…
why does it affect me so much?
I gently massage my wrist, still surprised by the way Tony held me.
His grip was firm. Too firm.
Not painful… but lingering.
I watch him walk away, trying to regain my composure.
Until he suddenly turns around.
My breath catches for a split second.
He walks back toward me with that calm yet imposing stride of his.
Straight shoulders.
Cold, piercing gaze.
That silent confidence that seems to fill the space around him.
Just that energy sends a shiver through me—one I can't explain.
When he reaches me, he extends his hand.
My right earring.
— You forgot it, he says simply.
I blink, surprised, and reach out to take it.
But he dodges my hand.
— I'd rather put it back on myself.
I stare at him, stunned.
What is he saying now?
— That's not necessary, I say, a little too quickly.
But he's already stepping closer.
Instinctively, I step back.
One step.
Then another.
Then a third.
Our eyes remain locked.
Neither of us gives in.
Until my back hits the wall behind me.
I freeze.
No escape.
Tony steps closer.
Close enough for me to feel the heat of his presence.
Close enough for the air between us to grow heavy—almost suffocating.
He doesn't touch me.
He doesn't speak.
And yet… everything screams.
I close my eyes for a second, purely out of reflex, my heart pounding too hard.
When I open them again…
Tony is gone.
As if he vanished.
My breath falters.
I slowly bring my hand to my ear.
The earring is there.
Perfectly fastened.
How…?
I remain still