Brian and Marie's first date

At Innovare headquarters, Marie was deeply immersed in her paperwork, her focus unwavering despite the growing stack of documents on her desk. Her concentration was interrupted when she noticed two women approaching—Kanna Fontierra and her daughter, Kara. Kanna, ever the picture of grace and elegance, carried a basket filled with flowers and fruits, and Kara, equally poised, followed closely behind.

Marie looked up, startled but curious. She stood, smoothing down her skirt as Kanna stopped in front of her.

"Marie," Kanna began, her voice soft but warm. "Please accept this small gift as a token of our gratitude for saving my daughter." She extended the basket toward Marie, her smile sincere.

Marie blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. Her hands trembled slightly as she accepted the basket, the weight of the gesture sinking in. "I… I don't know what to say," Marie stammered. "I'm honored, truly, Madam Fontierra. Thank you."

Kanna's smile deepened as she reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Marie's face. Her touch was gentle, motherly. "You know," Kanna said, her voice tinged with nostalgia, "if my daughter were still alive, she'd be around your age."

Marie's heart ached at the words. She could feel the weight of Kanna's loss in her tone, and for a brief moment, the air between them was filled with unspoken emotions.

The tender moment was abruptly interrupted as the conference room door swung open. Rafael strode in, his presence immediately shifting the energy in the room. Karen was close behind him, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The tension in the air thickened as Rafael spoke, his voice casual yet cutting, "So, the kid's not dead, huh?"

The comment hung in the air like a bomb, causing everyone to pause. Kanna stiffened, her eyes narrowing as she turned to face Rafael. Her usual calm demeanor was slipping, her frustration boiling over.

"We both saw the hut blow up," Kanna said, her voice low but laced with anger. "The explosion was massive. There was no way anyone could have survived that."

Rafael shrugged, unbothered. "Maybe," he said, his tone indifferent. "But there were no bones, no body. If the kid was there, we would've found something. Anything."

Kanna's fists clenched at her sides, her frustration mounting. "It's not just about finding bones, Rafael. We saw the destruction, we were there. But the kid's absence doesn't automatically mean survival. There are other possibilities."

Rafael's gaze hardened. "Or it could mean the kid was never there to begin with."

The charged silence that followed was almost unbearable. The tension between Rafael and Kanna was palpable, and everyone else in the room exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to intervene.

Karen, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Rafael, maybe you should ease up," she said, her voice laced with concern. "Kanna's been through enough. You questioning the kid's fate isn't helping."

Rafael didn't reply immediately, but his eyes flickered with annoyance. He cast a glance around the room before saying, "We need to stay focused on what's in front of us. Emotional distractions and personal vendettas aren't going to get us anywhere."

Kanna's jaw tightened, but she took a steadying breath, trying to maintain her composure. "I need answers," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "If the kid's alive, it changes everything."

Before the conversation could escalate further, the door opened again, and Katarina, Kyoko, Bianca, and Jasmine entered, their presence adding another layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere.

"The Golden Girls are here," Rafael quipped with a hint of mockery. "You should probably leave."

Kanna's face flushed with anger, but before she could respond, Katarina chimed in, her tone teasing but sharp. "Yeah, Moe Howard's right. You should leave before the witch behind him turns any redder."

Kyoko, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward. "Let's keep things civil. We don't have any grudges, at least not right now. Let's focus on the real issue."

Kanna's shoulders sagged in frustration, but she knew it was pointless to argue further. With a sigh of resignation, she turned and walked away, Kara following closely behind her.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Bianca smirked. "Kanna still looks as stunning as she did back in high school," she remarked, causing Kyoko to nod in agreement.

Jasmine, with a soft smile, added, "Marie, it's safe to eat the fruits, don't worry. Now, why don't you grab us some coffee, and we can enjoy this little treat."

Marie nodded, retreating to the break room to prepare the coffee, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the rapid shift in the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Marino siblings began to disperse, each heading toward their respective offices.

As Marie returned to her desk, Karen suddenly stormed up to her, slamming her hand down on the desk with enough force to make Marie, Brian, and Amy jump in surprise. Her eyes were sharp, her tone biting. "Listen here," Karen snarled. "I don't want that woman anywhere near this office. If I so much as hear that she's come near Rafael again, I'll make sure you're fired."

Marie froze, speechless, as Karen stomped off toward the boardroom where Rafael was waiting. She dropped into the chair beside him, clinging to his arm as if her very life depended on it.

"Leech," Katarina muttered under her breath, her distaste for Karen evident.

"This is a family meeting," Kyoko said, her voice tinged with irritation. "You don't belong here, Karen."

Karen's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm his fiancée. I deserve to know everything."

Jasmine shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Oh, dear."

Just as the tension in the room seemed unbearable, the door burst open, and a striking woman strode in. Jessica, with her perfectly symmetrical features and confident air, commanded the room's attention immediately.

"I thought you were in Seoul," Kyoko said, surprised.

Jessica's response was brisk. "I was, but I heard one of my businesses was being misused, so I came back to sort it out."

Jessica's sharp gaze landed on Karen, who was still clinging to Rafael. "Why is there a housecat here?" she asked, her tone dripping with disdain.

Karen's face reddened with fury. "Jessica, we've known each other for years! I'm Rafael's fiancée now."

"Fiancée," Jessica scoffed. "You're not his wife yet. And even if you were, you'll never come close to what Sachiko was to him."

Jasmine, sensing the growing tension, quickly added, "Let's not forget what Arianna, Rina, and Jessica had to go through while raising Rafael's children."

Karen's expression darkened, but before she could retort, Jessica cut her off. "And let's not forget, your father may be a businessman, but mine and my stepmother? They have far more influence."

Tired of the bickering, Jasmine raised her voice. "Enough! Jessica, what brings you here?"

Jessica's gaze flickered to Marie. "This is a family meeting. And as part of the family, I need to know what's happening with Innovare and Marino Corporation. Oh, and by the way, I need a new executive assistant. That girl behind you might do."

Marie's eyes widened, caught off guard. Jasmine, protective, quickly interjected, "But she's my assistant."

"You and Bianca are being transferred to Tokyo," Jessica informed her, handing over an envelope. "You won't need her there."

The room fell silent as Jasmine and Bianca glanced at each other. "Tokyo?" Bianca said, alarmed. "Isn't there another way?"

Jessica's expression softened. "It's a great opportunity. Jasmine, you'll be heading operations for Penthouse Corporation, and Bianca, you'll be the new face of World News Tonight. What's the problem?"

Bianca sighed. "It's not the job; it's the kids."

Jessica, ever practical, replied, "The kids are practically Japanese citizens. I know you have concerns about Tokyo, but it's the right move."

Bianca relented, exchanging a glance with Jasmine. "If that's the stepmother's wish, we'll comply."

Jasmine gave a small smile to Marie. "Looks like you're going to be Jessica's assistant soon. Better get ready."

Later that evening, as the meeting wrapped up and the siblings went their separate ways, Brian approached Marie, who was still at her desk.

"Marie, are you free tonight?" Brian asked, a little nervously.

Marie looked up from her paperwork. "Yes, why?"

Brian cleared his throat, gathering his courage. "Would you like to go out for dinner?"

Marie blinked in surprise but smiled. "Sure, I'd like that."

Later, at a fancy restaurant near Innovare, Marie and Brian sat across from each other, the atmosphere light and relaxed. After dinner, they strolled through the mall, played a few arcade games, and finally settled on a bench outside, enjoying the cool evening breeze.

"I heard the food here is really good," Brian said, trying to keep the conversation going.

"It was," Marie agreed. "My ex-boyfriend never took me to places like this."

Brian's curiosity piqued. "What was he like, this ex of yours?"

Marie hesitated, looking away. "Let's just say… it wasn't a good relationship."

Brian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Marie smiled weakly, appreciating the gesture. "It's okay. I'm trying to move on."

The evening ended on a quiet note, the two of them walking back to the office in comfortable silence.

----

Brian and Marie continued walking, the gentle evening breeze adding to the peaceful atmosphere between them. The mall's lights glowed softly, casting long shadows on the pavement. They wandered through the quiet streets, both unsure of how to navigate the unspoken emotions between them.

Brian finally broke the silence, glancing at Marie with a warm smile. "You know, tonight was really nice. I'm glad we got to hang out outside of work."

Marie returned his smile, though there was a slight shyness in her gaze. "Yeah, it was… It's been a while since I've had a night like this. No stress, no complications—just enjoying the moment."

Brian chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was worried I might mess things up. I'm not exactly the best at this kind of thing."

Marie tilted her head, her eyes softening. "You're doing fine, Brian. Really. It's nice to just… be myself around someone without any expectations."

They stopped by a small park, and without thinking, Brian led her over to a bench beneath a large oak tree. The park was mostly empty, save for a few distant voices of late-night joggers and the occasional honk from passing cars. It was quiet enough to feel like their own little world.

They sat down, and Brian looked up at the stars, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "You mentioned your ex earlier. I didn't mean to pry, but it sounds like you went through something tough."

Marie looked down, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges of the bench. "Yeah, it wasn't easy. We were together for a while, but… let's just say I wasn't treated the way I should have been."

Brian frowned, concern etched across his features. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. You deserve better, Marie."

She looked at him, her eyes reflecting the flickering light from a nearby lamppost. "Thanks, Brian. It's in the past now, and I'm trying to move forward. It's just… sometimes it's hard to trust again."

Brian nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "I get that. But for what it's worth, I'd never want to hurt you or make you feel like you can't trust me."

Marie smiled softly at his sincerity, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn't felt in a long time. "I know. You're different."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they both let the moment linger. The wind rustled the leaves above, and for a moment, the world outside their small bubble seemed to fade away.

After a few minutes, Brian hesitantly reached out and gently took Marie's hand, his touch tentative, as if asking for permission. She glanced down at their intertwined fingers, feeling a sense of comfort she hadn't expected.

"Marie," Brian began, his voice a little uncertain, "I don't want to rush anything, but… I really like you. I've liked you for a while now. I just didn't know if I should say anything."

Marie looked into his eyes, her heart racing slightly. She hadn't expected him to confess his feelings so soon, but she could see the honesty in his eyes, the vulnerability. It touched her more than she'd anticipated.

"I like you too, Brian," she admitted quietly. "I wasn't sure what I was ready for, but being with you tonight… it feels right."

Brian's face lit up, his smile genuine and filled with relief. "I'm glad you feel that way."

They sat there for a while longer, hands still intertwined, enjoying the simple, unspoken connection between them. For the first time in a long time, Marie felt like she was taking a step in the right direction—toward something new, something good.

As the night grew colder, Brian stood and offered Marie his jacket. She took it gratefully, draping it over her shoulders as they walked back toward the office.

When they finally reached the entrance, Brian hesitated, turning to her with a sheepish grin. "So… this was our first date, huh?"

Marie laughed softly, nodding. "Yeah, I guess it was."

Brian scratched his head, looking a little awkward. "Do I get to ask for a second one?"

Marie smiled, warmth blooming in her chest again. "I'd like that."

With that, they exchanged a lingering look, and Brian leaned in, pressing a soft, tentative kiss to her cheek. Marie felt her heart skip a beat, her face flushing slightly as she met his eyes.

"Goodnight, Marie," Brian said, his voice gentle.

"Goodnight, Brian," she replied, watching as he walked away, feeling a sense of calm and hope that had been absent for far too long.