A Game of Control

Thea was still lost in the thoughts of her past when her phone rang, snapping her back to reality. She glanced at the screen—Silvia.

"Hello?" she answered.

Silvia's voice came sharp and urgent. "Don't get too close to Aiden. Remember, we are doing this for Ariana."

Thea's fingers tightened around her phone. "I know."

"Just be careful," Silvia warned before hanging up.

Taking a deep breath, Thea put her phone away, pushing down the storm of emotions rising inside her. She had a purpose, a reason for being here. And she couldn't let herself be distracted.

Determined, she grabbed her bag and made her way to the university.

As Thea stepped into the faculty wing, she hesitated for a fraction of a second before pushing open the door to Aiden's office. It was early, and most of the faculty hadn't arrived yet, making this the perfect opportunity.

She sat at his desk, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she accessed the university's database. Her heart pounded as she navigated through the restricted files, searching for one name—Harrison. She needed to know the connection, needed to find out what really happened.

Just as the file began to load, she heard footsteps approaching. Her breath hitched.

The door opened, and Aiden walked in, holding two cups of coffee. He raised an eyebrow as he saw her behind his desk but said nothing as he strolled toward her.

"So, you came early today." His voice was smooth, laced with amusement.

Thea leaned back, composing herself as she accepted the coffee he offered. "Couldn't resist the thrill of academia."

Aiden smirked, setting his own cup down before resting a hip against the desk. "Or maybe you just like snooping around."

Thea feigned an innocent look. "Me? Snooping? Never."

His gaze flicked to the computer, and for a brief second, Thea felt her pulse spike. She had mere moments to act. As Aiden moved slightly closer, she leaned forward as if reaching for the coffee, subtly pulling the pen drive from the USB slot.

She had just tucked it into her pocket when Aiden's hand caught her wrist.

"You're nervous," he noted, his eyes darkening as they flicked between hers.

Thea forced a smirk. "Maybe you make me nervous."

Aiden chuckled, his grip loosening just enough for her to shift. But before she could move away, he tilted her chin up, his fingers warm against her skin.

And then he kissed her.

It was slow, deliberate—like he was savoring every second. The tension between them crackled like a live wire, the world outside his office fading into nothing. Thea hesitated for a moment before she found herself responding, her fingers curling into his shirt.

Her mind screamed at her to focus, to remember why she was here. But Aiden was intoxicating, and for a brief, reckless moment, she let herself get lost in him.

Then, she bit his lip.

Aiden pulled back slightly, his gaze dark with something unreadable. "That was cruel."

She smirked, breathless. "So was kissing me."

Before he could respond, his phone rang, breaking the moment between them. As Aiden turned to answer, Thea took the opportunity to slip away, her heart pounding as she exited his office.

She had what she needed. But at what cost?

And why did she feel like she was losing control of this game?