Chapter Forty: Deal or Disaster

If there was one thing Aria Lane hated more than mergers, it was uncertainty.

And right now, Cole Industries was thick with it.

The office felt like a war zone. People clustered in corners whispering about layoffs, speculating about new bosses, and anxiously refreshing their emails for official announcements.

Aria tried to focus on her screen, but it was impossible when Chloe kept sneaking her updates.

"Okay," Chloe whispered, sliding into the chair beside her. "Rumor is Olivia might get promoted to head of Digital Marketing. And Jeff from Accounting is already packing up his desk. Also, apparently someone saw Ethan leaving the boardroom with the CEO of Strathmore Tech."

Aria blinked. "Already? The merger isn't even a week old."

"Power moves, babe."

Olivia plopped down on the other side. "What are you two conspiring about?"

Chloe grinned. "Office apocalypse updates."

Olivia groaned. "Well, brace yourselves. I just overheard that they're reassigning team leads, and someone from Strathmore is taking over Corporate Affairs."

Aria's stomach tightened.

Corporate Affairs was her department.

Before she could spiral further, her phone buzzed.

Ethan: My office. Now.

Her heart stuttered. She grabbed her notebook and stood.

"Uh-oh," Olivia teased. "Someone's getting called to the principal's office."

Chloe wagged her brows. "If he proposes in there, text me immediately."

Aria rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the grin tugging at her lips as she made her way to Ethan's office.

When she stepped inside, he was leaning against his desk, suit jacket off, tie loosened. The storm outside the tall windows mirrored the one in her stomach.

"Close the door," he said.

She did.

"Sit."

She raised a brow. "I'm not a dog, Cole."

He smirked. "Fine. Stand there looking adorable."

"Spit it out."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I fought to keep you from being reassigned."

Aria's heart skipped. "Wait, what?"

"They wanted to bring in someone from Strathmore to run Corporate Affairs. But I refused."

Her pulse thundered in her ears. "Why?"

"Because you're better than anyone they have. And because…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I trust you."

That shouldn't have made her chest ache, but it did.

"Thanks, I guess," she muttered.

"There's more." He stepped closer. "They offered you a promotion. Head of Corporate Affairs. Effective immediately."

Her mouth dropped open. "You're kidding."

"I'm not. It's yours — if you want it."

Aria's mind raced. More responsibility. A bigger paycheck. Career advancement. But also… a minefield of new politics, scrutiny, and the constant proximity to Ethan Cole.

"I… I need time to think."

His gaze softened. "Take it. But know this — I didn't offer this because of last night. Or because I…" He hesitated, then pushed forward. "Because I have feelings for you. It's because you've earned it."

Aria's breath hitched. Feelings.

"I'll let you know by tomorrow," she said quietly.

He nodded, stepping back to give her space.

As she turned to leave, the door opened — and a tall, impossibly handsome man strolled in like he owned the place.

Aria froze.

Ethan's expression darkened. "Liam."

Her stomach plummeted.

No freaking way.

"Aria," the man said, grinning. "Wow. You look… incredible."

Ethan scowled. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Didn't you hear?" Liam said smoothly. "I'm the new VP of Strathmore's PR Division. Looks like we'll be working together, old friend."

Aria's head whipped between them. "You two know each other?"

Ethan's jaw clenched. "College roommates. And rivals."

"Oh, more than that," Liam added with a smug smile. "I also happen to be Aria's ex."

The room went dead silent.

Ethan's glare could've set off the building's fire alarms.

Aria felt like the floor dropped out from under her.

"What?!"

"Didn't I mention?" Liam winked. "We dated. Sophomore year. You ghosted me, sweetheart."

Aria's stomach twisted. Memories she'd buried resurfaced — frat parties, late-night coffee runs, whispered promises. And then… nothing. She'd ended it when he started playing power games.

"I didn't ghost you," she snapped. "You cheated on me."

Liam laughed, unbothered. "Details."

Ethan stepped between them. "Get out."

Liam's smirk widened. "Relax, man. We'll have plenty of time to catch up."

With a cocky salute, he sauntered out, leaving a trail of tension thick enough to choke on.

Aria groaned, pressing her hands to her temples. "Of all the people… why him?"

Ethan crossed his arms, jaw ticking. "We'll keep things professional. He won't touch you."

She looked up, surprised by the heat in his voice. "I can handle myself, Cole."

"I know. But that doesn't mean I won't have your back."

A beat passed. Then Aria burst out laughing.

"What?" Ethan demanded.

She shook her head, grinning. "I never thought I'd see the day Ethan Cole threatened to throw hands for me."

He smirked. "I've grown."

She stepped closer. "You're still insufferable."

"Yeah, but you like it."

Before she could fire back, Chloe barged in.

"Okay, what the actual hell was that?! Olivia and I just saw Liam strutting around like he's God's gift to corporate America."

Aria sighed. "Long story."

"I've got time."

Ethan held up a hand. "Not now, Chloe."

She pouted. "Fine. But we're getting drinks tonight and you're spilling everything."

As Chloe left, Aria turned back to Ethan.

"So… dinner still on for Friday?"

He grinned. "More than ever."

---

That evening, at Chloe's insistence, Aria met the girls at their favorite rooftop bar.

The city skyline glittered, and the storm had finally cleared, leaving the air crisp and clean.

"I cannot believe your ex is our new VP," Chloe said, nursing a cocktail. "That's like a bad soap opera plot."

"Tell me about it," Aria groaned.

Olivia raised a brow. "So… what's the plan?"

"Accept the promotion," Aria said decisively. "I earned it. And I'm not letting some smug, cheating jerk derail my career."

Chloe whooped. "That's my girl!"

"And Ethan?"

Aria smiled, feeling something warm settle in her chest. "He's… complicated. But we're figuring it out."

The girls clinked glasses, and for the first time in days, Aria felt like maybe — just maybe — she could handle this beautiful, chaotic mess.