Warm hand

The Vale Conglomerate private jet rolled smoothly along the runway of Koeto International's secluded terminal. A soft breeze rustled across the tarmac, the air rich with the scent of sea salt and faint lavender from nearby groves. The sunset sky painted hues of orange and pink over the luxury plane as its stairs descended with a hiss.

Dominic Vale descended first, clad in a sharply tailored black suit that caught the light like obsidian. His steps were crisp, unfaltering, as if the ground beneath him bent to his presence. Beside him, Ava Ellis followed with grace that could silence thunder.

Her hair, styled into a low twisted bun, swayed gently with the breeze. Their walk together was unhurried yet powerful.

A fleet of luxury cars stood ready.

One of the staff members, Mr. Hanley, took the charge and greeted him.

When everybody was settled in car

Mr hanley took the call a few paces back.

"Yes, sir. There's a lady with him."

He paused, listening intently.

"Understood."

He ended the call and quietly stepped aside.

Meanwhile, Ava took in the view as their car began its drive through Koeto. She looked out at the cityscape, her eyes softening.

I've been here before, she thought. With Mom and Dad… I don't remember how old I was.

But after that trip, every time she'd asked to return, her parents had denied her. She'd never understood why.

Her thoughts broke when she felt warmth.

She looked down.

What came into view was--

Dominic's hand—large, steady—rested gently atop hers.

She blinked, surprised.

"Miss Ellis," came his deep voice. "Are you alright?"

She turned her gaze toward him. "Yes?"

"I called you several times. You didn't respond."

She quickly pulled her hand away. "It's nothing. I was just… distracted by the scenery."

The window was cracked open. A soft breeze slipped through, carrying with it the faint scent of sea and citrus. The car was crossing a bridge, and the view outside was breathtaking.

The sun was dipping low, its golden light casting ripples over the ocean below. Reflections danced across the car windows. The light fell on Ava's profile, softening her features.

The air tousled her bun slightly. Instead of messy, it made her look like something out of a dream—elegant, untouchable, and achingly real.

Dominic stared.

A quiet breath escaped his lips. "Indeed… it's picturesque."

The words were low, barely a murmur, but Ava heard them. She turned her head slowly, eyes meeting his.

Her heart skipped.

Wait—what? Why are you looking at me like that?

His gaze was calm, deep… and warm in a way that made her chest feel strange.

She looked away quickly, pretending not to notice.

But the air had changed.

The car continued its ride toward the conference venue, but neither said another word.

Because for now, silence said too much.

----

The grand glass doors of the Orion Crown Hotel opened without a sound, revealing a lobby bathed in polished marble, soft gold lighting, and the low hum of quiet luxury.

Dominic stepped through first, a shadow of control and confidence wrapped in a three-piece slate-gray suit. Ava followed, her heels silent against the floor, expression calm but eyes alert. She hadn't missed the subtle uptick in security presence—plainclothes men stationed discreetly, hotel staff moving with tight-lipped precision.

She kept her posture composed, but something buzzed in her instincts. Something wasn't right.

Dominic glanced sideways. "You feel it too."

Ava gave a barely perceptible nod. "The place is too quiet."

They were led by a uniformed concierge through a private elevator to the top floor. Awaiting them in the conference lounge was the leadership team from the Korean tech company Vale Conglomerate was set to collaborate with. The room boasted a stunning panoramic view of Koeto's skyline, and at the center sat a long glass table surrounded by suited executives.

Dominic's gaze settled on the man at the head of the table.

Tall, distinguished, and eerily calm, Mr. Raiden Myung, CEO of MyungTech International, stood as they entered. His sleek black suit and perfectly combed silver-streaked hair made him appear both powerful and ageless.

Dominic extended a hand. "Mr. Myung. A pleasure."

Raiden shook it with a firm grip. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Vale. I've looked forward to this meeting."

Then his gaze shifted to Ava.

"And this must be your secretary," Raiden said, his voice velvet-smooth. "Miss..."

"Ava Ellis," Ava replied professionally, offering a polite nod. "I'll be assisting Mr. Vale during this partnership."

Raiden's eyes lingered on her just a moment too long.

Ava, used to unwanted attention, held her expression steady. But the way his gaze followed her as she took her seat beside Dominic sent a small ripple of discomfort down her spine. She forced herself to remain calm, focusing on the folder she opened in front of her.

Dominic noticed.

His jaw ticked as he flicked his gaze from Raiden to Ava, then back. The subtle protectiveness in his body language was only apparent to those who knew him well.

"Shall we begin?" Dominic said, his tone cool and clipped.

The meeting proceeded, charts projected onto sleek built-in screens, figures exchanged, and strategies laid out. Despite the undercurrent of tension, Ava shone. Her insights were sharp, her analysis on point, and her poise unshakable.

Raiden often directed questions at her—not inappropriately, but with a frequency that felt deliberate.

After the meeting, Raiden offered rooms for the Vale team in the same hotel.

"Consider it a gesture of trust," he said, his eyes—once again—lingering on Ava.

Later, Ava was escorted to her suite. The room was immaculate, modern, and infused with soft ambient lighting. But the decor struck her.

A soft lavender diffuser. A rare bonsai on the shelf. A set of poetry books she adored. None of these were common hotel amenities.

Her brows furrowed. How would anyone know this?

She was still standing by the desk, brows slightly drawn, when there was a knock.

She opened the door to find Dominic, holding a folder.

"Didn't want to disturb your rest, but this needed your review," he said.

Ava took it with a nod. "Thanks."

He didn't leave immediately. His eyes scanned the room behind her, catching the unusual details.

"You okay?" he asked looking at her unstilled expression.

She hesitated. "Something about this room feels... too curated."

Dominic's eyes darkened. "You're not imagining it. We'll double-check security."

She nodded slowly. But before he could leave, she asked, "Do you know Mr. Myung well?"

Dominic tilted his head slightly. "Only by reputation. He's brilliant, ruthless in business... and far too interested in things he shouldn't be."

Ava folded her arms. "He was watching me."

Dominic didn't deny it. "I noticed."

A long silence passed. The light between them dimmed slightly as the sun finally slipped beneath the horizon.

"I'll have the security team sweep your room," Dominic said finally, eyes still on hers.

As he left, Ava let out a breath and turned back inside.

Just before she could close the door, something on the floor caught her eye.

An envelope.

No name. Just cream-colored parchment.

She opened it slowly.

Inside was an old photograph. A little girl—herself—smiling with her parents in Koeto. The edges were worn. The date stamped on the back was a match to her first visit.

But she didn't remember this moment. Not exactly.

Flipping the photo, she read the message scrawled in sharp ink:

"Do you really remember everything, Ava?"

Her breath hitched. She stepped back, photo in hand, heart suddenly thudding in her ears.

The door closed with a soft click behind her.