Elara’s eyes lingered on Ziva’s face, the way her eyes seemed to shine as if she had just stumbled on a hidden treasure. Then without saying anything, she reached for the pen Carris had placed on the table and flipped to the page that needed her signature.

"You’re sure about this?" she asked softly, the pen hovering just above the paper. "My reputation... are you sure it won’t drag you down?"

Carris looked at her, then let out a short scoff. "What are you talking about?" he said. "I’ve listened to your songs. I know your talent and what you can do. That’s what matters, not reputation or rumors."

"Yes exactly," Ziva chimed in, adjusting her glasses. "Please don’t start acting like you’re some fragile glass that will shatter because people are talking. If talent could be canceled by gossip, half the industry would have retired by now."

Elara let out a small scoff at Ziva’s shamelessness. Then she shook her head gently before lowering the pen and scribbling her name across the line.

Ziva finally let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.

After that, they got into the details. Schedules, timelines, lyrics, ideas, everything was discussed carefully. Elara stayed focused, going through each part of the song with him. But even when it felt like everything had been covered, Carris still had something to add.

"We’re done with this bridge," he said, glancing at his watch before looking back at her. "But em, Elara... have you had lunch?"

He suddenly narrowed his eyes a little. "Wait, you look a bit pale. Solmere doesn’t get as much sunlight as Starfall. You should probably take some vitamin D. I know a good supplement, I can send it over."

"It’s fine," Elara muttered for the umpteenth time. "Don’t worry about it."

She was about to suggest they continue another day, but Carris had already turned his attention to the window, his gaze drifting toward the nearby buildings.

"And if you need help getting used to the area, just let me know," he added casually. "I know a few people around here." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Elara nodded, but a thought quickly crossed her mind.

She wanted to ask how he had found her. But she stopped herself. Because... From the way he kept stretching out the conversation, she had a feeling it would only lead to another long explanation. And honestly, she didn’t care enough to ask. So she just stayed quiet.

Eventually, after what felt like decades, Carris finally stood up and made his way to the door, casually reminding her that he would bring over the vitamin supplements he had promised, even though she didn’t remember agreeing to that.

* * *

That night, she sat on her bed, the music sheets spread out in front of her. Her eyes moved across the pages, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

Slowly, her lips pressed together and she stood up, walking away from the bed and stopping in front of the mirror.

She stood still for the first few seconds, staring at her reflection. Then she turned sideways and lifted her shirt high enough to see her shoulder.

Her gaze searched the skin there carefully... but there was nothing unusual. No scars. No marks. Nothing except the small birthmark that had always been there.

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

That alone didn’t seem like enough reason for Carris to look at her like he had just seen a ghost.

After a moment, she lowered her shirt with a quiet sigh and turned back toward the bed, her thoughts still unsettled...

–

Harris stood in front of the door, adjusting his tie for the eleventh time. Then he cleared his throat and stepped in, but he almost ran back as soon as he entered.

Regardless, he quickly braced himself and closed the door.

He reached out toward the light switch, but he stopped himself before doing so because of the thoughts that were already going through his mind.

What if Boss was currently... shirtless, flexing his muscles or rubbing bronzer on his abs to look extra shiny for his next meeting.

Harris’s stomach churned. If he flipped the switch and actually saw that, he wouldn’t even wait to be fired. He would just vomit on the spot and then jump out the nearest window. He knew the Boss would never actually do something so embarrassing, but the mere thought was enough to make him want to retire from life.

Or, what if Boss was actually a vampire? Seriously, what other reason would a man have for sitting in a dark room like a bat? It explained everything... Why he was so cold, why he hated people being happy, and why he didn’t have a soul.

If Harris turned on the light and he hissed at him, he was dead. He could already imagine the headline:

Assistant Turned Into Juice Box by CEO.

But nevertheless, after summoning up his courage, he squeezed his eyes shut and flicked the switch.

The lights came on instantly. He opened his eyes slowly but he hadn’t even done so fully before he started coughing. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed the smell when he first entered.

The room was engulfed in thick smoke, all thanks to the cigarette resting in Boss’s hand. He was leaning against the window, his other hand in his pocket.

Harris coughed again, waving his hand in front of him to keep the smoke away.

"Sir, with the greatest respect for your personal choices and emotional state... I cannot breathe."

But that could only remain in his head. He dared not voice it out.

He pulled himself together and stepped forward, stopping in front of him. Then he cleared his throat professionally.

"Sir, the distribution arrangement for the film has been finalized," he said. "It will be released in seven different places, and the promotion will start next week."

There was no reaction. Well, he had always expected that anyway.

"Sir, about Kai... the western corridor negotiations have stalled on their end. Cassian has started pulling back as instructed, probably after realizing he likes being alive."

Adrian pulled the cigarette from his lips and flicked it into the nearby trashcan with a practiced motion. Then he brought out another from the pack, lit it, and took another drag.

"You can leave," he said after a while.

Harris gave a deep bow and made to turn away, but his steps wavered slightly. He then turned back to him, his lips pursing in hesitation.

"Boss... Miss Veyne," he began, taking in a deep breath.