Ariana sat in her office, still and silent.
Listless.
She rested her chin on her hand, eyes staring at the documents spread out before her, yet not seeing a single word.
She didn't know how she was supposed to face Adrian now.
That kiss…
It wasn't a dream. It wasn't her imagination.
He kissed her.
It had been brief—not too deep, not too forceful—but it struck something deep within her. Something that hadn't stopped trembling since.
It was her first kiss.
She had never spared much thought for romance. Between relentless training, responsibilities, and chasing her goals, there had never been space in her life for such things.
But Adrian… he had always occupied a quiet place in her heart. From the beginning.
And maybe—just maybe—he felt the same. Not as a subordinate. Not as a cousin.
But as a woman.
"Agh… what should I do now?" she whispered to herself, burying her face in her hands.
