Julian Cross thought he understood Aria Lane.
He knew she was fast.
He knew she was dangerous.
He knew she loved snacks more than oxygen.
But he didn't know she was a food thief.
Not a casual one.
Not a clumsy one.
A master-level, stealth-elite, Mission-Impossible-tier food thief.
And today, he would learn.
It Begins With a Sandwich
Julian placed his lunch on the break-room table:
a beautiful, handcrafted sandwich he made himself.
Whole-grain bread.
Fresh lettuce.
Roast chicken.
A little mayo.
Simple. Balanced. Healthy.
He turned around to grab a napkin.
It took two seconds.
When he turned back—
The sandwich was gone.
Julian blinked.
"…Huh?"
Theo, eating noodles, whispered like he was witnessing a miracle:
"She struck again."
Julian froze.
"Who?"
Theo only pointed.
Across the room, Aria Lane sat on a chair, legs swinging slightly, chewing slowly…
…Julian's sandwich in her hands.
Julian approached cautiously.
"Aria… is that mine?"
Aria looked up, swallowed, nodded once.
"Yes."
Julian stared.
Aria took another bite.
"Why did you take it?"
She paused mid-chew.
"Because it smelled good."
He blinked.
"…You could have asked."
Aria tilted her head.
"I thought you wouldn't mind."
Julian opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"…Do you steal food often?"
Aria considered the question.
"Yes."
Theo whispered dramatically, "She admits it like she's talking about the weather."
Julian Processes This New Information
Julian sat across from her.
"You steal… everyone's food?"
Aria shook her head.
"No. Only the food that tastes good."
Julian tried not to smile.
"You haven't even tasted it yet."
Aria held up the half-eaten sandwich.
"I was right."
Julian rubbed his forehead, torn between amusement and concern.
"You know… people get mad when you take their lunch."
Aria blinked.
"Are you mad?"
Julian looked at her:
her calm face,
her tiny nibble-bites,
her swinging feet,
her complete lack of guilt.
"…No."
Theo muttered,
"Of course he's not mad. He's charmed. We're watching a man fall."
Daniel suddenly burst into the room.
"ARIA! Did you steal someone's food again—"
He saw Julian sitting across from her.
Daniel froze.
Julian raised a hand politely.
"It was mine."
Daniel internally screamed.
Daniel: Professional Damage Control Mode
Daniel rushed to Aria.
"Apologize! Immediately! You cannot steal from your co-star! This is PR suicide!"
Aria swallowed.
"Sorry."
Julian laughed softly.
"It's okay."
Daniel stared at Julian like he'd betrayed their species.
"It is NOT okay! She cannot go around taking things! She is a public figure!"
Aria held up the remaining sandwich piece.
"I saved you half."
Julian blinked.
"Oh. Thanks."
Daniel dropped to his knees.
"WHY DOES SHE AFFECT PEOPLE LIKE THIS?!"
Julian Makes a Discovery
Aria reached into her tote bag.
"Do you want something else instead?"
Julian shook his head.
"It's fine—"
But she had already started taking things out:
a mini chocolate bar
two crackers
a protein snack
a pack of gummies
something that might've once been a croissant
Julian raised his eyebrows.
"You brought all that?"
Aria nodded.
"For emergencies."
Daniel whispered,
"She is the emergency…"
What Julian Doesn't Expect
Aria pushed the chocolate bar toward him.
"You can have this."
Julian blinked.
"You're… giving me something?"
Aria nodded.
"You shared your sandwich."
Julian couldn't help it—
he smiled. Warm. Subtle. Genuine.
"Thank you."
Aria studied him for a second, as if cataloging his reaction.
Then she nodded once, satisfied.
Theo Summarizes the Chaos
Theo slurped his noodles loudly and announced:
"So to recap:
Aria stole Julian Cross's lunch…
and somehow HE apologized emotionally."
Daniel groaned.
"Don't say it like that!"
Theo shrugged.
"It's the truth."
Marcus popped his head in the room.
"What happened?"
Theo said,
"Aria robbed the movie king."
Marcus nodded.
"As expected."
Julian: "Hey—"
Aria: eats last bite of sandwich quietly
Julian's Final Thought
He watched her licking a crumb off her finger, utterly unrepentant.
And even though he should've been annoyed…
He wasn't.
He was intrigued.
He leaned back in his chair and murmured:
"You're something else, Aria Lane."
Aria glanced at him.
"…Is that good?"
Julian smiled.
"It might be."
Daniel screamed into a paper cup.