AZTechs.
Rian and Meg were having their time when Ria's call reminded Meg about 'that.' Rian blinked, genuinely confused.
"What?"
Meg's silence was heavy.
"What did I do?" he repeated, now scanning through every memory of the past week.
No mistakes. No arguments. He had been… actually very good.
So why did she look like she was about to throw something at him?
Meg inhaled and finally asked,
"Why did you put baby Ria's name on the list of doctors visiting the military camp?"
Rian froze.
"…She's going where?"
His tone mixed with disbelief and a little horror.
Meg put her hands on her hips.
"Don't tell me you did that unknowingly."
Rian's jaw tightened.
"Oh, for fu…"
He dragged a hand down his face.
"I told that idiot to add top doctors, not my sister!"
"And you forgot your sister is the one who just won Best Surgeon of the Year," Meg reminded, deadpan.
Rian stared at nothing. Then sighed. Hard.
"Oh God."
Meg softened, stepping closer.
"It's okay. Don't worry. I'll be with her tomorrow."
Rian looked at her then, truly looked and something unguarded flickered behind his eyes.
A warmth.
A gratitude he didn't know how to express properly.
"You really are an angel, Meg."
She smiled, small and sure.
"You know how much I care for my sister," he said quietly.
Meg's smile deepened.
"Hey. For me, she's more important. You know that.
She's my baby Ria."
Rian didn't feel jealousy.
Not even a trace.
Only understanding. And love.
"Umm…" Meg hesitated for a moment.
"Rian, don't you think Ria needs to know about this?" She gestured between the two of them.
"About… us?"
Adrian slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a side hug as he looked out into the distance, thoughtfully.
"Yeah. When the right time comes."
Meg leaned into him, her voice small.
"And…. when is that?"
"Soon," he murmured, fingers gently caressing her hair.
She let out a quiet sigh. "You know, sometimes I feel so guilty hiding this from her."
He turned her slightly to face him, his gaze soft but firm.
"Hey. Don't. She's our Ria. She'll be the happiest when she finds out about us."
Meg nodded, though a trace of uncertainty lingered.
She loved this man deeply, but… There's always a but. Ria would always come first.
If Ria ever stood against this relationship, Meg knew she would walk away.
And Adrian would too. Silence settled between them. Warm and familiar.
"Oh! I almost forgot."
Meg pulled a pendrive from her bag and handed it to him. "Here. I actually came to give you this."
Adrian took it, brows slightly furrowed.
Meg tilted her head. "You asked me for it. Remember?"
Realization flickered across his face. "Ah," he breathed, the corner of his lips curling into a slow, dangerous smirk.
"Be careful," Meg warned, narrowing her eyes. "Take action quickly."
Adrian looked at her with exaggerated affection. Teasing her.
"Aww, my baby is worried about me." He said with shameless pride. "No need. I am your underworld King."
Meg rolled her eyes.
"I meant to say…. don't waste my effort by getting caught."
Rian raised a brow, amused.
In one swift motion, he pinned her lightly against the wall, leaning in so close she could feel his breath.
"Really?" His voice dropped, low, warm, and undeniably intoxicating.
Meg's heart stuttered. Her body trembled, but she wrapped her arms around his neck anyway, surprising him. She leaned forward and placed a quick peck on his lips.
His eyes widened. Just a second of stunned silence. And in that second she pushed him away lightly, darted out of his hold, and ran toward the door with a laugh.
Rian stood there, staring at the empty doorway. A slow, helpless smirk forming on his lips.
He shook his head.
This woman.