The change was subtle.
But undeniable.
Riyana noticed it in the way her mornings felt lighter.
In the way, she didn't dread walking into the office anymore.
And mostly,
In the way her eyes searched for him without thinking.
"Looking for someone?"
She blinked.
Megha stood beside her, amused.
"I'm not" Riyana stopped. "…just checking something."
"Hmm," Megha smirked slightly. "Sure."
Riyana ignored her.
But a second later,
Her gaze lifted again.
And there he was.
Bosco.
Standing near his cabin, talking to someone.
Her lips curved slightly.
Without permission.
"Yeah," Megha muttered under her breath. "Definitely checking something."
Riyana nudged her lightly. "Go do your work."
But her smile stayed.
Because now
She didn't feel the need to hide it from herself anymore.
Later That Day
"Riyana, come here."
She didn't even pretend to hesitate.
Inside his cabin, the door closed softly.
For a second—
They just looked at each other.
No urgency.
No tension.
Just… comfort.
"You called me for work?" she asked, raising a brow.
"Maybe," Bosco replied.
"Maybe?"
He stepped closer.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"How long you're planning to stand that far."
Riyana rolled her eyes slightly.
But stepped closer anyway.
"Better?" she asked.
"Not yet."
Before she could respond.
His hand moved.
Not sudden.
Not hesitant either.
Just… natural.
Fingers brushing lightly against hers,
Before holding.
Riyana stilled.
Not out of shock.
But because
She liked it.
"Bosco…"
"Hmm?"
"We're in the office."
"I'm aware."
"And you are still."
"Yes."
Her breath softened slightly.
There was no tension in it this time.
No panic.
Just something warm.
"You're getting bold," she murmured.
"Or you're getting used to it."
That made her look at him.
And for a second,
She didn't deny it.
Because he was right.
She was.
Her fingers tightened slightly around his.
Just a little.
And
That was enough to shift the moment again.
Bosco stepped closer.
Not closing the space completely.
But enough that she felt it.
"You're different," he said quietly.
Riyana frowned slightly. "How?"
"You're not trying to run."
A small pause.
"Maybe I'm tired of it," she replied softly.
His gaze softened.
"Good."
The word lingered.
And for a second
It felt like everything was falling into place.
Too perfectly.
Evening
They walked out together again.
Not unusual anymore.
Not accidental.
Expected.
"You're smiling more," Bosco said casually.
Riyana glanced at him.
"Don't overanalyze."
"I don't need to."
She rolled her eyes slightly.
But didn't deny it.
Because it was true.
She felt lighter.
Safer.
Like she wasn't constantly bracing herself anymore.
And
That was new.
They stopped near her car.
A small pause.
Neither moving immediately.
"You're not going to say goodnight and leave again, are you?" Bosco asked.
Riyana raised a brow. "What do you expect?"
"A little more than that."
Her lips curved slightly.
"Like what?"
Bosco didn't answer.
Instead,
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Intentional.
Riyana's breath slowed.
Not nervous.
Just… aware.
His hand lifted,
Resting lightly at her waist.
Not pulling.
Not forcing.
Just there.
"Like this," he said quietly.
Her heartbeat picked up slightly.
But she didn't step back.
Not anymore.
Her hand rested lightly against his chest.
And for a second,
Everything stilled.
Then
He leaned in.
This time
She didn't hesitate.
The kiss was soft.
Not rushed.
Not overwhelming.
Just… right.
And when they pulled back
There was no confusion.
Only something deeper.
Something steadier.
"You're dangerous," she murmured.
Bosco smirked slightly. "You stayed."
That made her smile.
"Yes," she said softly. "I did."
The Shift
They didn't notice him at first.
Standing a little distance away.
Watching.
Alex.
His gaze fixed.
Unmoving.
He had come to talk to Riyana.
Something casual.
Something normal.
But what he saw,
Wasn't normal.
Not for him.
Riyana.
With someone else.
Close.
Comfortable.
Smiling in a way
He hadn't seen before.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Because that,
That wasn't supposed to happen.
Not like this.
Not without him knowing.
His eyes shifted to Bosco.
Measured.
Sharp.
Assessing.
Then back to Riyana.
Still smiling.
Still… unaware.
Something dark flickered in his expression.
Possessive.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
But there.
Clear.
She didn't tell me.
That thought stayed.
Longer than it should have.
Because to him,
Riyana wasn't just someone.
And seeing her like this
With someone else.
Didn't sit right.
Not at all.
By the time Riyana turned,
He had already stepped back.
Gone.
Like he was never there.
But the moment
It stayed.
Unseen by her.
Unnoticed by Bosco.
But not gone.
Because now
Someone else knew.
And he wasn't okay with it.