~013
The Calm Before the Next Storm
---
It had been a week since the boardroom ambush that shattered Camille's empire of lies.
Since then, Bella had received more praise, press requests, and job offers than she could count. Her inbox overflowed. Her LinkedIn buzzed with recruiter messages. Her name trended briefly on fashion blogs as the woman who outplayed the most powerful people in her company.
And still…
She couldn't shake the unease.
Because silence this loud always came before something worse.
---
Xavier hadn't spoken to her in person since that night.
There were emails. Professional. Respectful. Even warm.
But distant.
Almost like he was trying not to get too close again now that the fire had cooled.
Bella wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
Because the truth was…
She still thought about him every night.
---
One afternoon, as she sat sketching concepts for the revived Milan collection in the design lounge, Clara walked in with two espresso cups and a sly smile.
"Figured you deserved caffeine," she said, placing one down beside Bella's tablet.
"Thank you," Bella said, managing a tired smile. "I haven't slept much."
"You know you can take a break, right? You exposed a corporate coup. That buys you at least three mental health days."
Bella sipped. "If I stop moving, I'll start overthinking. And if I start overthinking…"
"You'll spiral," Clara finished. "Yeah. I know the feeling."
They shared a quiet moment.
Then Clara leaned against the table and asked, "You and Xavier. What's… happening there?"
Bella blinked. "What do you mean?"
Clara gave her a look. "Please. I'm the head of operations, not blind."
Bella sighed. "I honestly don't know. After everything, I think we both needed distance."
"And now?"
"I still don't know."
Clara hesitated, then said something Bella didn't expect.
"You scare him."
Bella stared. "What?"
"Not in a bad way. You make him feel things he's spent years avoiding. He doesn't trust easily. Not even himself."
Bella swallowed hard. "I'm not trying to fix him."
"I know. That's why he might actually let you in."
---
Later that evening, Bella stepped onto the rooftop of LV's headquarters—her favorite place in the whole building.
The Paris skyline stretched before her, glowing with soft golds and cool blues. The city was alive, yet peaceful from above.
She leaned on the railing, the wind playing with her hair.
"I thought I'd find you here."
The voice made her spine straighten.
She turned.
Xavier.
No suit jacket tonight. Just a dark shirt, sleeves rolled up, eyes tired but warm.
She didn't speak at first. Neither did he.
Then he stepped closer, close enough for her to smell that familiar spice-and-smoke scent that haunted her dreams.
"I've been watching you," he said quietly.
She arched a brow. "That's not creepy at all."
He gave a rare, soft laugh. "I meant… I've seen how you handled everything. The fallout. The press. The board."
"And?"
"You were extraordinary."
Bella looked away. "I was just trying to survive."
"Sometimes," Xavier said, "surviving is the most extraordinary thing we can do."
A silence settled.
Then, carefully, he added, "I stayed away because I didn't want to be another complication. Not after what they did to you."
Bella turned to face him fully.
"Xavier, you were never the complication. You were the reason I didn't break."
That admission surprised even her.
And it wrecked him.
He stepped closer. One hand reached up, but hovered at her cheek, not quite touching. His voice was low, hoarse.
"If I kissed you right now, would you stop me?"
Bella stared into his eyes.
Then whispered, "No."
His hand touched her jaw, thumb brushing her cheek.
And then he kissed her.
No more half-steps. No hesitation.
Just truth.
Just fire.
Just them.
---
For a little while, the world faded.
No scandals.
No sabotage.
No whispers behind glass walls.
Just heartbeats and starlight.
But peace never lasts long in their world.
Because while they stood tangled in each other's arms, a message was quietly sent from an untraceable number to a private inbox in Rome:
> She's closer than expected. And now he's involved again.
Plan B needs to begin.
---
Somewhere far away, in a high-rise suite lined with photos of Xavier Louis in his earlier years, a man lit a cigarette with shaking fingers.
His phone pinged.
He opened the message and scrolled past Bella's photo.
Then he smiled.
Cruel. Knowing.
> "So you're the one who got past his walls."
"Let's see how long you survive."