Bright sunlight sliced through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the S&Co boardroom, catching every surface with sharp clarity and laying bare the tension that crackled quietly in the air.
Sharon entered first, posture immaculate, expression a mask perfected over years, poised, controlled, unflinching. A slim silver charm bracelet shimmered faintly on her wrist, a steady talisman grounding her against the swirl of nerves beneath. Jia followed with two mugs of chai, one steaming and strong, one for herself, the silent shield of friendship.
Sid was already there, at the far end of the table, hands folded neatly over a notepad, eyes sharp but occasionally flickering to Sharon. To outsiders, he was the consummate professional. But behind that polish lingered a current electric with old, complicated ties.
As Sharon took her seat, Sid leaned back slightly, a familiar half-smile tugging at his lips devilish and teasing, the kind of smile that once made her grip her pen tighter and her breath stall.
He caught Jia's eye and murmured, just for her, "She's rehearsed that poker face beautifully, think she ever lets me see the real deal?"
Jia chuckled, her look toward Sharon a blend of amusement and warning.
Sharon flicked a glance at Sid, just enough to meet the unspoken challenge before turning away, steadying her breath. She wouldn't let him see her rattled.
The meeting started, brisk and clinical: timelines, budgets, deliverables. Sharon's voice sliced crisply through the room, leaving no room for slack or indulgence. Sid answered her with calm precision, but his playful edge glinted through in well-timed bursts.
When Sharon pressed him on a tight deadline, Sid quipped, "Pressure suits me. Brings out the best devil-may-care in me. Don't worry, your timeline's safe even if I mock it mercilessly in private." He winked at Jia.
A ripple of laughter spread around the room. Sharon's mouth twitched, betraying a flicker of reluctant amusement before she stitched her composure back in place. She hated that he could still unsettle her so easily.
Inside, Sid's mind raced:
She's clueless. The contract? It's a smokescreen. I engineered every part of it so I could be here again. But she only sees the devilish grin that is fine for now. That's always been my signature.
Minutes ticked by. Sid's gaze tracked Sharon's subtle gestures, the way she tucked a stray hair behind her ear, the slight tightening in her jaw, her hands clenching and unclenching around her mug, as if willing herself steady. Once, she caught him watching and shot him an exasperated look laced, Sid was sure, with a dash of the old spark.
When the last slide ended, the team began to pack up. Jia leaned in to Sharon, whispering, "You're holding steady, but if the devil gets too charming, I'll knock him out myself."
Sharon shook her head slightly: Let me handle this.
As the room emptied, only Sharon and Sid remained. Air thickened, heavy with possibility and caution.
Sid spoke first, dropping his voice just for her. "You know I'm not here just for the project," he said, a mischievous smirk curling at his lips. "You always had a way of making deadlines feel thrilling even if you'd never confess it."
Sharon froze for a half-second, the ghost of childhood trust and teenage chemistry flickering in her chest. But she was twenty-six, leader of the room, and would not be played with.
"You're still playing games, Sid," she replied, voice cool and steady despite the flush she felt beneath her skin.
He closed the distance a fraction, tone low and inviting. "And you're still the only one who knows the rules."
A pause charged with words left unspoken stretched between them before Sid's grin softened to something almost hopeful.
"Same time tomorrow?" he asked with a wink. "Or should I let you miss me a little longer?"
Sharon turned, smile reluctant but real. "Don't push your luck."
A soft laugh escaped Sid, a sound both promise and dare, echoing between them.
As he left the room, Sid's thoughts sang with mischief and hope: That's exactly why I'm here.
Sharon lingered in the quiet corridor after Sid left, her hand unconsciously brushing the cool metal of her bracelet. The adrenaline of the meeting was fading, replaced by an ache that left her feeling unmoored, tiredness weaving through her bones.
Jia appeared, a bundle of bright energy, waving a set of office keys. "No escape this time," she declared. "We're officially done being adults for tonight. I'm kidnapping you for ice cream, you pick the flavor, or I swear I'll tell Ray you need another emotional check-in worksheet."
Sharon almost laughed, the tension releasing just a bit. "You're relentless."
"Motto for life." Jia looped an arm through Sharon's, already dragging her toward the elevator. "Trust me, ice cream solves everything, even devilish men with dangerously nice hair."
They detoured to a cheery corner shop, arguing over flavors until Sharon claimed dark chocolate and Jia insisted on mango with rainbow sprinkles. Boxes in hand, Jia proclaimed, "We are not discussing deadlines or men until at least episode two!" as she steered them back to Sharon's apartment.
Settled on the couch, Netflix queued up, the soft glow of K-drama lighting their faces, Sharon started to relax. On screen, two leads bantered flirtatiously by a convenience store, but it was Jia's well-aimed nudge that drew Sharon back to the real world.
"So," Jia said, licking a spoon, "what did the charming spawn of chaos actually say to you after we all left?"
Sharon hesitated, pushing a swirl of ice cream around her bowl. "He said… he's not here just for the project. That being around me is like thrilling, apparently."
Jia's eyebrows shot up. "Bold. And classic, honestly." She paused, considering. "How'd it make you feel?"
Sharon shrugged, a fleeting smile ghosting her lips. "Part of me wanted to throw my ice cream at him. The other part…" She trailed off, uncertain. "I'm not sure. It's confusing. He's still charming, impossible. But there's something real in his eyes too, and I don't know what to do with that."
Jia squeezed Sharon's hand. "You don't have to 'do' anything tonight. Let him be a mystery for once. Tonight is ice cream, pretty men on TV, and me promising not to let you melt into a puddle unless it's from too much spicy ramen in episode five."
The sound of laughter, real, warm, unguarded bubbled from Sharon's chest for the first time all day.
As they settled in, dipping spoons and trading quips about swoon-worthy second leads and tragic plot twists, Sharon realized that at least for tonight—she could let the past and future rest and just be held, not by anyone's promises, but by the sisterhood that had never once let her down.