The boy grinned, balancing himself as Luke adjusted his grip, careful not to let him slip. Around them, the room that had been quiet only moments ago now carried small bursts of laughter and light footsteps, a contrast to the stillness Selena had grown used to.
She watched from behind the desk, her expression composed, though her eyes lingered a moment longer than necessary on the scene before her attention slowly returned to the screen in front of her.
"Uncle Luke, look at this!" Leo said excitedly.
"I'm looking," Luke replied, laughing lightly. "But if you fall, I'm blaming you, not me."
"I won't fall!" Leo grinned.
Lila shook her head. "You always say that."
Bruno chuckled, watching them.
For a moment, everything felt… normal.
Warm.
Safe.
Selena closed the file on her system.
"Alright," she said calmly. "That's enough noise for one room."
Leo gasped. "Mommyyy—"
"Out…..go to bed,it's past bedtime kids," she added, pointing lightly to the door.
"Grandpa, she's chasing us," Leo whispered dramatically.
"I can see that," Bruno said with a small smile.
"Go on kids or no dessert tomorrow " Selena said, though there was no real strictness in her tone.
"We are on our way mummy,don't mess with our dessert." The twins chorused dragging their grandpa along with them."Grandpa come read us a bedtime story."
The twins ran out, pulling Bruno along with them.
"Come on, Grandpa!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming…"
The door closed behind them.
Silence returned.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
Bruno stepped back in alone this time.
Selena didn't look up. "You didn't escape them. They let you go."
Bruno smiled faintly and took a seat.
"You're still the same."
Selena removed her glasses slowly.
"So daddy what was the important discussion you wanted to have with me??" she replied.
No small talk.
Straight to it.
Bruno leaned forward slightly.
"I want you to take over the Brun corporation and I want to announce you as the heiress at your welcome home party."
Selena's expression didn't change.
"Funny enough , I was expecting that"
Bruno studied her.
"What's your response or do you want to think about it?"
"I already have," she said calmly. " You already know my answer daddy….I'm not ready."
"Ivanna, you know that you are my only child and I don't have any successor …thats you duty and it has to be fulfilled sooner or later," he said. "You're still involved whether you admit it or not."
Her dad only calls her that when he wants to convince her to do something.
"Can I just step away from this??Selena asked.
"And walked into another battlefield??" Bruno countered.
That made her pause.
Just slightly.
"Adrian," he added.
The name settled between them.
Selena leaned back.
"I know what I'm doing."
"Then tell me what you know about him."
A beat.
"…Enough."
Bruno shook his head slowly.
"No scandals. No past. No loose ends," he said. "Men like that don't just exist."
Selena's gaze sharpened.
"They exist when they're careful."
"Or when they're hiding something bigger than anyone's found yet," Bruno replied.
Silence.
Then—
"That's exactly why I'm there," Selena said.
Now it was clear.
Not just a job.
A move.
Bruno exhaled softly.
"Then you need more than distance. You need control."
"I have control."
"Not there…Adrian wants a collaboration with Brun corporation and I'm sure you'd know how to handle it and also I figured he also wants to partner up with Ivan corporation,"he said firmly."I think this is our chance to ruin him from inside out….keep your friends close but your enemy closer, Ivanna…in this case our enemy is Adrian."
Selena held his gaze.
Then finally,
"I'll think about it."
Not agreement.
But not rejection anymore.
Bruno stood.
"That's enough for now."
He walked toward the door, then paused.
"Be careful with men who look perfect on paper," he said without turning. "They're usually the most dangerous."
Then he left.
Adrian's Office — Late Night
The building was quiet.
Almost empty.
But the highest floor was still lit.
Adrian sat behind his desk, a file open in front of him, untouched for the past several minutes.
The city lights reflected faintly against the glass walls behind him.
Still.
Controlled.
Precise.
"…Selena."
The name left his lips quietly.
Like he was supposed to have a deep connection with that but anytime he tries to remember he develops a deep throbbing headache…
A knock.
"Come in."
Tessa walked in, composed as always, tablet in hand.
"You're still here," she noted.
"So are you."
"I had an update."
She placed the tablet on his desk.
"The new strategist. Selena."
His eyes flickered briefly.
"She completed three projections today. Clean. No revisions."
"Efficiency isn't rare,Tessa" Adrian said.
"This level is," Tessa replied.
A pause.
"She doesn't ask questions she should ask," she continued. "And she doesn't hesitate where most people would."
Adrian leaned back slightly.
"Confidence?"
Tessa shook her head.
"No. Familiarity."
That made him look at her properly.
"It's like she already understands how things work here," she added.
Silence filled the room.
Adrian's fingers tapped once against the desk.
"Keep watching her."
"I already am."
Tessa hesitated briefly.
Then he closed the file in front of him.
"You can clock out now Tessa ."
When he heard the door sound of the door closing he stood up while loosening his tie and walked to the floor to ceiling window overlooking the night life of the city.
"I don't forget faces," he said calmly.
"But names?"
A slight pause.
"They return when necessary."
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden ring of his phone .
He took it out and placed it on his ear without looking at the caller Id.
"Adrian!!!!" Chloe squeaked from the other end of the phone." It's been a while and if I don't call you,you won't even bother to check on you bestie."
"What do you want Chloe?" Adrian replied calm as always with massaging his forehead with his finger tips.
"Hmmmmph not even an explanation or an apology….you're the worst." Chloe sulked pouting as if Adrian can see her.
" Chloe,say what you want or I'm ending this call." Adrian said still calm but obviously tired of the conversation.
He doesn't like talking much.
"Urggh..you're the worst, I just wanted to invite you over for dinner when you are free because I miss you." Chloe said.
"..." No response
"Please Adrian , I won't take much of your time please." Chloe continued when Adrian didn't answer.
" Okay…send me the location and time tomorrow, nothing more than 30 mins." Adrian finally agreed.
" Oh thank you thank you Adrian, 30 mins is enough." Chloe said happily but before she could continue Adrian already ended the call.
Chloe looked at the phone not surprised anymore almost like she is used to it..
"Cold bastard….but I still love him like that." She said dreamily while kissing her phone screen imagining it's Adrian.
Adrian office,
Silence again.
Adrian stood lighting a cigar now while his gaze drifted toward the city lights.
Everything in his world was structured.
Measured.
Untouchable.
But now—
There was something slightly off balance.
Something unfamiliar.
"…Selena."
This time, it didn't feel distant.
It felt close.
Like a memory just out of reach.
"And now he is determined to get to know who she is because he hates feeling unfulfilled."
The next morning-Selena's mansion,
Morning settled over Selena's mansion in a quiet glow, sunlight slipping through the tall windows and stretching across the polished floors.
Upstairs, the calm didn't last.
"I'm not wearing that!" one of the twins complained, tugging at his uniform.
"You wore it yesterday!" the other shot back, already halfway into his shoes.
"I did not!"
"Did too!"
Their voices bounced down the hallway, full of stubborn energy as they argued and moved around in a rush.
Downstairs, Selena stood in the kitchen, calm in contrast. Steam rose gently from the cup in her hand as she poured tea, the faint scent filling the air. The coffee machine sat untouched in the corner—exactly where it always was.
Her father leaned against the counter, watching the chaos with quiet pride in his eyes.
"They remind me of you," he said, a small smile forming.
Selena let out a soft breath, her gaze briefly lifting toward the stairs before settling back on her cup.
"I thought about it overnight," she said after a pause. "I'll do it. I agree."
He nodded slowly, like he had expected nothing less.
Footsteps approached, and Luke walked in, already dressed, adjusting his cuff as he glanced toward the stairs.
"Still fighting?" he asked lightly.
"Every morning," Selena replied.
Without another word, Luke grabbed two lunchboxes from the counter and headed toward the noise upstairs.
"Five minutes!" his voice echoed shortly after. "Or I'm leaving without both of you."
The arguing paused…then hurried footsteps followed.
Selena shook her head faintly, bringing the cup to her lips.
For a moment, everything felt… settled.
And that was enough.