Riyana wasn't weak.
She never allowed herself to be.
Not after everything.
Not after learning the hard way that weakness only gave people a reason to leave.
But even the strongest people—
Had limits.
It had been a long day.
Too long.
Meetings. Conversations. Arguments.
And then…
Bosco.
Again.
His presence had stayed in her mind longer than she liked.
His words.
His tone.
"He touched you."
Riyana exhaled sharply as she stepped out onto the quiet street, the evening air cool against her skin.
"I'm fine," she muttered to herself.
"I don't need anyone."
But her body—
Didn't agree.
The world tilted.
Just slightly.
She stopped walking.
Blinking.
"What…?"
Her vision blurred for a moment.
Then cleared.
Then blurred again.
Her hand moved to her temple.
"Not now…"
She took a step forward—
And the ground felt unstable.
Her breathing slowed.
Too slow.
Her body felt… light.
Unsteady.
And then—
Darkness.
Moments Later
"Riyana."
A voice.
Distant.
Unclear.
"Riyana—"
Something cold touched her wrist.
Firm.
Steady.
Her consciousness flickered.
And slowly—
Her eyes opened.
The first thing she saw—
Was him.
Bosco Moretti.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"You again…"
Her voice was weak.
Barely above a whisper.
Bosco didn't react to the tone.
Didn't comment.
Didn't smirk.
Instead—
His focus remained sharp.
"You fainted."
She tried to sit up.
"I'm fine—"
A hand stopped her.
Not forcefully.
Just enough.
"Don't."
His voice was calm.
Controlled.
Not commanding—
But not optional either.
Riyana frowned slightly.
"I said I'm fine."
Bosco didn't argue.
But he didn't move his hand either.
"You lost consciousness."
"That doesn't mean—"
"You're not stable yet."
Silence.
She didn't like that.
Didn't like being told what she could or couldn't do.
But her body…
Still felt weak.
And that irritated her more than anything.
"Where am I?" she asked quietly.
"My car."
Her eyes shifted slightly.
She hadn't even noticed.
The leather seat beneath her.
The dim lighting.
The quiet.
"How did I—"
"You collapsed."
A pause.
"I brought you here."
Riyana closed her eyes briefly.
Annoyed.
Not at him.
At herself.
"I didn't need that."
Bosco's reply was immediate.
"You did."
Her eyes opened again.
Sharp.
"I don't need saving."
Bosco met her gaze.
"I didn't save you."
A pause.
"I prevented a situation."
That made her stop.
Because the words—
Weren't emotional.
They were practical.
Detached.
Controlled.
Silence filled the space between them.
Different from before.
Less aggressive.
More… aware.
"You should rest," Bosco said.
"I have things to do."
"You're not going anywhere like this."
Her jaw tightened.
"You don't get to decide that."
"I already did."
There it was again.
That quiet dominance.
And normally—
She would fight it immediately.
But right now…
She didn't have the strength.
Riyana looked away.
"Just… give me a minute."
Bosco nodded once.
And then—
He did something unexpected.
He stepped back.
Gave her space.
Didn't hover.
Didn't watch her like she would break again.
That surprised her.
Minutes passed.
Slowly—
Her breathing steadied.
Her vision cleared.
Her strength returned.
Piece by piece.
"I'm fine now," she said finally.
Bosco studied her briefly.
Not emotionally.
Just… assessing.
"Stand up."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Excuse me?"
"If you're fine, prove it."
That irritated her.
But also—
Challenged her.
Riyana pushed herself up.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Her body resisted at first.
But she steadied herself.
"I said I'm fine."
Bosco watched her for a moment longer.
Then nodded.
"Good."
She expected something else.
A comment.
A remark.
A reaction.
But he gave her none.
That annoyed her again.
"Why were you even there?" she asked.
Bosco's expression didn't change.
"I was passing by."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That's convenient."
"Yes."
A pause.
"It is."
She didn't believe him.
Not completely.
But she didn't question it further.
Silence settled again.
But this time—
It wasn't hostile.
It was… quiet.
Unfamiliar.
Riyana looked at him.
Properly.
For the first time since waking up.
"You didn't have to help me."
Bosco's reply came calmly.
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
A pause.
Small.
But noticeable.
Then—
"Because you needed it."
She frowned slightly.
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
Riyana exhaled slowly.
Frustrated.
Confused.
Something about him—
Didn't match her expectations.
He wasn't pushing.
Wasn't taking advantage.
Wasn't using the moment.
He was just… there.
"I'll leave," she said.
Bosco didn't stop her.
"Driver will drop you."
"I can go on my own."
"You won't."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You don't trust me?"
"I don't trust your condition."
That shut her up.
For a second.
Riyana opened the door.
Stepped out.
Paused.
Then looked back at him.
"Don't make this a habit."
Bosco leaned back slightly, his expression calm.
"You fainting?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Helping me."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"I don't repeat unnecessary actions."
She stared at him for a moment.
Then said—
"Good."
And walked away.
But this time—
Her steps were slower.
Thoughtful.
Because something had changed.
Not big.
Not obvious.
But enough.
Across the street—
Bosco watched her until she disappeared.
Marco's voice echoed in his mind.
"This is getting personal."
Bosco exhaled quietly.
Yes.
It was.
Because for the first time—
He didn't step in to control.
Or dominate.
Or win.
He stepped in…
Because he wanted to make sure she was okay.
And that—
Was far more dangerous than anything else....