The Alejandro Corporation tower stood high above the city.
Cold. Precise. Unapproachable.
Inside, everything moved with strict order.
"Your schedule, sir," Daniel Reyes said, walking beside Michael Alejandro. "Board meeting at ten. Investor call at noon. Mr. Anderson is confirmed for tomorrow."
Michael nodded once.
"Good."
Daniel hesitated slightly.
"You also have a visitor."
"I don't take unplanned meetings."
"This one insisted."
Michael stopped.
Before he could respond—
"So this is how you welcome your closest friend?"
The voice was familiar. Calm. Confident.
Michael turned.
Standing there was Adrian Kade.
Relaxed. Unbothered. He is the only man who could stand in Michael's space without hesitation.
"You didn't call," Michael said.
Adrian smirked.
"I missed the wedding," he said. "I figured I should at least come and congratulate you properly."
A brief pause.
"Congratulations," he added, more sincerely this time.
Michael's expression didn't change.
"It's business."
Adrian let out a quiet laugh.
"Of course it is."
His eyes studied Michael for a moment longer.
"I want to meet her."
"That's unnecessary."
"Not to me."
Silence.
Then Michael turned.
"Fine. Come."
The Alejandro mansion felt quieter than usual.
Alicia sat in her studio, pencil moving across paper.
Designs filled the room.
Ideas, she refused to give up.
For a moment… she forgot everything else.
"Mrs. Alejandro?"
Alicia looked up to see Lina at the door.
"Yes?"
"You have guests arriving."
Before she could respond—
"Alicia!"
Sophie Carter walked in like she owned the place.
Alicia smiled immediately.
"You're back."
"Of course I am," Sophie said. "You didn't think I'd leave you alone in this place, did you?"
Alicia laughed softly.
Downstairs, James Whitmore stood at the entrance as the doors opened.
"Welcome, sir."
Michael stepped inside.
Adrian followed beside him.
Behind them, the quiet movement of the house continued—
Maria and Lina are preparing, observing, and adjusting.
Everything is in place.
Until—
Sophie stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes locked onto Adrian.
"Oh."
Alicia noticed instantly.
"You know him?"
"No," Sophie said quickly. "But I already don't like him."
Alicia raised an eyebrow.
"You just saw him."
"Exactly."
Adrian stepped further inside.
His eyes moved across the room…
Then stopped.
On Sophie.
Something subtle shifted in his expression.
"You must be Alicia," he said calmly.
"Yes," Alicia replied.
He gave a small nod.
"Adrian Kade. I apologize for missing your wedding."
"That makes two of us," Alicia said lightly, glancing at Michael.
A brief silence followed.
Then Adrian looked at Sophie.
"And you are?"
"Sophie Carter."
"A friend?"
"The best friend."
Adrian smiled slightly.
"That explains it."
"Explains what?" Sophie asked sharply.
"The attitude."
Sophie crossed her arms.
"You don't know me."
"Not yet."
Michael watched the exchange carefully.
"Don't start," he said.
Adrian didn't look away from Sophie.
"I haven't."
But Daniel Reyes, who had just entered, noticed something important.
Adrian wasn't irritated.
He was interested.
Later that evening, another arrival shifted the mood.
"Mr. Anderson has arrived," James announced.
Alicia stood immediately.
"Dad."
Richard Anderson walked in, relief clear on his face.
"Alicia… you look well."
"I'm okay," she said softly.
His eyes briefly scanned the room, then settled on Michael.
"Thank you again—"
"Michael," he corrected.
"Michael," Richard repeated quickly.
Daniel stood nearby, observing every interaction.
Nothing escaped him.
Across the room, Sophie stood near the window.
Quiet now.
Thinking.
"You still don't like me."
She turned.
Adrian again.
"Not even a little," she said.
He smiled faintly.
"That's unfortunate."
"For you."
A pause.
Then Adrian said quietly—
"You don't trust him."
Sophie's eyes flickered toward Michael.
"No."
Adrian didn't argue.
"He's not what you think."
Sophie looked back at him.
"And you are?"
A small pause.
"No."
Across the room…
Michael's eyes met Alicia's for a brief moment.
Then looked away.
But this time…
There was something different.
Not warmth.
Not yet.
But no longer completely cold.