CHAPTER 147: DANGEROUS

By morning, not just Aveline and Alaric’s names were everywhere, but Laurent and Lancaster’s as well.

Not just in the corners of high-society gossip, but in bold headlines, on business channels, finance blogs, and even social media accounts that somehow made her blurry photo with Alaric into a trending template.

Just with the news of Aveline and Alaric spending one quiet moment on a terrace, the world had turned it into a political alliance, a romantic scandal, and a corporate conspiracy, all at once.

Drinking his coffee, Alaric scrolled through the first article.

BUSINESS TODAY

"Lancaster & Laurent: The Merger That Wasn’t, Yet Means Everything" – Analysts suggest a combined influence that could tip the balance of the tech and luxury sectors. ’If they align,’ one insider said, ’Ashford Holdings may not survive the fiscal year.’

Alaric switched to another article.

THE SOCIETY SCROLL

"From Ex-Wife to Power Muse: Aveline Laurent’s Glow-Up is the Blueprint" – Sources close to the event say the chemistry between Alaric and Aveline was ’palpable and quiet, like thunder before a storm.’

He enjoyed the article, so he read it completely. Then he moved to another one.

MARKETS & MOVES

"Ashford Holdings Tumbles After Laurent Divorce. Coincidence?" – Speculators whisper about sudden board shifts and subtle vetoes. Some point to the Lancaster family’s control over key board seats as the reason behind Damien Ashford’s tightening noose.

The next was a gossip page called THE WHISPER FEED

"Aveline Left Her Husband... For Lancaster?"

He closed the article. He was about to skip another gossip page, but the title caught his attention.

"A Queen in Her Own Right: Why Aveline Laurent Doesn’t Need a Man, But Got the Best One Anyway" – Editorial praises her silence, her poise, and that one eyebrow raise caught on camera.

He set the iPad aside and sipped his coffee.

Despite statements issued by both the Laurent and Lancaster press offices, the wildfire spread faster.

Some called it a romance. Some called it revenge. Others said it was just business.

But everyone had their eyes on them, Aveline, to be precise.

Ezra took his iPad and reported, "I got a call from Chairman Lancaster’s secretary. There’s a meeting at 10 with Chairman Laurent." It was to discuss how to shut down the rumors, as they would hurt Aveline and her new company.

Ring...

As if on cue, they heard the doorbell ring. Martha checked the security screen and announced, "Ms. Laurent is here." Then she went to open the door.

It was the first time she was coming on her own. Alaric guessed it could be about the meeting.

"That woman?" He asked Ezra about Dahlia as he stood up, setting the coffee cup aside.

"It will be ready by the time you return to NexGuard," Ezra responded and took his cue to leave when Aveline stepped inside in an elegant business dress.

Aveline and Ezra exchanged nods as a greeting as she stepped toward the man who lazily leaned against the couch, watching her as if he were seeing her for the first time.

"Dad called me for a PR meeting about us." She paused at arm’s length.

She couldn’t believe they needed to do PR for appearing on the terrace of Emeralds together.

She asked, "Are you attending?"

As Martha’s steps faded upstairs, silence filled the living room. Aveline couldn’t help but tilt her head when he didn’t react.

She stretched her hand to poke him, but he caught it mid-air, his grip firm and warm. Before she could react, he tugged her forward with one swift pull.

Aveline gasped.

Her body stumbled against his chest, the sudden proximity knocking the breath from her lungs. She felt the strength in him, the sharp contrast of her softness crashing into his hardness. Her hand landed against his chest for balance, but it didn’t matter.

Because he was already tilting her face up.

His long fingers slid beneath her chin, gentle but commanding, lifting her gaze to meet his. Aveline froze, half stunned, half breathless, as something flickered in his eyes. Not amusement. Not playfulness. Something far deeper.

Then he kissed her.

His head dipped with purpose, his arm wrapping securely around her waist, pulling her flush against him. The contact was searing.

Her breath hitched, spine straightening as his mouth hovered, just for a beat, letting the anticipation coil tightly between them.

His lips brushed hers once, soft and featherlight. Then again, firmer this time, grazing across her mouth with a slow drag that made her chest tighten.

She didn’t move. Couldn’t.

When his tongue traced the curve of her bottom lip, coaxing rather than demanding, something in her unraveled. His kiss deepened with aching control, like he had waited too long and wouldn’t rush it now. Every motion carried weight, a silent confession she wasn’t ready for but couldn’t deny.

Her fingers, still pressed to his chest, curled into the fabric of his shirt, helpless against the heat pooling in her stomach. His other hand slid up her back, splayed between her shoulder blades, anchoring her.

And just like that, Aveline kissed him back.

Softly at first, but then her lips parted under his, and the restraint between them shattered. Their breaths tangled, uneven and shallow, as his fingers tilted her chin higher, deepening the kiss.

Her arms moved on instinct, looping around his neck, holding on, not just to him, but to the moment.

There was no chaos around them, no whisper of gossip or shadow of the past. Only his mouth claiming hers, slow and consuming. And her, giving in, body and heart caught in a storm she never meant to step into, but didn’t want to leave.

Their lips lingered longer than either intended.

When they finally broke apart, it was reluctant, like the world had pulled them back too soon.

His mouth hovered near hers, breath warm, still mingling with her own. Aveline’s eyes fluttered open, dazed and searching, her fingers still tangled at the back of his neck. Her chest rose and fell in uneven rhythm, trying to steady the wildness he had just unleashed.

Alaric didn’t move away.

His forehead pressed gently to hers, both of them still caught in the silence that followed. His hand remained at her waist, grounding her, as though if he let go, the moment would slip through his fingers.

Aveline swallowed, lips tingling, her thoughts fogged by his kiss. Neither of them said a word. They didn’t need to.

She exhaled shakily, her voice barely above a whisper, "You really don’t play fair."

Alaric’s lips curved, just faintly. "Neither do you." His thumb brushed along her jaw, and this time, his touch was almost reverent. "But you’re worth losing control for."

And his lips gently grazed her cheek, making her struggle to hide her smile. He never kissed her just to kiss, but savored each second of it, letting her feel every haywire emotion and wild imagination.

If he kept this up, she would go crazy.

Reason tried to crawl back in, but neither of them stepped away. Not yet.

"And what was that for?" She mused, looking into his eyes.

Well, he didn’t need a reason to kiss her, but he did confess, "Waiting since last night..."

Aveline tilted her head, recalling the night.

The previous day on the terrace,

She could read his guilt in his apology. So she had tried to ease him.

"People will talk, Alaric..." She murmured, voice soft but clear. "Whether you stay silent or speak up, they’ll find something to say. But what matters... is that you don’t change because of them. I like you exactly as you are."

The words weren’t dramatic or flowery. They were simple, without a hint of pretense. And yet, they hit him deeper than any vow could.

Alaric didn’t respond right away. He just stared at her, chest tightening with something that felt dangerously close to surrender.

There was warmth in his expression, softened around the edges, like her words had wrapped around the part of him he always kept guarded.

He had just leaned in, but her phone rang. It was sharp and insistent in the silence.

Aveline blinked, breaking from the moment with a regretful smile as she checked the caller ID. "It’s a client," she said, pressing the answer button.

He nodded, waited for her.

Once the call ended, "I need to handle this." She said apologetically, "I’ll be back." She rushed as she added, "Don’t wait for me too long."

But as the minutes turned long, and a new crisis demanded her attention, Aveline called him. "Alaric," she said, a tinge of guilt in her voice. "I’m so sorry, I got caught up in something. Don’t wait. Get some rest."

He didn’t argue.

He just stood on the terrace, phone in hand, listening to her voice fade into the static night.

And for a man who had waited years, waiting a few more hours for her felt strangely... worth it.

At present,

Aveline nodded, slowly realizing that when he had leaned in, it had been for a kiss. She had stolen it from him by answering the call.

A flicker of warmth danced in her eyes. She gently stepped back from his arms, unconsciously smoothing the crease of his shirt as she said, "Let’s go. I’ve got another meeting after this." Then she took a step.

But Alaric wasn’t ready to let her go. Not just yet.

He reached for her hand again and tugged her back, this time not for a kiss, but for something quieter and far more intimate.

She stumbled softly into his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her like he didn’t want the world to interrupt them again.

The kind of embrace that said ’stay a little longer,’ even if they both knew time wouldn’t allow it.

Aveline smiled against his shoulder, heart settling in rhythm with his. Her arms wound around his waist as she whispered, almost teasing but tinged with sincerity.

"This is more dangerous than the kiss..." Because it was addictive.

And for a brief, unhurried moment, neither of them moved.