The message kept glowing on Aria’s screen.
Unknown:
"I’ll tell you the truth about Kael Voss."
Aria locked her phone quickly.
Across the office -Kael was still watching her.
Kael:
Something wrong?
Aria forced a smile.
Aria:
Just a spam message.
Kael studied her for a moment.
Like he knew she was lying.
But he didn’t push further.
Kael:
Good.
He walked back toward his office.
Aria exhaled slowly.
Aria (muttering):
Intern suddenly popped up beside her desk.
Intern:
Who do you hate lying to?
Aria jumped.
Aria:
You need to stop appearing like a ghost.
Intern leaned closer.
Intern:
You’re acting suspicious again.
Aria:
Intern:
You are.
Aria sighed.
Aria:
Intern:
You always say that when something dramatic happens.
Aria:
Nothing dramatic happened.
Intern raised an eyebrow.
Intern:
Except the balcony kiss.
Aria nearly choked.
Aria:
Lower your voice!
Intern grinned.
Intern:
I knew it.
Aria buried her face in her hands.
________________________________________
Evening – 8:40 PM
Most of the office had gone home.
The lights were dim.
Only a few desks still glowing with computer screens.
Aria packed her bag slowly.
Her heart was beating faster.
9 PM.
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She still didn’t know who sent the messages.
Or why.
But curiosity was winning.
Intern walked past her desk.
Intern:
You’re still here?
Aria:
Just finishing something.
Intern:
Don’t work too hard.
Aria smiled.
Aria:
I’ll try.
The intern left.
Now the office floor was almost empty.
Aria checked the message again.
Unknown:
Aria whispered.
Aria:
This is definitely a bad idea.
Still…She walked toward the elevator.
________________________________________
Orion Parking Garage – 8:59 PM
The garage was quiet.
Too quiet.
Her footsteps echoed slightly as she walked between the cars.
Aria looked around.
Aria:
Hello?
No answer.
Then a voice spoke from behind her.
???: You came.
Aria turned quickly.
A man stepped out from the shadows.
Aria frowned.
Aria:
Man:
That’s the point.
He stepped closer.
Aria noticed he was wearing a visitor badge.
But the name was turned backward.
Aria:
You sent the messages?
Man:
Yes.
Aria crossed her arms.
Aria:
Why?
The man looked around carefully.
Man:
Because you need to know who your boss really is.
Aria’s heart skipped.
Aria:
Man:
Kapoor was small.
Aria blinked.
Aria:
Small?
Man leaned closer.
Man:
Orion isn’t being attacked from outside.
Pause.
Man:
It’s happening inside.
Aria’s stomach tightened.
Aria:
What does that have to do with Kael?
The man looked directly into her eyes.
Man:
Everything.
Aria’s voice became sharper.
Aria:
The man smiled slightly.
Man:
He pulled out a small flash drive.
Aria stared at it.
Man:
Financial records. Hidden ownership documents. Internal transfers.
Aria frowned.
Aria:
Ownership?
Man nodded slowly.
Man:
Kael Voss doesn’t just run Orion.
Pause.
Man:
Aria blinked.
Aria:
That’s impossible.
Man:
Aria shook her head.
Aria:
Everyone knows the board controls the company.
Man:
That’s what they believe.
Aria stared at the flash drive.
Her thoughts spinning.
Aria:
Why are you telling me this?
The man’s expression turned serious.
Man:
Because someone is trying to destroy Orion.
Aria:
And Kael is doing it?
Man:
Maybe.
Aria:
Maybe?
Man sighed.
Man:
Aria frowned.
Aria:
That makes no sense.
Man:
Exactly.
Aria took a step back.
Aria:
Then tell me clearly.
The man looked around again nervously.
Man:
He placed the flash drive in her hand.
Man:
Aria’s eyes widened.
Aria:
What do you mean happens?
Man:
Just look at the files.
Aria:
Wait -But suddenly -Footsteps echoed in the garage.
Heavy, Fast.
The man froze.
Man:
Someone followed you.
Aria turned.
Two security guards were approaching from the elevator.
Man cursed quietly.
Man:
Aria:
Wait, I still have questions -
But the man was already moving.
He disappeared between the parked cars.
Within seconds -He was gone.
The guards reached Aria.
Security:
Miss Aria?
Aria tried to act normal.
Aria:
Yes?
Security:
Mr. Dev asked us to check the garage.
Aria froze.
Aria:
Kael?
Security:
Yes. He said you might still be here.
Aria nodded slowly.
Aria:
They escorted her back toward the elevator.
As the doors closed -Aria looked down at the flash drive in her hand.
Her heart was racing again.
________________________________________
Kael’s Office – Later
Kael stood by the window when she entered.
Kael:
Where were you?
Aria hesitated.
Aria:
Just… downstairs.
Kael looked at her carefully.
Kael:
The parking garage?
Aria blinked.
Aria:
How did you know?
Kael walked toward her slowly.
Kael:
Because someone has been trying to lure you there all day.
Aria’s heart dropped.
Aria:
You knew?
Kael:
Aria’s voice shook slightly.
Aria:
Why didn’t you stop me?
Kael stopped a few steps away.
Kael:
Because I wanted to see who would meet you.
Silence.
Aria clenched the flash drive in her pocket.
Aria:
And did you?
Kael shook his head slowly.
Kael:
No.
He studied her expression carefully.
Kael:
Did you?
Aria hesitated.
For a moment she thought about telling him.
But something stopped her.
Aria:
No.
Kael didn’t react.
But his eyes darkened slightly.
Kael:
Then whoever it was…
Pause.
Kael:
They’ll try again.
Aria nodded slowly.
But inside her mind -
One question was repeating.
Why did the man say Kael secretly owned Orion?
And more importantly -
Was it true?
