After Ivan left, Aria turned her attention fully to Axel.
A slow smile formed on her lips, one that revealed nothing concrete, yet somehow said far too much.
It was unreadable in the way only someone who knew more than they should could manage. What was clear, however, was how amused she was.
Her gaze lingered on Axel, watching him with amusement as he struggled to keep himself composed.
"See you around, Axel," she said lightly.
She turned as if she meant to leave, her steps unbothered. But Axel moved before he even realized he was doing it.
His body reacted faster than his thoughts, and suddenly he was standing directly in her path, blocking her way.
"Don't fuck with me!" The words tore out of him without permission.
Aria stopped. Slowly, she looked at him again. The smile didn't fade. If anything, it deepened.
"What do you mean?" she asked, as though genuinely curious, as though this was all nothing more than entertainment.
"How do you know?!" Axel demanded.
