Chapter four

Aliestar

I stepped out of the car, ready for business. I knew Zara would be different. I mean thirteen years, I might not even recognize her.

Deep down I wanted to meet her, and I hoped we still share that connection.

When i turned, she was standing at the midst of her gaurds. But what I saw was a stranger, A beautiful disarming stranger . She wasn't just grown, she was stunning. She was beautiful in a way it made it hard to look away.

Her figure was soft and sculpted, all elegant curves. Her dress hugged her enough to show her shape beneath- feminine, confident, breathtaking.

I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself as I approached her.

Up close, she was even more striking. Her lips soft- full, and tinted the colour of quite temptation parted slightly, like she had something to say but wasn't sure where to begin.

I felt everything at once, nostalgia, admiration and heat.

The silence stretched between us, thick with every unspoken words caught in my throat. But then I saw the flicker in her eyes, the hesitation, the tension and I gave her the smallest smile.

"I see you've forgotten how to welcome an old friend"

I watched her attempt a smile, careful and professional.

I stepped closer, eyes locked on hers, then I paused.

"You look..." I trailed off searching her face.

She caught it and asked "look what?"

I hesitated, caught in the unfamiliar softness of her eyes.

"Different" I saw her cheeks flushed just slightly, she swallowed and quickly masked it

"Please...this way to my office, we need to talk"

*********

Zara

We walked into my office in silence, the soft click of my heels echoing against the polished floor. I didn't look back but i could feel him behind me, his presence impossible to ignore

He waited for me to sit before lowering himself into the chair accross my desk.

Calm and collected, too composed.

His eyes drifted around the room, scanning the shelves, the details, the clean lines.

"Great office you've got" he said his voice low and sincere.

I allowed a small smile. "Thank you"

But as he continued to look around, I couldn't help myself. My eyes slipped back to him

His broad shoulders sat perfectly in the chair like it was made for him. The way his chest rose and fell slowly, the quite control in his posture.

The bun pulled his hair back enough to reveal the birth mark under his eyes. The one thing time hadn't touch.

I didn't even realize how long I've been staring until his eyes flicked suddenly into mine.

Our gaze locked.

Heat rushed to my cheeks and I look down abruptly, fumbling with the papers on my desk like they mattered.

He didn't say anything, but I could feel that smirk again. And it rattled me more than I want to admit.

I didn't expect this

I didn't expect to feel anything. Not after all these years . Not after how I'd buried the past so deep I'd nearly convinced myself it never happened

But here I was , sitting across from him, my pulse quickening like I was twelve again.

The last time I saw him, he was lanky, soft spoken... a little akward. I used to help him tie his shoelaces when it came undone. He always pretend he could do it, but somehow they never stayed tight. We were almost the same height then. I was even stronger, always teasing him for being afraid of spiders.

He was a wimp.

My wimp.

But now this wasn't the boy I remembered, this was a man.

Muscular and confident. And tall, wayyyy taller than me. I had to tilt my head do meet his gaze.

He was, God help me..... Hot.

I hated the fact that I was noticing it. That I was staring, and even blushing.

Worse than that. I couldn't stop Wondering what it would feel like to be pulled into his arms now.

But i couldn't let it show, not the attraction. Because the truth was, I missed those times. When we whispered secrets under the three, how we tied bracelets and made promise to each other, But she was gone. That girl was gone, I'm now a heiress.

I'd been through too much. Buried to much, fought to long.

Now all I have is this empire, this fragile empire. And no room for nostalgia or softness.

I just couldn't feel the connection anymore, so I pushed everything aside. My voice calm and professional.

"Aliestar, I called you here....."

"I know why I'm here" he interrupted, his voice smoth

"i know about the scandal" he continued "and I know you need the documents my father took with him, to clear your name"

I didn't blink or flinch, my voice steady

"Do you have the documents?"

He smiled, slow and confident

"I do"

I was so relieved at his response, I exhaled silently knowing I was close to victory. The pressure on my chest lightened, just a little.

But then came the sharp pause

"—But," he added, tilting his head slightly "you'll have to do something for me first"

I stared at him stunned, a favour? The Aliestar I used to know would've handed me the world if I asked. No hesitation or condition.

But now.... He'd clearly changed

I sat back, regaining my composure.

"What kind of favour"

"They took Jessica" his voice low and controlled, almost too calm for what he was saying.

"They want those documents, they know I have it. And they threatened to kill her if I don't give them. I would have given them at the spot to save her, but I didn't know I had it untill they left"

There was no panic in his tone, no anger. Like a man who had learned not to waste his energy on fear.

"I need your help to find her. You've got the power and the wealth, and you can reach places I can't"

I opened my mouth, trying to explain

"but there's no time..."

"That's all I ask for" he cuts in, still calm. Not begging but sure.

He sat there like he had nothing to loose. And every time he spoke I noticed how his muscles tensed just slightly beneath his shirt, the way his chest moved with that effortless confidence. Every word was precise, every gesture restrained and collected. It was distracting, annoyingly so.

Focus Zara

I inhaled slowly and sat up straighter

"Fine, I'll help you find her"

He didn't react, just a slight nod as I continued

"I'll make some calls, discreet ones but untill then.... Keep the documents safe, my empire depends on it"

He smiled

"So... If you never needed me you wouldn't have called me"

His voice changing the topic immediately. The words stung more than I expected. A quite truth I didn't want to confront.

I looked away, keeping my face still

"I've been busy, Aliestar."

Another smile, but this one didn't reach his eyes.

"You've changed Zara. You act like we shared nothing together"

I felt the heat rise In my chest but forced my voice to stay cool. "I don't have time to hold onto childhood nostalgia. I run an empire now"

He stood slowly from the chair, and I felt it immediately. His height, his presence, and the weight of everything unsaid between us. His voice was still calm even though pain edge through it.

"I knew you had changed Zara, but I didn't know it was this bad"

The words were sharper than I wanted it to, but I couldn't show it.

I stood too, chin slightly raised.

"Just move on Aliestar" I said carefully "we both know we aren't kids anymore...and we're certainly not on the same level"

I turned slightly, pretending to gather papers just to avoid his eyes. Because as much as I wanted those words to sound cold.. they hurt to say.

But then I felt it

His hand.

Warm, steady fingers lifting my chin with the gentleness that didn't match the storm behind his voice.

My body reacted before my mind could catch up. His touch betrayed me. My breath hitched, I hated how easily his touch aroused me.

He leaned in slightly, eyes locked on mine. Deep,grey, intense.

"Say it to my face" he said, low and steady "that deep down you don't feel that connection"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

My throat tightened, my heart stammered. His touch...it paralyzed me

And I said nothing

I couldn't

His jaw clenched slightly, then he let go. The loss of his touch felt colder than expected.

He stepped back, voice quite but firm.

" Since you've chosen this empire over everything.... once you find my sister, I'll give you the documents."

A pause, his eyes lingered on me for a second

"Then I'll leave your life. Forever"

With that, he turned and walked out. The door closed behind him.

And I stood there, aroused, shaken...and hollow.