The shrill beep of Akisuki’s alarm clock sliced through the gentle hush of the morning. She groaned softly, her arm flailing out from beneath the silk covers to silence the noise.

Blinking against the warm sunlight streaming through her sheer curtains, she took a deep breath. Today wasn’t just any other day. It was a day of resolve — a day to face Vincent with confidence and clarity.

"You’re going to suck it up, march back to him, and make it up somehow. You’re getting married to him, remember? The least you can do is try to smooth things over."

She remembered what her love guru of a best friend said and groaned again. It sort of deflated her ego for having to suck this up and approach Vincent first.

Swinging her legs out of bed, she stretched like a lazy cat before dragging herself towards the bathroom to wash her face first and then padding across her minimalist apartment.

The polished wooden floors felt cool against her feet. She tied her raven-black hair into a messy bun, secured her workout gear, and made her way to the living room where her pilates mat awaited her.

She began with deep breathing exercises, centering herself as the morning breeze filtered through the open window.

Her moves were fluid and deliberate, her body stretching and curling in graceful arcs. The subtle burn in her muscles grounded her, reminding her of her control, her strength.

After thirty minutes of pilates, Akisuki stood tall, beads of sweat glistening on her skin. She reached for the chilled bottle of water waiting on the counter, taking a long sip before heading to the bathroom.

The warm shower enveloped her in steam and solace. Her favorite vanilla and mixed berries body wash filled the room with a soothing scent as she lathered and rinsed away the morning workout. Stepping out, she wrapped herself in a plush towel, her skin glowing and soft.

Her post-shower routine was meticulous. She sat before her vanity, running a soft towel through her damp hair before applying some hair serum and blow-drying it into sleek, glossy strands cascading down her back like a serene and dark waterfall.

Next came her skincare — a ritual honed by years of careful attention. She massaged a hydrating serum into her face, followed by a light moisturizer, then delicately tapped in sunscreen with her fingertips.

Satisfied, she moved on to makeup. She opted for a natural look that enhanced her features — a touch of concealer under her heterochromatic eyes, a dusting of blush on her cheekbones, and her favourite red wine lip-tint that complemented her fair complexion.

Now for the outfit. Standing before her wardrobe, she studied her options. Her gaze landed on a tailored, maroon-red blouse with delicate gold buttons paired with a high-waisted black wide-legged trousers. She slipped into the ensemble, completing the look with her signature black Louboutin heels and thin-rimmed glasses.

Her final accessories were the helmet and gore-tex gloves resting by her bedside table. She reached for it, running her fingers over the glossy surface. Her Kawasaki waited for her downstairs, just as eager for the day ahead as she was.

She glanced at herself in the mirror one last time, straightening her blouse and adjusting her glasses on her nose and the pendant on her neck — that pendant was a token of love from her mother before she left her home. Her reflection stared back at her, composed yet determined.

"Time to face the music," she murmured to herself with a smirk, grabbing her bag and her helmet.

As she walked out the door to the elevator, her long hair swaying behind her, Akisuki couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling under her poised exterior. Today wasn’t just about facing Vincent — it was about showing him exactly who he was dealing with.

The bike growled as Akisuki turned on the ignition. She straddled the pillion and sped it out of the parking lot of her apartment complex, zipping through the traffic, letting the cool air caress her body with grace.

The roar of her Kawasaki echoed through the parking lot as Akisuki glided into her usual spot. The sleek, black machine gleamed under the fluorescent lights, a sharp contrast to the elegant silhouette stepping off it.

She removed her helmet with practiced ease, shaking her long luxurious hair free as her eyes instinctively darted to the sound of an approaching car.

Vincent’s car — a luxurious silver Porsche — pulled into the space right next to hers, its engine humming smoothly before silencing. The man himself emerged with a practiced grace, dressed in a crisp navy-blue suit that seemed tailored to perfection.

Akisuki’s chest tightened, though she maintained her composure. She wasn’t the type to shy away from confrontation, but something about last night’s almost-kiss had left her unsettled.

She knew she should address it — clear the air before things became more complicated. Yet, her resolve faltered under the weight of his presence.

“Morning,” she greeted, her voice smooth and steady, as if nothing was amiss.

“Morning,” Vincent replied casually, his grey eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before he stepped toward the elevator. He seemed unaffected, his demeanor calm and composed. If he was thinking about the events of the previous night, he didn’t show it.

Akisuki followed, clutching her helmet tightly in one hand while trying not to overanalyze his body language.

They walked side by side in silence, the sound of her heels clicking against the concrete floor mingling with his soft, measured footsteps. When they reached the elevator, Vincent pressed the button and gestured for her to enter first.

"After you," he said, his tone polite, almost distant.

"Thank you." Akisuki stepped in, her lips twitching into a small, polite smile. She adjusted the strap of her handbag over her shoulder, only for Vincent to extend a hand.

"Here," he said, taking her helmet and bag before she could protest.

She blinked in surprise but allowed it, quickly smoothing her blazer and brushing her hair back into place. The closeness of the elevator made her hyperaware of his presence — his minty cologne, his broad frame leaning slightly against the wall as he held her things with effortless ease.

"Ready for the day?" Vincent asked as he held her the helmet and bag in his hands, his voice casual but tinged with something she couldn’t quite place.

"Always," she replied, lifting her chin slightly, determined not to betray her nerves.

The elevator dinged, and they stepped out into the office. Akisuki took her belongings from him with a quiet "thank you" and walked ahead. Vincent followed, his eyes briefly lingering on her retreating figure, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he watched her sit down on her usual seat — the desk right in front of his office room.

Neither of them acknowledged the unspoken tension that lingered between them, but both felt its weight, heavy yet strangely electrifying.

Vincent went straight towards his office and let the blurred glass door close by itself after he walked in. His footsteps were firm and deliberate as he treaded towards his desk.

Vincent sank into the plush leather of his office chair, his elbows on the desk as he ran a hand down his face. The polished sheen of his desk reflected his furrowed brow, and the faint hum of the office beyond his door only seemed to amplify his thoughts. He tapped the screen of his phone, pulling up the contact he needed.

The line rang twice before a deep, distinctly Russian-accented voice answered.

"Vincent," Alaric Volkov greeted curtly. "To what do I owe the honor of being interrupted during my coffee break?"

Vincent exhaled, gripping the phone tighter. "I… I screwed up, Alaric."

The other man sighed audibly. "Of course, you did. What else is new? Be specific. Business? Or is this about your little secretary– oh wait, fiancée?"

Vincent sort of regretted telling Alaric about the contract. For the first time, he was having second thoughts about going against Alaric's warning about asking Akisuki to marry him.

"Don’t start." Vincent leaned back, rubbing his temple. "It’s serious."

"Let me guess," Alaric continued, his tone dry. "You tried to kiss her, didn’t you?"

Vincent’s silence was answer enough.

"Oh, for God’s sake," Alaric muttered, audibly so done with his best friend. "You’re a fucking идиот." (Trans. “idiot”)

"Thanks for the insight, really helpful." Vincent rolled his eyes, slumping further into his chair.

"Don’t blame me for stating the obvious. What did fucking you expect? She’s not like the other women you’ve… entertained." Alaric retorted coolly, though sounding a bit hesitant by the end.

"I know that," Vincent snapped, though his voice carried more frustration with himself than his friend. "It wasn’t planned. It just… happened."

Alaric let out a soft chuckle, the sound cold and sharp. "Happened? What, did you trip and fall into her lips? Spare me."

Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose. "You don’t get it. She’s different. And now, she probably thinks I’m some fucking creep who can’t keep his hands to himself."

"Well," Alaric said slowly, "I wouldn’t say creep. Just… a man desperately failing to keep it professional. Tell me, did she slap you?"

"No," Vincent muttered, his tone almost petulant. "But she pushed me away."

"Smart girl," Alaric said, a faint note of approval in his voice.

"Can you be fucking serious for a second?" Vincent groaned. "What do I do now?"

Alaric paused, his tone softening slightly. "You back off. Give her space. She’s not some conquest, Vince. Treat her like the woman she is — a royal, no less — and maybe, just maybe, you’ll salvage what’s left of this or… whatever this shit is."

Vincent sighed, resting his head against the back of his chair. "You’re right."

"I’m always right," Alaric quipped. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, my coffee is getting cold, and I have an damn empire to run. Try not to embarrass yourself further, hm?"

Vincent let out a dry laugh. "Thanks, Volkov. Really."

"Fuck off," Alaric replied smoothly, ending the call.

Vincent stared at the phone in his hand, the weight of Alaric’s words settling over him. For the first time in years, he wasn’t sure how to proceed.

— 🍁 —

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the large office windows, illuminating the sharp lines of Vincent’s desk as he combed through the endless project documents sprawled before him.

His laser focus on the task at hand pushed the morning’s unresolved thoughts of Akisuki to the back burner. The numbers, deadlines, and proposals became his temporary escape.

But his reprieve was short-lived.

The soft knock on his office door was followed by Akisuki stepping in with a determined gait, her head held high and her hands gripping a small notebook. Her heterochromatic eyes burned with a resolve that instantly drew his attention.

"Sir," she started, her voice calm but firm. "We need to talk."

Vincent leaned back in his leather chair, his expression unreadable. "Talk? Sure. But first…" his eyes flicked to the project plans on his desk, and an idea formed — one that could effectively delay any awkward conversation about their almost-kiss.

"I need you to book us tickets to Paris," he said abruptly, cutting off whatever Akisuki had been about to say.

She blinked, caught off guard. "Paris?"

"Yes," he said, his tone clipped and professional. "There’s a new project coming up. I need to meet with the investors in person. You’re coming with me."

Akisuki opened her mouth, likely to protest or return to the subject she’d come to discuss, but Vincent didn’t give her the chance.

"Business class," he continued, his sharp grey eyes meeting hers in a way that dared her to argue. "We leave in two days. Get everything prepared, including the meeting itinerary. And make sure everything is flawless."

She stared at him, her lips pressing together in frustration. She clearly wanted to challenge him but knew better than to try while he was in this unyielding, commanding mood. Instead, she inhaled deeply, her expression a mix of irritation and confusion.

"Fine," she said coolly. "Anything else, Mr. CEO?"

His lips quirked slightly at her subtle jab, but he shook his head. "That will be all, Miss Rei."

Akisuki gave him one last pointed look before turning on her heel and exiting the office.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Vincent alone with the silence — and a storm of emotions he wasn’t quite ready to face.

──────────────────────

Kekekekke!!

We're gonna have so much in Paris :3

Stay tuned, babies.
— Love, Ray