[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-402":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},402,54,"Chapter 54: Just a Friend","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna paused, confused. \"No wonder what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Nothing,\" Maxwell said, neatly organizing the snacks on the coffee table and packing them into a bag. \"Take these for the road. You can share them with your coworkers.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna toyed with the tassels on her decorative pillow, watching him fuss over the preparations. He was reciting reminders one after another, nattering on like a worried father.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her throat tightened, a sudden warmth stinging her eyes. She took a few steadying breaths to suppress the rising emotion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stepped out to grab a tote bag, packing the snacks and a set of pressure-relief earplugs inside before placing it atop her white suitcase. He continued his litany. \"This carry-on size doesn't need to be checked; you can bring it right onto the plane.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The overhead bins are a bit high, so make sure to ask a male coworker or a flight attendant to help you...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stopped mid-sentence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna, who had been listening intently, looked up at him, her face tilted in curiosity. \"Help me, and then what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then,\" Maxwell mused for a few seconds, \"that's it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thank you,\" she said, looking up at him with a soft smile. \"Maxwell, thank you for being so good to me. Truly.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Am I good to you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded firmly. \"Yes. Exceptional.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then...\" Maxwell stared down at her upturned face, his gaze intense. \"Will you miss me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna blinked. \"Huh?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The question was a complete curveball, coming out of nowhere. She was still reeling from the shift in conversation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell repeated the question with infinite patience. \"You'll be away for a long time on this business trip. Will you miss me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She didn't understand why he was asking, but Arianna gave it serious thought. \"I will.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This time, it was Maxwell who froze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You will?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stared at her without blinking, his gaze stripped bare of all pretense. His dark, obsidian eyes held a fervor that bordered on fanaticism—deep, murky, and impossible to articulate. It was like standing in the eye of a hurricane, where the slightest misstep would see her swept away into the dark.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under that scorching intensity, Arianna faltered, offering a cautious, \"Maybe... I suppose so.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Maybe?\" Maxwell whispered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His expression flickered into something strange, yet his voice remained tender. He curled his lips into a satisfied, if slightly fragile, smile. \"That’s enough.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">If there was even a sliver of a chance, that was enough. After all, there was a time when he wouldn't have dared to hope for even that much.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s fingers twitched, then, after a moment’s hesitation, he reached out to ruffle her hair. As if making a solemn vow, he said, \"I'll miss you, too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Get some sleep. You have a flight in the morning.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Arianna. Goodnight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The night was heavy, the moonlight washing over the villa’s garden like a thin, ethereal shroud. A crescent moon hung from the treetops, and as the breeze stirred, the reflection on the koi pond fractured and vanished.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the second-floor bedroom, the window stood wide open. A lone figure leaned against the frame, his shadow stretched long and desolate across the floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man rested his elbows on the sill, staring out into the dark, his focus entirely absent. A cigarette hung from his lips, the ember glowing like a dying star in the silence. Wisps of thin smoke drifted around his cool, sharp features. His dark eyes remained shuttered, hiding unreadable, murky emotions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a moment, as if struck by a thought, he crushed the half-spent cigarette in an ashtray, retreated into the room, and picked up his phone to make a call.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miles away, Arianna was already in bed, letting the haze of sleep wash over her. A small nightlight cast a soft, warm glow across the room. Before she finally drifted off, she propped herself up on an elbow, her gaze lingering on the wall nearby.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">There, tucked neatly against the wall, sat her white suitcase. Resting on top of it were the snacks and earplugs Maxwell had prepared—he’d specifically placed them there to ensure she wouldn't forget them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at them for a long time. Her heart felt as if it were being wrapped in something incredibly soft, a heavy, achingly sweet pressure building in her chest. A complex, indescribable emotion surged within her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next afternoon, Arianna headed to the airport with her team. The company was feeling generous, springing for private town cars to drive them directly to the terminal, saving them the usual airport headache.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Upon arriving at the terminal, Arianna spotted a familiar face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cole? What are you doing here?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole Parker turned around, feigning total surprise. \"Oh? Ms. Stone? What are you doing here? What a coincidence, running into you at the airport!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole was acting strange today. She didn't dwell on it, though, and answered honestly, \"I'm heading to Riverside for a business trip with my colleagues.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No way? Me too! I'm headed to Riverside as well!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna gave him a simple, innocent smile. \"What a coincidence.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Tell me about it,\" Cole said, leaning in to glance at her ticket. \"12A?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He feigned shock. \"That’s wild! My seat is 13A. It’s right behind you!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna checked his ticket, and sure enough, he wasn't lying. Was it really that coincidental? It felt almost too convenient.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"Well, let's head to the gate together then.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">To her surprise, Cole scrambled to decline, acting as if she’d suggested something perilous. \"No, no, you go ahead with your colleagues. Don't worry about me, I'll manage just fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell had given him strict orders yesterday: ensure Ms. Stone gets to Riverside safely, and under no circumstances should he cause her any unnecessary trouble. In short, he was a \"chaperone.\" That was how Cole interpreted it, anyway.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing his resistance, Arianna didn't press. \"Fine then. See you on the plane.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Right.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once on the flight, Cole helped lift Arianna’s suitcase into the overhead bin. To show her appreciation, Arianna pulled out a large bag of snacks and turned back to offer them to him. \"Do you want some snacks? Anything you like?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole froze. \"N-no, thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's alright,\" Arianna insisted, holding the bag out. \"Just take some, don't be shy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole didn't dare. \"No, really. I'm not hungry.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing Arianna keep turning around to talk to the man behind her, Miranda, her manager who was sitting next to her, asked, \"You two know each other?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded. \"Yeah, we're friends.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda was a gentle woman who often bonded with her staff. She looked over at Cole, curious. \"Is he your...?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole’s internal alarm bells went off. He remembered Maxwell’s instructions and scrambled for a cover story.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna spoke first. \"He's my friend.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ah, friends,\" Miranda smiled. \"No wonder. You seem like you have a great relationship.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna hummed in agreement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda thought it was amusing. \"Still, what a coincidence, right? Him sitting right behind you? Did you guys plan this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" Arianna said with a soft smile. \"It really is just a coincidence.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After landing, Cole watched from a distance as Arianna exited the terminal and climbed into the company-provided town car. Only then did he return to the check-in counter to wait for his flight back to London.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">About an hour later, Cole called Maxwell to report in.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't worry, sir. Ms. Stone has made it into the car safely with her colleagues.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmm,\" Maxwell set aside his documents. \"How is she getting along with her team?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Seems fine. Everyone looks friendly enough, but I can't say for sure.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood. You can head back now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Mentioning her colleagues reminded Cole of the exchange at the airport. He added, \"Her coworker asked her who I was.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And Ms. Stone said I was her friend.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Perhaps worried it wasn't enough to pique his boss's interest, Cole unwittingly doubled down. \"A very close friend, she said.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The silence on the other end was absolute. Cole took the phone away from his ear to make sure the call hadn't dropped. The connection was still live; the timer was ticking away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A friend?\" Maxwell said, his voice dangerously casual. \"And what am I to her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole was stunned. \"Why, you're her husband, sir. Her husband in the eyes of the law.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But none of that seemed to soothe Maxwell.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How are you just 'friends'? 'Close friends'? How long have you even known each other?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*You haven't known her very long yourself, have you?* Cole thought to himself. *Aren't you two married?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a long pause, Maxwell said coolly, \"She was just saying it off the cuff. Don't take it too seriously.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole was skeptical. \"Is that so? But...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes,\" Maxwell cut him off. \"She used to call stray cats her 'friends.' In her eyes, even the flowers and the trees are her good friends.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cole: \"............\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272907507]