Beneath the Surface

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVENSPARKS, SIBLINGS AND AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE.

Anastasia Locke

The floor-to-ceiling glass walls at Ashe & Locke offered a near-perfect view of the office landscape, a layout that gave away more than most people realized. Anastasia Locke sat in the temporary office Cole had assigned her, her legs crossed, a steaming cup of green tea in hand. From her vantage point, she had the ideal view of her brother, Damien, and the woman who had caused a shift she hadn’t seen in him since their mother walked out.

Arielle Devereux.

Anastasia tilted her head slightly as she watched them across the floor. Damien leaned over Arielle’s desk, his expression neutral, but Anastasia had known him too long not to see the way his eyes lingered. Arielle, for her part, didn’t look flustered, but there was something careful in her body language—like she was constantly walking a tightrope she didn’t remember stepping onto.

Interesting.

Anastasia sipped her tea, not bothering to hide her smirk.

She was only supposed to be here for the Ventra Tech collaboration. Public relations cleanup, campaign oversight, and general damage control if necessary. But now, she found herself far more invested in the quiet war unfolding between her older brother, his brilliant employee, and their new business partner—Ezra Delacroix, the charming CEO of Ventra Tech who clearly had no qualms about chasing what he wanted.

And what he wanted, it seemed, was currently laughing softly at something Damien just said.

Oh, brother. Literally.

---

Later that morning, Anastasia closed her laptop and wandered out into the hallway. She caught sight of Arielle in the break room, pouring herself a coffee. Without hesitation, she walked in like they were old friends.

“Miss Devereux,” she greeted warmly. “You and caffeine again. I think we might be soulmates.”

Arielle looked up, startled but amused. “Miss Locke. I’d offer to share, but I don’t think this cheap roast could survive your standards.”

Anastasia laughed. “You’d be surprised. I’ve downed worse during overnight campaigns in Milan.”

They sipped in companionable silence for a beat, until Anastasia tilted her head. “I was wondering if you had time for lunch today. I promise it’s not just to talk business.”

Arielle hesitated for a breath. “Sure. I could use the company.”

---

They met at a quiet French bistro a few blocks away. Arielle ordered a spinach and goat cheese salad; Anastasia, duck confit. The restaurant’s soft lighting and intimate booths gave them a sense of privacy without the awkwardness.

“So,” Anastasia began, twirling her wine glass thoughtfully, “you and Damien.”

Arielle froze mid-bite. “We’re... colleagues.”

Anastasia arched a brow. “Colleagues who stare into each other's eyes showing deep emotions for each other in a public party?”

Arielle’s fork clattered softly against her plate. “How did you…?

Anastasia smiled. “Saw it on i********:. Apperently it hadn't really made headlines since it was a masqurade ball and it wasn't a clear, clean cut of the both of you.” She finsihed.

Arielle looked down at her place, trying to form the words from her lips. “I… That was… that was not supposed to happen. It’s complicated.”

“Of course it is,” Anastasia said gently. “But I’ve known Damien all my life. He doesn’t do complicated unless it’s for someone who matters.”

Arielle looked down, her fingers tightening around her napkin. Suddenly, she felt like she could confide in Damien's sister, about the behavior of her brother.

“I don’t know where I stand with him. One minute he’s warm, the next he’s shutting down. And now with the project, and Ezra around, it just—I don’t know.”

Anastasia leaned in. “Let me tell you something about my brother. He’s been taught to build walls so thick, even he forgets what’s on the other side. But you’ve already gotten past more of them than anyone else ever has.”

Arielle exhaled. “That’s what scares me.”

Anastasia gave her a soft smile. “The best things in life always do.”

---

Back at Ashe & Locke, the project with Ventra Tech had officially begun. Meetings consumed the calendar. Timelines, data, campaign goals—the whole machine was in motion.

Damien sat at the head of the long conference table, impassive as always, though Anastasia could see the slight twitch in his jaw when Ezra Delacroix walked in, charm turned all the way up.

Ezra offered his usual greeting, directed at everyone but with his gaze subtly locked on Arielle. “Looking forward to working closely with your team,” he said, pausing near her chair. “Some more than others.”

Arielle didn’t smile, but she didn’t shut him down either.

Damien said nothing, but his fingers curled slightly into fists on the table.

Anastasia took notes and pretended not to notice any of it. But inside, she was screaming.

Across the table, she noticed a woman sitting with Arielle, who seemed to be enjoying the scenario. Anastasia watched her as she made small talks with Arielle, seemingly taunting her, and she realized that this lady, might know more than it meets the eye.

---

That evening, Anastasia knocked lightly on Damien’s door before walking in. He looked up from the folder in his hands, sighing.

“What now?”

“Did you know Ezra asked Arielle out?” she asked breezily, strolling to the side of his desk.

He froze. Just for a second.

“He did what?”

Apart from seeing them talk, Damien hadn't heard the conversations enough to realize Ezra had asked Arielle out on a date with him.

“Oh, don’t act surprised,” Anastasia said, hopping onto the corner of his desk. “He’s been circling her like a hawk. And she said yes.”

Damien looked up at her sharply. “She said yes?”

“Why wouldn’t she?” Anastasia tilted her head. “He’s handsome, rich, charming. And he’s not running hot and cold like someone else I know.”

Damien’s expression darkened. “This isn’t a game, Ana.”

“No,” she said quietly. “It’s not. So maybe it’s time you stop treating it like one. Because from where I’m standing, you either tell her how you feel, or you let her go. But if you keep waffling, you’ll lose her. And trust me, Damien—you don’t want to lose this one.”

He didn’t answer. But his silence spoke volumes.

---

Anastasia ended her day back in her glass-walled office, the skyline fading into dusk outside. She watched Arielle pack up her things at her desk. Across the room, Damien glanced up at the same time. Their eyes met. A long moment passed.

Arielle turned away first.

Damien stood, then sat back down.

Anastasia sighed and leaned back in her chair, muttering to herself.

“God, they’re exhausting. Just kiss already, or someone’s going to explode.”

But she knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Not with these two. Not with the history their family carried. Not with the looming war between siblings still brewing in the shadows.

Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to shift. Something big.

And she only hoped they were all strong enough to survive it.

As she turned around to walk away, she saw the familiar young lady again, at the cafeteria, speaking loudly to herself as she approached a refrigerator.

“I can't stand those two watching each other like hawks instead of talking. Just kiss already or might as well walk away from each other!” She heard the woman say as she huffed and opened a bottle of water and gulped down it's contents.

Anastasia smiled. Oh yes, she was right. This woman seemed to know more about her brother's complicated love triangle. She decided to find out more.

“Hi,” she said as she walked into the the cafeteria.

The woman turned around, eyes wide like she had been caught doing something wrong.

“Miss Locke,” she said, surprise evident in her voice. “I… I didn't know you were there.”

“It seems you know more about the relationship my brother and Miss Devereux,” Anastasia said, going straight to the point.

The woman stood like she didn't understand what she just heard.

“I overheard what you said,” Anastasia smiled. “Miss…?”

“Dobrev,” The woman answered, straightening up. She seemed to be more composed than before. “Nina Dobrev.”

“Miss Dobrev,” Anastasia called. “Like I said, it seems you know more about the relationship between my brother and Ms Devereux. I've been watching their chemistry and something is seriously amiss with those two.”

“Yeah, tell me about it,” The woman, Nina rolled her eyes, and Anastasia laughed. She took a seat at the cafeteria and gestured to another chair in front of her.”

“Please, sit,” she said.

“Okay,” Nina said and sat down. “I want to take it that those two weren't really able to hide their feelings, and you caught on quick.” She said.

Anastasia laughed. “They are getting on my nerves already.”

And now, Nina laughed. Anastasia suddenly became drawn to this woman. She seemed easy going and friendly.

“Oh please, I'm close friends with Arielle and I tell you, they get on my nerves more than they get on yours.” Nina said.

“Really? Tell me more,” Ana said, suddenly intrigued. She wanted to know more about the relationship between her brother and his employee, and getting the original gist from Arielle's friend didn't sound like a bad idea.

And from there, friendship bloomed for Anastasia with Nina.

“Thanks for this, Ms Dobrev,” Anastasia said. “It means a lot to know more about my brother. He doesn't always talk about himself.”

“I understand. No offense, but your brother can be very slow sometimes,” she said and Ana laughed.

“By the way, call me Nina,” Nina said, smiling.

“Anastastia, but Ana for short,” Ana smiled.

Both women shook hands.

“Oh, can you keep this a secret from Arielle?” Ana asked. “ I don't want her to get uncomfortable. And besides, I think we both need to help those two finally realize what they feel for each other.”

“Sounds like you want us playing cupid,” Nina said.

“Well, somebody has to, before they do something they might regret,” Ana said, smiling.

“So, alliance?” She offered, stretching her hand for a handshake.

Nina smiled and took her hand. “Alliance.” She said.

---