CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
579 Words
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Monday came too quickly. Briella stepped out of her car and into the Nivida building, heels clicking with a quiet confidence she had been rediscovering piece by piece. Her weekend had been lighter than most—Marcellus teaching her how to parallel park still replayed in her mind, the rare sound of her own laughter echoing back to her as if it belonged to someone freer, someone younger.
“Morning, Ms. Tristan,” her secretary, Clara, greeted warmly as she approached. Clara, in her usual neatly pressed attire and calm smile, handed over the day’s schedule. “You have a strategy meeting with the finance team at ten, followed by a joint review with Mr. Marcellus Cedric after lunch.”
“Thank you, Clara.” Briella glanced over the papers, appreciating how Clara always managed to make even the most overwhelming stack of documents feel organized.
Just then, Grace appeared—efficient, perfectly poised, and sharp-eyed as ever. She was holding a file for Marcellus but her gaze flickered briefly toward Briella, cold and dismissive. Not enough to be overt, but enough to sting.
Briella caught it. For a split second, her lips pressed into a thin line, but she chose not to react. Not yet.
“Good morning, sir,” Grace’s voice was smooth, practiced, as Marcellus strode out of the elevator. She handed him the file with a subtle lean closer than necessary.
“Grace,” Marcellus acknowledged briefly before turning toward Briella. “You’re early.”
“I try,” Briella replied, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
Grace’s eyes flickered between them—something unreadable sparking there. Clara, standing quietly at Briella’s side, noticed, though she said nothing.
---
The finance meeting was grueling. Numbers projected across the screen, debates on whether to cut, expand, or shift strategies. At one point, an older board member questioned Briella’s judgment a little too sharply.
Marcellus leaned forward, voice low but firm, cutting in. “Her plan holds. Follow the projections as presented.”
The room quieted instantly. Briella met his gaze briefly across the table, something unspoken passing between them.
When the meeting ended, Clara handed Briella a bottle of water. “You handled that beautifully.”
Briella smiled softly. “Thanks, Clara. I couldn’t have done it without the prep you helped with.”
From the corner, Grace observed with narrowed eyes, as if cataloging every detail.
---
By evening, the offices emptied. Briella gathered her things, stepping into the elevator just as Marcellus joined her. The ride was quiet, but comfortable. He glanced at her briefly.
“You didn’t let them shake you today,” he said.
“Not anymore,” Briella replied, meeting his gaze steadily. “Not when I know I’m not standing alone.”
His lips twitched—almost a smile. “Good.”
The elevator dinged. They stepped out together into the parking lot, the last rays of sunset spilling over the polished cars.
Neither noticed the sleek black vehicle idling at the far corner of the lot, engine silent, windows tinted dark. Inside, Grace’s hands gripped the steering wheel. She lifted her phone, typed a quick message, and hit send.
“She’s stronger. And he’s always with her. We’ll need another angle.”
Her jaw tightened. She waited a moment longer, eyes locked on Briella and Marcellus as they walked side by side toward their cars, before finally driving away.
---
✨ End of Chapter Thirty-Nine ✨
- Writer
