The CEO's Match

Warmth and Reconciliation

I drove to her apartment, the cold air of the night doing little to calm the fire burning inside me. The city lights flickered in the distance, but my focus was on one thing-Nova. My hands tightened around the steering wheel as I parked outside her building, my mind replaying the conversation from earlier. Her words were still ringing in my ears, her challenge pushing me to the edge.

I got out of the car and walked toward her apartment. The dimly lit hallway seemed eerily quiet, each step echoing as I approached her door. My heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I lifted my hand and knocked.

Silence.

I waited, staring at the door, wondering if she'd open it or make me wait. My mind raced, thinking about what I'd say. What I'd do. The door remained closed, and for a moment, I thought she wouldn't answer. Maybe she was asleep, or maybe this was another one of her games. But before I could knock again, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

The door opened slightly, just enough for me to see her face. Her eyes met mine, and for a second, neither of us spoke. She looked at me, then at the space between us, as if weighing her options.

"Alexander," she said, her voice calm but guarded. "What are you doing here?"

I leaned against the doorframe, my eyes locking onto hers. "I couldn't stay in the office. Not after everything." My voice was low, filled with the tension I couldn't suppress any longer.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, crossing her arms. "And you thought showing up at my apartment in the middle of the night was a good idea?"

I gave her a small, almost self-deprecating smirk. "Not exactly my most well-thought-out plan."

She sighed, stepping back from the door as if debating whether or not to let me in. Her hesitation told me everything-this was different. This wasn't just another banter-filled encounter. Something had shifted between us.

"Why are you really here, Alexander?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost cautious.

I stepped closer, my gaze unwavering. "Because I can't stop thinking about you. About what happened. About how I feel."

Her eyes widened just a fraction, but she kept her composure. "And what do you feel?"

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "That you're driving me crazy, and I'm not sure I want it to stop."

The tension between us was palpable. She was trying to stay guarded, but I could see the crack in her armor. I could see that she wasn't as unaffected as she pretended to be.

She let out a small, exasperated laugh. "You're insane, you know that?"

I shrugged. "Maybe. But I've never felt this way before."

Her eyes softened for a moment, and then she stepped aside, motioning for me to come in. "Fine. But if this turns into another argument, I'm kicking you out."

I walked inside, feeling the warmth of her apartment wrap around me as the door clicked shut behind us. It felt strangely intimate, like stepping into her world-a world I was desperate to understand.

Nova's pov

The chill in the air was biting as I ushered Alexander into my modest apartment. He followed me inside, and I could see the contrast between his sophisticated, tailored suit and the cozy, somewhat cluttered warmth of my living space. I tried to ignore the slight discomfort I felt, focusing instead on making him feel welcome.

I headed straight for the kitchen, determined to offer him some comfort. "It's freezing outside," I said, opening the cabinet and pulling out a couple of mugs. "How about some hot chocolate to warm up? It's the least I can do."

I could hear Alexander shifting around in the living room, and I turned on the fireplace, the crackling sound filling the room with a pleasant warmth. The flames danced, casting a soft glow across the room. I could tell from the way he glanced around that my apartment was a far cry from the luxury of his own place. I wasn't exactly accustomed to entertaining high-profile guests in such a modest setting, but I hoped he'd appreciate the gesture.

The hot chocolate was soon bubbling on the stove, and I poured it into the mugs, adding a generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top. Carrying the mugs carefully, I made my way back to the living room, where Alexander had settled on the couch, trying to make himself comfortable.

I handed him one of the mugs with a warm smile. "My place might not be as fancy as yours," I said, settling into the armchair opposite him. "So, bear with me."

He took the mug gratefully, the steam rising in gentle swirls. "Thank you," he said, taking a sip and visibly relaxing as the warmth spread through him. "This is exactly what I needed."

I watched him for a moment, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. This was the first time we had spent any real time together since our last confrontation, and I was trying to gauge his reactions and thoughts.

The room was quiet except for the crackling of the fire and the occasional clink of the mugs as we sipped our drinks. It was a strangely intimate setting, and I found myself reflecting on how much had changed between us.