Just Once

Chapter 6- Sofia/Zayden

Sofia

The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of my penthouse, but I couldn't find solace in the warmth. My thoughts were still clouded with the events of the past 24 hours, and that unsigned email had been the final straw. I knew I couldn't afford to waste time wallowing. Whoever sent that message wanted me to rethink my approach, and maybe, just maybe, they were right. As I performed my daily routine this person consumed my thoughts-this enemy. Whoever this person was it was clear that they were stratagized.

Sitting at my desk, I reviewed the list Lucian had sent me one more time. The names were familiar, but now they all seemed to have a different weight. Each one of these people had once been a trusted ally or a stable connection. I frowned. Never in a million years would I have imagined that my most trusted allies would turn against me.

I picked up my phone and dialed Victor. He answered on the second ring, his voice steady and professional as always.

"Victor, we need to talk. Something's not adding up."
"Yes ma'am?"
"The one who's playing against Volkov Industries isn't Zayden but someone else. I have forwarded a list to you and I need you to keep a close eye on these people. But also keep me updated on Zayden's moments. Understood?"
Victor hesitated for a moment before replying. "Understood. I'll start on it immediately."

After the call ended, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. I hated being in this position-reacting instead of controlling. It wasn't how I built my empire. But if there was one thing I knew about myself, it was that I thrived under pressure. I close my eyes taking a moment to piece every bit of information I had till it started to make a bigger picture.

Just then, my phone buzzed again. It was a message from Lucian, short and cryptic as ever:
"Found something. Meet me in person. Usual place."

I felt anxiety pump into my blood. Lucian wanting to meet up was never a sure sign.

By the time I stepped into the sleek black car waiting outside, my mind was already racing with possibilities. Lucian didn't call for face-to-face meetings unless it was something big, and I wasn't sure if that thrilled me or unnerved me.

The ride to the meet-up spot was a blur. I kept replaying everything in my head trying to put everything in chronological order but something felt off. I felt like I wasn't the only target of this person but someone else as well.

When I arrived at the agreed location, a quiet, dimly lit café far from prying eyes, Lucian was already there, a laptop open in front of him. He glanced up as I approached, his expression giving nothing away.

I sat in front of our gazes meeting as we gave each other a serious look. Not good.

Lucian tilted the laptop screen toward me, a single document open on it. "You're going to want to see this," he said, his voice low.


Zayden

The night was eerily silent in my office, save for the faint hum of the city below. Aurelian leaned against the far wall, his usual unflappable demeanor in place. But even he couldn't completely mask his unease.

"It's confirmed," he said, handing over the dossier. "Whoever's targeting Volkov Industries has expanded their focus. They're coming for us now."

I flipped through the pages, my jaw tightening as the evidence piled up. Financial sabotage. Information leaks. A network of allies being turned against me, just like Sofia. The same precision, the same strategy. This wasn't a random enemy-it was calculated.

"They're bold," I muttered, tossing the folder onto the desk. "But they've underestimated me."

Aurelian cleared his throat. "They're not just bold, Zayden. They're organized. And they've got connections neither of us can trace. Yet."

That word yet hung in the air. I didn't like unknowns, and this situation had too many.

I rose from my chair, moving toward the expansive windows that overlooked the glittering skyline. My reflection stared back at me, a faint smirk playing on my lips. For years, I'd stayed two steps ahead of anyone foolish enough to challenge me. But this? This was different.

"It's her," Aurelian said after a long pause.

I turned my head slightly, arching an eyebrow.

"Sofia," he clarified. "She's got skin in the game, and whether she knows it or not, they'll crush her too if they get the chance."

He was right. For all her sharp edges and relentless ambition, Sofia was in over her head with this one. But if there was one thing I knew about her, it was that she wouldn't go down without a fight.

"Call her," Aurelian added when I didn't respond.

I let out a low chuckle. "And say what? 'Hey, Petal, let's team up'? She'd sooner hang up than listen to me."

"Then make her listen," Aurelian countered, his tone firm. "You know what's coming, Zayden. If we don't join forces, this thing will consume both of you."

The thought gnawed at me, but he wasn't wrong. This wasn't about pride or power anymore. It was survival.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, staring at the screen for a moment before dialing. The line rang twice before her voice, sharp and guarded, came through.

"Sofia Volkov."

"Petal," I said smoothly, leaning against the window. "We need to talk."

A pause. Then, with a tone laced with suspicion, she replied, "Why? You don't strike me as the type to call for a friendly chat."

"This isn't about friendship," I said, my voice low and serious. "It's about survival. Whoever's coming after you has set their sights on me too. We're dealing with the same enemy."

I could hear the skepticism in her silence, but I pressed on.

"You don't have to trust me, Sofia. Hell, I wouldn't if I were you. But this isn't a game either of us can win alone. We need each other, whether you like it or not."

The silence stretched longer this time, and I almost thought she'd hung up. But then, her voice came through, icy but controlled.

"Where and when?"

A small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

"I'll send you the details," I said. "And Sofia? Don't make me regret this."

The call ended, and I turned to Aurelian, who looked both surprised and slightly amused.

"Well?" he asked.

"She'll come," I said, slipping the phone back into my pocket. "Whether she stays? That's another matter."

As I stared out into the night, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of anticipation and unease. This alliance-temporary as it might be-could be the key to taking down our shared enemy. Or it could be the most dangerous gamble I'd ever made.

Either way, the game had changed. And this time, we'd be playing it together.