Days have gone by, and I'm almost done with the Hamilton project. The zoning permits that initially caused complications are finally falling into place, and I feel a sense of pride in how I've managed to navigate this complex deal. I'm in my office, wrapping up some final details before heading out to lunch with Ivan. He's in town, and I'm surprised he still wants to see me after the way things went last time. Our relationship has been strained since I started dating Stefano, but I'm hoping we can salvage our friendship.

As I'm about to log off my computer, I hear Santiago's voice from the hallway, sounding shocked and confused. His tone immediately puts me on alert - Santiago rarely sounds this taken aback.

My heart races. I hadn't told Santiago about hiring Emily. I meant to, but something always came up. Since she started, by some stroke of luck, Santiago hasn't run into her until now. I quickly make my way to the door, stepping into the hallway. The tension in the air is palpable as I see Santiago staring at Emily, who's standing near the reception area. Her face is a carefully composed mask, betraying no emotion. I can't help but think she's better prepared for this confrontation than I am.

"I work here," Emily says in a clipped tone, her chin lifted defiantly. The words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken history.

Santiago's brows furrow, a deep crease forming between them. His eyes remain fixed on Emily, confusion quickly morphing into anger. "You work here?" he repeats.

At this point, Santiago notices my presence in the hallway. His gaze flicks to me, a mix of surprise and betrayal flashing across his face.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Yes, she does," I say, trying to keep my voice steady as I add, "Emily's my new secretary."

Santiago turns to me, his eyes blazing. "Your new secretary?" I nod, feeling like I'm walking on eggshells. "Did you fucking hire her to make sure we get back together?" he demands, his voice hardening with an edge to it.

"No!" I protest, my hands raised placatingly. "As much as I want you guys to get back together, I would not hire Emily because of it. I hired her because she really needs this job and is a good secretary."

"Really needs the job. What's that about?" Santiago's gaze sharpens, sensing there's more to the story.

I take a deep breath, knowing this conversation is about to get complicated, but before I can speak, Emily beats me to it.

"None of your business," she snaps, her voice cold and brittle. The hurt from their breakup is clearly still raw.

"None of my business?" Santiago repeats in that deadly calm that causes all the hair on one's back to rise. I see Emily stiffen, but she quickly squares her shoulders, masking her reaction.

"Yes, none of your business," she says, enunciating each word as she stares right into his eyes, defiance radiating from every pore.

Santiago releases a dark laugh that sends a shiver down my spine. "You come to work for my sister, and you think I don't have the fucking right to know why?"

"Yes, you don't," Emily retorts, her hands clenched at her sides.

"Hmm..." Santiago says, suddenly turning away from her to face me. "Andrea, leave!" he commands. I open my mouth to argue, but one glare from him has me nodding and moving toward the elevator.

As the doors close, I watch Santiago crowd into Emily's space, demanding she tell him why. The last thing I see is Emily's face, a mix of anger and something else - fear? Longing? - as Santiago looms over her.

I release an exhale as the elevator descends, realizing the bad blood between them runs deeper than I thought. Those hopes of mine of them getting back together are starting to look like a fairytale that would never come true. The tension between them was electric, but not in the way I'd hoped. Whatever happened between Santiago and Emily, it's clear that the wounds are still fresh, and things might have just gotten worse.

***

I step out of the building, squinting as the bright Miami sunlight assaults my eyes. The restaurant where I'm meeting Ivan is just a few blocks away, so I decided to walk. The humid air clings to my skin as I make my way down the bustling sidewalk.

As I enter the restaurant, the cool air conditioning provides instant relief. I spot Ivan easily, his dark hair gleaming under the soft lighting. He's wearing an impeccably Ford suit that accentuates his muscular build. For a fleeting moment, I wonder if things might have been different between us if I hadn't already given my heart to Stefano. But I quickly push that thought aside.

"Hello, Ivan," I say as I approach his table, my voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. It's been weeks since I last saw him at Aurora's party, and my attempts to reach him and apologize have been unsuccessful. A knot forms in my stomach as I wonder why he reached out.

"Hello, Andrea," Ivan replies, his eyes lighting up as they meet mine. "I've missed you." He pulls me into an unexpected hug, sniffing my hair, causing me to pull back awkwardly.

"I've missed you too," I say, sliding into the seat across from him. "So, what brings you to town?"

He leans forward, his expression a mix of warmth and something more serious. "I came because I missed you," he begins, his voice low and earnest. Then, his tone shifts slightly, carrying a weight of importance. "And... I need to tell you something crucial."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I'm listening."

Ivan reaches across the table, taking my hands in his. His touch is warm, but it makes me want to recoil. "I love you, Andrea," he declares, his voice thick with emotion. "Be mine."

My heart sinks. I care for Ivan deeply as a friend, but I've never felt anything romantic towards him. I had suspected he harbored feelings for me, but I hoped he would never profess them, especially since I am with Stefano. The thought of hurting him pains me.

"I'm sorry, Ivan," I say softly, my eyes searching his face as I try to find words that might cushion the blow. "But I don't feel the same way."

I brace myself for the hurt and sadness I expect to see, but instead, his eyes darken with an anger I've never witnessed in him before. His grip on my hands suddenly tightens, pain flaring through my fingers. I can't help but wince.

"Why?" he demands through clenched teeth. His voice, normally so warm, has dropped to a low, intense growl that sends a chill down my spine. This isn't the Ivan I know. The air around us seems to crackle with a dangerous energy, and I find myself struggling to breathe.

His grip tightens further, the pain shocking me back to my senses. "You're hurting me," I gasp out, my voice trembling. "Please, let go."

He releases my hands abruptly. "Sorry," he mutters, not sounding sorry at all.

I rub my reddened skin, fighting back tears. "It's fine," I lie. "Why I don't love you has nothing to do with you. I'm..."

Ivan slams his fist on the table, cutting me off. "Of course, it has nothing to do with me," he snarls. "It's all that bastard Stefano Costanzo's fault!"

I recoil at the venom in his voice. "Don't you dare call my boyfriend a bastard?" I say, bewildered by his sudden rage but angrier with him insulting Stefano.

Ivan laughs bitterly. "Boyfriend?" he spits out, disgust in his voice.

"Yes, my boyfriend. I understand your hurt. I don't recuperate your feelings, but please reframe from insulting Stefano because of it."

"I will call that fucker whatever I want."

"Ivan!" I exclaim, slamming my hand on the table. I'm done with his conversation. I raise my seat, spinning around to walk out, when Ivan grabs my hand.

"Once I'm done settling my business, I'll have you in my arms." His tone was too intense, too possessive, sending a shiver down my spine. There's something hidden in his words, something I can't quite grasp but instinctively fear.

I pull my hand away from Ivan's tight grip, and he lets me. "Goodbye, Ivan." I stride away from the table, and his declaration replays in my head. What does he mean by "settling his business"? The way he dismissed Stefano, the anger in his eyes... it's all so unlike the Ivan I thought I knew. His anger wasn't just about rejection; it was something deeper, darker.

I can't ignore the warning bells ringing in my head. Ivan's behavior was a red flag, a glimpse of a side I never expected. I need to be cautious, not just for myself but for Stefano, too. Ivan's words felt like a threat veiled in false charm, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over...that there was more beneath the surface I hadn't seen yet.