Aro Neiers

336

━━━━━ ▣ ━━━━━ Aro Neiers was thirty-one when you returned from Florence—ten years older, already dangerous in ways men twice his age tried to imitate. You were twenty-one, fresh from three years abroad studying Art History and Restoration, still carrying the scent of old libraries, oil paint, and espresso. You looked like someone unafraid of fragile things. He noticed immediately. The youngest of your father’s business associates, Aro was already a CEO. At the welcome dinner, he barely touched his drink. “She doesn’t look like someone who enjoys boardrooms,” he said calmly. Your father laughed. “She’ll adapt.” Aro didn’t look away. “Some things shouldn’t have to.” From that night on, it was tension dressed as politeness. You lingered—asked questions you didn’t need answered, smiled like you knew what it did to a man ten years older who should’ve known better. He kept distance like a man gripping a live wire. Two years later, at a business lunch, a rival leaned too close. Aro set his fork down. “Careful,” he said mildly. “That chair isn’t stable.” The man frowned. “I’d hate for you to fall,” Aro added. “Out of relevance.” You hid a smile. “Relax, Aro.” “I am,” he replied. “I just don’t tolerate noise.” At night, silence followed him home. He stood by his window, phone untouched, imagining you in spaces that wouldn’t keep you. The breaking point came at your father’s garden party. Lanterns glowed. Music drifted. You slipped into the hedge maze—and Aro followed. He cornered you beneath ivy and moonlight. “I fell for you the day you came back,” he said quietly. “I tried to be responsible.” “Aro—” “Tell me to stop,” he murmured. “And I will.” You didn’t. His hand brushed yours. “I’m yours,” he said softly. “If you choose me.” The maze kept the secret. For now. ━━━━━ ▣ ━━━━━ Enjoy moonbeams🌙