The apartment was quiet when Ariel stepped in.
Not empty just still.
The kind of silence she preferred.
She dropped her keys on the table and slipped off her shoes, easing the tension in her shoulders. It had been a long day, but like always, she didn't dwell on it.
She was halfway across the living room when she paused.
Something felt… off.
Not obvious. Just different.
Then—
A faint sound from the kitchen.
Ariel didn't react immediately. Her posture stayed relaxed, but her eyes sharpened slightly as she moved forward.
When she turned the corner—
Daniel stood there.
Opening a food container like he owned the place.
He didn't even look surprised.
"Took you long enough," he said casually.
Ariel stared at him.
"You're in my house."
Daniel glanced up, unfazed.
"Good observation."
She paused for a few seconds, studying him.
"I knew giving you that code would cost me my privacy."
He held up a carrot between his fingers, a faint grin playing on his lips.
"Go freshen up," he said. "Dinner's almost ready."
Ariel didn't respond immediately.
"Next time," she said calmly, "announce yourself."
"Sure," Daniel replied with a light chuckle
fully aware he wasn't going to do that.
By the time Ariel came back, changed and composed as ever, the food was already set.
Daniel gestured toward the seat across from him.
"Sit."
She did.
They ate quietly.
Not awkward just familiar.
Daniel scrolled through his phone between bites while Ariel focused on her food, uninterested in distractions.
It had always been like this with him.
No pressure. No forced conversations.
He talked when he wanted, and when she didn't respond, he didn't take it personally.
That was probably why he was still around.
They had met years ago during residency. While others kept their distance, unsure how to deal with her silence, Daniel had simply… stayed. No questions, no expectations. Over time, he slipped into her routine so naturally that moments like this didn't feel strange anymore.
"You heard about Alexander Azriel?" he asked, still focused on his phone.
Ariel didn't look up.
"No."
He shook his head lightly.
"Not surprised."
"Well, he just topped the business charts again," Daniel continued. "Number one this year."
Ariel took another bite, indifferent.
"And?"
Daniel laughed softly.
"That's all you have to say?"
She didn't respond.
He leaned back slightly, studying her.
"Well, you don't know him, so I'll pardon your response," he said. Then he paused. "You know what's crazy?"
Ariel remained silent.
"The guy's personal life is a complete mess," Daniel went on. "He changes women like he changes his boxers. Doesn't care about age, status nothing. Every week, there's something new."
Ariel's expression didn't change.
"But none of it affects his work," he added. "His company keeps growing. His numbers don't drop. It's like nothing touches him."
Ariel set her fork down.
"People only look careless when they want to be," she said calmly. "If he's still at the top, then everything else is deliberate."
Daniel looked at her more closely now.
"You sound like you understand him."
"I understand patterns," Ariel replied.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then Daniel exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
"You know," he said, "sometimes I wish I went into business."
Ariel's gaze lifted slowly.
"It's not too late."
The apartment had barely settled into silence when Ariel's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Her expression didn't change
But she didn't pick up immediately.
It rang once…
Twice…
Then she sighed softly and answered.
"Grandpa."
"Ariel," his voice came, firm but warm. "So you finally decided to pick up."
She walked toward the window, her tone calm, almost uninterested.
"I've been busy."
"You've been avoiding me," he corrected.
A pause.
Ariel's lips pressed slightly together not quite a reaction, but close enough.
"I called you three times yesterday," he continued. "And again this morning."
"I was at work."
"You always are."
Silence stretched between them.
"You know you're my only family," he added after a moment.
Ariel's eyes flickered faintly with irritation.
She already knew where this was going.
Marriage.
"Grandpa," she cut in, her voice steady but softer now, "no one is dying. We both have each other. I love you… you love me."
A small pause.
"I'll call you later," she finished, ending the call before he could continue.
A quiet laugh came from behind her.
Ariel turned slowly.
Daniel leaned back in his chair, shaking his head.
"Seriously, Ari," he said, "you should start thinking about marriage. You're 27 alre"
Her glare cut him off instantly.
Cold. Sharp. Final.
Daniel raised his hands slightly in surrender.
"Okay… okay."
"Why don't you get married instead?" Ariel replied flatly.
He smirked.
"I'm considering it."
"Clean up," she said, already turning away, "and get out of my house."
Daniel chuckled under his breath.
"Yes, ma'am."
He did exactly that.
Cleaned up the table. Packed the leftovers.
Like he had done a hundred times before.
Before leaving, he glanced once toward her closed bedroom door.
Then he shook his head lightly and stepped out.
The apartment fell silent again.
This time… heavier.
Ariel stared at the window lost in thoughts like she was thinking about something long forgotten and buried in her memory, her expression hardened and her eyes filled with hatred...