The night air had turned bitter, biting through the thin fabric of Siyana's dress and sending chills deep into her spine.
Goosebumps prickled across her arms, her skin rising against the cold as she wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her hands over her shoulders in a futile attempt to stay warm.
Her dress—a deep-necked, short slip of a thing that barely skimmed her thighs—offered little protection from the dropping temperature.
She shivered again, teeth chattering slightly, when suddenly, a hand appeared in front of her, holding a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
She didn't even need to look up; she knew that hand well. Smiling, she accepted the cup and was just about to take her first sip when she felt a weight settle on her shoulders, a warm trench coat, wrapping her in comfort and shielding her from the cold.
Sid's voice was as sharp as the night air, his tone cutting through the surrounding noise. "Why didn't you ask your assistant to bring you something warmer? You're standing here, practically freezing. If she's not able to manage that much, I can help you find someone who can."
Siyana glanced over at her assistant and the bodyguards standing nearby. The assistant's face had turned a shade paler, her posture stiffening under Sid's gaze. She'd only just started working with Siyana, this was her first assignment.
The assistant knew that maintaining Siyana's trust was a privilege, one that many worked tirelessly to earn.There had been whispers in the industry about Siyana's reputation; though her approachable smile and friendly demeanor put people at ease, her sharpness and drive in the business world were legendary.
In every meeting room, her presence commanded attention; competitors often said she could move entire markets with a single decision.
At only twenty five, Siyana Ruth had not only climbed but owned the corporate ladder, establishing herself as one of the most formidable figures in global business. She was the youngest billionaire to ever grace the Korpe's List of Richest Billionaires at the age of sixteen, the first woman in history to hold the number one position.
Though she'd only recently dropped to number two, displaced by none other than Sid, her childhood friend standing beside her, Siyana still held a power that left most in awe—and others in fear.
And standing next to her, Sid Hammod was no less of a force. A business tycoon in his own right, Sid had recently dethroned Siyana from the top spot, a testament to his unmatched drive and strategic mind.
Together, they were an unstoppable duo in the corporate world, their combined influence capable of reshaping entire world.
The assistant glanced nervously at Siyana, her cheeks flushed, realizing the gravity of Sid's words. If he thought she wasn't up to par, it could affect her entire career. Sid's icy tone wasn't just a comment, it was a message, a thinly veiled warning.
She gulped, feeling the weight of her position, and glanced anxiously at Siyana for any signal that could diffuse the situation.
Siyana shifted, speaking up before the poor assistant could falter any further. "Sid, don't go blaming her. I told them to keep a distance so we wouldn't draw too much attention. "
"And besides," she wrapped herself tighter in his coat, offering him a reassuring smile, "we have only about twenty minutes left before we have to leave for the airport. Let's not waste it. We don't get many nights like this."
The assistant and bodyguards let out a collective sigh, their faces visibly relaxing as they took cautious steps back.
Siyana gave them a small nod, grateful that they'd respected her request for space, even if it had put her in a temporary bind with the chill. But tonight was worth it, the chance to slip out of their corporate personas, even just for a few hours, was a rare treat. She looked back at Sid, whose expression softened, if only a little.
He shifted his weight, a contemplative look passing over his face. He could still feel the tension of responsibility tugging at him; he'd always looked out for Siyana, a role he'd taken on since the moment Siyana was born.
But tonight, he reminded himself, he'd let it go. They were here to unwind, to remember a time when things were simple, when business deals and boardrooms didn't dictate every moment of their lives.
He was about to suggest their next stop when he caught Siyana taking a long sip of the hot chocolate. Her face lit up, her eyes closing as if savoring the taste, a delighted smile blooming across her lips.
She turned to him, holding the cup out with a playful tilt, urging him to take a sip as well. It was a habit they'd fallen into as kids, each one taking a turn to share the drink until it was gone.
The memory washed over him, filling him with a warmth that cut through the chill of the night. Sid couldn't help the faint smile that spread across his face as he accepted the cup from her, taking a slow, satisfying drink.
The minutes slipped by, yet time seemed to slow down as they shared the hot chocolate, passing the cup back and forth in companionable silence, wrapped in their memories.
The night grew colder, but Sid barely noticed as he watched her, the way she laughed, her whole body relaxing in a way he rarely saw.
It was as if the weight of her vast empire melted away, leaving only the girl he'd known all his life, the one who could find joy in the smallest things, the one who saw the world with awe and wonder no matter how powerful she became.
They sat down on a nearby bench, the distant hum of the crowd blending into the background as if they were the only two people in the world. Siyana leaned back, her laughter spilling out freely, her eyes glistening with the simple joy of the moment. And though Sid held his usual quiet reserve, the faint smile never left his face.
For these brief minutes, they were just two old friends, a boy and a girl who'd grown up together in a small town, sharing a cup of hot chocolate, lost in the memories of who they once were and who they'd always be, each other's home.
The world around them could change, empires could rise and fall, fortunes could shift between them. But here, in the quiet intimacy of the chilly night, nothing else mattered but the warmth of their shared memories and the comforting presence of each other's company.