9

A/n Hey, it's been a minute. Here's a tiny update. Please vote, comment and share. That will be appreciated.

"Sue them," she simply said, tossing the document she just finished skimming through back on the table.

"What?" he choked out.

"Sue them," she repeated with more certainty. She narrowed her eyes at him when it looked like he was going to oppose.

"Hold on, isn't that going a little too far?"

"Why do I get the feeling you're trying to protect them?" she asked sharply.

"I'm not. It's just, they just started. They barely have anything. Suing them will lead them to bankruptcy. I'm afraid we'll be going a little too far."

"He went far when he sold private information. They went far when they bought it and tried to blackmail us with it. They should have known they're the underdogs. What did they hope to achieve by trying to bark at me? Sue. Them. If you don't, I will," she promised, raising an eyebrow daring him to continue challenging her.

He knew that if she were to sue, she'd annihilate them beyond recovery. That's why he had to do it, because he had a conscious.

"Okay, fine. I'll have a word with the legal department on Monday morning."

"Are you sure you're up for it? You look like you care."

"I will." His voice cracked and she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He cleared his throat, standing up and going around the counter. He sighed quietly. "I will."

"And then we'll have to somehow announce that anyone taking funny chances with us will be dealt with accordingly. But how? I don't want to write a publication. A social media post is desperate and attention-seeking."

He chuckled. She looked like she was trying to solve world hunger. "You could finally agree to the hundreds of interview requests."

She groaned, hitting her forehead. He laughed as he handed her a glass of sparkling water and led her to the couch.

"I don't like being in the face of media," she admitted as they sat down side by side. His arm went around the couch behind her and she subconsciously leaned towards him. "Have you ever done a magazine interview?"

"Yes. Last year, actually. Forbes had a 30 under 30 segment."

She gasped. "I remember they reached out for that. I'd have met you sooner had I attended."

She sounded as if she was genuinely disappointed. He had to bite his smile at that. Then he frowned when he realized that she didn't know they met long before that, at the fundraisers. But then again, how many new people did she meet at those events? Alas, he hoped he was at least a face to remember.

"Daniel! What are you thinking about? You spaced out for a good minute," she frowned.

"Oh, sorry. What were you saying?"

"I asked how it was. With Forbes."

"You should have joined. I'd loved to have met you there. It was fun being around so many influential people."

"Sounds tragic. All those influencers? I wouldn't fit in," she huffed.

"It's not about fitting in. It's about finding a community of people who share in your experiences. Plus, interviews are a great way to tell your story how you want it to be heard."

"You're so annoying, you know that?"

He grinned. "Why? Am I convincing you?"

"Anyway, what was the occasion?" she asked and he raised an eyebrow in question. "You mentioned a party earlier."

"Oh, that," he sighed, laughing softly. "I'm 31 today."

He watched as her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Then she pulled him into a hug and whispered, "Happy birthday, Dan," into his neck, very, very softly. And unintentionally seductively. Having her lips against his neck was arousing a deeper part in him.

He looked down at her when she pulled away an inch and they locked eyes for a moment. He glanced at her lips before looking into her eyes again, trying to read the situation.

"W-why did you sound so sad?"

"Hmm?" he hummed, still in a trance. She smiled, licking her lips and he had to physically restrain himself from wrapping his hand around her neck and kissing her lifeless.

"Daniel," she smirked, almost as if she knew what thoughts he was having. He tried his best to remember what she said, and when he did, he looked down at the carpet to find an answer.

Her hand slowly rested on his knee, squeezing encouragingly. He took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers and finding the courage to tell her how he really feels.

"I feel so... Alone?" he said, but it came out like a question. She knew he didn't really ask, so she just remained quiet and let him continue.

He took a deep, shaky breath, and she could tell the next part took a lot out of him to even say out loud.

"I had a twin sister." Then she saw tears pile up in his eyes and roll down his cheeks when he tried blinking them away. Her own eyes became glossy, and more so at just seeing him completely vulnerable with her.

"You don't have to tell me more," she said assuringly.

"Thank you. You're the first person to ever ask me why my birthday makes me sad."

"Where are your parents?"

"No idea," he chuckled dryly. "They can't stand to see me because it reminds them of their other child. That's what they said to me before they left. I didn't have the energy to fight or beg them to stay."

"How old was she when she passed?"

"Twenty-seven."

The fact that it was five years ago meant the wound was still fresh. She was grateful that he decided to tell her. It may not have been everything, but it was a step towards an incredible friendship.

"May I give you a hug? Just to hold you?" she whispered and he looked like he was going to cry.

He nodded, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered himself to be comfortable in her arms. In doing so, she laid down on the couch to accommodate his height and he laid his head on her chest.

They didn't say anything as they laid there in the dim lit room, with his arms hugging her waist while she had one hand in his hair and the other gently rubbing his back.

After a few minutes, she felt her shirt become wet, and it occurred to her that he was crying silently. Then his body started trembling with each breath he took and she wiped a few tears of her own.

It hurt her to see him hurting. And knowing that there was nothing she could do to help with his pain was a horrible feeling. So, she held him together as he silently broke apart in her arms.