Chapter 391: It’s Alright

They spent the next hour moving through the Prime Stock Trading Hub with easy purpose. Stan selected practical staples and higher-end ingredients with the same quiet efficiency he brought to most things; Maya and Sophie added their own preferences, fresh herbs, specialty cheeses, the particular cut of meat they both liked, a few bottles of the rice wine they had brought him the night before. Soft conversation and light touches threaded through the shopping: Maya’s fingers brushing his when they both reached for the same item, Sophie leaning close to murmur a suggestion against his ear, the occasional shared glance that carried the lingering warmth of the morning.

By the time they finished, two large insulated bags and several sturdy paper sacks held everything the house needed. They carried the load together down to the underground garage. Stan opened the boot of the Audi and packed the bags with careful precision, making sure nothing would shift during the drive. Maya stood close enough that her shoulder brushed his as she handed him the last item; Sophie waited by the passenger door, watching them with a soft, contented expression.

Once the boot closed with a solid thud, the three of them settled into the car. Stan had just started the engine when Maya’s phone chimed. She glanced at the screen, then answered, holding the device slightly away from her ear so the others could hear.

A polite but urgent voice came through clearly.

"Miss Maya, I’m sorry to disturb you this early, but we have a situation at the company. The quality-control team just flagged an issue with the latest production batch. It’s not a safety concern, but the entire shipment has been put on hold until you personally approve how we proceed. The production manager and the head of quality control are waiting for you in the conference room."

Maya’s expression shifted into a mild, apologetic smile as she looked at Stan. "Something came up..."

Stan glanced at her, one hand still resting on the wheel. "It’s not been long since you started. How has it been going?"

"The company is still in its beginning phase," she answered, voice calm but already carrying a quiet professionalism, "but it’s doing well. Better than I expected, actually." She listened for another moment, then spoke into the phone. "Tell them I’ll be there shortly. Have the full report ready."

She ended the call and exhaled softly, turning toward Stan with a small, rueful look. "I’m sorry. I was looking forward to the rest of the morning with both of you."

Sophie leaned forward from the back seat and gave Maya’s shoulder a light, reassuring squeeze. "Work happens. We’ll still be here when you’re done."

Stan simply nodded, already shifting the car into gear. "Direct me."

Maya guided him through a series of turns that took them away from the busier commercial districts and into a quieter industrial-adjacent area. After several minutes the low, modern building that housed her young company came into view, clean lines of glass and pale concrete, a discreet sign near the entrance, the kind of place that still carried the energy of something newly built and ambitious. Stan had invested in it only days earlier; seeing it now, already active enough to require her personal attention, brought a quiet sense of satisfaction.

He pulled into a visitor space near the main doors. Maya unbuckled, then leaned across the center console and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips.

"Thank you for understanding," she murmured. "I won’t be longer than I have to."

Sophie smiled from the back. "Go be the boss. We’ll keep your seat warm."

Sophie’s words weren’t offensive and Maya didn’t take offense...

Maya gave them both one last warm look, then stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance with steady, purposeful strides. Stan and Sophie watched her disappear inside before the quiet of the parked Audi settled around them once more.

Sophie shifted forward from the back seat, resting her arms lightly on the center console so she could look at Stan more directly. A soft, regretful smile touched her lips.

"I have an urgent lecture I can’t miss," she said. "I should get going too."

Stan turned his head toward her, the corner of his mouth lifting in an easy, affectionate smile. "Go study well, then. Become a great nurse for me." His voice warmed. "I’ll never forget how you treated my hand that night, after I punched the bastard who tried to assault you. And his guards."

Sophie’s expression softened with memory. She reached out and brushed her fingers lightly along the back of his hand where it rested on the gearshift. "Those were some nice moves," she murmured, a quiet note of lingering admiration in her voice. "And that immense power... I still find it unbelievable that you handled that many men alone so easily."

Stan gave a low, amused laugh. "Well... I’m not weak."

Sophie’s eyes sparkled. "No. You’re definitely not." She settled back into her seat as he started the engine again, but she kept her body angled toward him. As the car pulled out of the lot and joined the morning traffic, her hand found his thigh once more, resting there with familiar warmth. "You know, most men would have needed help that night. Or at least looked a little shaken afterward. You just... handled it. And then let me fuss over your knuckles like it was nothing."

"I liked the fussing," Stan admitted, glancing at her with a small, genuine smile. "Especially from you."

Sophie made a soft, pleased sound. "Careful. Keep saying things like that and I might start finding excuses to check you for injuries more often." Her fingers traced a slow, idle circle on his thigh. "Even if there aren’t any."

The drive to her place was unhurried. Conversation drifted between quiet teasing and softer reminiscence, how everything had felt chaotic when he went to get drinks until he stepped in, how strangely calm he had been afterward, how she had been equal parts impressed and worried while she cleaned the small cuts on his hand. Stan listened more than he spoke, occasionally answering with a low chuckle or a brief, warm remark that made Sophie’s smile linger.

When they finally pulled up outside her building, Sophie unbuckled and leaned across the console. She kissed him slowly, thoroughly, one hand resting against his cheek. The kiss carried the lingering intimacy of the night before and the quiet affection of the morning, soft, unhurried, and full of unspoken apology.

When she drew back, her forehead rested lightly against his for a moment. "I’m sorry I couldn’t stay with you the whole day," she whispered. "Especially after you were off-grid and unreachable for more than three days. I kept wondering if everything was all right."

Stan’s hand came up to cradle the side of her neck, thumb brushing gently along her jaw. "It’s nothing to worry about," he said, voice steady and warm. "You’re here now. That’s enough."

Sophie smiled, gave him one last brief kiss, then stepped out of the car. She paused on the sidewalk to wave before disappearing into the building. Stan watched until the door closed behind her, then sat for a moment longer in the quiet of the Audi, the faint scent of her perfume still lingering in the cabin, before finally putting the car back into gear