The room went quiet. Harrison sat completely still. Just looked at Julius. His face blank. Anna turned to look at both of them. Clearly waiting for Harrison to refuse. To tell Julius this was inappropriate. To remind him that seats at this table were earned, not claimed.

But Harrison didn’t do any of that. Instead, he relaxed in his seat. Studied Julius for a long moment. Then said one word. "Yes." Julius didn’t expect that. Just for a second, he lost control of the situation.

The room erupted in whispers. Anna’s eyes widened. She looked at Harrison like he was insane. But she was professional enough not to argue. Not here. Not in front of everyone. She stood. Gathered her papers. Her face remained calm, but Julius saw the confusion in her eyes.

Harrison pointed to an empty seat three chairs down. The seat that had been meant for Julius. "Anna," Harrison said. His voice was casual. Like he hadn’t just upended the entire power structure of this meeting. "You can take that one." Anna hesitated. Just for a second. Then nodded. "Of course," she said.

She walked to the other seat. Sat down. Arranged her papers with the same efficiency as before. But everyone in the room understood what had just happened. Julius had challenged for Harrison’s second position. And Harrison had given it to him. In front of the most powerful people in the city.

Julius sat down in the chair Anna had vacated. He was directly behind Harrison now. Close enough to see the back of his neck. Close enough to hear him breathe. This was what he wanted. Wasn’t it?

To be close. To stake his claim. To make sure everyone knew that Harrison belonged to him. But now that he had it, something else started to gnaw at him. The meeting began.

Harrison spoke first. His voice was calm. Controlled. He discussed quarterly projections. Market expansion. New acquisitions. Anna contributed from her seat. Professional. She knew the numbers without looking at notes. Knew the strategy inside and out.

And Julius realized something that made him angry. He hated this. He won the position. He was sitting where Anna had been. But now he had to watch them work together. Watch Harrison turn slightly when Anna spoke. Watch her anticipate his questions before he asked them. Watch the rhythm they had from years of working side by side.

"The Tokyo expansion is ahead of schedule," Anna said. "We should see returns by Q2." Harrison nodded. "And the acquisition?" "Papers are ready. Just need your signature." "Send them to my office." "Already done."

It was seamless. Practiced. They worked like two parts of the same machine. And Julius sat there. Behind Harrison. Close but completely useless. He had no knowledge of the numbers. No understanding of the strategy. Nothing about Nexus Global’s operations made sense to him.

He claimed this seat out of jealousy. Out of possessiveness. Out of a desperate need to be close to Harrison. But he didn’t belong here. Someone asked a question about international regulations. Anna answered without hesitation. Harrison added a point. She nodded. Agreed. Expanded on it.

Julius’s hands curled into fists under the table. Then he felt it. A touch. Light. Brief. Harrison’s hand brushed against his knee under the table. Julius froze.

It could have been an accident. Harrison shifting in his seat. Reaching for something. But then it happened again. Deliberate this time. Harrison’s fingers rested against Julius’s knee for just a second. Then pulled away.

Julius looked at the back of Harrison’s head. Harrison didn’t turn. Didn’t acknowledge it. Just kept talking about market projections like nothing had happened. But Julius felt heat spread through his chest.

The meeting continued for another hour. Julius sat there. Watched Harrison and Anna work. Felt that touch replay in his mind over and over. Finally, Harrison closed his folder. "That’s everything," he said. "We’ll reconvene next quarter."

People started to stand. Gathering papers. Talking in low voices. Anna stayed seated. Waiting. Julius knew what would happen next. The meeting would end. Everyone would leave. And Anna would stay behind to discuss details with Harrison. Private business. Important things.

Things Julius had no part in. He should leave. Go back to his own company. Stop making a fool of himself. But he didn’t move. People left. One by one. Until only three stayed.

Harrison. Anna. Julius. Anna looked at Julius. Then at Harrison. Clearly wondering why Julius was still there. "Harrison," she said. "We need to go over the acquisition paperwork. There’s a clause that needs your attention."

Harrison looked at Julius. Then back at Anna. "Send it to my email," he said. "I’ll review it tonight." Anna blinked. "But we always—" "Tonight," Harrison repeated. His tone was final. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Anna got it. "I see," she said. Her voice was careful. "Of course. I’ll send it over." She stood. Gathered her things. Walked toward the door. Then stopped. Turned back. "Harrison," she said. "Can I give you some advice?"

Harrison waited. Anna looked at Julius. Really looked at him. Like she was seeing something she hadn’t noticed before. "Be careful," she said. Then she left. The door closed behind her. Silence. Julius and Harrison sat alone in the massive conference room.

Harrison turned in his chair. Faced Julius directly. "What was that about?" he asked. His voice was calm. But there was something else underneath. Amusement. Curiosity. Julius met his eyes. "You had dinner with her."

"I did." "You didn’t tell me." "I don’t report to you, Julius." That hurt. But Julius continued. "She called you King. As if it was a nickname. As if you’ve known each other for years."

"We have known each other for years." "Ten years," Julius said. The number felt heavy in his mouth. "She’s been with you for ten years. Working by your side. Knowing everything about your business. Your plans. Your life."

Harrison leaned back in his chair. Studied Julius with those golden-black eyes. "Are you jealous?" he asked. Julius’s teeth clenched. "No."

"You walked into my meeting. Demanded her seat. Made a scene in front of every major business leader in this city." Harrison looked amused. "That’s not jealousy?" "I wanted to make a point." "What point?"

Julius stood. Walked to the window. Put distance between them. "That you can’t just claim me one night and then have dinner with someone else the next." He heard Harrison stand. Footsteps approached from behind.

"I can’t?" Harrison’s voice was closer now. Right behind him. Julius didn’t turn. "No." "Why not?" "Because you said I was yours. You bit my neck. Threatened to destroy anyone I tried to marry. You don’t get to do that and then—"

Harrison’s hand touched his shoulder. Turned him around. No space remained between them. "And then what?" Harrison asked. His voice was low. Dangerous.

Julius looked up at him. At those eyes that shifted colors depending on his mood. At that face that haunted his dreams. "Then act like I don’t matter," Julius finished.

Harrison looked different for a moment. His eyes showed something Julius couldn’t identify. "You think you don’t matter?" Harrison asked. "You had dinner with her and didn’t tell me. She sat in that position for ten years. And now—"

Harrison’s phone rang. Loud. Sharp. Breaking the moment. Harrison stared at the screen. Anna. Harrison’s eyes moved to Julius. The phone. Back to Julius. The ringing continued. And Julius waited to see what Harrison would choose.