isn't it? [taylor swift]

chapter 46

"So at what point were you going to tell me that you've got Thena fucking Hildago wrapped up in this mess?"

Adrian looked up, his glasses perched of the edge of his nose as the door to his office slammed open. He clenched his jaw, holding up a hand as Riven stormed into the room.

"Dad?"

Riven blanched at the soft voice, a sheepish smile on his face as he turned to the couch in the corner and waving awkwardly at Adrian's youngest who had been sitting with a colouring book on the table in front of her.

Riven's face flushed with embarrassment as he realised he had just burst in on Adrian's family time. Now that Adrian's family had moved to the city, and the man wasn't flying back and forth all the time, he'd taken to bringing the girls into work when they had days off from home schooling or if they fancied a change of environment. He'd reminded everyone of this, but it seemed Riven had been too overwhelmed with anger to even pause to think.

"Hey there, Lily," he said softly to Adrian's daughter. "I'm sorry for interrupting. I didn't realise you were here."

Lily looked between Riven and her father, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity. Adrian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Lily, sweetheart, why don't you go see if anyone needs help with photocopying - remember the admin team you spoke to yesterday? Let them know I asked if they have something that will keep you for ten minutes, okay? I need to talk to Uncle Riven for a minute."

At least he hadn't lost his uncle title, Riven thought.

The little girl nodded, gathering her coloring books and crayons. As she passed Riven, she paused, looking up at him with a serious expression.

"You shouldn't slam doors," she said matter-of-factly. "It's not polite."

Riven couldn't help but chuckle. 

"You're absolutely right, Lily. I'll remember that next time."

Once Lily had left the room, Adrian turned his attention back to Riven, his expression stern.

"She's cute-"

"You're testing me already this morning, Riven. Now, would you care to explain what this is all about? And perhaps next time, consider calling before barging into my office?"

Riven ran a hand through his hair, his earlier anger deflating slightly in the face of Adrian's calm demeanour.

"You're working with Thena Hildago?"

"Working is a loose term," Adrian replied, shooting Riven a look as he watched the man in front of him roll his eyes in annoyance. "To be honest, we had no idea that you knew her from college or I'd have given you a heads up. Nothing personal... of course."

Riven's jaw clenched as he paced the length of Adrian's office, his frustration evident in every step. He stopped abruptly, turning to face Adrian with a fierce intensity in his eyes.

"I don't know what game you're playing, Adrian," Riven said, his voice low and intense. "But Thena and Leia? They're not going to be a good match. This whole thing could blow up before it even has a chance to begin."

Adrian leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. The light glinted off his silver wedding band as he regarded Riven with a mixture of patience and exasperation. 

"It doesn't matter," Adrian finally said, his voice calm but firm. "As long as we get the outcome we need. Thena's methods may be... unconventional, but she gets results. And right now, results are what we need."