The room was still buzzing from the earlier chaos when one of the younger interns, clearly trying to supress her curiosity, blurted out, "Ma'am... How did you... I mean how did you take that man down? He was twice your size."
Zoya didn't look up right away. When she did, her gaze was ice-calm, cutting.
"I'm a black belt," her said flatly.
Her voice was calm-too calm.
"And he made the mistake of touching what's mine."
Silence cut through the room like a blade.
Kalix leaned back, tongue pressing into his cheek, a smirk threatening the corner of his lips. The fire she'd lit under his skin hadn't dimmed-it burned hotter.
Viktor let out a low whistle, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"She'd burn the whole world for you," Viktor said slowly."
Kalix didn't say much. He leaned in a little, eyes still on Zoya.
"For us."
Just two words-quiet, firm.
Viktor's smirk faded into something softer. He understood.
She wasn't just a storm for Kalix, she was theirs-a fire that'd scorch anything that dared come close.
Just then, an older board member cleared his throat.
Board member:
"Perhaps a press conference would be wise. The media spinning their own stories. A conference might ease the speculation. At least about the marriage... and the attack." Zoya's gaze slowly slid to him. Cold. Sharp. Calculated.
"No press conference."
Board member:
"But-" "He was attacked once." Zoya's voice lowered, now directed at the team. "What's to say it won't happen again? Making a public appearance this soon is reckless. For Kalix. For Viktor. They're both Volkov." The room went still.
Her eyes stayed on the table for a second before lifting-sharp and resolute.
"There will be no press conference," she said clearly. "Release an official statement instead. Say the marriage is steady. That we're standing strong. And police is investigating the attacker, once the attacker speaks they'll get the update they're dying for!"
She paused-then looked at Kalix... then Viktor. She didn't say a word. She didn't need to.
Her expression asked the question. Is this plan approved?
Viktor leaned back, smug and amused. "Your word is our command." Kalix's voice followed, lower, firmer. "You heard her. Get to work." She gave them both a final look-measured, unreadable- and turned on her heel, walking out like the decision was never up for debate in the first place.
HALLWAY
Kalix walking beside Viktor toward his office, Kalix wasn't listening to whatever business matter Viktor was muttering about. His mind was somewhere else-or rather, on someone else.
Viktor snapped his fingers in front of Kalix's face.
"You planning to keep zoning out or should I call your secretary to book you therapy?" Kalix didn't get the chance to answer. He saw her.
She was walking toward them.
Instant calm on the surface, instant chaos inside.
His lips curled into soft smile, already softening at her sight.
But she didn't even slow down.
She stopped in front of him, held out her phone, and said flatly, "I don't even want to hear his voice. Deal with him for me."
Kalix blinked. "Who-"
She was already gone.
He looked down at the phone.
Vikram Malhotra.
Kalix's jaw tightened as he swiped the green icon.
"Zoya," came the roar on the other end, "You've lost your mind threating a damn reporter on live television! Do you realize what this does to my reputation? To the company? I swear-"
Kalix cut him off, his tone deceptively calm.
"This is Kalix."
Silence.
"I suggest." Kalix continued coldly, "you watch your tone. You don't get to speak to her like that anymore."
"I want to speak to my daughter." Vikram barked.
"She's busy," and I won't allow her to be spoken like that."
He didn't wait for response. "She's my wife," Kalix continued, "and the next time you thinking about raising your voice at her-or her actions-you better remember that she's no longer just your daughter."
"She is Volkov now." Another beat. "And Volkov's don't take threats kindly." He didn't wait for a reply. He ended the call, slipping her phone into the inner pocket of his suit-right over his heart.
Viktor glanced at him.
Kalix turned.
"Where are you going? Viktor asked, already knowing.
Kalix didn't look back.
"To find my wife."
ZOYA'S CABIN
She was alone.
She sat by the wide glass window, her laptop open in front of her, headset on. The sharp light from the screen highlighted her features-poised, calm, but her eyes... there was something heavy in them. Something Kalix knew had nothing to do with the meeting she was speaking in.
He didn't enter.
Just stood at the door.
Looking.
She didn't notice him. Didn't even glance up.
The tension between them still simmered from earlier-what she'd done in that boardroom. And now, watching her like this, something tugged in his chest.
He didn't wanted to interrupt.
Didn't want to leave either.
Then voice came from behind.
"She'll be in there for a while, sir," her secretary said softly, stopping a few steps behind him. "She has another meeting lined up right after this one.
Kalix gave a slow nod, gaze still on Zoya.
"I'll come back," he said, almost to himself.
And then left.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Kalix wasn't the type.
But for her-he was trying.
Every time he crossed the hallway that led him to her cabin, she was either in another meeting, on another call, or stepping out with someone glued to her side.
Another time, he waited but the elevator-only for the doors to open and her to step out flanked by her assistant and two board members, barely sparing him a glance.
It wasn't that she was avoiding him.
Okay-maybe it was.
And Kalix? He wasn't used to this.
He had work. Meetings. Calls. But his mind refused to stay where it should. Every free second, his feet wandered toward her side of the floor like they had a mind of their own.
And every single time-blocked.
Denied.
Dodged.
It wasn't just about what she'd done to him in the boardroom anymore- though god knew that had burned itself into his skin like a brand. It was look in her eyes this morning.
The way she hadn't smiled once.
The way she hadn't been able to sit still for more than a minute without zoning out.
She wasn't just avoiding him.
She was hurting.
And he hated that he didn't know how to fix it.
But all day long, the only reason he hadn't lost his damn mind was Viktor had been quietly sending him pictures of her.
It had become some sort of unspoken ritual between them.
Viktor would catch her in candid moments-talking with her team, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear during a virtual meeting, frowning at her screen, caught mid-eye roll during a boring discussion-and ping them to Kalix like clockwork.
Usually, just one or two. A soft update. A reminder.
But today?
Today Viktor had gone off like a damn news agency.
Every half hour, another photo.
Zoya pacing in the hallway, Zoya seated at the long table, Zoya blinking at her laptop during a call, Zoya pressing her hand to her temple like she was nursing a headache.
Kalix sat through three meetings and didn't retain a word.
He scrolled through the pictures every chance he got-a man starving for something only one person could give.
It was pathetic.
It was beautiful.
It was her.
And she was avoiding him.
EARLY EVENING-INSIDE THE WORKROOM
The space smelled faintly of coffee and printer ink. The windows reflected the city lights, and scattered papers lined the table. Zoya stood near Viktor, briefing with him quick, clipped words-focused and sharp, the usual fire dimmed but still there.
Kalix entered without knocking.
He leaned on the doorframe first, silently watching her.
Viktor looked up and smirked, "You're here!"
Kalix didn't respond, he walked in, his eyes landing on her.
He didn't hesitate. "Viktor, can you give us a moment?"
Just as Viktor was about to move, Zoya didn't even glance at Kalix. She gently tapped her nails against Viktor's arm. "He's not going anywhere." Viktor smirked, amused. "Guess I'm staying." Kalix stepped closer, stopping just a foot from her. "You've been avoiding me." "Busy," she replied coolly.
Viktor snorted quietly.
Kalix's jaw flexed slightly, but eyes still not leaving her.
Zoya still not looking directly at him, she took another sip from her cup, then lifted her coffee and casually offered it to him over her shoulder.
"Coffee?" she offered, same damn cup.
Kalix took it without hesitation.
He stared at the rim of the cup for a moment-her lipstick faint, the heat still lingering.
Then he took a sip from the exact spot her lips had touched.
His first taste of her, quiet and unspoken.
She hadn't noticed.
She finally glanced up, eyebrows slightly raised. "Can I have my phone?"
He pulled it from his coat pocket. He didn't handed it over straight, instead he leaned and said teasingly, "say please!" She gave him a stare, give it to me before I kick you out.
He chuckled and handed it over, saying "Didn't seem like you needed it all day."
"I didn't," she said, eyes steady. "But I need it now." Viktor smirked, sliding a folder away. "Yeah-she's been using my work phone all day."
"Don't wanna know what he said?" Kalix asked, quoet now. Measured.
Zoya met his stare head-on. "Doesn't matter." Kalix smiled faintly. "Good."
Viktor cleared his throat, already backing off toward the side. She didn't reply. Just walked toward him, slowly, until she was standing right in front of him.
Both hands came up-she fixed his collars, straightens his coat, smoothing the lapels with her thumb. Then she patted his chest gently.
"You're working hard," she murmured. "Don't skip meals, okay?"
Then she stepped away, calm and effortless.
And right before she opened the door, she looked back.
"I don't need to know what he said," she said, voice steady, "because I've got someone now... who handle people I don't want to deal with." The door shut behind her, Viktor followed her.
Leaving Kalix holding the cup. And a smile that refused to leave his face.
EVENING
Group Chat- DramaClub
Kalix:
"Got my first kiss today."
"Not accidental. Not imagined. Just mine."
Viktor: Bro please. Keep your personal things OFF this chat.
Zoya: "You got what?"
Kalix, Don't mess with me.
Viktor: Not you sista?
"Wait, What?!"
"Brother, WHO THE HELL DID YOU KISS?!" Zoya: "Speak before I break your bones."
Kalix (typing...)
Kalix deleted a message.
One minute later... ZOYA STORMS INTO HIS CABIN.
Door slams shut. Her heels echo. Her face unreadable-but her fury isn't.
He leaned back on his chair, smirk already forming. He was waiting.
She walks straight to him and grabs him by the collar-yanking him slightly forward. She's standing over him now, dominating the space eyes locked. He doesn't budge.
Zoya(dead calm)
"You've got three seconds to explain that message."
Kalix's hand rises slowly... and finds her waist, pulling her closer. Not letting her escape.
Kalix (voice low)
"Relax, sweetheart. You look like you're jealous."
Zoya (challenging)
"Don't play games with me, Kalix Volkov."
Kalix (smirks, voice low):
"Oh, I'm not playing, Mrs. Volkov." Zoya (low and deadly)
"Tell me the truth, before I bury you six feet under."
Kalix (tucking strand of her hair behind her ear):
My kiss... indirect kiss... is... you, my love.
Zoya narrowing her brows, huh!
Kalix: "You gave me your coffee cup earlier this evening, and I drank from the same cup, same spot."
He smirks.
"First taste of you, which is not accidental." Zoya (rolls her eyes, sighs in relief):
"That's not a kiss."
And tried to pull away.
Kalix (grip on her waist tightening slightly):
"Says who?"
Zoya leans in even closer, whispering. "When it happens... you'll forget how to breathe."
Kalix freezes for just a split second. Her words hit harder than anything. That cocky smile fades- just a little. His hands tightens instinctively around her waist.
Kalix (a bit stunned, recovering):
"...Are you asking for it?" Their faces are inches apart. He's still in the chair, she's right on top of him, holding his collar. His palm stays firm on her waist-refusing to let her go.
And right then—
Door Flies open. Viktor enters.
Viktor (confused, panic/mad)
"What the hell is going on? You kissed someone? And it's not her????? Bro have you gone insane??" Zoya rolls her eyes steps away. "He's lost it completely." "He drank from the same coffee cup as mine and called it a kiss."
Kalix (to himself, groaning)
"Here comes the third wheel..." Viktor in relief: Oh!, so it's you. Than no problem.
He leans back again with a dramatic sigh.
Zoya (heading out)
"I'll be working late. Don't wait" "Don't skip meals. Both of you." Kalix(quietly watching her leave):
"...Zoya." Kalix throws a cushion at Viktor:
"I spent whole damn day trying to steal ten minutes with her. Ten minutes. You ruined the moment idiot." Viktor catching another cushion thrown by Kalix. "You could've just said it was her. For a second, I actually thought you were cheating on her." Kalix (annoyed but not angry):
"Cheating?" snorts "I'd be six feet under the same day."
He shakes his head, a rare almost dreamy smirk tugging at his lips
"I don't even see anyone else. It's just her."
Viktor: grins
"I didn't expect the coldest guy I know to melt like this." Kalix: deadpan, but little sheepish
"Yeah, well... Zoya happened."
ZOYA ON HER WAY TO HER CABIN
[Viktor]: "We're staying late too. Let's leave together." [Kalix]: "Wait for me, love."
She doesn't reply. But her little smirk is loud enough.