The Face the Fire campaign was a storm.
Features in fashion magazines. Influencer reels. Designers calling it "a revolution in elegance."
But Lia barely noticed the noise. She was knee-deep in product packaging redesigns when Ryan knocked on her office door, holding bubble tea in one hand and waving it like a peace offering.
> Ryan:
"Your assistant said you skipped lunch. Again."
> Lia (looking up from her laptop):
"You bribed my assistant with coffee again, didn't you?"
> Ryan (grinning):
"Black caramel macchiato. She folded faster than your old ironing board."
> Lia (smirking):
"You're so annoying."
> Ryan:
"And yet you keep working with me. Tragic."
He plopped down on the couch, casually unwrapping a snack box.
Lia rolled her eyes but slid her chair slightly closer.
> Lia:
"You didn't even bring extra napkins."
> Ryan (mouth full):
"What am I, your husband?"
> Lia (without missing a beat):
"God, no. What a nightmare."
They both laughed — loudly, easily, like nothing had changed.
For a moment, it really did feel like nothing had.
No forced marriage.
No second wedding.
No heartbreak buried under years of silence.
Just Lia and Ryan.
Best friends.
Like always.
---
They sat on the office floor now, the way they used to during late-night group study sessions in college. Design mockups were spread out around them like pizza boxes.
> Ryan (pointing to a lipstick name):
"This one's called 'Fury'? Dramatic much?"
> Lia:
"It's red with rage. It suits you."
> Ryan (offended):
"Rude. I'm more of a 'Grace' shade, thank you very much."
> Lia (grinning):
"You're more of a 'Silence'. Because I'd love to mute you."
He threw a pillow at her. She blocked it with a laugh and tossed a lipstick sample at his chest.
> Ryan (mock serious):
"Abuse. I'm reporting this to HR."
> Lia (smirking):
"I am HR."
They both burst out laughing again.
---
Later, as the office lights dimmed and the city lights glowed outside the window, Lia leaned back on her elbows.
> Lia (softly):
"You know… sometimes I forget all that happened."
Ryan looked at her. She wasn't sad — just thoughtful.
> Ryan:
"Me too."
> Lia (smiling):
"I like this version of us. It's simple."
> Ryan (nodding):
"Yeah. Like we never complicated things."
They didn't say anything after that. Just shared the silence — the comfortable kind that comes after years of knowing someone without needing to explain anything.
Best friends. Still.
Just like before.
Even if everything had changed.
---