Chapter 44: Partners.

Steven stared at Dua, admiring her confidence and resilience. She never ceased to amaze him. "Do you always make offers that don't profit you?" He said and she chuckled lightly.

"Which is why you should accept the offer while it lasts," she smiled.

Steven put his hand in Dua's, "better make sure it works," he said and flashed him another smile.

He didn't need her help though, but he was curious to see how she was gonna pull her plan through.

"So now that we're partners, we have to promise that there'll be no secrets between us," she stated and he gave her a reluctant nod.

"What next?" He asked her.

"You'll have to give me the file, I have to know why it's important to them," she requested and received a nod as a reply.

"Then we'll give them the one trillion dollars," she said.

"Let me know when you're ready to meet them, so I'll give you the money," he replied.

Dua's mouth dropped open in surprise as he replied. One trillion dollars is really a drop in the bucket to him?

"Do you have a problem?" He asked slowly as he searched her face for what's going on with her.

"No," she shook her head.

"This is all for now," she concluded and stood up to leave, but he held her hand.

She looked at him, wondering why he held her back and she saw a flicker of remorse in his eyes before it disappeared within seconds.

"About earlier in the study, I'm sorry." Steven apologized. It was the second time he apologized to her, making her wonder if he was beginning to change.

"No, it's nothing. I would have misunderstood it too if I were you," she replied.

"Only I wouldn't have exploded the way you did," she added earning a subtle chuckle from him.

She attempted to move again, but he held her hand still, this time looking at her injured finger. He gently grasped her injured finger, examining the small cut that marred her skin. There was a moment of silence between them as Steven seemed lost in thought, his fingers brushing lightly over the small mark as if to confirm that it was real. "Why didn't you cover it up?" He spoke.

"It's not a deep cut, it's not bleeding, and it's beginning to heal up, so there's no need covering it up." Dua replied.

"Even if it's not deep, it should still be taken care of," he said softly, with an intensity to his gaze that made her heart race just a little.

"But I’m fine, really," Dua insisted, trying to keep things light. She was keenly aware of the weight of his attention, the way his thumb gently brushed against her skin. "Besides, it's just a minor injury in the grand scheme of things. We have bigger fish to fry."

Steven shook his head, his expression serious. "I don't want someone with an infected finger around me, so you should take care of yourself."

Dua chuckled as her heart softened at his words. Though it wasn't very nice, it was sweet to her, showing that he cared, even if he didn’t often show it.

With that, he let go of her hand and her eyes traced him as walked to a drawer and pulled out the first aid kit.

In minutes he returned to her. He opened the first aid kit with gentle care, revealing the contents in it.

Dua couldn’t help but smile at his focused demeanor as he sorted through the contents, his brow furrowed slightly in concentration. He took out some antiseptic wipes and a medicated plaster and gently took her finger in his hand.

As he cleaned the small cut, Dua couldn't help being acutely aware of the way his fingers brushed against her skin, careful and precise, but also tender in a way that sent sparks through her. She smiled as her eyes were now focused on his face, admiring every bit of him.

Steven felt her gaze on his face and looked up at her, and she quickly looked away from him, making him smile.

"Done," he said as he finished up.

"Thank you," she said gratefully to him, and he flashed her a small smile that made her heart skip a beat. She quickly excused herself to the bathroom, trying to calm her racing heart. "Why am I so affected by him lately?" She asked herself.

When her heart returned to normal, she went back and met him working on his phone. She quietly laid in bed with her back facing him and closed her eyes.

"Dua," he called her. Her name sounding as smooth as silk from his mouth.

She turned to him and he handed her a file which she collected from him hesitantly. She checked the contents of the file and they were bank documents and a credit card carrying the name, "Dua Levi."

"I thought you might need it," he said and she enveloped him in a hug. Her heaet swelled at this gesture, most especially seeing his surname attached his surname to her name. "Thank you," her voice came out as a whisper as a result of her happiness.

Steven stiffened at her sudden hug, but after some seconds he wrapped his hands around her, feeling the familiar sense of peace he often felt whenever they embraced. This feeling a taunting question in his mind.

Dua pulled away, smiling at him, and all he did was stare at her wordlessly. "We'll be going somewhere tomorrow morning, get ready in time," he said, holding her gaze.

"Okay," she hesitantly answered.

The Next Day.

The sunlight spilled into the room like liquid gold, casting a warm glow that slowly pulled Dua from her slumber. She stirred under the blankets, her mind lingering on the events of the previous night, particularly the warmth of Steven’s unexpected kindness and the hug she held close to her heart. A smile crept across her lips as she recalled the gentle way he had tended to her injury, and the way he'd looked at her, his eyes filled with something unspoken—a softness that both thrilled and confused her. "Why am I thinking of knucklehead this way?" She soon recollected herself.

With a sigh, she pushed the blankets off and swung her legs over the side of the bed, the coolness of the floor jolting her awake. Glancing at the clock, she realized she had slept in—time was slipping by too quickly. As she stood up, the door opened and Steven came in. "Sleepyhead is finally awake," he said and her eyes dropped to the floor shyly.

"Get ready quickly, we're running late," he said and with a nod, she went to the bathroom.

She got ready hastily and went downstairs where she met Steven already waiting for her. They both left the house into his car and he drove out of the compound.

He gave her a paper bag which she collected in surprise. She opened the bag and found a plate of food. He knew how foodie she was and packed her breakfast, and she smiled at his warm gesture. "Thank you," she said and he nodded.

She began eating, savoring the divine taste of the food, and stealing glances at him.

There wasn't a word between them until they arrived at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) which she wondered why they were there. He got off the car and she followed suit. "Why are we here?" She asked.

"You'll find out soon," he replied as they strode into the school.