Chapter Text
It was two in the morning in Teyvat, most of the citizens had drifted off to sleep while Aether, a blonde haired man had trouble resting.
Due to the owner of his previous job selling the property, he was left looking for a new job so he could take care of his sister and their pet cat.
His sister Lumine woke up to get something to drink. While opening the fridge, she noticed her brother sitting at the kitchen table with his laptop out and cup of coffee.
“Aether? Why are you up so early?” She murmured, still sleepy after waking up. He was too focused to hear his sister talking to him. As she got closer, Lumine leaned over to see what he was up to.
Her brows furrowed, eyes widened. “Job applications? Don't tell me you quit, you were doing so good at the cafe!” She said with visible frustration all over her face.
She lightly punched him in the arm while frowning. He closed his laptop and blinked a few times, finally noticing his sister's presence.
“Ah lumine, good morning. I didn't quit, the owner sold the shop to help his father with his illness.” Said Aether, his tone raspy from being up all night.
Lumine sighed with relief, after filling her glass she sat down with her brother.
“Do you need some help? I’m not that tired anymore so I don't mind.” She said, she insisted on helping him, hoping to ease his mind.
Aether smiled, thankful he wasn't alone in the search. As he scrolled through the sites, he stumbled upon one that peaked his interest.
“Hmm, a personal assistant. That doesn't sound too bad.” She nudged him, encouraging him to go through with this job.
“I don't know, I'm not too good with office spaces.” He said while scratching his head.
She rolled her eyes, "At least try, I used to be an assistant for teachers in school, it's probably the same thing. It's just organizing papers, arranging meetings. Y'know?”
He took a moment to think, maybe it wouldn't be as bad as he thought? At least he wouldn't be in a cubicle.
“Alright, I'll apply for the position.” He said.
Lumine jumped for joy. The main reason why she wanted him to get another job is because he was paying for her subscriptions.
“What's the company by the way?” She asked, tilting her head.
Aether scrolled a few pages down, finding the name of the company he had planned to apply to.
“Says here that it's called Crimson inc.” He said. Lumine looked at him shocked.
“That's like, one of the biggest companies in Teyvat!” She yelled, unable to contain her excitement.
“Woah, hold on there, I still have to apply and actually get an interview.” He said, letting out a small chuckle.
She sighed, “I guess you're right.”
He had wondered who the mysterious person he'd be working for that his sister was so familiar with.
Lumine yawned, feeling exhausted after letting out her excitement. “Alright, well good luck to you. Hopefully you get the job!” She kissed her brother's cheek, then headed off to bed with Paimon.
Aether sent his resume, hoping he would be accepted.
He closed his laptop, then went to his room to go to bed.
When Aether woke up the next morning, he checked his phone. He noticed that there was a new email sent to him.
Dear Aether,
We are pleased to inform you that we accept your position as a personal assistant for our CEO. We were very impressed with your accomplishments and skills. We believe you would be an excellent addition to our team.
In this role, you will report directly to Arlecchino and your anticipated start date is Tomorrow or a mutually agreed-upon date. This is a full time position.
Your starting annual salary will be 400,000 mora, paid on a bi-weekly basis. As an employee, you will also be eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, which includes health insurance and paid time off.
A full summary of benefits is attached for your review.
Please confirm your acceptance of this offer by signing and returning the attached offer letter by the next 7 days.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reply to this email.
We are excited to have you join our team and look forward to welcoming you aboard!”
Aether rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, confused on if this was a dream or not. He decided to send a message back to the sender, accepting their offer.
“400,000 mora, bi weekly? I've never had that much in my life.” He said to himself, still in disbelief.
After showering and brushing his teeth, he went to the living room and saw his sister playing with their cat.
“Good morning Aether, sleep well?” She asks. Aether looked at her, still recovering from what happened this morning.
“You won't believe this, I was accepted for the job.” He said, his voice sounding excited.
Lumine got up from the couch and hugged her brother.
“Ah! I told you, how much are you getting? 10,000 a week?” He sat her down, preparing her for what he was about to say.
“It's uh…actually 400k .” He said nervously.
she tilted her head, slightly confused.
“A year? That's…not ba-”
“Every two weeks.” He interrupted, her jaw dropped causing him to laugh.
“400k Mora? Every two weeks? That's insane!” She yelled, scaring the cat. “Why no interview?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe they're desperate for a new assistant.”
“We should go shopping for new clothes! I'll pick something out for you.” Aether had a skeptical look on his face, he didn't fully trust her capability of picking out clothes he liked.
A few hours later, they had gotten back to their home with a nice pair of jeans and black tee-shirt for his job.
“So how'd I do? I think they look nice.” lumine said with a cheerful smile. Aether checked himself out in a mirror nodding in agreement.
“Yeah, it looks pretty good. Thanks sis.” He said with a warm smile. He hugged Lumine, thankful for her help.
Aether had gone to sleep a little earlier than he usually does. He was quite nervous but still managed to rest before the next day.
Aether woke up from his sleep, He checked his phone and saw he received coordinates for his new job. He quickly got ready and left the house.
Aether arrived at a big office, at the entrance was a tall woman in a black suit with a skirt. Her hair was white, her eyes red, with crosses in them that looked like X’s.
She was smoking a cigarette, seemingly stressed about something.
As Aether walked past her, he smiled. “Good morning!” He said, his tone warm and energetic.
The woman tilted her head with confusion, “Um… good morning?”
Her voice was low, and somewhat intimidating. Why did she look so confused? like she thought he was talking to someone else.
He went inside the building, when he entered the elevator, Aether saw two young women.
“I just can't stand her sometimes, she acts like a total bitch.” One of the women said, her voice carrying disgust behind it.
“I know! Did you hear that her assistant quit because of how rude she was? Like, just cause your man left you doesn't mean you need to treat everyone like shit.” The other woman said.
Aether for some reason felt upset, “If you're gonna talk about someone, why don't you just say it to their face?” he said with a dead look on his face, his tone having aggression.
He left the elevator, the girls looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
Aether walked towards a door that had the label CEO on it.
He knocked gently, waiting for an answer, but was met with silence.
“Can I help you?”
He turned around to see the same woman from earlier, staring at him with those menacing red eyes.
“Oh, hi again! I'm the new assistant for Arlecchino. Does she happen to be here?” He asked, he scratched his head, slightly nervous.
Her eyes widened, “Oh, you must be Aether. Please, come in.”
She opened the door, allowing him inside.
“So, what do you need me to do for you, Ms. Arlecchino?” He asked.
She sat down and put her hand on her chin.
“Hmm, you can start by organizing some of those documents,” She pointed at a big stack of papers. “And if you can shred those over there in that pile I would appreciate it.”
Aether smiled then got to work.
About an hour later, Aether finally finished shorting through her papers and shredded all of the papers she didn't need.
“Hey Miss Arlecchino? I finished everything-” he turned around and saw her head down on the desk, she was sleeping.
Should he wake her up? He thought.
He gently shook her, waking Arlecchino awake.
“Miss Arlecchino, Are you okay?” He asked, having a worried look.
She rubbed her temples while groaning.
“I'm fine, just had a long night.” She said, her voice raspy. “That reminds me, we have a welcoming party tonight, for you.”
His eyes widened, “F-for me? You really don't have to.” He laughed nervously.
She tilted her head, confused. Has he never had a work party before? “Why not? You're my assistant after all.” Her voice was softer than normal.
He was a little nervous having a party thrown for him by people he's never met before, but also he felt appreciated.
“It starts at 6:00 PM, so make sure you're ready. You may bring a guest too, if you'd like.”
“I'll see who I can bring, I appreciate it! I'm gonna head to lunch by the way. I finished sorting through your papers and shredding the rest.” He said with his hands on his hips, proud of himself.
She looked on her desk and saw all of the papers were nicely organized, and it looked a lot cleaner in her office.
“Thank you for your help, I don't have anything else for you to do today, so you are dismissed. Go get yourself prepared for the party.” She said in a gentle tone.
Aether bowed his head, thanking her for her kindness.
When Aether got home, his sister immediately ran up to him.
“So! How'd it go?” She asked, unable to keep her excitement contained.
“Well… she sent me home.” He said.
Lumine frowned, “What!? What did you do?” She asked once more, slightly irritated.
“She said to take the rest of the day off, I did what I was supposed to do. She's also throwing a welcoming party and said I could invite a guest.” He sat on the couch, petting Paimon.
Lumine sighed with relief, “Thank the Archons. A guest you say? Can I come?” She asked, giving him puppy dog eyes.
Aether laughed, “Of course, who else would I ask?” He said, rolling his eyes playfully.
“When does it start?” She asked.
“It starts in 5 hours, so better get ready. I'm gonna take a little nap, I'm pretty tired.” He yawned.
Aether dosed off of the couch with Paimon sleeping on his chest while Lumine went to search for a nice dress.
When Aether woke up from his nap, he checked his phone, realizing he only has an hour before the party starts.
He quickly got dressed in a nice white T-shirt, with a jacket and a pair of jeans.
Him and Lumine rushed out of the house, driving to where the party was being held.
When they got there, Lumine was in awe from how big the house was.
“It's like a mansion!” She said, dropping her jaw.
Aether chuckled. “C'mon, let's go find my boss.”
They went inside, Aether saw the same girls that he saw in the elevator. They were staring at him with an uncomfortable look, though he didn't care.
“Ah, Aether, There you are.”
Aether turned around, admiring Arlecchino in a nice beautiful black dress, complementing her curves.
Aether waved, “Miss Arlecchino, this is my sister Lumine.”
“Hello! Thank you for allowing my brother to bring me. I hope he hasn't acted up or anything.” She said with a slight grin.
He chuckled, slightly flustered with how embarrassing his sister was acting in front of his boss.
Arleechino laughed, finding them amusing. “For it being his first day, he's definitely exceeded my expectations so far.”
A small blush appeared on Aether’s face.
“Here,” Arleechino handed Aether a wine glass.
“Go have fun, don't let me steal you away from all the fun.”
Arleechino said with a smile. She walked away from the two, leaving Aether and Lumine to enjoy the rest of the party.
The sound of laughter and glasses clanking filled the room.
“Ooh! Is that a chocolate fountain!” Lumine shouted. Before Aether could comprehend what was happening, she sprinted away leaving him by himself.
Aether let out a loud sigh, “Well, at least she's enjoying herself.”
After an hour had passed, Aether began wondering where Arlecchino had gone too.
He decided to examine the rest of the mansion admiring how big it was.
Aether wandered deeper into the quieter part of the house, away from the crowd.
The walls were decorated with art from different ages of Teyvat history.
“Admiring my collection?”
The voice was smooth, authoritative, and close enough to make his heart skip. Aether spun around, nearly knocking over a small vase on the nearby console table.
“I-I didn’t see you there,” Aether stuttered, his cheeks warming. He straightened quickly, trying to regain his composure. “The house is… incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. The architecture, the art… it’s all so…”
“Intimidating?” she finished for him, her lips curving into a faint smile as she pushed off the doorway and stepped closer.
“Or perhaps just overwhelming for a young man like you.”
Aether swallowed, forcing himself to meet her gaze. He couldn’t deny the way her presence filled the space, making the air feel thicker.
“Both, honestly,” he admitted with a small laugh. “I mean, this… this is your world. I guess I just got lost in it for a second.”
Arlecchino tilted her head, her expression unreadable but not unkind. She stopped just a foot away, close enough that he could see the subtle silver threads in her attire catch the light.
“Lost is one way to put it. Most guests stick to the ballroom. You, however, seem drawn to the quieter parts.” Her voice dropped slightly, almost teasing. “Curious, Aether? Or are you looking for something specific?”
“I… I wasn’t trying to pry,” Aether finally managed, his voice steadier than he felt. “I just needed a moment away from the crowd. I was also curious why you were up here all by yourself. I didn’t expect to find something so personal back here.”
She let the silence stretch for a heartbeat, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the console table beside her.
The gesture was casual, almost absentminded, but everything about Arlecchino felt calm. “Personal,” she repeated softly, tasting the word.
“Most people see only the surface, the marble, the chandeliers, the wealth. They assume it’s all for show.” Her gaze flicked to the painting he’d been studying, then back to him. “You see more than that. Interesting.”
Aether felt his pulse quicken under her gaze. Up close like this, away from the office where she was simply “the boss,” she seemed even more striking.
The sharp cut of her coat, the way her silver-white hair framed her face, the subtle confidence in every line of her posture. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was the kind of presence that made the rest of the world fade into the background.
“I always try to see behind a person and their wealth,” he said honestly.
A faint smile touched her lips again, smaller this time, more genuine. She stepped forward, closing the remaining distance until she stood beside him in front of the painting. Her shoulder brushed lightly against his arm, sending a subtle spark through him.
He turned his head to look at her, their faces closer now than they’d ever been in the bright light of the office. “Is that a warning… or an invitation?”
“Perhaps both,” she said. “You were invited here for a reason tonight. Not just to admire the architecture.”
Her hand dropped, but she didn’t step back. “Tell me, what do you think of the party so far? Or have you been too busy exploring my little kingdom to notice?”
Aether let out a soft breath, trying to ignore the warmth spreading across his chest. “It’s… impressive. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. But I have to admit, the best part of the evening has been right here. Away from the noise.”
She tilted her head, studying him with that piercing, unreadable gaze. “Flattery, or honesty?”
“Honesty,” he replied without hesitation.
Arlecchino hummed softly, a sound that sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.
“Then perhaps you should see the rest of my ‘kingdom,’ as you called it. There are rooms even most guests never see.” Her voice dropped to a near-whisper.
“Would you like a private tour, Aether? Or would you prefer to return to the safety of the crowd?”
Arlecchino’s question lingered in the quiet hallway like an unspoken challenge. Aether’s heart hammered against his ribs, but the pull of her presence was impossible to resist.
“A private tour sounds… tempting,” he admitted, his voice quieter than he intended. “I’d like that.”
A satisfied glint appeared in her glowing red eyes. “Good choice.” She turned gracefully, the hem of her coat brushing against the floor as she gestured for him to follow. “This way.”
She led him down a narrower corridor, away from the muffled sounds of the party. The lighting grew softer, more intimate casting long shadows across dark wood paneling.
They climbed a short flight of stairs to a private wing, and soon she stopped before a set of heavy double doors carved with subtle, elegant patterns.
Arlecchino pushed them open without hesitation, revealing a spacious bedroom that felt more like a private sanctuary than part of the mansion.
A large canopy bed dominated one side, draped in rich crimson and black fabrics. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked the manicured gardens, and a small seating area held a velvet chaise and a low table.
“Welcome to my room,” she said simply, closing the doors behind them with a soft click that seemed to seal the outside world away. “Few people have seen this side of the house.”
Aether stepped inside, taking in the details, the antique mirror above the fireplace, the carefully arranged books on the shelves, the faint glow of a single lamp.
It felt personal, almost vulnerable in its elegance. “It suits you,” he said honestly. “Beautiful, but… guarded.”
She let out a low, appreciative hum and crossed to a small bar cart near the windows. With practiced ease, she selected a bottle of deep red wine and two crystal glasses.
“Flattery again. Or observation?” She poured the wine with steady hands, the liquid swirling like liquid garnet. “Sit.”
He obeyed, settling onto the velvet chaise as she handed him a glass. Their fingers brushed, and the contact sent a spark up his arm. Arlecchino took the seat beside him, close enough that her knee rested lightly against his.
She raised her glass in a silent toast, and they both sipped. The wine was rich, velvety, with notes of dark cherry and spice expensive, like everything else in her world.
They drank slowly. Then she refilled both glasses. And again.
As the second glass emptied and they started on the third, Aether noticed the subtle changes. Arlecchino’s usual sharp edges began to blur.
Her posture relaxed a fraction more against the chaise, her mismatched eyes growing heavier-lidded and warmer. A faint flush crept across her pale cheeks, and when she laughed softly at something he said a rare, low sound, it carried a looser, huskier quality.
The wine was clearly affecting her more than it did him. She poured generously for herself each time.
“You know,” she said after a long sip, her voice now carrying a slight, velvety slur, “most people bore me at these parties. They talk and talk… but you… you just watch. Listen.”
She leaned closer, her shoulder brushing his. The scent of her perfume mixed with the rich wine on her breath. “It’s refreshing. Makes me want to… see what else you notice.”
Aether’s cheeks warmed. He set his glass down carefully, observing her with quiet intensity.
“I notice you seem more… relaxed now,” he said softly, almost shyly. “The wine… it suits you. Your eyes look different. Softer.”
She hummed, a slow, pleased sound, and refilled her glass once more before setting the bottle aside.
When she turned back to him, the shift was unmistakable.
The composed boss was giving away something hungrier, less guarded. Her hand rose, fingers tracing his jaw with less precision and more open want, thumb lingering on his lower lip.
Aether’s pulse quickened, trying to back up. “Arlecchino… you’re definitely drunk,” he said with a soft laugh, though his voice carried clear interest.
“Maybe we should slow down on the wine before-”
Shhh," she murmured with a lazy half-smile, her fingers sliding lightly along his shoulder. She shifted a bit closer on the chaise, body warm but movements sluggish.
"Don't overthink it so much. The wine is nice… you're nice. Let's just… see.”
Then her body went slack.
Her head dropped heavily onto his shoulder, fingers slipping from his shoulder as her breathing evened out into deep, steady inhales.
The half-empty wine glass tilted in her other hand, and Aether quickly steadied it, setting it safely aside.
She had passed out completely, the intoxication claiming her right in the middle of that tentative almost-kiss.
Aether sat frozen for a moment, holding her lightly against him while his mind raced with skepticism. “This is exactly why I was wary. We met hours ago, and now she's drunk in my arms after one impulsive invitation.”
He let out a slow breath, a mix of confusion, lingering surprise, and practical concern washing over him as he looked down at her peaceful, flushed face, lips still slightly parted.
Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Aether pulled it out carefully, trying not to disturb Arlecchino. It was a text from his sister:
“Hey, sorry! The party was winding down and I thought you were with some of the other guests. I already left with the car so hopefully you have a ride!”
He stared at the message, then glanced at the time. The party downstairs had gone completely silent, the last cars must have left while they were up here. No music, no voices. The mansion felt vast and empty now.
Aether sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was effectively stranded. No ride, no way to leave without waking the very drunk woman currently sleeping against him, and it was far too late to impose on staff or call for a new ride at this hour without causing a scene.
"Looks like I'm staying the night whether I want to or not," he whispered to the unconscious Arlecchino, half-amused and half-resigned.
He gently maneuvered them both so she was lying more comfortably on the bed then draped a blanket over her.
For himself, he settled into a nearby armchair, keeping a respectful distance and tried to get some uneasy sleep.
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting soft patterns across the bedroom floor. Aether woke first, having a troubled time sleeping. Stiff from the armchair, his neck aching.
He glanced over at Arlecchino. She was still asleep on the bed, one arm dangling off the edge. The blanket had slipped slightly during the night.
He stood quietly and stretched, debating whether to slip out and find his own way home or wait. Before he could decide, Arlecchino stirred with a low groan.
She sat up slowly, pressing a hand to her temple, her dark red eyes squinting against the light.
The flush from last night was gone, replaced by the pale, slightly puzzled look of a hangover.
She blinked at him, confusion flickering across her face as memory clearly struggled to return. "…Aether?" Her voice was rough, a little hoarse. "Why… are you still here? Did we…?”
Aether crossed his arms, leaning against the wall with a skeptical half-smile. He kept his tone even but direct. "Good morning. Yeah, I'm still here.
You invited me up for 'wine and conversation' last night after we'd only known each other for a few hours. We talked, you drank most of the bottle, got a bit curious and affectionate, and then passed out right when things were getting… interesting.
My sister accidentally left without me once the party ended, so I was stuck. No ride, no staff around at that hour. I slept in the chair.”
Arlecchino rubbed her forehead, wincing as she processed his words. She looked at the empty wine bottle on the table, then back at him, a faint trace of embarrassment tightening her expression.
"I see. That… explains the headache. I don't usually drink that much at parties." She paused, studying him more carefully,
her usual commanding poise trying to reassert itself despite the hangover.
"I vaguely remember bringing you up here. You were admiring the house. The wine made everything feel… lighter. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.”
She let out a slow breath, swinging her legs off the chaise and sitting up straighter.
"Thank you for not taking advantage of the situation… and for staying. Most people would have tried to do something… inappropriate when given the chance.
Arlecchino stood up, moving a bit unsteadily at first. She pressed her fingers to her temple again. "Give me a moment. I need to take a shower and clear my head. Make yourself comfortable. There's water on the side table if you need it."
She disappeared into the attached bathroom, closing the door behind her with a soft click. The sound of running water soon followed.
Aether sat back down in the armchair, intending to wait politely. The events of the night replayed in his mind. The impulsive invitation, her slurred curiosity, the almost-kiss, and then her sudden collapse.
It all still felt surreal. They had known each other for less than a day, and yet here he was, alone in her private bedroom after being stranded overnight.
The armchair was surprisingly comfortable in the morning light, and the quiet of the mansion was soothing after the chaos of the previous evening.
Without meaning to, Aether's eyes grew heavy again. He leaned back, telling himself he'd just rest for a few minutes…
Arlecchino stood beneath the steady stream of hot water, letting it pound against her shoulders and back as steam filled the marble bathroom.
Her silver hair clung to her skin, and she kept her eyes closed, trying to wash away the remnants of last night’s haze. But the memories refused to rinse away so easily.
She had known Aether for less than twenty-four hours, a near-stranger she had invited into her private bedroom on little more than a whim and too many glasses of wine.
The recollection of how she had leaned in, fingers brushing his arm, lips hovering so close to his, made her stomach twist with regret.
She had passed out before anything more could happen, but the intention had been there, raw and unguarded.
“What must he think of me now?” she wondered, pressing a hand to the cool tile. “That I’m reckless? Lonely? Pathetic?”
The worst part was knowing exactly why it had happened. It had been so long since anyone had shown her warmth or affection. Her last relationship with her ex-boyfriend had ended months ago, leaving a bitter aftertaste.
And now he was trying to steal away her adopted children, the people that meant the most to her in this world.
He had never truly seen her. To him, she was only the powerful CEO, the woman who commanded rooms and closed deals. Never just Arlecchino.
Never someone who might crave simple closeness, a quiet conversation, or the feeling of being wanted for more than her status or success. The breakup had hardened her, and she had thrown herself into work.
Last night, the wine had cracked that armor. Aether’s quiet admiration for her home, his calm presence, had stirred something she thought she had buried.
She had let her loneliness get the better of her, reaching for connection with someone she barely knew.
A sharp pain of guilt settled in her chest.
“I should have known better. He’s practically a stranger, and I pulled him into my room like some desperate fool.”
The thought made her feel exposed in a way that had nothing to do with standing naked under the shower head.
Her mind inevitably shifted back to the ongoing custody battle for her adopted children. The legal fights had dragged on for months.
Aggressive lawyers questioning her fitness as a parent, scrutinizing her demanding career, her late nights, and every aspect of her personal life. Every hearing felt like another battle she might lose.
The children needed stability, consistency, and a guardian who was fully present. She would rather die than let her ex boyfriend be the one handling her kids.
If word of this impulsive night ever reached the wrong ears, it could be twisted and used against her in court.
The stress of potentially losing the children she loved so fiercely made her throat tighten.
The breakup had left her starved for affection, but that was no excuse. Not when so much was at stake.
Finally, Arlecchino shut off the water with a decisive twist. Droplets traced down her skin as she stood there a moment longer, gathering her composure.
She would face Aether, send him home with her driver, and put last night firmly behind her.
When Arlecchino emerged from the shower some time later, wrapped in a sleek black robe with her silver hair damp and combed back, she paused in the doorway.
Aether had fallen back asleep in the armchair, head tilted slightly to the side, breathing steady and relaxed. His bright and tired eyes had softened into peaceful slumber.
She stood there for a long moment, watching him in silence. The hangover still throbbed faintly behind her eyes, and fragments of last night's wine-fueled impulsiveness lingered uncomfortably.
Bringing a near-stranger into her room had been unlike her. Yet seeing him there, harmless, respectful even in sleep it stirred a quiet, reluctant curiosity rather than regret.
Arlecchino moved quietly toward the small seating area, not waking him yet. She poured herself a glass of water and sat down across from the armchair, observing the young man who had accidentally become her unexpected overnight guest.
"Sorry," he said quickly, voice still thick with sleep. "I didn't mean to drift off again. The chair was more comfortable than it looked."
"No need to apologize," Arlecchino replied, her tone measured and composed once more. "My driver is already waiting downstairs. He'll take you home. And… Thank you for handling last night with restraint. It was an unusual evening.”
The ride home was quiet, and the rest of the weekend passed without further contact.