The Rival Deal
1
The glass doors of Hendrix Group slid open with a hush, letting in the faint sea breeze from the city's coast. The lobby was sleek and modern, humming with quiet efficiency every inch of it whispering wealth and precision.
Aria Moretti
Aria Moretti stepped in, her heels clicking on the floor.
**Her assistant trailed a few steps behind, scrolling through emails**.
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
Just so you know, someone from Costa Designs is here too **said quietly trailing behind her scrolling through emails**
Aria Moretti
**she stops mid-steps for a second but soon enough her eyes sharpen**
Aria Moretti
Of course they are here. **walks ahead with her cool composed attitude**
Her tone was steady almost bored, but Stefan caught the spark in her eyes. The spark which she only had when competition was involved
Aria Moretti
It wouldn't be a real project without them trying to outdo us.
**she adds pressing the elevator button**
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
**smirks**
You really don't like him, do you ?
Aria Moretti
Dislike has nothing to do with this.
**steps inside the elevator and looks up at Stefan with a little smirk**
He just happens to think he's the best, and I like reminding him he's not
Across the lobby, Adrian Costa was already in the conference room, speaking quietly with his assistant, Marcus.
He looked perfect as always, the black suit, watch glinting under the light, posture relaxed. He didn't need to see her to know she was here, he felt it, the familiar pulse of rivalry that always came before things got interesting.
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
Moretti Creations is also selected for the project.
**tells leaning closer**
Adrian Costa
**Lips curled in the faintest smirk**
Well this is going to be interesting then.
Adrian Costa
**Setting his cuff links looks at the door as it just opened**
Aria Moretti
**Walks in calm and collected, her gaze finds his instantly.**
For a moment neither say anything. The air seemed to sharpen between them and the polished civility laced with old irritating and unspoken challenge
Aria Moretti
Costa.
**she greets with a slight nod**
Adrian Costa
Moretti.
**says tilting his head**
Still punctual as always. I'd almost call it admirable.
Aria Moretti
Or professional.
**she shot back**
Something you might want to try sometimes.
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
**Clearing his throat looks away**
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
**Pretends to check his tablet**
Mr Holt, the CEO of Hendrix group enters cutting the tension between them
Mr. Holt
Good to see both of you here.
**says with a professional smile**
Greeting each other Adrian and Aria take their seats across from each other, their eyes locked, all calm and steady, but the silent competition is alive between them
Mr. Holt
As you both know, the Hendrix group is launching an eco luxury resort on the southern coast. **he begins** and as both your firms have the strongest portfolios and architecture, so we want both of you to prepare a design proposal and the best one wins.
Aria Moretti
**Sits straight a calm professional smile curves on her lips** Of course Mr Holt, we'll make sure you have nothing short of perfection.
**composed tone her, eyes landed on him with a sharp glance**
Adrian Costa
**He caught her glance instantly a faint smirk tugging at his mouth**
Adrian Costa
Perfection??
**leans back in the chair**
That's quite a promise Moretti, don't overwork yourself trying to live up to it
**still a smirk lingering at his mouth**
Aria Moretti
But she didn't flinch
**Don't worry Costa, Some of us don't need to try too hard**
Adrian Costa
**A chuckle escaped him.**
Confidence looks good on you Moretti, let's see if your designs wear it just as well
Aria Moretti
**Didn't even blink, tilting her head slightly with a smooth yet sharp tone says**
My designs don't just wear confidence, they define it. Hope yours can keep up without hiding behind the company's name this time.
**smirks**
The room shifted uncomfortably, both glaring at each other
Mr. Holt
**Clears his throat sensing the spark already flickering between them**
That's the spirit I was hoping for. You'll each get access to the site plan, budget outline and resources. And two weeks from now, we'll meet again for your presentations.
Aria Moretti
**Nods her head, her tone all business**
Sure Mr Holt, Moretti Creations always delivers results not excuses.
Adrian Costa
And Costa designs build perfection not promises.
**says smoothly, eyes locked with her**
Mr. Holt
**Sighs deeply**
Great I look forward to seeing what you both bring to the table.
Chairs scrap back, folders closed, everyone stands up to leave.
Adrian Costa
**Leaning towards her says just for her to hear**
Try not to lose too badly this time Moretti. I'd hate to see you sulking over blueprints again.
Aria Moretti
**Gives him a practiced smile eyes locked with his.**
I don't sulk Costa, I win you just never see it coming.
With that she walked outside, her heels echoing down the marble hall leaving Adrian watching looking half amused half unsettled
Author
Heyyy it's my first time writing a story.Just trying to do something new for fun because I was so bored. I don't know how this will turn out but I'll try my best , hope you'll like it 😊
Let's get started then.
2
The glass doors slid shut behind them, ending what felt less like a business meeting and more like a quiet declaration of war. Aria walked toward the parking lot, heels clicking against the marble floor, her assistant Stefan trailing behind with his tablet and a knowing grin
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
**You held back pretty well in there, boss. Walking behind her with a grin**
No voice raised. That's progress.
Aria Moretti
**A dry chuckle left her mouth**
I don't need to shout to win an argument
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
Yeah, you just smile and deliver a knockout in just five seconds **chuckles**
still, seeing you and Costa in the same room feels like lightning trying to negotiate with fire
Aria Moretti
**shook her head in disbelief, but a reluctant smile tugged at her lips** he hasn't changed, still overconfident for his own good.
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
And yet you look kinda impressed.
**says with a teasing smirk**
Aria Moretti
**Shots him a glare opening her car door**
I'm not impressed, I'm just seizing up my competition
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
Uh huh, with that tiny smile on your face 😏
Aria Moretti
Shut up and get in before I leave you here
**says rolling her eyes**
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
There it is, the Costa effect. It always brings out the sarcasm
**teasing**
Across from the parking lot Adrian comes out with his assistant walking behind with an amused expression
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
So Moretti Designs,
**stretching the name as if it tastes familiar**
that was a pleasant surprise
Adrian Costa
**Didn't glance his way**
pleasant isn't the word I'd use for this
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
Oh, c'mon you two in one room again? The tension was structural
Adrian Costa
**Exhales slowly, a hint of irritation in his jaw**
She still acts like she's the only one with ideas
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
And you still act like you're the only one whose right
**replies lightly holding back his laugh**
Funny how that works
Adrian Costa
**Glances over him a faint irritating tugging at his jaw**
Remind me why I keep you around again? 🙄
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
Because I say what everyone else is scared to **grinned**
Admit it she gets under your skin
Adrian Costa
**Stopped by his car, finger tapping the handle**
she doesn't, she just knows how to get attention
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
Uh huh and you just happen to notice every time 😏
Adrian Costa
**Gives him a warning look**
just focus on the project Marc we are not losing to her
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
Sure boss, the competition has been simmering for years , this project just brought it to boil
Adrian got in the car without replying, but as he adjusted the rearview mirror, his gaze caught a brief reflection of Aria stepping into her car across the lot.
He didn’t smile.
But something about the way she didn’t look back, that calm defiance of hers lingered a little longer than he’d like to admit.
3
Adrian Costa
Adrian Costa - 28 years old
CEO of Costa Designs and construction
Inherited family business after his father retired
Calm, sharp, fiercely competitive
kind of man who rarely raises his voice but still somehow dominates the room he walks in
Logic always comes first for him or at least that's what he wants people to think
Hates emotional messes and tends to shut down when things get personal that's why Aria unsettles him because she brings the chaos in the form of warmth, emotions and unpredictability.
Marcus ( Adrian's Assistant)
Marcus
27 years old
Adrian's Assistant more like a friend
Always teases him about Aria
Leonardo Costa ( Adrian's father)
Leonardo Costa - Adrian's father
former CEO and owner of the Costa design and construction
A sharp minded business man but now retired as he wants to enjoy his life now that Adrian took over the business
A little strict , disciplined and raised Adrian to be composed, ambitious and never settle for the second best
Isabella Costa ( Adrian's mother)
Isabella Costa - Adrian's mother
Runs a famous art gallery that showcases international contemporary art
Sweet, stylish and diplomatic women
Has a keen sense of aesthetic and influences many young artists
Proud of Adrian but often reminds him to see beyond blueprints to remember the beauty and emotions
Aria Moretti
Aria Moretti - 27 years old
Lead architect and founder of Moretti Creations (a luxury architectural design firm she built on her own).
Comes from a wealthy family that runs a fashion empire, but she chose architecture over glamour, wanting to create spaces that breathe beauty and function together.
She is passionate, outspoken, and driven by instinct. She believes buildings should have a soul, not just structure, and she designs with feeling rather than formula. That’s what often puts her at odds with Adrian as her creativity clashes with his precision.
She wears her emotions openly. When she’s angry, it shows, when she’s happy, it lights up the room. Very professional when it comes to work
Stefan ( Aria's assistant)
Stefan a 25 years old boy
Aria's assistant, friend and more like a younger brother
always teasing and irritating her but very sincere when it comes to work
Alessandro Moretti ( Aria's father)
Alessandro Moretti - Aria's father
Owns a fashion designing firm. Built his empire from the scratch, values hard work and ethics
Looks strict but is very calm and sweet man.
Loves his daughter very much.
Lucia Moretti ( Aria's mother)
Lucia Moretti - Aria's mother
Owns a famous restaurant and is a chef herself
Warm, charming and emotionally intelligent, the kind of woman everyone loves instantly
The Moretti household is full of warmth, laughter and happiness.
And Aria's confident personality comes from growing up in a family where passion was encouraged even if it means defying expectations
While on the other hand the Costa family seems elegant, formal and intimidating.
The place is often quiet, orderly and filled with art and glass.
Adrian's precision and composure are a reflection of both his parents' worlds structure and art, logic and beauty.
Adrian and Aria's chemistry comes from the collision of logic and emotion, control and passion. Adrian sees structure, Aria sees life within it. They argue endlessly but somehow end up completing each other’s thoughts when working together.
Both have known each other since college days and that time to both always bickered and argued over everything and the competitive spark between them is since that time
Adrian and Aria first met in college, and from day one, they were unstoppable academic rivals, always arguing, always competing, whether it was over projects, ideas, or who had the sharper eye for design. That rivalry never dulled their respect for each other, if anything, it pushed them to be better. Over the years, they both built their own architecture companies, still keeping that competitive spark alive in the business world. But beneath all the teasing, debates, and challenges, there’s an unspoken connection, a quiet pull neither wants to admit, a feeling that’s been there all along, simmering under the surface.
---
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
