A/N: New POV approaches. Enter: Minerva 🥳😈

"You and Luca fucked up," Minerva laughed as she and Cameron moved through the crowd to the bar.

"We had a point to make," he laughed, slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her to him, "we would've beat you two anyway," he mumbled, kissing her ear.

"Guess we'll need another rematch, huh?" She giggled and looked over her shoulder.

"Yeah, we do, but I'm in the mood for something else now," he grinned. His lips barely grazed hers before they were pushed against the bar and two brunettes squeezed in next to them.

"I'm so sorry, Minerva right?" Kimi laughed.

Ugh, this bitch...

"Yes, it's Minerva," she sighed and turned to the bar

"Oh, Cameron, I didn't realise you had such a gorgeous girlfriend," the blonde next to Kimi chirped.

Cameron's hand tightened around her waist, "yes, I do. Thank you."

"Speaking of girlfriends," Kimi mumbled and leaned her back against the bar, "what's up with Nadia and Luca?"

Minerva grinned and followed Kimi's gaze to the dance floor. Nadia and Luca's foreheads were pressed together and their fingers were entwined over his chest. His arm snaked around her waist and his fingers laced through hers at the small of her back. They glided and moved around the floor in their own world; completely lost in each other.

She'd never seen Nadia dance like that with anyone. She was so comfortable in his arms like she was meant to be there. Minerva couldn't understand why those idiots didn't just admit that they fucking liked each other.

Shit...those two are in love with each other.

"I've never seen two people dance so well together, it's beautiful." Kimi murmured.

"Yeah, Nadia and Luca are really close friends." Cameron said

"They're not friends," Kimi snorted. "This might sound snobby but men like Luca don't often turn me down unless they're gay or on the rare occasion they're actually into the woman they're with."

"I...wouldn't have thought about it like that, but okay." Minerva laughed.

God this bitch was so full of herself, but she might have a point.

"Not many people would. I know a thing or two about uber rich men. It's a gift," she shrugged and looked at Cameron, "anyway, I think it's only fair to let you know McIntosh is out. I got the call a little while ago. It's between you, Carnegie and Fabrino and Mills now."

"Oh, damn I'm sorry you're out." Cameron said, but Minerva could hear the angst in his voice.

Damn it...why did she have to tell him that? I was doing so well keeping his mind off it!

"It's okay, I kind of figured we weren't going to get picked. We were third to pitch, so it was a long shot anyway." She smiled, "you'll probably get a call soon too. I just hope Carnegie doesn't get it."

"Mm-hm, that would be a shame," Cameron mumbled and checked his watch. He looked at Minerva with his light brown eyes full of unease. "How about we get Nadia and Luca and have some drinks at the hotel?"

Minerva's heart sank. She hated seeing him like this. This was the most fun they'd had together since they got to Osaka. She finally got to spend time with all of them without talking about the damn Ono contract.

But she knew this meant a lot to them, especially Cameron. He'd been trying for years to get a contract like this and now that he knew two other companies were out, he'd want to be in a safe space to get the call. He wouldn't want to be in a nightclub if they didn't get it.

At least I got his mind off of it for a few hours.

"Yeah, we can do that. Let's see if we can drag those two off the floor," she laughed.

"Drag us where?" Nadia said and took the glass of water out of Minerva's hand. She took a gulp and sighed, "fuck, it's hot in here."

"Mm, I bet it is the way you two dance," Kimi smirked. "I'm jealous I didn't get a turn," she purred.

Minerva rolled her eyes.

This bitch just can't help herself. Or maybe Luca just attracts this type of nonsense. Sweet Jesus...I don't like that shit.

"Anyway -" Minerva interjected, "we're going back to the hotel for drinks."

"That's cool, I need to jump in that pool," Nadia said at the same time Luca replied, "who's 'we'?"

Minerva stifled a laugh. That man gave no fucks at the most opportune times and she loved that about him.

Kimi choked out a laugh. "Don't worry Tiffany and I aren't coming with you, sir. Enjoy your night," she smiled sweetly, "good luck with everything."

"Thank you, good luck to you too," Nadia waved as they walked toward the doors.

Minerva looked at Cameron and his eyes filled with amusement. The minute they got outside, they burst into a fit of giggles. "You two are awful."

"What did we do?" Luca chuckled.

"You, with your passive ass, you might as well have said, 'bitch, you're not invited.'" Minerva wheezed, holding on to Cameron.

"And then you wished her good luck, when her team is already out of the race," Cameron cried with laughter.

"Whoo, you two are a mess," Minerva breathed and wiped her tears.

"Well, I didn't know McIntosh were out!" Nadia laughed as she slid into the waiting car.

"I did that shit on purpose. I didn't say bitch because I don't like to refer to women that way," he said and looked at Minerva before he ducked into the car, "but it was tempting."

"Luca! You're fucked up," she laughed and slid into the car behind him.

"So, McIntosh is out that doesn't surprise me," Nadia said and looked at Cameron. "Is that why you wanted to leave?"

"Yeah," he sighed, "I have to be in a comfortable space to handle defeat."

"Don't worry about it if we don't get it. We're punching well above our weight here," Luca chuckled.

"I know, but you know how I am. I'm competitive as fuck and I don't like to lose. We fuckin killed that presentation. I don't care how big the other companies are," he grumbled.

Nadia laughed and nodded, "well, at least we're still in the game."

"Has anyone who came third in Mr. Ono's rankings ever won a pitch?" Cameron said his voice full of hope.

Nadia's eyes softened and she shook her head, "no, not in my experience."

"Alright, I'm glad you didn't tell me that before," he took a deep breath, "I think I'm going to need a strong drink and a fatty when we get back to the hotel."

"I've got everything you need, Cam." Luca nodded.

"No, mopey faces if you don't get it. We're going to celebrate as if you did," Minerva said as she threaded her fingers through Cameron's. "You should be proud no matter what," she whispered and kissed his cheek.

He brought her hand to his lips and smiled against it, "I know, babe. I'm proud of us and I promised you, no mopey faces. I'll be fine, I just want to know now."

"Hopefully, we'll know soon," she sighed. It was damn near eleven o'clock at night and they were still in the dark about the contract. She didn't think it was right that Ono Medical was dragging the process out like this.

She laid her head against Cameron's shoulder as they made idle chit chat on the drive back to the hotel. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched the couple across from her. They sat shoulder to knee talking and laughing softly about some fantasy nonsense while they stole little touches from each other. Nadia would laugh and pat his thigh and Luca would catch her hand, hold it for a moment and let it go.

They were so oblivious to Minerva watching them and she'd never noticed how often they fell into their own world. She was too busy lost in her and Cameron's world to see this side of them. She suspected there might be more to the friendship story they like to tell.

She hoped getting them drunk last night would get them loose enough to at least blurt out their feelings to each other. She'd never wanted two people to be together so badly. Nadia just bloomed when she was with Luca and she hadn't seen that spark in her in such a long time.

Now that Minerva had seen how Luca reacted around other women she was convinced he had some deep feelings for Nadia. He bloomed around her too. That dark aura he carried around himself brightened when he was with Nadia.

Maybe they already know and they're *hiding* it from everyone...Nadia did spend the night with Luca last night...

She'd keep watching them tonight. She'd figure out if Nadia was trying to hide her relationship from her bestie. It was uncalled for if she was. It wasn't like she was going to freak out and scream it from the rooftops that her bestie finally found the one or anything...

I might scream a little, but I'm allowed to be excited! Nadia doesn't have to *hide* it from me.

Minerva and Cameron walked behind Nadia and Luca into the penthouse and she eyed his hand on the small of Nadia's back. She bent over to take off her shoes and his hand grazed her ass as he moved around the bar into the kitchen.

Mm-hm. I saw that, Luca. He out here coppin a feel. Trying to be discreet. I'm on to you both.

"Nadia, did you bring an extra bathing suit I can borrow?"

"Yeah, sure. I brought a few," she said and Minerva grinned. If Nadia took her to the guest bedroom she'd know whether or not Nadia and Luca shared a bed.

Oo, we better be going to the master bedroom. She squealed in her mind as she followed Nadia down the hall.

"Wait! Mr. Ono is calling!" Cameron yelled.

Damn It!

"Oh my God answer it!" Nadia exclaimed as she scurried back to the kitchen and slid on a stool next to Luca.

Minerva chuckled to herself as she followed behind Nadia and sat next to Cameron's jittery self.

I suppose I'll have to wait. This is far more important.

"Answer the phone, babe." She smiled and kissed his cheek.

A/N: My girl Nervy 🙌🏾👏🏾 her thoughts made me giggle 🤭 She's going in detective mode now! 🕵🏾‍♀️🤣