TOO CLOSE TO THE ENEMY
817 Words
CHAPTER 2
Morning sunlight poured through the glass walls of Vale Corporation, but the warmth never reached Liana Hart.
She stood in front of the mirror inside the women’s restroom, adjusting the collar of her blouse.
“Laura Benson,” she whispered to her reflection. “You are Laura Benson.”
But the name felt like a mask already slipping.
(CEO Office Floor)
The assistant at the desk gave her a nervous smile.
“Mr. Vale asked for you.”
Liana stopped. “Me?”
The assistant nodded quickly. “Immediately.”
Of course he did.
She inhaled once, then pushed open the office doors.
The room was vast, elegant, and cold. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city.
Adrian Vale stood by the window, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened.
He didn’t turn around.
“You’re late.”
“It’s nine o’clock exactly.”
He glanced at his watch. “Three seconds late.”
That made him turn.
For the first time, she saw amusement in his eyes.
Dangerous eyes.
“You’re bold for someone on her first day.
He walked toward her slowly.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
“So tell me… who are you really?”
Liana’s breath caught—but she smiled.
“The woman you hired.”
Then he stepped back.
“Good answer.”
The Unexpected Assignment
Adrian picked up a folder and tossed it onto the desk.
“You’ll attend tonight’s charity gala with me.”
Liana blinked. “I’m your assistant, not your date.”
“You’re both tonight.”
“No.”
His brows lifted. “No?”
“I don’t attend parties .”
He moved closer again.
“And if I insist?”
She lifted her chin.
Their eyes locked.
The air changed.
Neither of them moved.
Then Adrian’s phone rang, breaking the tension.
He answered,
“What?”
Pause.
“I’ll handle it.”
He ended the call and looked at her.
(That Night – The Gala)
The grand ballroom glittered with diamonds, champagne, and fake smiles.
Liana stepped out in a black gown that hugged her figure like a secret.
Heads turned.
Even Adrian, waiting near the staircase, went still.
His gaze moved over her slowly.
“You clean up well,” he said.
“You stare too much.”
“I rarely see anything worth staring at.”
For the first time in years, heat rose to Liana’s cheeks.
Annoying man.
He offered his arm.
She ignored it and walked ahead.
His laugh followed her.
The Dance
Minutes later, after business greetings and meaningless introductions, Adrian suddenly caught her wrist.
“What are you doing?” she hissed.
“Saving you from another boring investor.”
Before she could protest, he pulled her onto the dance floor.
Music swelled.
His hand settled at her waist.
Her breath stumbled.
“You hate me,” he murmured.
“I barely know you.”
“You keep lying.”
“And you keep touching me.”
“Yet you haven’t stepped away.”
Liana looked up into his eyes.
Big mistake.
Because for one dangerous moment, revenge vanished.
There was only him.
Only this.
Only the unbearable tension between them.
Then Adrian’s fingers brushed the bare skin of her back.
“You’re trembling,” he whispered.
“I’m restraining myself.”
“From what?”
“Slapping you.”
He laughed softly.
God, even his laugh was attractive.
Plot Twist
Suddenly, the ballroom screens flickered.
The music stopped.
Guests gasped.
Every screen in the room lit up with an old newspaper headline:
HART FAMILY FRAUD EXPOSED
Then photos appeared.
Liana’s parents.
Her childhood home.
And lastly—
A young photo of Liana.
The room exploded into whispers.
Her blood froze.
No.
No one should have this.
She turned to Adrian in shock.
But he looked just as stunned.
Then a final message appeared across every screen:
WELCOME BACK, LIANA HART.
ASK ADRIAN VALE WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO YOUR FATHER.
The ballroom fell silent.
Liana slowly turned to Adrian.
His face had gone cold.
“What does that mean?” she whispered.
He said nothing.
Her voice rose.
“What did you do to my father?”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Liana—”
She slapped him.
The sound cracked through the silent room.
Gasps followed.
Tears burned her eyes, but rage burned hotter.
“You knew who I was.”
He grabbed her wrist before she could walk away.
“You need to listen to me.”
“Let go.”
“If you leave now,” he said darkly, “you’ll walk straight into the trap they set for you.”
She stared at him.
“Who set it?”
Adrian’s eyes moved to the balcony above.
Liana followed his gaze.
A man stood in the shadows… watching them.
Smiling.
And he looked exactly like someone buried in her memories.
Someone who was supposed to be dead.
- Writer
