OPPOSITES ATTRACT

Chapter 1: The Impossible Partnership

Mia spent the rest of the morning trying not to look at Adrian Reyes.

Unfortunately, Adrian Reyes seemed determined to make that impossible.

He sat across the conference table, reviewing the project documents with the same serious expression he had worn at the café.

Mia glanced at him.

He didn't look up.

She looked away.

Five seconds later, she glanced again.

Still nothing.

"Stop staring," Lena whispered beside her.

"I'm not staring."

"You've looked at him six times."

Mia frowned.

"I'm observing."

"That's another word for staring."

Before Mia could answer, Adrian closed the folder in front of him.

"The first phase of the project will begin tomorrow."

Everyone turned their attention toward him.

"We'll divide the work between both teams. I'll oversee the development side, while your team handles marketing and client communication."

Mr. Santos nodded.

"Excellent."

Mia raised her hand.

Adrian looked at her.

She immediately regretted raising it.

"Yes?"

"Question."

"What is it?"

"Do we really have to work with your team for six months?"

A few people laughed.

Adrian didn't.

"Yes."

"Right."

Mia lowered her hand.

"Just checking."

Adrian's eyes remained on her.

"You seem disappointed."

"I'm not."

"You sound disappointed."

"I'm actually very excited."

His eyebrow lifted.

"Your expression suggests otherwise."

Mia smiled sweetly.

"My face is complicated."

Lena coughed to hide a laugh.

Adrian looked away.

The meeting continued.

By the time it ended, Mia was exhausted.

She packed her things and stood.

Then she heard Adrian behind her.

"Ms. Santos."

She turned.

"Yes?"

He held out a folder.

"You'll be working directly with me."

Mia stared at him.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you're the lead creative coordinator."

She looked at Lena.

Lena gave her an encouraging smile.

Mia turned back to Adrian.

"Of course."

He nodded.

"Tomorrow. Nine o'clock."

"Nine?"

"Yes."

"That's early."

"It's not."

"It is for creative people."

"Then you'll have to adjust."

Mia stared at him.

Adrian walked away.

She watched him disappear through the doors.

Lena walked beside her.

"You two are going to be entertaining."

Mia sighed.

"He's impossible."

Lena smiled.

"You said that about him this morning."

"And I was right."

---

The next morning, Mia arrived at the office at exactly 8:59.

She considered this a personal achievement.

Adrian was already sitting in the conference room.

Of course he was.

He looked at his watch.

"You're on time."

"You're welcome."

His expression remained blank.

Mia placed her laptop on the table.

"Good morning, Mr. Sunshine."

Adrian sighed.

"Please don't call me that."

"Fine."

She sat down.

"Mr. Personality."

"Mia."

She smiled.

He stared at her.

She stared back.

Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth moved.

Barely.

But she saw it.

"You almost smiled."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"No."

"I saw it."

"You imagined it."

Mia leaned closer.

"You have a smile."

Adrian shook his head.

"This project is going to be difficult."

Mia grinned.

"For you."

He opened his laptop.

"For both of us."

And despite himself, Adrian smiled.

This time, Mia definitely saw it.

And for some reason, her heart beat a little faster.

---

The next few days were filled with arguments.

Mia wanted colorful presentations.

Adrian wanted simple designs.

Mia wanted spontaneous ideas.

Adrian wanted schedules.

Mia worked with music playing.

Adrian preferred silence.

They disagreed about almost everything.

But somehow, the project kept moving forward.

One afternoon, Mia walked into the conference room carrying two coffees.

She placed one in front of Adrian.

He looked at it.

Then at her.

"What's this?"

"Peace offering."

"For what?"

"Nothing."

He studied the cup.

"Is this mine?"

Mia smiled.

"Yes."

Adrian took a sip.

His eyes widened slightly.

"Black coffee."

"I remembered."

He looked at her.

"You remembered how I take it?"

Mia shrugged.

"You complain about everything. It wasn't difficult."

He almost smiled again.

"Thank you."

Mia sat across from him.

"You're welcome."

For a moment, neither spoke.

The silence felt different this time.

Not uncomfortable.

Almost peaceful.

Adrian looked at her.

Mia was focused on her laptop, completely unaware that he was watching her.

And for the first time in years, Adrian realized something terrifying.

He was beginning to look forward to seeing someone.

Someone who was loud.

Messy.

Unpredictable.

Someone who was everything he had always avoided.

Someone who was becoming impossible to ignore.