CHAPTER 3: COLLISION
202 Words
Like friction.
He walked toward her slowly, deliberately, each step measured.
When he stopped in front of her, the world around them seemed to fade.
“Elara Vance,” he said smoothly. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Her chin lifted slightly. “You should have introduced yourself before trying to take my company.”
A faint smirk touched his lips.
“And miss this reaction?”
Their eyes locked.
Challenge met challenge.
Fire met steel.
“You don’t scare me,” she said.
Adrian leaned closer, just enough to tilt the balance.
“I’m not trying to scare you,” he murmured.
A pause.
“I’m trying to understand you.”
Elara stepped back.
And for the first time in a long time—
Something inside her shifted.
Not fear.
Not weakness.
Something worse.
Interest.
Elara didn’t sleep that night.
Not because she couldn’t.
But because her mind refused to rest.
Adrian Kade.
The name lingered like a warning… or a temptation.
By morning, she was already seated in the boardroom, dressed in precision—black suit, sharp heels, hair pulled back. Armor.
“Everyone’s here,” Nora said quietly.
“Good,” Elara replied.
The glass doors opened
- Writer
