Chapter 46- The Distance Between Us
1010 Words
The office atmosphere had changed.
No one could name exactly when it happened, but the subtle shift was undeniable. Conversations lowered when Damien Sinclair walked past. Meetings ended quicker. The usual relaxed rhythm of the tech department had transformed into something sharper, colder.
And Adrian knew why.
Because Damien Sinclair was avoiding him.
Not subtly.
Not politely.
Blatantly.
Three days had passed since the confrontation in the server room with Hana, and Damien had become the man Adrian first met months ago again: distant, intimidating, professional to the point of cruelty.
It hurt far more than Adrian expected.
Morning Meeting
The conference room was packed with department heads.
Damien stood at the front of the room, sleeves rolled to his elbows, the faint glow of the projector reflecting against his sharp features. His voice was calm, controlled.
"Security protocols for the financial division will be updated immediately," Damien said. "Mr. Knox will handle the system integration."
Adrian blinked.
Normally Damien would explain the project in detail with him afterward. Sometimes they would even argue playfully about the best coding approach.
But now Damien didn't even look at him.
"Deadline is Friday."
Adrian frowned. "Friday? That's three days."
Damien's eyes finally flickered toward him.
Cold.
Flat.
"Then you should start immediately."
The room fell silent.
Adrian felt something twist painfully in his chest.
Before, Damien would have defended him. Helped him. Teased him.
Now he spoke like Adrian was just another employee.
Adrian's Thoughts
Back at his desk, Adrian stared blankly at his computer screen.
Why is he doing this...?
His fingers hovered above the keyboard but he couldn't type.
Three days ago Damien had looked at him differently.
Something warm. Something confused. Something almost vulnerable.
And now...
Ice.
Adrian pressed his hand against his chest.
Why does it hurt so much?
Then another terrifying thought crept into his mind.
Because I...
He quickly stood up.
"No," he whispered.
But the truth refused to stay buried.
Damien's Office
Behind the glass walls of his office, Damien stood rigidly near the window.
His jaw was clenched so tightly it hurt.
Stay away from him.
That was the rule he had set for himself.
Adrian Knox had become dangerous.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Every time Adrian looked at him, Damien felt something in his chest shift.
Something he refused to name.
Because it made no sense.
He had dated women all his life.
Beautiful women.
Like Hana.
Like the models his father constantly introduced to him.
Yet now...
A boy had unsettled his entire world.
Damien ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
I am not gay.
The words had become a daily mantra.
But every time Adrian entered a room, his heartbeat betrayed him.
Enter Hana
The door to Damien's office opened without knocking.
Hana walked in with her usual confident smile.
"You look stressed," she said.
Damien didn't even turn around.
"What do you want, Hana?"
She crossed the room slowly, heels clicking against the floor.
"Lunch."
"No."
"Dinner?"
"No."
She laughed softly.
"You used to enjoy my company."
Damien finally turned toward her.
"You know exactly why I stopped."
Her eyes glimmered.
"Because of him."
Damien's expression hardened.
"You're imagining things."
Hana tilted her head.
"Really?"
She leaned closer.
"Then why are you staring at Adrian Knox right now?"
Damien froze.
He hadn't even realized his eyes had drifted toward Adrian's desk again.
Hana smirked.
"I see the way you look at him."
Damien's voice dropped dangerously.
"Careful."
But Hana only smiled wider.
"Oh Damien... you're fascinating when you're in denial."
The Scene That Breaks Adrian
That afternoon something happened that shattered Adrian completely.
He walked past Damien's office carrying files.
And through the glass walls...
He saw Hana sitting on Damien's desk.
Too close.
Her hand resting on Damien's shoulder.
Laughing.
Flirting.
Adrian stopped walking.
His stomach twisted painfully.
Damien didn't push her away.
Didn't stand up.
Didn't stop it.
Adrian felt heat burn behind his eyes.
Of course.
Why would Damien care about him?
Adrian was just a boy.
A strange boy who made everything complicated.
But Hana...
Hana was beautiful.
Confident.
A woman.
Everything Adrian wasn't allowed to be.
Inside Damien's Office
Hana leaned closer.
"See?" she whispered. "You can still look at a woman."
Damien's expression remained unreadable.
"You're proving a point."
"Yes," Hana said calmly. "I am."
Her voice softened.
"You're trying to convince yourself you're normal."
Damien's jaw tightened.
"And you're helping."
She smiled slowly.
"Exactly."
But neither of them noticed Adrian standing outside the glass door for those few seconds.
Watching.
Breaking.
Adrian's Breaking Point
Adrian returned to the empty server room.
The hum of machines filled the silence.
He leaned against a desk and finally allowed himself to breathe.
The truth came crashing down like a tidal wave.
"I'm in love with him."
The words left his mouth quietly.
But they felt enormous.
Terrifying.
Impossible.
Adrian pressed his hand against his eyes.
"I'm in love with Damien Sinclair."
And suddenly everything made sense.
The jealousy.
The anger.
The strange warmth whenever Damien protected him.
The way his heart raced whenever Damien looked at him.
But the realization didn't bring relief.
It brought fear.
Because Adrian wasn't supposed to love anyone.
Not as Jade.
Not as Adrian.
Meanwhile... Damien
Damien finally pushed Hana away.
"That's enough."
She hopped off the desk.
"Did that help?"
"No."
"Still thinking about Adrian?"
Damien's silence answered her.
Hana sighed.
"You're ridiculous."
Damien glared at her.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little," she admitted.
Then she walked toward the door.
"But be careful Damien."
She paused before leaving.
"Because the more you pretend Adrian doesn't matter..."
Her smile turned knowing.
"...the more obvious it becomes that he does."
The door closed behind her.
Damien stood alone in the office.
And for the first time in years...
He felt completely lost.
Nightfall
The office slowly emptied as evening arrived.
Adrian stayed late.
So did Damien.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither of them approached the other.
Yet the tension between them filled the entire floor.
Like a storm waiting to break.
- Writer
