Chapter 7 – A Dangerous Offer
693 Words
Monday morning should have felt ordinary.
Instead, Amelia woke with one thought replaying in her mind.
"You look... beautiful."
Adrian's words had been quiet, almost hesitant.
Yet somehow, they had lingered longer than all the compliments she'd ever received before.
She shook her head as she entered Blackwood International.
"Focus on work, Amelia."
That was becoming increasingly difficult.
───
By nine o'clock, Adrian was already in his office reviewing contracts.
He barely looked up as Amelia entered.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
She frowned.
No teasing.
No awkward smiles.
Just the distant, professional CEO she'd met on her first day.
For reasons she couldn't explain...
It disappointed her.
───
Around lunchtime, Daniel appeared carrying two coffees.
"I bring peace offerings."
Amelia accepted one gratefully.
"What's wrong with him?"
Daniel glanced toward Adrian's office.
"After every gala, he becomes like this."
"Why?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Success reminds him of the people who aren't here to celebrate it."
Amelia's heart ached.
His mother.
His brother.
No wonder he buried himself in work.
───
Later that afternoon, Amelia was organizing files when the receptionist called.
"There's someone here asking for you."
"For me?"
"She says it's personal."
Curious, Amelia walked into the lobby.
A striking woman in an emerald-green suit stood waiting.
She looked elegant, confident... and vaguely familiar.
"You must be Amelia Carter."
"I am."
The woman smiled politely.
"My name is Evelyn Hart."
"I don't think we've met."
"We haven't."
Evelyn's smile never faltered.
"But I know quite a lot about you."
Something about those words sent a chill down Amelia's spine.
"I used to work with Adrian."
"You did?"
"For several years."
Amelia relaxed slightly.
"So you're an old colleague?"
"You could say that."
She handed Amelia a business card.
"I'd love to discuss a career opportunity."
"I'm very happy here."
"I'm sure you are."
Evelyn's eyes drifted toward the executive floor.
"But happiness can disappear surprisingly quickly."
Before Amelia could reply, Evelyn turned and walked away.
She never looked back.
───
That evening, Adrian noticed the business card lying on Amelia's desk.
His expression changed instantly.
"Where did you get this?"
"A woman named Evelyn Hart gave it to me."
His jaw tightened.
"What did she want?"
"She offered me another job."
He picked up the card.
"Did you accept?"
"No."
"Good."
His answer came too quickly.
Amelia studied him.
"You know her."
A long silence followed.
Finally, Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
"Who is she?"
"My ex-fiancée."
Amelia froze.
"Your... fiancée?"
"We ended our engagement three years ago."
"What happened?"
His eyes darkened.
"She didn't love me."
The words were calm.
Almost emotionless.
But Amelia heard the pain beneath them.
"She loved what my name could give her."
He slipped the card into his pocket.
"If she contacts you again..."
He stepped closer.
"...tell me immediately."
"You think she's dangerous?"
"I think Evelyn never does anything without a reason."
───
Across the city...
Evelyn stood in a luxurious penthouse overlooking the Thames.
The mysterious man who had been following Adrian entered the room.
"Did you meet the assistant?"
"Yes."
"And?"
Evelyn smiled as she poured herself a glass of wine.
"She's exactly what I expected."
"Inexperienced?"
"No."
"Naïve?"
"No."
The man frowned.
"Then what?"
Evelyn walked to the window.
"She's kind."
She smiled coldly.
"And kind people are the easiest to hurt."
The man looked uneasy.
"You really think Adrian loves her already?"
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"He doesn't know it yet."
She lifted her glass.
"But he will."
"And when he does..."
Her smile became almost frightening.
"...I'll make sure she becomes the reason he loses everything."
───
At that very moment, completely unaware of the storm gathering around them, Adrian and Amelia worked late into the evening.
She yawned over a stack of reports.
Without a word, Adrian quietly draped his suit jacket over her shoulders.
She looked up in surprise.
"Aren't you cold?"
He simply replied,
"I'd rather you weren't."
Amelia smiled to herself as she wrapped the jacket around her.
For the first time in years, Adrian Blackwood had done something purely because he cared about someone else.
Neither of them realized that someone was already planning to use those feelings against them.
- Writer
