Chapter 21: Schemes and Shields
504 Words
Elara’s morning had barely started, and already the office felt like a battlefield. Her manager hovered over her shoulder, demanding spreadsheets she had already submitted. Phones rang constantly. People asked questions she did not have answers for.
And then her phone buzzed.
Lunch with Adrian today.
Her stomach twisted. She stared at the screen. Her jaw tightened.
Why is he contacting me at work, she muttered under her breath.
Before she could type a response, Rachel appeared at the entrance, perfectly timed, heels clicking against the tile like a threat.
“Elara! I hope you are ready. Adrian wants to talk.”
Elara froze. “Talk where?”
“Lunch. Just the three of us.”
Her blood ran cold. “The three of us?”
Rachel smiled sweetly. “Father suggested I join. It will be fun. Family bonding.”
Elara groaned internally. Of course it will be fun for you. Fun for me is surviving this without throwing something.
At four pm, Elara shut down her computer and walked toward the garage, her mind replaying every possible scenario. She spotted Adrian’s car outside. Sleek, shiny, new. He was waiting.
“On time,” she said, voice flat.
He raised an eyebrow. “I keep my promises. Even when people complicate them.”
“Complicate them,” she repeated, teeth gritted. “You mean she complicates everything. You are just… there.”
He smirked. “I am… there.”
By five, they were at the garage, hands on tools but eyes darting toward the entrance every few minutes. Rachel arrived ten minutes later, looking far too pleased with herself.
“Elara! Adrian!” she said brightly. “Did you see the new car? Isn’t it amazing?”
Elara clenched her jaw. “It is very shiny,” she said coldly.
Adrian noticed her tension and stepped subtly in front of her. “Elara is tired,” he said quietly to Rachel. “We will not start until she is ready.”
Rachel blinked. “Excuse me?”
“She works hard,” Adrian continued. “Her schedule is packed. Respect that.”
Elara’s eyes widened. He… he just defended me in front of her.
Rachel smiled tightly. “I see.”
She left, pretending to be unconcerned but clearly plotting her next move.
Elara exhaled slowly. “You did not have to do that,” she muttered.
“I did,” he said softly. “Consider it a warning. Next time she tries something, I will be less polite.”
Her lips twitched. Not quite a smile. Not quite anger. “You are impossible.”
“Yes,” he said. “And you like that.”
Elara shook her head. “Do not push it.”
He smirked, leaning back against the car. “I never do.”
The garage was quiet again. Enemy lines still drawn. Respect firmly established. And Elara knew one thing for certain:
Rachel would not stop.
Adrian would not back down.
And somehow, she had to survive both.
- Writer
