Chapter 1 — Between Shadows and Steel
1543 Words
Maybe he tripped, and staggered as he stepped in—he fell against something soft, too soft and comfortable. It took time for him to realize it was a person. He glanced up to see a familiar face he admired. So beautiful — she stole his breath, leaving his cheeks warm and flushed with anxious awe.
Just before he stood, he found his hands on her c cup boobs—trying to stand, he squeezed it twice. He heard a faint moan escape her lips. When he looked closer, her face was flushed, ears burning red, cheeks glowing, eyes shimmering with something he couldn’t name. But in the next heartbeat, as if a spell had shattered, the soft sound twisted into a sharp, furious scream.
She pushed him off and he stood quickly before realizing it was Clara. Clara Hayes— the woman he adored, and dreamed of being better than.
Adrian got promoted from regular staff to executive strategist at Halberg because of his outstanding performance and diligent working ethics that made him stand out far beyond his Co-employees
He felt something soft landing on his cheeks forcefully, before the pain kicked in. Clara slapped him as hard as she could, but it felt like nothing. Adrian was lost in admiration, and filled with pleasure—she stood confident, trying to mask her red cheeks—staring at the huge, tall, handsome young man who just grabbed her.
“Get out!!”
“Huh?” His voice echoed deep.
“Are you dumb? I said get out—and I meant get out now, you good-for-nothing imbecile!!” Clara yelled at the top of her voice, anger flaring.
“I’m sorry… I’m so, so sorry,” Adrian stammered.
He shut the door behind him, his cheeks flushing red with nervous embarrassment.
He had just walked in on Clara Hayes, the Senior Executive Director of Operations at Halberg, while she was getting dressed for the executive meeting that was about to take place in a few minutes.
It was Adrian’s first week at Halberg’s headquarters after being promoted.
He was supposed to deliver Clara’s files to her office, but in his anxious state—lost in thought about the upcoming meeting—he forgot to knock.
He rushed back to his office, dropped the stack of files on his desk, and buried his head in his hands. The embarrassing moment replayed in his mind over and over again.
A tall, flawless figure had stood before him—shirtless, only in her bra and skirt that defined her perfect waistline and back. Everything about her was perfect.
Leo, his assistant, walked in on him as he sat slumped over his desk.
“What’s wrong? You look worried.”
“Nothing really. Just the upcoming meeting.”
He stared at his reflection on the blank computer screen, sighed, and asked, “The meeting starts in a few minutes. You have everything ready for my presentation, right?”
“Yes, sir,” Leo replied sarcastically, smiling.
How could I be so clumsy? Walking in on Clara Hayes—the same woman I’ve admired for years—while she was changing? he thought, running his palm down his face.
“I guess I’ll apologize later,” he muttered.
“Huh? What was that?” Leo asked.
“Umm… nothing. Get ready—we’ll be leaving soon.”
⸻
The time for the meeting came. Adrian stood outside the executive boardroom, taking deep breaths before walking in with a confident face. But within, he was so scared he was almost sweating in the cool room.
He sat with his shades on, trying to avoid eye contact—he kept a straight face.
“Isn’t that the new lowlife they hired recently?”
“I heard he comes from a poor family, but somehow managed to end up here with us.”
“What were they thinking when they hired the lowlife?” some murmured in the background.
Adrian didn’t let it get to him. All that mattered was making a good first impression.
The door opened, and in came Elena, the assistant to the CEO of Halberg & Co.
Moments later, it opened once more—Zig Ottoman, the Chairman, stepped in alongside Clara Hayes and her assistant.
They all rose to welcome the Chairman.
Seated around a huge glass table—side by side, each with their assistant—everyone looked sharp, expensive, and composed. But beneath the surface, the air was thick with competition. Every glance was a silent challenge.
Clara, of course, had more than a few enemies.
⸻
In the city of Ashbourn, Clara Hayes was one of the most prominent names in the business world, and her reputation spoke for itself. Her presence carried aura—not just her authority, but her beauty. And Adrian had admired her long before he ever got a job at Halberg — not just him, but almost every ambitious young person in Ashbourn dreams of being just as successful as she is at a young age.
Now, he avoided eye contact as she hunted him down with her gaze—cold, precise, and filled with disgust. She was second in command to the CEO, and in his absence, she ruled the boardroom.
Clara arrogantly tossed her hair back and leaned on her palm with an unimpressed look. Her eyes locked with Adrian’s, and all he could see was danger.
During introductions, when Adrian’s turn came, the room fell silent—he was only twenty-three, the youngest person in the boardroom. Jaws dropped; whispers spread.
It really got to Clara because that was her record. Now there were two record holders—only achievement would decide the winner.
Maya, Clara’s assistant, Shot him a look of disdain, then stole another glance. She couldn’t help but smile—only to imagine that after all Clara had worked hard for, a good for nothing nobody would walk into Halberg and challenge her. She almost frowned — But he’s actually very good-looking, maybe too good, she thought.
⸻
As the meeting began, the tension grew. Everyone waited to see what Adrian had to offer.
“Let’s see what the cheap executive can bring to the table,” someone whispered loud enough for him to hear as they giggled.
He took a deep breath and began. He spoke confidently, ignoring the murmurs.
By the time he finished, the room was stunned. The silence was heavy—not from boredom, but shock.
Not only was his presentation impressive, but he also corrected a junior staff’s mistake—something even senior employees didn’t notice. Still, he tried not to overdo it.
He met Clara’s eyes and smiled. She rolled hers and looked away, unimpressed.
Adrian noticed the Chairman’s approving nod and faint smile. That alone made everything worth it. He had captured the most powerful attention in the room.
But in Halberg, attention came with enemies.
A company of sixty-three glass-and-steel floors that towered over Ashbourn—Halberg was known for crushing dreams before they even began. They didn’t take the middle class seriously.
To work there, you had to come from wealth—or have powerful connections.
Adrian, who was raised in an orphanage had neither. Yet somehow, he’d risen to become an executive strategist in just a few years and at a record breaking age. That miracle alone had made him a target — a lot of them vowed to get to root of his success and crush it before it yielded anything positive.
⸻
After the meeting, most staff members left. Adrian was packing up his files when he noticed Clara still seated. He decided to seize the opportunity to apologize. But just as he stepped forward, a very beautiful, bright, smiling petit lady approached him.
“You’re the one they’ve been calling lowlife, huh?”
His face darkened immediately. He was the type of person that didn’t tolerate being insulted or bullies, but had to endure the rubbish in Halberg just for the sake of his dreams.
“Excuse me?” His voice deep, and cold.
“I was just joking—relax,” she laughed. “I’m Elena.” She extended her hand for a handshake.
His brows remained furrowed. “Adrian. Adrian Cole.”
“Nice to meet you Adrian. I’m not sure you’d remember me, but I’m pretty sure we both attended the same university,” with a beautiful teasing smile on her gorgeous face. “Zelden University, right? I was few years ahead of you when you joined—your senior, the next graduating class, you see.”
“Yea sure.” He wasn’t having it — the tension and negativity in the room had already gotten to him.
“Don’t worry about it,” she said, “you’ll get the hang of it sooner than you’d expect. I’ll be here to help you out incase you need anything okay?”
Her smile eased him a little.
But from the side, Clara glared at them, disgust twisting her face.
“Birds of the same feather,” she muttered.
“Flock together,” Maya finished.
The competition had just begun—but the flame was already fierce.
The only question was, who would have the final laugh?
- Writer
