Worlds Apart

Business Trip

*Lucia’s POV*

I woke up with a pounding headache, disoriented and unsure of where I was. As I glanced around, panic started to set in. The last thing I remembered was accepting a dance invitation from a stranger.

My heart dropped when I checked my watch and realized I had a business meeting today. The realization hit hard—*I was late.*

I quickly scrambled to my feet, my legs unsteady as I tried to get out of the room. When I stepped into the hallway, I realized I was still at the club. My stomach churned in embarrassment as I made my way downstairs and into my car, desperately trying to shake off the fog of last night.

I drove straight to my apartment, barely sparing a moment for thought before rushing into the shower. I needed to get to the office, despite the cloud of anxiety hanging over me.

When I arrived, I immediately sensed something was off. The atmosphere in the office was thick with tension, everyone walking around like they were walking on eggshells. I made my way to Tamara, my only friend at work, and asked her what was going on.

"Mr. Adrain came in this morning, and he was furious," she explained, her voice low. "He’s been yelling at everyone since. No one knows what set him off."

A cold chill ran down my spine at the mention of his name. I made a mental note to keep my distance from him for a while, but deep down, I knew that wouldn’t be possible.

When I entered my office, my breath caught in my throat. There, sitting on my desk, was Mr. Adrain. His posture was stiff, and his eyes were blazing with anger. I couldn’t tell if he was upset because I was late or if it was something else.

I tried to greet him, but he ignored me, his eyes never leaving me as he launched into his tirade.

"Do you think this is a whorehouse?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp. "That you can just come and go as you please, like the rules don’t apply to you?"

I flinched at his words, the sting of his tone cutting deeper than I expected. Then, without another word, he handed me a warning.

"Two more strikes, and you're out," he said, his voice filled with finality.

I didn’t know why his words hurt so much. I thought I was used to people treating me poorly, but his coldness hit differently. As he stormed out of the office, I collapsed into the chair behind my desk. I didn’t even realize when the tears started to fall, the weight of everything sinking in.

I didn’t know why I was letting myself feel this way. I deserve to be happy, I told myself, wiping away the tears that had fallen. But even as I said it, the ache in my chest didn’t go away.

*Adrain’s POV*

I couldn’t decide whether I was angry out of jealousy or irritation. Half of me regretted making her feel that way, but my pride held me back from apologizing. My wolf felt her pain, a gnawing ache that made me want to turn back and fix things, but I knew doing so would only complicate everything.

As I prepared for the trip, I checked the CCTV footage linked to her office. She was sitting at her desk, still gloomy but functional, the weight of the moment lingering in the air. She didn’t seem to be completely crushed, but I could tell something was off.

It was time to leave. I called her to let her know we were ready to go, that she should meet me at the car.

I made my way out of my office and down to where my bodyguard was waiting by the car. When I saw her walking toward us, I felt a strange jolt in my chest, my heart skipping for a moment.

No, I couldn’t be falling for her, I thought, pushing the idea away.

My bodyguard opened the door for me, and I got in. I could feel her presence before I even saw her—her scent, sweet and intoxicating, filled the air. My mate, I whispered to myself, barely able to believe it. But it seemed like she didn’t want anything to do with me. She kept her gaze fixed out the window, avoiding any contact. The silence between us stretched all the way to the tarmac, where my private jet was waiting.