chapter five
1077 Words
The office was unusually quiet that morning. The usual buzz of employees discussing reports and meetings filled the air, but something felt off—at least to Aria. Maybe it was because Mr. Adrian hadn’t arrived at his usual time. Or maybe it was because she knew last night had blurred the lines between them.
She had successfully escaped before things could escalate, but she still felt his hands on her waist, his warm breath near her ear, the way he had looked at her under the moonlight.
She shook the thoughts away.
He was drunk. He probably doesn’t even remember.
By the time Adrian finally arrived, it was almost halfway through the workday. He walked into the main hall with his usual confidence, but there was something different about him—his gaze sharper, more observant.
The team exchanged morning pleasantries before Adrian cleared his throat. “Hope you all enjoyed yourselves at the party last night.”
A few murmurs of agreement filled the room. Aria, however, kept her gaze lowered, trying to focus on the documents in front of her.
Then she felt it—his eyes on her.
Slowly, she looked up, and their eyes met.
She quickly glanced away.
Adrian’s voice came again, firm but unreadable.
“Aria, meet me in my office.”
Her stomach twisted.
Why does he want to see me?
Did he remember everything? Was he upset that she had left? Or worse… did he regret it?
As she stood, making her way toward his office, her heart pounded in her chest. She took a deep breath before knocking lightly on the door.
“Come in.”
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Adrian was leaning against his desk, arms crossed, watching her with an expression she couldn’t quite read.
“Sit.”
She obeyed, placing her hands in her lap to keep them from trembling.
A tense silence stretched between them before Adrian finally spoke.
“So… about last night.”
Her breath caught.
This is it.
Aria sat stiffly in the chair, hands folded in her lap as she braced herself for whatever was coming next.
Adrian leaned back against his desk, arms crossed over his chest, a slow smirk forming on his lips.
“So… how many men wanted you last night?”
Aria blinked, caught completely off guard. “What?”
He chuckled, tilting his head slightly. “Come on, Aria. I wasn’t that drunk. I saw the way men looked at you.” His smirk deepened. “You were the star of the night.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “That’s not true.”
“Oh, it is,” Adrian said, pushing off the desk and walking around to his chair. “I mean, if I noticed, then you can imagine how many others did.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his eyes dancing with amusement. “But I suppose I wouldn’t know. You disappeared on me.”
Aria shifted uncomfortably. “I thought it was best to leave before things got… complicated.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Complicated?”
She met his gaze, trying to remain composed. “Sir, you were drunk.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Fair enough.” Then, with a more serious expression, he added, “I hope I didn’t cause you any inconvenience.”
Aria hesitated before shaking her head. “No, you didn’t. I just… didn’t want things to get awkward.”
Adrian nodded, tapping his fingers against the desk. “That’s fair.” A pause. Then his smirk returned. “You know, you didn’t have to run. It was just a dance.”
She sighed, standing up. “If that’s all, sir—”
“Wait.”
She paused, looking at him again.
Adrian leaned back, watching her with a teasing glint in his eyes. “You didn’t want to dance with me, but it’s fine.”
Her mouth opened slightly, as if to argue, but he was already turning his attention to his laptop, dismissing her with an amused smirk.
Aria let out a breath, quickly turning toward the door before he could see the flustered expression on her face.
As she stepped out of his office, she realized one thing—this conversation might be over, but whatever was happening between them?
It was just beginning.
Aria had barely settled at her desk when Jenna rolled her chair closer, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
“So… how was the party?” Jenna asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.
Aria kept her eyes on her laptop screen, pretending to be focused. “It was fine.”
Jenna scoffed. “Fine? That’s all you’re going to say?” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Girl, I saw the way Mr. Adrian was looking at you.”
Aria’s fingers momentarily froze over the keyboard before she forced a casual shrug. “You must be imagining things.”
Jenna folded her arms. “Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb. The man could not take his eyes off you. And don’t even try denying that little dance you two had.”
Aria felt her cheeks warm. “It was just a dance, Jenna.”
Jenna tilted her head. “Was it, though?”
Aria sighed, shaking her head. “You’re reading too much into it.”
Jenna smirked. “Am I? Then tell me why he sent for you.”
Aria bit her lip, not answering.
Jenna continued, her voice laced with excitement. “Do you know how many ladies in this office have tried to get his attention? Some have even offered themselves to him, despite knowing he’s a married man with kids. But he never gave them a second glance. And yet, suddenly, he’s so interested in you?”
Aria’s stomach twisted. “He’s just being friendly.”
Jenna arched a brow. “Friendly? That man? To you?” She shook her head. “Look, all I’m saying is, if he’s interested, maybe you should take up the offer.”
Aria shot her a sharp look. “Jenna, stop it.”
Jenna sighed dramatically. “Fine, keep pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about. But trust me, the way he looks at you? This isn’t over.”
Aria let out a forced chuckle, but her mind was already racing.
Because deep down, she knew Jenna wasn’t entirely wrong.
And that scared her.
- Writer
