Falling for My boss

Chapter six

Aria had been doing her best to avoid Adrian. Ever since their late-night work sessions started feeling less like work and more like something else—something dangerous—she knew she had to put some distance between them.

But Adrian wasn’t making it easy.

She switched up her usual routines, took the longer route to the break room, and skipped unnecessary meetings where she might have to sit too close to him. Yet, somehow, Adrian always found her.

One evening, just as she was heading out of the office, she heard his voice behind her.

“Have I done something to offend you, Aria?”

Her breath hitched. She turned to find Adrian standing there, arms crossed, head slightly tilted as he studied her.

“No, sir,” she replied quickly, forcing a polite smile. “I’ve just been busy with work.”

Adrian smirked, unconvinced. “Busy avoiding me, you mean?”

She froze. He had noticed.

Before she could respond, he took a step closer, lowering his voice. “You don’t have to do that, you know. I value your work here.”

Aria swallowed hard, nodding stiffly before walking away. She couldn’t let him get to her—not like this.

But Adrian didn’t stop there.

At work, he always found ways to praise her in front of the team, making sure everyone knew how much he appreciated her efforts.

And then there was the tipping incident.

She had just finished handling a difficult client—one that had nearly pushed her patience to its limit. Adrian had been watching from his office and called her over afterward.

“That was impressive,” he said, reaching into his wallet. Before she could react, he slipped a crisp bill into her hand. “A little something for your hard work.”

Aria’s eyes widened in shock. “Sir, I—”

“Take it,” he insisted with that same easy smirk. “You earned it.”

Aria hesitated, but eventually, she pocketed the money.

She could already feel eyes on her—watching, judging. And one of those eyes belonged to Vanessa.

Vanessa had been the one who recommended Aria for this job. They had met years ago during a job interview, both struggling to find work. The company they had applied to didn’t hire either of them, but Vanessa later got lucky and landed a position at Paramount Financial Group. When a vacancy opened, she helped Aria get in.

At first, Vanessa had been warm, welcoming—happy to see Aria succeed.

But lately, things had changed.

Vanessa’s smiles became fewer. Conversations became shorter. And there was an unmistakable coldness in her voice whenever she spoke to Aria.

Then, one day, Vanessa made a comment that struck Aria like a slap.

“Guess it pays to be the boss’s favorite.”

It was said in a casual tone, but the meaning was clear.

Aria turned to her, startled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Vanessa shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee. “Nothing. Just an observation.”

Aria didn’t know what to say. She wanted to believe she was imagining things, but the tension between them was undeniable.

That evening, Aria met up with her best friend, Jenna, at their favorite café.

As she stirred her coffee absentmindedly, she sighed. “I don’t know what’s up with Vanessa lately. She’s been acting weird toward me—like, distant and kind of rude.”

Jenna leaned back in her chair, unimpressed. “Maybe you’re overthinking it? Vanessa is probably just stressed with work. You know how this office gets.”

Aria shook her head. “No, it’s not just work. She made a comment today—something about me being ‘the boss’s favorite.’”

Jenna rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You know how people like to gossip. Don’t let it get to you.”

“But what if she actually resents me?” Aria frowned. “She helped me get this job. What if she thinks I don’t deserve it?”

Jenna scoffed. “And that’s exactly why she wouldn’t suddenly hate you. Vanessa is your friend.”

Aria nodded slowly, but deep down, doubt lingered.

She just couldn’t shake the feeling that Vanessa had noticed something—something real, something dangerous—between her and Adrian.

And she had no idea what Vanessa might do next.

At the office the next day, Vanessa sat at her desk, watching as Adrian casually leaned against Aria’s workstation, his posture relaxed, his voice lower than usual.

She saw the way his hand brushed over Aria’s desk, the way he smiled at her.

It wasn’t the way a boss looked at just any employee.

Vanessa clenched her jaw.

She had been right all along.

And if Aria thought she could just take advantage of her kindness and climb her way up by catching the boss’s attention, then she had another thing coming.