Eliana had barely stepped into her office when her phone buzzed.
FROM: Executive Assistant, Victoria Kane
SUBJECT: Mr. Cole will see you now.
No explanation. No detail. Just ten words that felt like a summons.
She stared at the screen for a second too long, then squared her shoulders, grabbed her notepad—mostly for show—and made the walk to the top floor.
The elevator ride was silent. Cold. Reflective, like her thoughts.
She didn't know if she was heading into a scolding, a flirtation... or a war.
***
"Close the door," Adrian said without looking up.
Eliana did.
His office was immaculate—glass walls, steel finishes, not a single item out of place. Just like him. But beneath the order, something buzzed in the air. Tension. Heat. A memory.
"Was I out of line in the meeting?" she asked, standing in front of his desk.
He looked up slowly, finally meeting her eyes.
"You were bold," he said. "Most people don't correct me on their first day."
"Most people don't spend the night with you before their first day," she replied, voice sharp, even. Her eyes didn't flinch.
Adrian leaned back in his chair. His expression was unreadable—but something flickered in his eyes. Regret? Amusement? Restraint?
"That night was a mistake," he said coolly.
"Then stop remembering it so loudly."
His jaw tightened.
"I don't mix business with personal," he said. "You work here now. That's the only reason you're in this office."
"Then let's keep it professional," she said. "Unless you'd prefer I transfer out of your company."
A long pause.
"No," he said finally. "You stay. You're sharp. We need that. But one misstep, Eliana, and I won't hesitate."
She nodded slowly. "Understood."
As she turned to leave, he spoke again—so low she almost missed it.
"You walked away that morning without a word."
She stopped at the door, glancing back over her shoulder.
"Because I thought that was what men like you preferred."
Their eyes met. Silence swelled.
"Then maybe," he said quietly, "you don't know men like me."
She didn't respond. Just opened the door and walked out, heels clicking like punctuation marks to a conversation neither of them were ready to finish.