The silence stretched longer than it should. Annie stood there, still, her blouse damp, the warmth of the coffee slowly fading into an uncomfortable chill against her skin.
Adrian didn't move, he didn't apologize and didn't even look slightly bothered. He just stood there, watching her like she was part of the work on his desk.
Annie swallowed, Hard. Everything inside her wanted to react, to say something sharp, to throw the same energy back at him. But she resisted. She just couldn't.
This was her job, and she had worked too hard to get here. She exhaled slowly and bent down, picking up the file she had dropped earlier.
"I'll clean up," she said quietly but Adrian didn't respond. He had already turned away, walking back to his seat like the moment was over.
Like what he did didn't matter. His action alone stung more than the coffee.
Annie straightened, wiping her hands lightly on the side of her skirt, trying to regain some form of composure.
"Continue," Adrian said without looking at her.
She blinked.
"Continue?" she repeated.
He flipped open another file. Annie watched him puzzled.
"Sit. We're not done."
For a second, she just stared at him. Then she laughed softly, not because it was funny but because she couldn't believe it.
"You're serious," she said under her breath.
Adrian finally looked up.
"Yes."
That was it! No explanation, no softening.
Just yes.
Annie pressed her lips together and sat back down.
"Fine." She said
If this was what he wanted, she would give it to him. But she wasn't going to break. Not here, and never in front of him.
He slid another document toward her.
"Read this."
She didn't argue this time. She just picked it up and read, faster now, Sharper.
Her mind still burned with frustration, but she pushed through it, forcing herself to focus. When she spoke, her voice was steady.
"It's inconsistent. The data doesn't match the conclusion. Either the numbers are wrong or the recommendation is."
Adrian watched her. He paused, then gave a small nod.
"Good."
She didn't react. She didn't let herself feel that small win.
He pushed another file...
And another..
And another.
The pattern continued. But something had changed now. Annie wasn't reacting the same way anymore.
She stopped rushing and she stopped trying to impress him.
She just… did the work.
Clean, direct, and no extra words. She didn't add emotions either. Adrian noticed this. She could feel it how he was observing her subtly. The way his eyes stayed on her a second longer each time. The way he paused before correcting her, and the way he didn't interrupt as quickly as before.
Minutes had passed, or maybe longer. Then finally, he said...
"Stop."
Annie dropped the file gently on the table. Her hands were tired and she could feel the heaviness in her head. But she didn't show it.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, studying her. This time, his gaze was different. It was less aggressive. More… observant.
"You adjust quickly," he said.
Annie didn't respond immediately.
Then, quietly...
"I have to."
Something flickered in his expression.
Again, that quiet shift.
But it disappeared just as fast.
"Go clean up," he said.
Annie frowned slightly. That was unexpected.
"You're dismissing me?" she asked.
"For now."
She nodded slowly and stood up, as she Picked her file. She took one glance at the office and back to Adrian and made her way to the exit door.
****************
The hallway felt colder when she stepped out. Or maybe it was just her.
A few people glanced at her blouse, noticing the faint stain. She simply ignored them and kept walking. She made sure she kept her head up.
She made it back to her office and shut the door behind her. Only then did she breathe. It was a long, shaky breath she didn't even realize she had been holding.
"What is wrong with that man…" she whispered. She felt anger rushing through her veins. She grabbed a tissue, dabbing lightly at her blouse, but it didn't do much. Her reflection in the glass looked so tired. Not only physically. Something deeper.
She exhaled one more time and sank sank into her chair.
Just for a moment. Then there was a soft knock. Before she could respond, the door opened.
Mr. Leighton.
His eyes went straight to her blouse, then back to her face.
"What happened?" he asked, stepping closer.
Annie sighed.
"Work," she said simply.
He didn't look convinced.
"You don't look fine to me, what's up?."
"I said I'm fine Sir." She was trying to steady her tone because that was her boss too.
Leighton stepped even closer now, lowering his voice.
"You don't have to pretend with me, Annie."
There it was again. That tone. His softness. Annie felt it.
And before she could even respond, another presence filled the doorway. Both of them turned to see who the intruder was...
It was Adrian. He stood there, calm as ever. But his eyes… They immediately went straight to where Mr. Leighton stood. He watched the way he stood too close her and very comfortable.
The air shifted immediately. Mr. Leighton straightened slightly.
"Adrian," he said casually.
Adrian didn't respond to him. Not immediately though. Then his gaze moved to Annie, then back to Leighton.
"Mr. Leighton," he said finally, his voice calm. "I need you in my office."
It wasn't a request. Leighton held his gaze for a second,Then smiled faintly. He was wondering why he was so official, when they're supposed to be colleagues?
"Of course." Leighton responded. He stepped back, giving Annie one last look before walking out.
Adrian didn't move until he was gone. Then his eyes returned to Annie.
"You should focus on your work," he said.
Her brows pulled together slightly.
"I am."
"Then keep it that way."
Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten.
This wasn't an instruction, it just felt so personal. Why was he reacting that way?
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away. Just like that. Leaving her with more questions than answers.
****************
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Annie kept her head down. She mad sure she focused on her tasks. She didn't entertain conversations. Didn't look toward Adrian's office.
And Mr. Leighton?
He didn't come back. It felt strange but she didn't care at this point. Atleast she was at peace. I mean, for the moment.
****************
By the time she got home, exhaustion hit her properly.She dropped her bag by the door and leaned against it for a second. Her apartment was still looking the same. It was quiet and she could even hear birds chirping. She walked slowly to her room, sitting on the edge of her bed just like the night before.
But this time, it wasn't Roman in her head first.It was Adrian.The way he watched her, the way he pushed her, and the way he stepped in without saying much when Leighton got too close.
She frowned.
"What exactly is wrong with him…" she muttered.
Then she shook her head.
"No."
That wasn't the real question.
The real question was...
Why did it feel like he was controlling more than just her work? She lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her body was tired, but her mind refused to rest.
Roman...
Adrian..
Leighton!
Everything was just starting to overlap and she was right in the middle of it. She then closed her eyes slowly. But one thought stayed with her, heavy and unsettling. If Adrian could see through her that easily…
Then what else had he already noticed?