The remaining day went quickly with Clara accompanying Adrian and Austin in an emergency meeting that took place after they returned from having lunch.
Though she wasn't as quick-witted as Austin, she still managed to keep up his pace just to not lag. Being new as an assistant she wanted to live up to the mark. She can't fall back on her words giving Adrian any chance to point out her work ethic.
Once the meeting ended, Adrian headed back to his cabin while she and Austin entered theirs. They have been trying to find who was the one who stole their plan and submitted it to the Quin.
After so much brain-racking they weren't able to get any clue that would lead them to the spy who had been secretly leaking their confidential information to his rivals.
"You think giving an open warning in the meeting hall, allowing the spy to play safe? The Boss isn't thinking straight. It's a wrong move" Clara stated looking at Austin.
She had been trying to think about the motive behind this meeting. Declaring an open war with the rival company would tarnish his reputation.
Adrian has been quite open about his displeasure that he ended up showing it to his employees. Wasn't it a stupid way to alert the traitor who has been secretly helping their rivals, leaking all the information regarding their projects?
Austin chuckled at her words, making Clara arch her brow in amusement.
" Did I say anything funny?" she asked finding his smile annoying and she crossed her hands over her chest.
"No, you didn't, but I appreciate your frankness," he said still keeping the smile.
Austin was very impressed with the way Clara didn't hold herself back from speaking about what she didn't feel was right.
When he was interviewing her, he had seen the determination in her eyes when she agreed to become Adrian's assistant. She had no shame in expressing her flaws and was ready to improve them. And that what's impressed him.
"But one thing, you should always keep in mind Clara," he said, and his smile faltered a little and he continued," Never judge our boss's intention. There is always an ulterior motive behind his every action"
Clara frowned listening to his words. Adrian was already alerting the spy when he declared that the one who leaked their plan was one of them. Then how can she not judge his intelligence?
Austin saw her giving him a 'speak' look and he explained," It was just a setup and a beforehand warning for the traitor. If the person was someone from the crowd, then he or she would do something that would lead him to act recklessly.
All this while he had been hiding behind the scene playing safe but with this one warning, he would get scared and he would end up doing something that would give us our first lead"
Adrian purposely declared that the traitor was someone from the company and they are trying to find him. He had been very observant towards the faces. trying to see through their reaction. He just wanted to poke and it hit right, but he wasn't sure if his doubt was right but he wanted to see where this warning goes. And Austin trusted his boss.
Adrian would do something without any valid reasons and now they only had to see what are the outcome of this warning.
Clara bobbed her head when she finally understood the reason behind Adrian's agenda to call this meeting. He had been suspicious about someone and if his doubt happened to be right then it wouldn't take them long to find the culprit.
Walking to her desk she finished her remaining work.
Soon the clock struck eight and she was done with her. Since Austin's work was done, he left before informing her about the rules mentioned in the contract.
Heaving out a sigh, Clara rubbed the space between her brows and fell back leaning her head on the headrest.
She felt like a nanny who was babysitting a twenty-seven-year-old man who was worse than a small kid. His plain rejection on her face made her shut her mouth even before she spoke.
After observing Adrian this entire day, she came to notice one thing, and that was the man who worked like there was no tomorrow without taking a break. She could now understand why he was negligent towards his health because he was busy working his ass hard.
As she tried to find more reasons, her thoughts drifted to the incident that happened in the afternoon and she frowned.
Why would he come to the canteen when he clearly instructed them not to disturb him?
Clara tried to ponder on his action when a past incident crossed her mind and her eyes turned cold.
'He can't be jealous' she concluded.
Their relationship was past the phase where they could feel anything for each other. And now she didn't want to associate with him emotionally because he didn't deserve it.
"I have to make certain things clear" she mumbled and got up from the chair walking out of the room, and heading to see Adrian.
Since the office was empty, Clara felt relief as there weren't people gawking at her like she was a crazy lady and she stopped once she was in front of his cabin's door.
Recalling the morning incident, her lips twitched and she looked at the door blankly. She couldn't believe the man was so ignorant of his behavior towards her that he didn't even acknowledge it.
Suppressing her, anger Clara raised her hand and knocked on the door before she stepped inside. Her eyes went straight toward Adrian's table and she frowned finding the space empty.
"Huh," she took a step forward thinking where he go but soon stopped when she sensed something and her head turned to the left corner of the room.
Her breathing hitched when Adrian's beautiful face came into her view. He was sitting on one of his cushion chairs, leaning back with his eyes closed. It looked like he was asleep but only she knew it wasn't the case.
His pupils fluttered when he sensed someone's presence and he asked," What brings you here Clara"
Clara stood there like a statue as she tried to grasp his words. Something about him didn't seem right. She could feel it deep inside her heart but... she chose to ignore it.
Composing herself, she took a step and voiced her reason for coming here," Boss, it's past work time. I think we should leave"
Adrian slowly opened her eyes and stared at her blankly," Miss Clara" he called her name and stood up taking a step towards her.
"Who is the boss here?" he asked with his cold eye piercing through her soul.
Clara gaped as she opened her mouth to speak only to close it back again. She didn't realize that her words came out in the wrong way.
Finding his penetrating gaze too intimidating she lowered her head and answered," Y-you"
Adrian stopped once he was standing in front of her and said," Then shouldn't it be me who should decide when we would leave" he clutched his fist when he saw her nod her head.
Clara saw his feet and her breath sucked finding him standing this close to her. She didn't want to feel affected by him but his closeness was bothering her and she felt like running away.
Taking a step back, Clara apologized," I am sorry... I didn't mean it that way"
Adrian who stood there silent, watching her move away from him as if he was some kind of disease couldn't control his anger and marched towards her before pulling her by her waist.
"Then what did you mean Clara..." Adrian gnashed his teeth trying his best to hide his displease but failed when Clara widened her eyes in shock and her lips trembled.