The next morning, Adrian's phone buzzed incessantly on the nightstand. He sighed, rubbing his temples as he sat up. The messages were from his assistant, informing him of urgent issues at the company. A major deal was unraveling, and his absence was beginning to take its toll.
Adrian knew he couldn't ignore his responsibilities any longer. For weeks, he had pushed everything aside to be by Joi's side. But now, his world—the one he had meticulously built—was demanding his attention.
In the living room, Emily was chatting with Joi, who seemed more at ease than she had been in days. The sight of her laughing softly made Adrian's chest tighten. How could he leave now, when she was finally beginning to heal?
Emily noticed his expression and raised an eyebrow. "Work?"
Adrian nodded, glancing at Joi. "It's piling up."
"You should go," Emily said gently. "She'll be okay. We're here."
Joi looked up, her smile fading as she caught the tail end of their conversation. "Go where?"
Adrian hesitated, guilt gnawing at him. "I need to check on things at the company. Just for a few days."
Her face fell, but she quickly masked it with a nod. "Of course. You don't have to explain."
"I'll come back," Adrian said firmly, stepping closer. "This isn't goodbye."
Joi forced a smile. "I know."
---
Adrian strode into the sleek glass building of Valorum Motors, the hum of the morning city filling the air as employees greeted him with a mix of respect and awe. His presence was magnetic, commanding every room he entered without a word. It was his first full day back at the office since the trip to Spain, and the weight of decisions and meetings hung heavy on his shoulders.
Rachel, his secretary, appeared at his side almost immediately. Her dress, a little tighter than usual, clung to her curves and dipped lower at the neckline than what was strictly professional. She handed him his agenda for the day, her polished nails brushing lightly against his hand.
"Good morning, Mr. Adrian Reginald," Rachel said, her voice syrupy smooth. "I've prepped everything for your 10 a.m. meeting with the Valorum Motors design team, and the quarterly financial reports from your luxury brand, Prestige Line Motors, are on your desk. Let me know if there's anything else you need."
Adrian nodded curtly, his attention already on the schedule. "Thank you, Rachel."
She lingered a moment longer than necessary, her lips curving into a small, suggestive smile. "It's good to have you back. The office just isn't the same without you."
He glanced at her, his face unreadable. "I'm sure it functioned perfectly fine."
Rachel blinked, her smile faltering for a split second before she recovered. "Of course, but there's no substitute for strong leadership," she said, tilting her head slightly to meet his gaze.
Adrian said nothing, already moving toward his private office.
---
As the day progressed, Rachel continued her subtle attempts to catch his attention. She made excuses to deliver updates in person rather than by email, leaning slightly forward as she placed documents on his desk. Once, she "accidentally" spilled her coffee near him, bending low to clean it up, ensuring Adrian had a full view of her.
He noticed, of course, but his focus remained on his work. If Rachel's tactics affected him, he gave no indication. His attention was split between finalizing the expansion of Valorum Motors' electric vehicle line and reviewing the Prestige Line Motors' newest acquisition strategy.
By lunchtime, Rachel had grown bolder. She brought him a tray of food without being asked—a freshly grilled chicken salad with a side of espresso.
"I figured you'd skip lunch again," she said with a playful smile, placing the tray on his desk.
Adrian looked up briefly, his gaze sharp. "Thoughtful of you," he said, his tone neutral.
Rachel stepped closer, perching herself on the edge of his desk. "You know, Mr. Adrian Reginald, you work too hard. Maybe you should take a break sometime."
"I'll rest when Valorum Motors dominates the European market," he said dryly, returning his attention to his laptop.
She laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Maybe you need someone to help you unwind." Her voice dropped slightly, laced with suggestion.
Adrian's typing slowed, and he finally looked at her. His eyes were cold, but his voice remained composed. "Rachel, if you have time to spare, I suggest you direct it toward ensuring the board meeting later runs seamlessly."
She flushed slightly, biting her lower lip as she stood. "Of course, Mr. Stone," she said, her tone more subdued.
As she exited his office, Adrian leaned back in his chair, exhaling quietly. He didn't miss the way Rachel was trying to blur the lines between professional and personal. But his thoughts weren't on her; they were on Joi.
Her fragile strength, her determination to reclaim her life despite her fears—it was something he admired deeply. His chest tightened at the thought of her being alone, still haunted by the ghosts of her past.
With a quick decision, Adrian pulled out his phone and typed a brief text to her.
Everything okay on your end?
He stared at the screen for a moment before setting it aside, his mind already shifting back to the work piling up on his desk.
---
Rachel watched Adrian from her own desk, biting back a sigh. He was infuriating—so distant, so unreachable. But that only made her want him more. The challenge of breaking through his cold exterior was intoxicating, and she wasn't ready to give up.
If Adrian Reginald was going to resist her, she'd simply have to find a way to make him see her—no matter what it took.
---
Adrian walked into the sleek boardroom of Valorum Motors, the walls adorned with pictures of the company's latest innovations. He was late, and he hated being late. The team of executives stood as he entered, their conversations halting mid-sentence.
"Sit," Adrian instructed, his deep voice cutting through the air as he adjusted his cufflinks. His gaze swept the room, sharp and assessing. He was in command, and everyone knew it.
Rachel, his secretary, slid into the room behind him, carrying a stack of neatly organized files. Her fitted blouse and pencil skirt accentuated her curves, and her carefully styled hair fell in soft waves. She set the files in front of Adrian and lingered just a moment too long.
"Your reports, Mr. Reginald," Rachel said, her tone sweet but professional, though her eyes carried a subtle invitation.
Adrian barely glanced at her as he picked up the files. "Thank you, Rachel. That'll be all."
She hesitated, her lips parting as if to say something, but Adrian's attention was already on the documents. Defeated, Rachel turned to leave, but not before catching a few curious glances from the executives.
As the meeting began, Adrian's mind wandered briefly. He had spent the morning ensuring Joi was settled before rushing here. She had clung to him this morning, her anxiety over Marcus's proximity making it difficult for him to leave.
His focus snapped back to the room as one of the executives stumbled over a slide about declining market shares. Adrian's voice cut through the explanation like a scalpel. "If this is what you call a recovery strategy, we're in trouble. Fix it. I want an updated presentation on my desk by tomorrow morning."
The room tensed under his command, but no one dared argue. Adrian didn't tolerate mediocrity.
---
After the meeting, Adrian returned to his office. The view from his floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, but his gaze was unfocused. He loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair, exhaustion creeping in.
Rachel knocked softly and entered without waiting for a response, carrying a cup of coffee. Her blouse was unbuttoned just slightly lower than before, and she moved with deliberate grace as she placed the cup on his desk.
"I thought you could use this," she said with a soft smile. "Long day already?"
Adrian looked up at her, his expression unreadable. "Every day is long, Rachel. What do you need?"
Rachel hesitated, then moved to sit on the edge of his desk, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay. You've seemed... distracted lately."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice cool. "I'm fine. Thank you."
She leaned forward slightly, her hand brushing against his desk as she tilted her head. "You don't always have to be fine, you know. I'm here if you ever need to talk."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Rachel, I appreciate your concern, but this is neither the time nor the place."
Rachel's face flushed, her confidence faltering for a moment. "Of course, Mr. Reginald. I didn't mean to overstep." She straightened and smoothed her skirt, her flirtatious demeanor slipping into something more subdued.
Adrian's tone softened, but his boundaries remained clear. "I know you didn't. But let's keep this professional."
She nodded and left the office, her steps more hurried than when she entered. Adrian exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. The tension of the day weighed heavily, but his thoughts were already drifting back to Joi and the mess waiting for him at home.
He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his messages. There was one from Emily: Joi's been asking for you.
Adrian stood, buttoned his suit jacket, and grabbed his keys. Work could wait. Joi couldn't.