Adrian's POV
Walking out of Valeria Moretti's office, I felt a strange mix of exhilaration and frustration. She'd dismissed me with that icy, impenetrable look, as if I was nothing more than a tool. In all honesty, I should've been glad—I wasn't hired to win her over. But there was something about the way she looked at me, like she already knew every little trick in my book, every weakness I'd ever tried to hide.
Still, I could feel the tug of her magnetism. Hell, who wouldn't? She was stunning. Every single detail about her was carefully constructed, down to the way she barely looked up when she spoke, like the whole world wasn't quite worth her time. It pissed me off. And yet, somehow, I wanted to be closer.
Before I could linger too much on her, my phone buzzed with a message from my friend, Luca—CEO of the law firm that had managed to wedge itself into Valeria's network of empires. Heard you met the legend herself. Try not to fall in love, Blake. Every other poor sap does.
Yeah, Luca wasn't exactly subtle. I typed back, I'm here to work, not fall in love with the client.
He replied with a smirk emoji and a simple: Sure.
I pocketed my phone and headed back to my office, still playing over every word Valeria had said. I'd get her to see me as more than just another suit. I'd find a way in, because… well, damn it, I wanted to.
---
That night, I had a meeting at a fancy downtown lounge, some exclusive gathering of CEOs and other overconfident men who thought a stiff drink and a handshake could solve everything. And wouldn't you know it, Valeria was there.
She stood in the center of a crowd, laughing at something a guy in a designer suit was saying. He was leaning in, looking far too pleased with himself. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Every guy in that circle was practically drooling, and she seemed blissfully indifferent.
I slid over to the bar, ordering a drink, letting myself observe. Just the tiniest hint of jealousy crept in, which I quickly squashed. I wasn't here to be impressed or obsessed, no matter how many fools surrounded her.
Yet, I couldn't stop glancing over.
She spotted me then, her violet eyes flicking to mine. A small, amused smile played on her lips as she excused herself from her admirers and walked over to me. My heart skipped a beat, which was ridiculous. I was supposed to be the composed one here.
"Mr. Blake," she purred, her tone a blend of boredom and amusement. "I didn't take you for the mingling type."
I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "Neither did I, until I realized it was a prime opportunity for people-watching."
She raised a brow, glancing over at the crowd she'd just left. "Observing something interesting?"
"Only that every man in here looks like they'd sell their soul for a minute of your attention."
She laughed softly, a sound that somehow cut through the noise of the bar. "Careful, Mr. Blake. You sound dangerously close to envy."
"Envy?" I shook my head, smirking. "No. Pity, maybe."
"Oh?" She tilted her head, clearly enjoying herself. "And what exactly do you pity them for?"
"For thinking they've got a shot with you," I said, leaning forward slightly. "You seem like the type who doesn't give in easily."
She held my gaze, her smile turning into something sharper, more calculating. "And what makes you think I give in at all?"
Challenge accepted. "Guess that's why I'm here," I replied smoothly. "To see what it takes."
She smirked. "I've seen hundreds of men like you, Mr. Blake. Each one thinking he's the exception, that he'll somehow unlock the mystery of Valeria Moretti."
I shrugged, keeping my expression carefully neutral. "Guess we'll see if I'm right."
Valeria studied me for a beat, her violet eyes flashing with something I couldn't read. Then, she chuckled softly, as if I were some harmless toy that had just entertained her for a fleeting moment. "Good luck with that," she said, her voice low and dark.
With that, she turned and walked back to her circle of admirers, leaving me at the bar, alone and burning with a mixture of frustration and fascination. I watched as every man turned to her, each one like a pawn in some game she played with absolute mastery.
My jaw clenched. I was going to figure her out. And whether she liked it or not, I was going to be the one who didn't get tossed aside.