The morning began as a slow grind, the weight of the previous evening's thoughts making Kian sluggish and irritable. By the time he arrived at his desk, coffee in hand, he felt less like a productive employee and more like a tightrope walker balancing between exhaustion and frustration.
The Rowland campaign was nearing its final stages, and while Kian was confident in his revisions, a part of him dreaded submitting them. He knew Adrian would comb through every detail with his usual intensity, finding flaws that no one else would notice. But it wasn't just the looming critique that had Kian on edge. It was everything—the cryptic warnings, Marcus's sudden appearance in his life, and the way Adrian always seemed to have the upper hand.
"Morning, Kian," Lila's chipper voice greeted him as she breezed past his desk.
"Morning," Kian mumbled, offering her a faint smile.
Before he could dive into his work, his email pinged with a new message. His stomach twisted when he saw the sender: Adrian Blackwell.
---
Subject: Final Review
Kian,
I want the Rowland campaign deck on my desk by noon. I'll review it personally before it goes to the client.
— A. Blackwell
---
Kian sighed, rubbing at his temple. Of course, Adrian wanted it early. The man was relentless.
By the time noon rolled around, Kian had polished the presentation to the best of his ability. He printed the deck, stacked the pages neatly, and headed for Adrian's office.
The door was slightly ajar, and Kian hesitated for a moment before knocking.
"Come in," Adrian's voice called.
Kian stepped inside, the air in the room immediately feeling heavier. Adrian sat at his desk, his sharp gray eyes focused on his computer screen. He looked up as Kian approached, gesturing for him to place the deck on the desk.
"Here it is," Kian said, setting the stack of papers down.
Adrian picked up the deck, flipping through the pages with a practiced eye. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity as Kian stood there, waiting for his verdict.
Finally, Adrian looked up, his expression unreadable. "It's good."
Kian blinked, caught off guard. "Good?"
Adrian's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Don't sound so surprised. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
Kian's shoulders relaxed slightly, though he wasn't sure if he felt relieved or suspicious. "Thanks."
Adrian set the deck down, leaning back in his chair. "You're improving, Kian. Your work is sharper, more confident. But you're still holding back."
Kian frowned. "What do you mean?"
Adrian's gaze locked onto his, piercing and unrelenting. "You're capable of more than this. You've got the talent, the instincts, but you're afraid to take risks."
Kian's jaw tightened. "I'm not afraid."
"Then prove it," Adrian said, his tone calm but firm.
Kian stared at him, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're always pushing me, always telling me I'm not good enough. Maybe the problem isn't me. Maybe it's you."
Adrian's smirk faded, his expression turning serious. "You think I enjoy this? Pushing you to your limits?"
"Yes," Kian snapped. "It's like some kind of game to you."
Adrian stood, his presence looming. "This isn't a game, Kian. This is about making you better, about showing you what you're capable of. If that makes me the bad guy in your eyes, so be it."
Kian opened his mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. The intensity in Adrian's gaze was overwhelming, a mix of challenge and something else he couldn't quite place.
Before either of them could say more, a knock at the door interrupted the tension.
"Come in," Adrian said, his voice cool and composed once again.
The door opened, and Marcus stepped inside, his easy smile in place. "Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to drop off the updated financials."
Kian stiffened, his gaze darting between Marcus and Adrian. The atmosphere in the room shifted, the tension thickening as Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Leave them on the desk," Adrian said, his tone clipped.
Marcus did as he was told, but his attention lingered on Kian. "Hey, Kian. You doing okay?"
Kian forced a small smile. "Yeah, fine."
Marcus's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he turned to Adrian. "Let me know if you need anything else."
Adrian didn't respond, his sharp eyes watching Marcus leave. The door clicked shut behind him, and the silence that followed was deafening.
Kian shifted uncomfortably. "What's your problem with him?"
Adrian's gaze snapped back to Kian, his expression unreadable. "I don't have a problem with him. I have a problem with his intentions."
Kian crossed his arms. "You're being paranoid."
"Am I?" Adrian asked, his voice low. "Think about it, Kian. He shows up out of nowhere, immediately takes an interest in you, and starts asking questions about your work. Does that not strike you as suspicious?"
Kian hesitated, the seeds of doubt Adrian had planted starting to take root. "Maybe he's just being friendly."
Adrian scoffed, his smirk returning. "Don't be naïve. Ambitious Alphas like Marcus don't 'just' do anything. They always have a motive."
Kian's frustration flared. "Not everyone is like you, Adrian."
Adrian's expression hardened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he picked up the Rowland deck and returned to his seat. "We're done here. Get back to work."
Kian stared at him, his chest tight with anger and confusion. Without another word, he turned and left the office, his mind spinning.
---
The rest of the day passed in a haze. Kian buried himself in his tasks, trying to ignore the nagging thoughts that clawed at the back of his mind. Adrian's words, Marcus's charm, the tension between them—it all felt like pieces of a puzzle he couldn't put together.
By the time the office emptied for the day, Kian was exhausted. As he packed up his things, he noticed Marcus waiting by the elevator, his smile as easy as ever.
"Hey," Marcus said as Kian approached. "Heading out?"
"Yeah," Kian replied, his tone guarded.
"Mind if I walk with you again?" Marcus asked.
Kian hesitated, Adrian's warning echoing in his mind. But he didn't have the energy to argue. "Sure."
As they walked, Marcus kept the conversation light, talking about his transition to the new job and his plans for the weekend. But Kian couldn't shake the feeling that Marcus was watching him a little too closely, his questions a little too pointed.
When they reached the station, Marcus clapped him on the shoulder. "See you tomorrow, Kian."
Kian nodded, forcing a smile. But as he watched Marcus disappear into the crowd, the doubt in his chest grew stronger.
Maybe Adrian was right, he thought, the realization unsettling.