The office was quieter than usual the next day, the hum of productivity dampened by the lingering fatigue from the Rowland campaign's success. For Kian, the silence was welcome. After Adrian's cryptic warnings and Marcus's unsettlingly friendly behavior, he needed a moment to breathe.
But that moment didn't last long.
"Kian!" Lila's voice startled him as she appeared beside his desk, balancing a stack of papers and her ever-present latte. "Have you seen the updates for the Thompson pitch? I need someone to double-check the data before I send it off."
Kian sighed, closing his laptop. "Sure. Let me take a look."
"Thanks," Lila said, handing him the files. "By the way, congrats on the Rowland campaign. You've been killing it lately."
"Thanks," Kian said with a faint smile.
As Lila walked away, Kian turned his attention to the files, trying to lose himself in the numbers. But his focus was interrupted when Marcus appeared, leaning casually against the edge of his cubicle.
"Morning, Kian," Marcus said, his green eyes glinting with something unreadable.
"Morning," Kian replied, his tone wary.
"I was wondering if you had time to grab lunch today," Marcus said, his voice smooth. "We haven't really had a chance to talk outside of work."
Kian hesitated, Adrian's warnings flashing through his mind. But at the same time, he was tired of feeling like he was walking on eggshells. Maybe spending time with Marcus would prove there was nothing to worry about.
"Sure," Kian said finally. "Why not?"
Marcus's smile widened, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. "Great. There's a place around the corner I've been meaning to try."
---
The restaurant Marcus had chosen was small and cozy, with soft lighting and a relaxed atmosphere. Kian sat across from Marcus, trying to ignore the nagging voice in his head that kept replaying Adrian's warnings.
"This is nice," Marcus said, glancing around. "A little quieter than the office."
"Yeah," Kian said, sipping his water.
Marcus studied him for a moment before leaning forward slightly. "So, tell me—how did you end up at Blackwell Enterprises?"
Kian frowned, caught off guard by the question. "I applied like everyone else."
Marcus chuckled. "I mean, what made you choose this place? It's not exactly Omega-friendly."
Kian's stomach twisted, the subtle jab landing harder than it should have. "I don't let my designation define me," he said firmly.
"Of course not," Marcus said quickly, holding up his hands. "I didn't mean it like that. I just think it's impressive. You've clearly worked hard to get where you are."
Kian relaxed slightly, though the tension in his chest didn't fully dissipate. "Thanks."
Marcus smiled, his expression warm. "You're welcome. And for what it's worth, I think Blackwell's lucky to have you. Not everyone would thrive under someone as... intense as him."
Kian stiffened, his defenses rising. "Adrian's demanding, but he's fair. He knows what he wants, and he gets results."
Marcus tilted his head, a flicker of something curious in his eyes. "You're pretty loyal to him, aren't you?"
"He's my boss," Kian said, his tone sharper than he intended. "I respect him."
Marcus's smile faltered, but only for a moment. "Fair enough. I just hope he respects you as much as you deserve."
Kian didn't respond, his appetite fading as the conversation turned heavier than he'd anticipated.
---
Back at the office, Kian felt like he was being pulled in two different directions. Marcus's friendliness seemed genuine, but Adrian's warnings made it impossible to trust him completely.
As the day wore on, Kian found himself avoiding both of them, burying himself in work to avoid the growing tension. But by mid-afternoon, his reprieve was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
Adrian appeared at his cubicle, his expression unreadable as he gestured for Kian to follow him.
"We need to talk," Adrian said, his voice low.
Kian sighed, standing and following Adrian to his office. Once inside, Adrian closed the door and leaned against his desk, his gray eyes sharp.
"What's this about?" Kian asked, crossing his arms.
Adrian didn't answer immediately, his gaze studying Kian as though trying to gauge his mood. "I saw you went to lunch with Marcus."
Kian's chest tightened. "Are you keeping tabs on me now?"
Adrian's smirk was humorless. "You're part of my team. I make it my business to know what's going on."
Kian's frustration flared. "He's just being friendly, Adrian. Why can't you let it go?"
"Because he's not just being friendly," Adrian said, his voice hard. "He's probing. Every question he asks, every compliment he gives—it's calculated. He's looking for an opening, and he's using you to get it."
Kian shook his head, his jaw tightening. "You don't know that."
"I do," Adrian said, stepping closer. "And deep down, you do too. You're just too stubborn to admit it."
The intensity in Adrian's gaze made Kian's breath catch, his heart pounding in his chest. "What do you want from me?" Kian asked, his voice quieter now.
"I want you to stop giving him the benefit of the doubt," Adrian said, his voice softening. "I want you to trust your instincts—and maybe trust me a little too."
Kian's throat tightened, the vulnerability in Adrian's words cutting through his defenses. For a moment, the tension between them shifted, the air growing heavier with something unspoken.
But before either of them could say more, a knock at the door broke the moment.
"Come in," Adrian called, his tone sharp 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."
Adrian's expression darkened, his posture stiffening as he took the folder from Marcus. "Thanks. I'll review these later."
Marcus glanced at Kian, his smile faltering slightly. "Hey, Kian. Everything okay?"
Kian nodded, though the tension in the room was palpable. "Yeah. Just wrapping up."
Marcus hesitated, his gaze flicking between Kian and Adrian before stepping back toward the door. "Well, I'll let you two get back to it."
As the door clicked shut behind him, Adrian let out a sharp breath, his jaw tightening.
"This isn't over," Adrian said, his tone low and dangerous.
Kian swallowed hard, his chest tight as he tried to make sense of the collision course he was caught in.
!