Evelyn tugged at the hem of her emerald gown, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. She had spent the entire day mentally preparing for the gala, only for Adrian to arrive at her penthouse ten minutes early, looking infuriatingly at ease in a perfectly tailored tuxedo. Now they were seated in the back of a sleek black car, en route to the event, the silence between them brimming with unspoken tension.
"You know, you don't have to look so miserable," Adrian said, his tone light but teasing.
Evelyn shot him a sharp look. "I'm not miserable. I just don't enjoy being paraded around like some trophy for the sake of corporate optics."
Adrian smirked. "Well, think of it this way: I'm your trusty secretary, here to fetch you drinks and fend off unwanted advances."
Her lips twitched despite herself. "You're enjoying this too much."
He leaned back, his dark eyes glinting. "Can you blame me? Watching you navigate these vultures while trying not to kill me is the highlight of my week."
Before Evelyn could retort, the car rolled to a stop in front of the grand venue. The opulent hotel glimmered under the moonlight, its entrance swarming with dignitaries, business moguls, and socialites. A red carpet stretched before them, photographers snapping away as guests made their way inside.
Adrian exited first, offering his hand to Evelyn. She hesitated but eventually took it, the warmth of his touch startling her. As they stepped into the spotlight, Adrian leaned in, his voice low. "Smile, boss. You're the queen tonight."
Evelyn's practiced smile emerged, dazzling the cameras. But Adrian's words lingered, sending an unbidden warmth through her chest.
Inside, the ballroom was a spectacle of luxury: crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the crowd, a live orchestra played softly in the background, and waiters weaved through the guests with silver trays of champagne. Evelyn immediately recognized several familiar faces—some allies, others rivals.
Adrian stayed close, his presence steady but unobtrusive. He expertly intercepted nosy reporters and overly eager executives, leaving Evelyn free to focus on networking. She had to admit, he played his role as her "secretary" alarmingly well.
It wasn't until Victor Hart appeared that the evening took a darker turn.
"Ms. Chase," Victor greeted her with a too-smooth smile. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."
"I wouldn't miss it," Evelyn replied coolly, keeping her posture relaxed despite the warning bells ringing in her mind.
Victor's gaze flicked to Adrian, his smile tightening. "And who's this? Your shadow?"
"Adrian Black," Adrian said, extending a hand. His tone was polite, but Evelyn caught the edge beneath it.
Victor shook his hand, his expression unreadable. "Ah, yes. The infamous Mr. Black. I've heard quite a bit about you."
"I'm sure you have," Adrian replied, his smile razor-sharp.
Evelyn stepped in before the tension could escalate. "Victor, if you'll excuse us, I promised to speak with a few other guests."
Victor inclined his head, his eyes lingering on Adrian for a moment too long. "Of course. Enjoy the evening."
As they walked away, Evelyn leaned close to Adrian, her voice a low whisper. "What was that about?"
Adrian's jaw tightened. "He's testing us. Don't let your guard down around him."
Evelyn nodded, but before she could dwell on it, the orchestra struck up a waltz.
A waiter approached with champagne, and Adrian grabbed two glasses, handing one to Evelyn. "Care for a dance?"
She blinked, startled. "You're joking."
"Do I look like I'm joking?" he said, offering his hand.
Evelyn hesitated, but the curious eyes of the crowd pushed her to accept. "Fine. But if you step on my toes, you're fired."
Adrian chuckled. "Deal."
He led her onto the dance floor with surprising grace, his hand settling firmly on her waist as the other clasped hers. Evelyn tried to focus on the steps, but the heat of his touch and the intensity of his gaze made it nearly impossible.
"You're good at this," she admitted grudgingly.
"Years of practice," he said, his voice low. "You'd be surprised at the things I'm good at."
Her breath hitched, but she quickly masked it with a sharp retort. "Don't get cocky, Black."
"Too late," he said, his smirk widening.
As they moved in perfect synchrony, the world seemed to fade away. The tension between them was no longer something to avoid—it was electric, undeniable. Evelyn hated how easily he could disarm her, how his charm seemed to seep past her defenses.
"You're staring," Adrian murmured, his tone teasing.
She blinked, realizing she had been caught. "Just making sure you don't mess up."
"Sure," he said, his smirk softening into something more genuine. "Whatever you need to tell yourself."
The song ended, and applause rippled through the crowd. Evelyn quickly stepped back, putting distance between them as she fought to regain her composure.
"Thank you for the dance," she said, her voice brisk.
Adrian inclined his head, but the glint in his eyes told her he wasn't letting her off that easily. "Anytime, boss."
As they returned to the crowd, Evelyn couldn't help but wonder if she had just made a mistake. Adrian Black was dangerous—not because of his secrets, but because of the way he made her feel.
The following morning, Evelyn entered the boardroom with her head held high, hiding her nerves beneath a polished facade. She wore a sleek black suit that radiated authority, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
The board members were already seated, their expressions ranging from curious to predatory. Greaves sat at the far end of the table, his smug smile daring her to falter.
Adrian stood quietly by the door, blending into the background as he always did. But Evelyn felt his presence, steady and watchful, like a silent guardian.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Evelyn began, her voice calm but firm, "I understand there have been concerns about my leadership. Let's address them directly."
Greaves leaned forward, his expression triumphant. "Ms. Chase, this isn't personal. It's about the future of this company. We need strong leadership, and your recent decisions have raised some... doubts."
Evelyn forced a polite smile. "What specific decisions are you referring to, Mr. Greaves?"
Greaves faltered slightly but recovered quickly. "The delays in our expansion plans, the increased security expenditures—"
"Both of which were necessary to safeguard this company," Evelyn interrupted smoothly. "As you all know, my father's untimely death left us vulnerable. I've taken measures to ensure Chase Enterprises remains secure and profitable."
The board murmured among themselves, some nodding in agreement.
Greaves opened his mouth to argue, but Adrian stepped forward, holding a folder. "If I may," he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Evelyn gestured for him to continue, grateful for the support.
Adrian handed the folder to the nearest board member, who passed it around the table. "These are the financial reports for the past quarter. Under Evelyn's leadership, profits have increased by 12%, and our market share has grown despite challenging circumstances. I'd call that strong leadership."
The room fell silent as the board members reviewed the reports. Even Greaves couldn't hide his surprise.
"And as for the increased security expenditures," Adrian added, "they were necessary to prevent potential breaches. I'd say protecting the company's assets is worth every penny."
Evelyn watched as Greaves's confidence wavered, a small victory that bolstered her resolve.
"Thank you, Mr. Black," she said, turning back to the board. "I trust this clears up any concerns. Now, unless there are further questions, I suggest we move forward with today's agenda."
The board members exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Greaves, clearly outmaneuvered, sat back in his chair, his expression sour.
As the meeting adjourned, Evelyn caught Adrian's eye and gave him a small, grateful nod.
Once they were alone in her office, she turned to him, her walls momentarily lowering. "Thank you. I couldn't have done that without you."
Adrian shrugged, his smirk returning. "What kind of secretary would I be if I didn't save your job?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. For a brief moment, the tension between them eased. Yet, in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian was still hiding something.
And Adrian, as he watched Evelyn return to her desk, couldn't help feeling the weight of his own secrets pressing down on him. He'd just earned her trust, but how long could he keep it?