The shift was immediate.
By morning, Adrian was distant—precise, colder than usual. Every word was clipped. Every glance carefully controlled. It was worse than anger. It was restraint weaponized.
"You'll accompany me to the Blackridge meeting," he said without looking up. "Observe. Don't engage unless instructed."
"Yes," I replied, though the knot in my stomach tightened.
The venue buzzed with quiet power—tailored suits, guarded smiles, conversations layered with intent. I stayed close, matching Adrian's pace, aware of the way eyes followed him. Followed us.
Then she appeared.
Tall,Elegant,Confident in a way that came from familiarity, not admiration. She stepped directly into Adrian's space, her hand brushing his arm as if it belonged there.
"Adrian," she said smoothly. "You didn't tell me you'd bring company."
His jaw tightened. "This is my assistant."
Assistant wow what was i expecting just my imagination .
The word landed sharper than it should have.
Her gaze swept over me—cool, assessing. "Interesting choice."
I felt suddenly exposed, like a weakness she could exploit.
Throughout the meeting, she stayed close. Too close. Leaning in. Lowering her voice. Smiling like she knew things I didn't. And every time she touched him—brief, deliberate—something ugly twisted in my chest.
Adrian noticed.
I knew he did by the way his attention sharpened, by the subtle tension in his shoulders. When the meeting finally ended, he dismissed everyone quickly, ushering me into a private corridor.
"Did she bother you?" he asked flatly.
"No," I lied.
He stopped walking. Turned. His eyes darkened.
"That was a mistake."
"I am— "
"You don't lie to me," he said quietly. "Not about this."
My pulse raced. "Who is she?"
"Someone who doesn't matter anymore."
The answer didn't soothe me. It unsettled me.
Later, back in the car, his phone buzzed. Once. Twice. He ignored it.
"She knows how to create pressure," he said suddenly. "And she won't stop."
"Why?" I asked.
His gaze met mine, sharp and unreadable.
"Because she thinks you're leverage."
The words sank in slowly, chilling.
I wasn't just an assistant.
I wasn't invisible.
I was a target.
And the jealousy in Adrian's eyes wasn't subtle anymore—it was dangerous.