The next morning, Elena walked into Adrian’s office with a tray balanced carefully in her hands. Coffee exactly how he likes it.

He didn't look up when she dropped the cup on his desk. He was already buried in numbers on his laptop.

“You’re late,” he said.

Elena checked her watch, and there were seven on the dot.

“It's exactly the time you requested.”

He raised his head and focused on her for a long time.

“If you have to check your watch to argue then you've already lost,” he said with his lips curved slightly.

Her pulse jumped, but she didn't flinch. Not anymore, not after weeks of working with him and enduring his sharp words. “ Or maybe you can't just admit when you're wrong.”

A pause. Dangerous silence.

Then he leaned back on his chair, rubbing his fingers together. “ Careful Elena, you’re becoming too bold.”

The silence grew louder again— but this time he’s lips curved into something darker. “Bold but not smart. Remember every word you say to me has consequences.

Her throat went dry. She wanted to say she doesn’t care, but she knows he’d see through it and ask her to prove it.

By midmorning, she was in the conference room with Adrian and other investors. Adrian didn't need an assistant in this type of meeting, the fact that she was there meant something. She kept wondering if he brought her along out of respect or as a reminder that she belongs to him.

They barely acknowledged her presence as she poured water into their glasses. Until one of the male investors leaned back on his chair curling his lips. “Adrian I didn't realize you brought decorations to the table,” he said mockingly.

Laughter spreads across the room.

“She’s not a decoration, she's my assistant and her worth is more than anyone else in this room who thinks they can waste my time with jokes,” he said pinning his eyes on the man.

The place became dead silent.

The smirk on the man’s face disappeared, no one dared laugh.

The meeting ended quietly and all the investors left. Elena gathered the files and cleared the room.

Back in his office, she dropped the folders on the table. “ I can speak for myself, I don’t need you fighting for me. You humiliated the man.”

“He deserves it, no one is allowed to disrespect what’s mine,” he replied sharply.

Her stomach tightened.” I am not yours”.

He got up from his chair and came around the desk, he moved closer pinning her to the edge, her hand flat on the smooth wood.

“ Say that again,” he said softly with his face inches from hers.

Her heart raced. The smell of cedar and smoke clung to him, filling her head. His hand landed on the desk by her hip, caging her in.

“I’m not yours,” she whispered. It came out softer than she expected.

His gaze dropped on her lips. For one terrifying moment, she thought he would kiss her. She felt she wanted him too.

He pulled away, his coldness returning. “Not yet,” he whispered.

That night she couldn't sleep. She could still feel his closeness.

She hated him, the way he tried to control her, turning everything into a game. Now what she hated the most was the truth she couldn't ignore.

If Adrian had kissed her, she wouldn't have stopped him.

That scared her the most.