The following morning arrived under overcast skies, the scent of last night's rain still lingering in the air. Adeline stepped into Waylen Company wearing fresh clothes, but the memory of Elias's quiet presence in the car clung to her like morning fog.
As she opened the office door, she found Nathan sorting through a stack of folders on her desk.
Nathan:"Good morning! I was just dropping these off. You've got a project briefing with the legal team at ten."
Adeline (setting down her bag):"Anything I should prep for?"
Nathan:"Yeah—Mr. Elias added a new client to your portfolio. Some big finance firm from Singapore. Looks like he's starting to trust you."
Adeline (brows arching):"He said that?"
Nathan (grinning):"Nope. Just an email. But that's Elias-speak for respect."
Adeline shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips as she sat down and started sorting through the files.
—
At lunchtime, she stepped into the elevator—and there he was. Elias stood at the far end, arms crossed neatly, the picture of controlled composure.
Adeline (neutral):"Afternoon."
Elias (nodding):"You dried off."
Adeline (raising an eyebrow):"You checking on me now?"
Elias:"I don't make a habit of picking people up in the rain."
Adeline (lightly):"Could've fooled me."
Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Just... charged.
Elias (glancing sideways):"You're handling the new client briefing."
Adeline (a bit cautious):"I saw. Wasn't expecting more responsibility so soon."
Elias:"You don't seem like the type to wait for permission."
Adeline (smirking faintly):"Was that a compliment?"
Elias (expression unreadable):"Observation."
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. They stepped out and walked down the corridor, side by side.
Adeline:"You always this cryptic with your team?"
Elias:"No. You're just… not like the others."
She slowed her pace slightly, eyeing him.
Adeline:"What's that supposed to mean?"
He didn't answer. Instead, Elias pushed open a door to the meeting room.
Elias:"Briefing starts in five. You're leading."
Adeline (blinking, then recovering):"Sure. Let's see if I can impress the germaphobe."
Elias (cracking a rare smile):"Try not to sneeze on the contract."
—
The meeting went smoothly. Adeline presented with calm confidence, fielding questions with ease. When it ended, and people began to file out, one of the senior executives clapped her lightly on the shoulder.
Executive:"Nice work, Ms. Moore. You've got presence."
As the door closed behind him, Elias turned to her with a look of mild disapproval.
Elias (dryly):"I'd advise against unnecessary physical contact. Especially in this building."
Adeline (rolling her eyes):"You're impossible."
He didn't respond, but the faint twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips betrayed him.