ridiculous narrative about me and Adr

I placed the table

arms. "You shouldn't expect to go unnoticed. People

used to being followed. But this? This feels deliberat

mething to do with it?"

nreadable. That was Adrian's specialty,

. "But it's suspicious. The timing. The sudden appearance

into your soap opera of a life. This job pays, that's all. You think I wa

pression as cold as ever

ave the luxury of turning d

stead, he leaned against his desk, arms crossed, h

ap. I froze, caught off guard

a hand to stop him. "No. Don't

aze narrowing sli

care," I replied, my voice harder tha

staring at me like he was trying to unravel a puzz

, his voice calm but cutting. "If you hate me s

truth I wasn't ready to admit. His words

id after a moment, m

ied, his tone challeng

d. The view was breathtaking, the city sprawling belo

on anyone else would be," I

, almost impercept

t do that. Don't act like you're interested

ing. For a moment, I thought he might s

in control of the conversation. "You're paying me to write,

ay of making you feel like you were under a microscope, like h

. "But don't expect me

ich

r more than just mon

ng a deep breath to stead

m

my voice sharper

resolved emotions. I hated how he could still get under my skin, how

my voice colder now. "My g

there was a flicker of something in h

id, my voice firm

xpression calm, unbothered, infuriating. I waited, hands clenched a

" I de

his gaze cool and calculated. "Th

lief. "Excuse me? Not my co

replied smoothly, like we

. "What does that even mean, Adrian? Why are yo

he didn't. His lack of reactio

ing time," h

snapped, spinning on my heel

-

rs gripping the steering wheel so

e a while ago I

I ga

tion desk, luckily it wasn't the one with a gr

With her hair that hasn

Quinn," I said, trying

confused look. "Sh

ned, "

r took her so

aker?" I as

an who's been handling her

nd racing. "Ad

, ma

hanked the nurse curtly be

past six years I didn't see my grandmother.

find her. I knew though, deep

ng games with me, and I w

-

against his desk alone, flipping through some

said without pream

p. "I'm ensuring she

e?" I crossed my a

he replied, his tone

ean rotting in pri

rald eyes narrowing slightly. "I

ad no

oice colder now. "She needed help, and y

I wanted to admit, but I

r back," I said

s gaze sharp. "Goo

-

ilence between us was thick with unresolved anger and t

s desk like she owned the place. She looked up

er voice dripping w

clenched at my sides as I fought the ov

her designer dress, and turned to Adr

ced at her. "It di

lked up to Adrian and placed a hand on his chest, leaning in

I was surprised they di

didn't reciprocate either. His indif

g ghosts from the past," Nina

"And I didn't know you w

to Adrian, all smiles again. "We need to finish

t the screen. "I need to take this," he

him, Nina's fake smile vanished. S

wing up here," she said,

, matching her tone,

eered. "Clinging to a man

oney, I wouldn't touch Adr

money. Obsessed with his money. Willing to open your legs for money. Shame on you.

ut I didn't let it show. "At least I'm not fak

ashed, "Who

prison. Just like you did to me. And here you are trying to

"If you dare

I don't care about y

nding smile. With the way her expression quic

little job while it lasts, Lyra. You

ed back in. Nina's demeanor shifted instantly, her smile

okay?" she a

his gaze briefly flicki

a said, brushing past me with a s

behind her, I let out

tful," I said

comment, moving

e was dangerous. And I wanted

girlfriends

s. You aren't answering my questions and this...you are b

rian said calmly, n

ed. "Ex

ying," he s

hell

y gaze. "If you walk away, you'll neve

I froze, his words hitt

dn't," I

e didn't wav