Bitter Love

Chapter 13:First day

As Evie walked into Lacroix Enterprises on her first day, she felt her heart racing in her chest. The sleek, modern interior of the building felt imposing, and the weight of her new position settled heavily on her shoulders. Today, she would be joining the PR team, and she was determined to make a good impression.

Sasha, her new team leader, greeted her with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Evie! I’m so glad you’re joining us. We’ve got a team meeting with Mr.Lacroix in a few minutes, so I’ll show you to the conference room.”

Evie’s stomach tightened at the mention of Adrien’s name. After their last interactions—the interview and the intense, icy atmosphere between them—she wasn’t sure how he’d react to seeing her again.

She took a deep breath, trying to steel herself for what was to come.Sasha led her into the conference room where a few other members of the PR team were already seated. Evie sat down at the far end of the table, trying to calm her nerves.

She hadn’t even settled into her chair when Adrien walked in.He was dressed in a sharp, tailored suit, his expression cold and composed. As he took his place at the head of the table, his gaze swept across the room, pausing for a moment when he spotted Evie.

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and though his expression didn’t change much, Evie felt the weight of his attention.Her heart pounded in her chest. She tried to avoid making eye contact, but every now and then, she could feel his gaze flicker back to her, as though he couldn’t help himself.

Each time, it sent a wave of unease through her.As the meeting began, Adrien’s voice was steady and professional, addressing the team with precision. He discussed new marketing strategies and upcoming projects, never once letting his emotions slip.

Yet, Evie could sense the tension in the air—an unspoken undercurrent of something more.At one point, she glanced up just as Adrien looked her way again. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

It was subtle—barely noticeable to anyone else in the room—but to Evie, it felt like a challenge, as though he was fully aware of how uncomfortable he was making her and was enjoying it.Her breath caught in her throat, and she quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks flush.

Why did he have this effect on her? And why was he acting this way?

The smirk faded as Adrien continued speaking, his attention now back on the team, but the memory of it lingered in Evie’s mind.The rest of the meeting went by in a blur. Evie tried her best to focus on the discussion, but Adrien’s presence was overwhelming.

His occasional glances, the way he seemed to be deliberately ignoring her in one moment and then focusing on her the next—it left her feeling off-balance.By the time the meeting was over, Evie felt like she’d just run a marathon. Sasha gave her a pat on the shoulder.

“Great first meeting! Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of things soon enough.”

Evie nodded with a smile, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t stop thinking about Adrien’s subtle smirk and the way he’d watched her throughout the meeting. Something about his behavior was unsettling, and yet, it only made her more determined to prove herself. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate her.

She took her notebook, trying to remain composed despite the uneasy feeling twisting in her stomach. Sasha offered her another encouraging smile before heading out, followed by the rest of the PR team. Evie moved slowly, hoping to slip out unnoticed.

Just as she reached the door, Adrien’s voice cut through the room.

“Miss Hamilton.”

She froze, hand hovering over the door handle. His tone was cold, authoritative. The kind of voice that commanded attention. She turned slowly, forcing a neutral expression on her face as she met his gaze. Adrien remained seated at the head of the table, his fingers steepled in front of him, his blue piercing eyes focused solely on her.

“Meet me in my office,” he said, the words almost a command rather than a request.