Bitter Love

Chapter 14:Instinct

Evie's Pov

I followed Adrien down the hallway, my pulse racing with every step. The sleek walls of Lacroix Enterprises loomed around me, cold and impersonal, much like him. I had barely managed to steady myself after the meeting, but now I was walking right into his office—into his domain.

As we reached the elevator, he pressed the button, his expression unreadable. I stepped in after him, keeping as much distance between us as the small space allowed. The doors slid shut with a quiet hiss, sealing us inside.The silence between us was thick, almost oppressive.

I could feel the tension radiating off him, though he didn’t say a word. I kept my eyes fixed on the metallic doors in front of me, counting the seconds until we reached his office.

Then, without warning, the lights flickered. The elevator jolted hard, and before I knew what was happening, I was thrown off balance. I gasped, my hands instinctively reaching out to grab onto something—anything.

But before I could even process the movement, I felt a strong arm wrap around me, pulling me close. My body collided with his, and for a heartbeat, everything else disappeared.Adrien held me firmly, his arm around my waist, steadying me.

My heart races as I find myself pressed against him, his arm wrapped firmly around my waist. I look up, and for the first time, I take in every detail of his face up close—closer than I’ve ever been. His blue eyes are darker here, almost stormy, intense as they lock onto mine.

His hair, a deep brown, falls slightly across his forehead, tousled in a way that looks effortlessly perfect. But it’s his lips—pale, pressed into a thin line—that hold my attention for a second too long.The way he’s holding me, the way he’s looking at me, makes the air feel even heavier. My breath catches.

We’re close enough that I can feel the heat from his body, smell the faint scent of his cologne, something dark and woodsy. It’s intoxicating.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice low, almost gentle.

I nod, unable to trust myself to speak. My heart is pounding too fast, too hard. The intensity in his gaze makes me feel exposed, like he can see right through me, past all my defenses.For a moment, neither of us move. His hand stays at my waist, his fingers pressing lightly into my side.

The air between us feels charged, as if something could happen if either of us were brave enough to make the first move.But then, just as quickly, the moment is gone.Adrien releases me, stepping back as though the contact burned him.

His expression closes off, the warmth in his eyes vanishing in an instant, replaced by the familiar coldness I’ve come to expect. The elevator doors slide open with a soft ding, and without a word, he strides out, leaving me standing there, still trying to catch my breath.

I swallow hard, my legs trembling slightly as I steady myself. What just happened? It was nothing, I tell myself.

I exhale slowly and follow him down the hall, my heart still racing.His office is just as intimidating as he is—floor-to-ceiling windows, a massive sleek desk that dominates the room, and not a single thing out of place. Everything about it screams power, control, perfection.

Adrien stood behind his desk, already rifling through papers as though what happened in the elevator never even occurred. I hesitate in the doorway, feeling the weight of his presence pulling at me, though he doesn’t look up.Finally, he slides a stack of reports toward the edge of the desk.

“Review these,” he says, his tone cool and businesslike. “I expect your analysis by tomorrow morning.”

I step forward and take the papers, trying to ignore the fact that my hands are still slightly shaking from earlier. He doesn’t seem to notice, or maybe he just doesn’t care.I turn to leave, desperate to escape the suffocating tension of this office, but just as I reach the door, his voice cuts through the air again.

"Evie."

I paused,my heart pounding as I turned to face him again.

“It was instinct,” he says, finally meeting my gaze.

There’s a cold finality to his tone, as if he’s trying to put a wall between us, to dismiss whatever just happened in the elevator.I feel my stomach drop.

“Instinct?” I echo, trying to keep my voice neutral, but the word feels like a slap.

He nods, his expression unreadable.I stand there, the air thick with tension, my heart sinking at his dismissal.I want to say something,but instead, I just nod, forcing a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.

“Of course,” I say, but it sounds hollow even to my ears.

I turn and walk out of the office, the door clicking shut behind me. The moment lingers in the air, heavy and unresolved. Instinct. I wish I could brush it off as easily as he does, but I can’t help but feel the spark that flickered between us.

As I walk down the hallway, I can still feel the warmth of his hands, the intensity of his gaze, and the way my heart raced in that brief moment of connection. It wasn’t just instinct for me.But it seems that’s all it would ever be for him.

--------------------------------------
Heey guys! Hope you are doing good

I decided to continue the book by writing their own pov.I hope you'll like it!

Please don't forget to vote and comment.

Love y'all❤