Beneath the Surface

Chapter 3: Crossing the Line

Amelia's heels clicked rhythmically against the marble floor as she left Adrian's office, her heart pounding in a way she couldn't control. His words lingered, looping in her mind like a broken record.

"I'm not saying this as your boss."

What had he meant by that? Adrian Blake wasn't the kind of man who revealed his emotions—if he even had any. He was always composed, his thoughts locked behind an iron wall. This was different. There was a rawness in his voice she hadn't heard before.

Shaking her head, she tried to refocus. There was no room for personal distractions, especially not with someone like him. She returned to her desk and immersed herself in organizing files for the upcoming presentation.

But her focus was short-lived. Daniel's voice cut through the quiet hum of the office.

"Amelia," he said, flashing his signature easygoing smile as he approached her desk. "Want to grab a coffee? You've been cooped up here all day."

She hesitated. Normally, she would have declined, but after Adrian's strange behavior, she found herself nodding. "Sure, I could use a break."

They walked to the café across the street, the crisp evening air a welcome relief. Daniel, as always, was a natural conversationalist, switching effortlessly between jokes and anecdotes. He told a particularly amusing story about a mishap during a client meeting, and Amelia laughed—a genuine, carefree laugh that felt oddly unfamiliar.

"I missed that," Daniel said suddenly, his tone softer now.

"Missed what?" Amelia asked, tilting her head.

"That laugh," he admitted, his eyes meeting hers. "You used to laugh like that all the time back in college."

Her smile faltered slightly. College felt like a lifetime ago, a world far removed from the high-stakes corporate environment she lived in now. "Life's a bit more serious these days," she replied lightly.

"Doesn't have to be," Daniel said, his voice tinged with something that felt suspiciously like longing.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from Adrian:

"Where are you?"

Her stomach flipped. She quickly typed a reply: "Taking a break. I'll be back soon."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Work?"

"Always," she said with a small shrug.

But when they returned to the office, she found Adrian waiting near her desk, his posture rigid and his expression unreadable.

"Daniel," Adrian said, his tone polite but cold, "a word."

Daniel glanced at Amelia, then back at Adrian. "Sure."

The two men disappeared into Adrian's office, leaving Amelia standing there, feeling an odd mix of curiosity and dread.

The conversation behind the closed door was muffled, but Adrian's tone carried an edge she'd rarely heard. Whatever they were discussing, it wasn't pleasant.

When Daniel emerged ten minutes later, his jaw was tight, and the usual lightness in his demeanor was gone. He nodded at Amelia briefly before leaving without another word.

She turned toward Adrian's office, her heart racing. Against her better judgment, she knocked and stepped inside.

"What was that about?" she asked, her voice firm.

Adrian stood by the window, his hands in his pockets. His silhouette against the city lights was imposing, but there was something almost vulnerable about him in that moment.

"That's none of your concern," he said, his voice calm but clipped.

"It is if it involves me," she countered, refusing to back down.

He turned to face her, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "You should stay away from him, Amelia."

Her brows shot up. "Excuse me?"

"I don't trust him," Adrian said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She crossed her arms, incredulous. "You don't get to decide who I spend my time with."

His gaze softened, but the intensity in his voice didn't waver. "I'm saying this for your own good."

She shook her head, her frustration bubbling over. "No, you're saying this because you don't like the idea of me being close to someone who isn't you."

The silence that followed was deafening. Adrian didn't deny it.

For a moment, they just stood there, the air between them charged with unspoken words. Finally, Amelia broke the silence.

"You can't control everything, Adrian," she said quietly, turning to leave. "Not me."

As the door clicked shut behind her, Adrian remained rooted to the spot, his fists clenching at his sides. For the first time in years, he felt utterly powerless—and he hated it.