Beneath the Surface

Chapter 6: The Breaking Point

The tension in the office had reached a fever pitch. Adrian was cold, barely acknowledging Amelia during meetings, his eyes always lingering longer than they should when Daniel was around. Amelia tried to keep things professional, but the underlying heat between them was undeniable.

It was after work, just as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, when everything changed. Amelia and Daniel had decided to go for a walk, their usual escape from the confines of the office. They'd been talking more lately, and though Amelia tried to keep their connection strictly platonic, she couldn't ignore the pull between them.

"What are you thinking about?" Daniel's voice broke through her thoughts.

She glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. "I'm just... trying to make sense of everything. Adrian has been so distant lately, and I don't understand why."

Daniel smirked, his hand brushing against hers. "Maybe he's jealous."

The word made Amelia stop in her tracks. "Jealous? Of what?"

Daniel leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Of us."

She opened her mouth to argue, but before she could, Daniel cupped her face in his hands, tilting her chin up. "Admit it, Amelia. You feel it too."

Amelia's heart raced as his lips hovered close to hers. She wanted to pull away, to maintain the boundaries she had so carefully set. But her body betrayed her. The attraction was too strong. She closed her eyes and let him kiss her—tentatively at first, and then with more urgency as she melted into him.

Just as she was beginning to lose herself in the kiss, she heard it—footsteps. Heavy, fast-paced footsteps. Amelia pulled back, her heart hammering in her chest.

She turned just in time to see Adrian rounding the corner. His face was twisted in anger, his eyes black with fury. Without warning, he lunged at Daniel, shoving him with brutal force.

"Stay away from her!" Adrian's voice was like a growl.

Daniel stumbled back, his hands raised in defense. "Adrian, calm down—"

But Adrian was already swinging, his fist connecting with Daniel's jaw with a sickening crack. Amelia gasped, rushing forward, but Adrian pushed her away.

"She's mine!" Adrian spat, his chest heaving with rage. "You don't get to touch her!"

Amelia's heart raced as she looked between them, helpless. Daniel was on the ground now, clutching his jaw, blood staining his lips. Adrian stood over him, breathing heavily, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Adrian, stop!" Amelia cried, grabbing his arm. "This isn't the way to handle this!"

Adrian looked at her then, his eyes flashing with a possessiveness that sent a shiver down her spine. "He had no right, Amelia. You're mine. Mine."

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. Amelia's chest tightened. "Adrian, you don't own me."

But Adrian didn't seem to hear her. He was too focused on Daniel, who was slowly rising to his feet, wiping blood from his lip.

"You're not welcome here anymore," Adrian said, his voice cold as ice. "If you ever come near her again, I'll make sure it's the last time."

Daniel, now visibly shaken, backed away. "Fine," he muttered, before turning and walking off into the night.

Amelia stood there, staring at Adrian, her mind a blur of emotions. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him how out of control he was, but all she could do was stare.

"Amelia," Adrian said softly, his voice different now, a flicker of vulnerability beneath the anger. "I couldn't let him have you."

Her heart ached. She took a step back, her eyes never leaving his. "You think you can just claim me like that?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm not a possession, Adrian."

Adrian's face softened, his anger melting into something else—something almost like regret. "I know. I don't know what came over me. I... I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you."

But Amelia didn't feel relief. She felt trapped. Adrian's intensity was suffocating, and yet, she couldn't deny the attraction she felt for him, the way he made her feel like she was the only one in the room.

Still, she knew this was a line he had crossed, and she wasn't sure how to move past it.

"I need time," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away, leaving Adrian standing in the fading light of the evening, his mind racing with the consequences of his actions.